Smiling lessons

"Ugh, who the hell named you a leader of our team?" Gin asked Zero with an annoyed expression and folded arms as Zero's team exited the trading firm with their allowance for trading.

"I am not letting any of you handle our money." He replied to her with a faint smile that irritated her even further.

"Well, it's not such a big deal, right?" Natala asked with a friendly smile, trying to defuse the situation.

"Yeah, there is nothing wrong with it. Zero has shown that he has brains during the previous missions. Even if this is more about the economy, I think it should be fine as long as all of us agree on what we will be trading with." Green agreed with a slightly downcast expression, still butthurt that he couldn't team up with Akame.

"Man, you have got to get your shit together. Either confess to her or let go of her, is that so hard?" Zero asked, completely changing the subject, however, more importantly partly revealing Green's secret to Natala and Gin.

"What the hell?! Don't just ask such questions with the others around!" Green raised his voice while looking shocked.

"Hmm? Now I understand why you feel so disappointed to be in our team" Gin nodded her head but didn't pry any further.

"Tch...It's easy for you to say that but if you were in my position, you wouldn't be able to say anything either. I could completely destroy our relationship and not only that but also the entire team's atmosphere." Green said with a more serious expression, making the others think a bit about his words.

Zero understood what he meant and if it was in his old world, he would wholeheartedly agree with him but during his time in this merciless world...he discovered that hiding your feelings is only the burden and cause for future regret. People die every single day, especially those who work in their field. In his first life, Zero was just like Green, behaving like a high schooler in love.

Zero noticed how the serious atmosphere has gotten so as a team leader he decided to lighten it up a bit.

"Really? Shall we return back to the trading firm?"

"Eh? What for?" Green was confused by his question.

"To prove it's not hard. I will confess to Poney right in front of you all. You might even get some inspiration that way, heh" Zero said with a smirk across his face.

"You like that midget?!" Gin sounded genuinely shocked.

*sigh* Natala just scratched the back of his head with an awkward expression, obviously not very versed in this subject.

"Of course he doesn't! Of course, it is easy to say some empty words than the words filled with your feelings!" Green corrected Gin.

"Heh, I never took you for such a poetic person, Green. However, even the empty words can be filled with fake feelings if you are skilled enough. I will demonstrate that later but for now...Gin?" Zero explained and stopped in front of one shop before turning to Gin.

"What?" As usual, she asked him with her guard up, frowning in the process.

"It won't work that way, you need to form a smile. I admit that you are beautiful even if you don't smile but I bet a smile will take you to a completely new level." Zero explained in more detail his plan.

"Ugh, fine I will try but stop with those compliments, it's weird coming from you out of all people!" Gin agreed to his plan with flushed cheeks, unable to take more compliments while keeping her composure.

'Women like Gin are really easy to convince...' Zero knew that Gin was more of that tough woman type, she had a fair share of muscles but not too much to take away from her beauty. The major thing that took the charm from her was her attitude and her being loudmouthed. If she just kept quiet and was all smiles, she would be able to charm anyone.

Obviously Zero was aware that her being loudmouthed was her signature, it was making her who she truly is, however, he needed her to become more "docile" which would be impossible unless he would throw enough compliments at her.

'She is a woman, after all, she likes compliments even if she acts like she finds them annoying.'

The next hour was spent just on Gin's smiling lessons. Thankfully, they had 3 guys who could put in their opinions, therefore, perfecting Gin's smiling "skills".

.

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"That was the most humiliating thing I have ever done, never ever expect me to do such a thing again! Why the hell are we even buying food instead of ceramics or textiles for example?!" The moment Gin walked out of the shop, her smile disappeared and she started fuming.

'More humiliating than the fact that everyone in our team has already seen your tits in open?' Zero wanted to ask it aloud but even he knew better than anybody that if he wants her to continue later, he needs to be nice to her.

"Aww, come on, just for your information, guys like tough girls like you who also can act cute like that. Right, guys?!" Zero said with a gentle smile before discreetly jabbing both Natala and Green in their ribs.

"Agh, y-yes! You were really good out there." Both Green and Natala subconsciously said a few compliments.

"Hmph! Let's go get our cart, I am expecting an explanation from you why did we use our money on food and daily necessities." Gin acted as if she didn't care. The control over her expression has also gotten better but Zero was able to see that she was secretly glad for their words.

"Of course, ladies first, please!" Zero said with a faint smile and closed eyes while motioning Gin to lead the group.