Making It Clear

"Wow, you're amazing. You can even fly!"

After flying through the air for a while, Kaiser Lynn's fear had turned into excitement.

"There are plenty of other things I'm good at," Shirakawa said proudly.

But Kaiser Lynn exclaimed so often that hearing it once or twice might have been tolerable, but after a while, it got a little annoying.

Luckily, it didn't last much longer, because he could already see the city walls.

Once they were outside the city, the two of them descended.

"Wow, you're so fast," Kaiser Lynn said, a little disappointed.

"Don't use the word 'fast' to describe me." At the word, Shirakawa shot Kaiser Lynn a displeased look.

"Then why don't you fly me back to my country?"

Kaiser Lynn gazed up at him with wide, sparkling eyes, brimming with hope.

"No. Our main purpose this time is to get some battlefield experience, and to drop you off at the Royal Palace along the way."

"Along the way? I'm just an afterthought?" Kaiser Lynn could hardly believe her ears. Had she heard him wrong? But when she saw Shirakawa's resolute gaze, she knew she hadn't.

"You jerk. A beautiful woman is standing right in front of you, and all you care about is getting stronger. No wonder you'll be single your whole life."

Kaiser Lynn said angrily, then walked a few steps ahead, leaving Shirakawa with her back turned.

"I'm only saying this for your own good." Seeing Kaiser Lynn's dejected figure, Shirakawa couldn't help feeling sorry for her. He walked up to her and said, "We're not right for each other. In fact, I'm not right for any woman in this world. Do you understand what I mean?"

"What exactly are you trying to say?" Kaiser Lynn could hear the sadness and melancholy in Shirakawa's voice.

"Maybe you'll understand someday. Even if I told you now, you wouldn't believe me."

Kaiser Lynn knew that from then on, their relationship could only remain that of close friends of the opposite sex. There was no chance of taking it any further.

"It's okay." Kaiser Lynn managed a strained smile, though a few tears glistened at the corners of her eyes. The more she tried to smile, the more bitter it looked.

Shirakawa was doing this for Kaiser Lynn's own good. He had to put an end to her unrealistic hopes—and to his own, too.

For some reason, after saying all that, Shirakawa suddenly felt much lighter.

After waiting outside the city for a while, Shirakawa finally saw Buggy and Shanks arrive, panting heavily. Seeing them, he breathed a sigh of relief. At last, he wouldn't have to keep enduring the awkward atmosphere.

"Shirakawa, you bastard!" The moment they saw him, both of them flew into a rage. They stormed over, grabbed him by the collar, and shouted at him.

"Haha, I trusted your abilities. I knew you'd be able to get away from those soldiers."

Shirakawa knew he'd been out of line, so he sounded a little apologetic.

"Hmph. Don't think I'll forgive you just because you praised my abilities. I'm telling you, I'll remember this. One day, you'll pay me back."

"Sure, sure." Shirakawa paid no attention to Shanks's threat. Knowing Shanks, he'd probably forget about it after a while.

"Shirakawa, next time you fly, can you take me with you and leave Shanks behind?" Buggy stepped forward and asked.

"Of course—if you can get away from Shanks first."

If Shirakawa flew off alone, Shanks might complain a little. But if he took Buggy along, Shanks would never allow it—not because he and Buggy were especially close, but because he needed someone to keep him company.

"Hey, what happened between you and Kaiser Lynn? You two seem kind of off."

"Nothing. You're imagining things."

"Don't tell me you did something completely beastly in such a short time. Hmph, you scumbag."

"What are you even talking about? 'Completely beastly'? 'Scumbag'?" Shirakawa snapped.

"Am I wrong?"

"Shut up, Shanks." Shirakawa hadn't expected Shanks to be such a little schemer. Was this something Rayleigh had taught him, too?

I'd better stay away from Rayleigh when we get back. He'll probably corrupt my pure heart, too. Just look at what's become of innocent Shanks.

Rayleigh, I'm not taking the blame for this.

Far away, Rayleigh was gambling at a casino when he suddenly sneezed. "Who's talking about me? It can't be anything good. I'd better watch my step for a while."

"Then let's go." Now that everyone had arrived, they were ready to set off. Shirakawa walked over to Kaiser Lynn and spoke a little stiffly. "We should get moving."

"Okay." Kaiser Lynn gave him a quiet reply, still in low spirits.

Her first romance had been snuffed out before it even began, before she'd had a chance to confess her feelings.

The group adjusted their clothes and continued on their way, taking off their disguises.

They weren't likely to run into a large number of soldiers outside the city, so there shouldn't be any problem.

"Do you know where the capital of your country is?"

"Obviously. Our country is northwest of this one, so we just have to keep heading northwest."

"So you don't know exactly where your capital is, then?"

"Obviously not. I've lived in the Royal Capital my whole life and never left. If something hadn't happened, I wouldn't have ended up here."

"You're pretty impressive, then."

"What do you mean? Are you looking down on me?"

"No. I'm genuinely praising you. You've lived in the Royal Capital your whole life, yet you've managed to survive out in the world for so long. You've been through some rough times, but that's still impressive."

"Hmph. Praising me won't make me happy, and it won't make up for the hurt you caused me."

At that, Shirakawa felt awkward. He had no idea how to respond.

Kaiser Lynn also realized she'd said something she probably shouldn't have and fell silent.

"Buggy, look. There really is something going on between those two."

Shanks leaned close to Buggy's ear and whispered. But the four of them were standing so close together that Shirakawa and Kaiser Lynn heard every word.

Kaiser Lynn's cheeks reddened, while Shirakawa wondered how he was going to deal with that annoying brat Shanks later.

"Yeah, they're definitely acting differently from this morning. Something must've happened that I don't know about," Buggy said, agreeing with Shanks.

"Mm-hmm."

"Shut up, you two brats." Shirakawa smacked each of them on the head. Instantly, a huge bump rose on each of their heads, making them look ridiculous.