Chapter 32 : "Vanessa's right,

want to read ahead or want to support you can join my patr-eon and u will be able to read ahead by 15 chapters

patr-eon.com/Rias_gremory174

--------

Before he could get up to leave the store, another person sat down beside Vin. Even without turning his head, Vin could easily make out the piercing blue in the corner of his vision.

Turning to face his companion, Vin saw that Xenovia had actually decided to forgo wearing her training clothes, or a simple set of sweats, in favor of a simple white t-shirt and a pair of grey shorts, a half-opened black hoodie worn over it all.

Now, Xenovia traditionally exuded an aura of unparalleled confidence in the face of any adversity… But now? Well, she looked oddly unsure of herself, her frame betraying a level of unease that Vin hadn't expected to see in the blue-haired swordswoman.

"...This your first time clothes shopping?" Vin asked offhandedly, mostly to start conversation.

Unexpectedly, she actually nodded, "Yes… The church usually provides everything we need. So why did I come here? Irina is more crafty than I give her credit for…"

"You're right about that," Vin agreed, "This is the first time I've seen you wear something that isn't some kind of uniform or training clothes."

"Ah, yes, some of our comrades can be very persistent."

"Irina?"

"Irina," Xenovia nodded, the two seemingly in understanding of the joint hell that faced them.

"Oh! There you are Xenovia! I thought you ditched us!" Irina popped her head out of the store, inadvertently tripping the security gate thanks to the bundle of unbought clothes in her hands.

Even as the store employees swarmed to the entrance, Irina was undeterred, walking straight out of the store, despite their protests, grabbing Xenovia, and pulling her back inside the store. Vin facepalmed.

"C'mon Xenovia, me and Vanessa found so many cute things we'd like to see you try!"

Xenovia flushed pink, her damn professional pride breaking down by the second, "L-Like hell, I'm going to try anything on! You already dragged me out here instead of letting me train!"

Irina pouted, "Xenovia… You have nothing in your wardrobe. I even had to loan you clothes for this trip out. You're trying clothes on."

"No!" Xenovia protested, yet despite the very real fact that Xenovia could easily rip herself out of Irina's grip, probably taking an arm with her, Irina still managed to drag the squirming teenager deeper and deeper into the store.

Vin stared on in barley masked shock, a small dusting of pink on his cheeks. That had been the first time he'd ever seen Xenovia flustered before, and he could only describe it in one simple word: cute.

But before Vin could calm himself down properly, a hand came to rest on his shoulder, causing the boy to jolt up in shock, only to find that, of course, it was Vanessa who was standing behind him.

"You have to stop doing that."

Vanessa looked indignant, "And sacrifice my gimmick? Never. Now c'mon macho-man, we got a changing room and a stack of clothes with your name on it!"

Having these experiences already under his belt, Vin knew that resistance was a hopeless endeavor, so with a sigh, he stuffed his hands into his hoodie's pockets, and followed Vanessa into the store.

Past the shelves they went. As they progressed further back, Vin could see the bobbing heads of Irina and Xenovia as they also walked their own path to the changing rooms at the back of the store.

Eventually, Vanessa urged Vin into one of the stalls, where he was greeted by…

Vin gulped. Yikes, that was a lot of clothes.

Guess he had to get it over with.

Slowly and carefully, Vin stripped off his hoodie and sweats, grabbing the first of many small piles of clothing which made up little outfits.

Holding it up to eye level, Vin unfolded the shirt, gazing at the dark fabric. Honestly, he expected worse. Sliding the clothing on without too much of a thought, Vin pulled back the curtain screen, as he stepped out.

Instantly, he was met by a small crowd, with Irina, Vanessa and Ezekiel sitting on the bench out front of the changing rooms.

As he emerged, Vin could feel the three's gazes roving over his clothes, a simple black long-sleeve shirt with some sort of stylized pearlescent graphic, and a pair of distressed bleached jeans.

Vin gazed down at the graphic shirt, and then back up to Vanessa, who was grinning while she wiggled her fingers, making obvious reference to his Sacred Gear.

"The pearl's a little on the nose," Vin deadpanned.

Vanessa's smile fell slightly, but ultimately waved it off, "Yeah, yeah. You look good in it though."

Still unused to the free-flow of compliments, Vin blushed, "A-Ah, thanks."

"Vanessa's right, Vinny, you look good," Irina nodded, before turning to the stall next to Vin's, "Xenovia, are you coming out?"

"Y-Yes," Came Xenovia's reply from behind the curtain, before it was yanked open, and the bluenette stepped out.

Vin's breath caught in his throat as Xenovia moved into his view wearing an outfit that looked way too good on her body.

Despite the fact that it was a simple and pretty non-revealing green halter top, and a pair of rolled-up jean shorts; it hugged Xenovia's every curve in a way that set Vin's brain on fire.

The exposed, rugged midriff of rock-hard muscle had his mouth watering like a man in the desert.

Perhaps it was due to being thrust into a new and unexpected environment, but Xenovia had long-since lost her stoic edge, and now stood there, a slightly embarrassed blush on her face that Vin was fairly sure could give him a sugar high.

For the sake of maintaining his composure, Vin took one last mental snapshot, before darting back into his change room, drawing the curtain closed before he could meet his comrade's eyes.

Crashing down onto a free spot on the bench, Vin covered his burning face into his palms.

Why was this happening? He wasn't stupid, he knew what all of these reactions meant. He was in love... No, more accurately, he had a crush.

A bad crush; and he actually had no idea precisely why. I mean, he kind of knew, his mind flashing back to the image of a blood-stained Xenovia standing over his weakened body, her face showing so much emotion, for him.

--------

want to read ahead or want to support you can join my patr-eon and u will be able to read ahead by 15 chapters

patr-eon.com/Rias_gremory174