[II] Disguise

In the night, Tabimiko received a message from Jin that he would teleport to his location once he deemed it was safe for him to do so. For that, he had prepared a room beforehand, inside the house of the granma he was staying at.

Only a day or two had passed since Tabimiko met Jin back in the guild, and he had told him then that he would come to the surface, so he was not surprised when he told him he would come. But no matter how ready he was, he was still unprepared for any changes of events that might occur, one of which, is Anna, who is currently with him in his room.

"It's late already, isn't it, Anna-san?" He formed a fake smile on his face as he implies in his words that Anna should leave.

At the request of the grandma who's letting him stay at her place, he was the one who asked Anna to come. However, he did not expect that she would stay to the night and even go into his room. It was his miscalculation, and he taught that he should've done something about it earlier. But it's too late for that now.

"Don't worry, Tabimiko-sama, I'm safe even if I return late." She replied, also with a smile on her face. But polar to Tabamiko's, her's was genuine.

"Still, I'm glad you're worried about me. As I expected, you really are a gentleman." Complimenting him, she blushes. She looks at him with deep admiration in her eyes.

Tabimiko should be happy with what Anna is showing him, but instead, he became anxious. He felt that he was in a very rough situation, and he sweats. What would lead to their exchange would be the path of passion, and he is trying to prevent that from happening. He would leave this village soon, and he doesn't want to leave breaking a young girl's heart just after he deflowered her.

Yes, from the body language Anna was making, she was definitely trying to make him do that. No matter what his pounding heart is saying, it was morally incorrect for him to accept her obvious invitation. Even so, if he was to accept it, he would be seen by Jin, who has the same moral pattern as him.

(Just get me out of this place already!) He wishes from the very depth of his heart.

"A-Anna-san... I've done a lot of work today, so I'm really tired right now."

"Then, let me help you, Tabimiko-sama! I'll massage your back!"

It really seems that he won't be able to get out of this situation. Just in case, he already asked Jin if he could go tomorrow instead, but he said that it was necessary and he already made his plans. He couldn't change Jin's mind. It would be dangerous if he also won't be able to change Anna's.

"I won't need it, Anna-san. Sleep is enough." He replied, hopeful that she would give up. But opposite to his intentions, all he did was trap himself even more.

"Then, can I share your bed?"

(Please, Anna-san! You're too young for this!)

Although he said that, the difference between their age is very little. The appearance he took is the appearance of a 25-year-old handsome salaryman. That salaryman is none other than himself. The moment he heard he should transform into the appearance of a human, the only form that came out of his mind was the form he was most familiar with. He thought that decision was nothing to be worried about, but soon, he realized that it was a mistake.

He wanted to hide his face in shame, but he just can't show weakness or Anna might get more assertive than she already was.

"Look, Anna-san, it's not very lady-like to share beds with a man who isn't your lover, okay? You should keep that in mind." He was very desperate, and he just said the first thing his mind has given him. But still, Anna didn't waver, in fact, she drew herself closer to him with lovestruck eyes.

"Then, would you like to become my lover, Tabimiko-sama?"

To her words, Tabimiko freezes up. All the effort he made trying to make her leave still lead to Anna saying those words. Now, he was completely entrapped. And he was not able to do anything about Anna, who is crawling near him, slowly exposing her body.

(No! Not yet!)

Of course, like a bandit, there was always a final escape route he could take. It was the card one would have to take if he was put into the same situation. Tabimiko thought that it would hurt Anna, but it's better than the other option.

"How about it, Tabimiko-sama?" With a seductive voice, Anna whispers to his ears.

"I'm sorry, Anna-san! But I already have a lover." Just as Anna was about to close the gap between the two of them, he places his hands on her shoulders and pushes her back.

What he said was far from the truth, and it hurts him to lie like that. But, what hurts him more was...

"I... I should've expected, that Tabimiko-sama would have a lover..."

There, in front of him was the silent figure of Anna. She was staring at him with a blank expression until her eyes form tears that slid down her cheeks. It looked as if she was so shocked that she didn't notice the tears that are messing up her face.

"O-Of course, a gentleman such as Tabimiko-sama would already have a lover... I'm such an idiot." She repeated what she said earlier, only this time, she finally closes her eyes and wiped her tears. Then, she stood up and immediately turns the other way, thinking of running away.

"Wait! Anna, you shouldn't!" Before he could say anything, Anna has already left the room, leaving him alone, feeling regret.

"Haah..." He sighs, "It's for the better." Saying those words, he took a short moment of silence to reflect on what he's done. He had no other choice so he did that, yet, he can't help but feel guilt. However, he needs to suppress that feeling for now; he still has a job to do.

He stood up and prepare, checking the room for any windows and corners where he could be seen.

"Yosh." With a breath of air, he finally messages Jin.

"Jin, you can come now." As soon as he gave the signal, Jin's avatar teleported right in front of him.