Keeping an Eye on You
Did you hear the news?
Oh, about that creep showing up again? Of course I heard!
The town guards searched all over the place but came up empty.
That creep in the black coat is still roaming around somewhere...
Seriously, someone needs to catch him already!
Kyaaah?!
A-a black coat...! Oh?
C-Captain, it's you. M-my apologies...
H-have a great day!
...Ugh.
The Journey... was going more smoothly than expected.
Despite our rocky start, Annah turned out to be surprisingly cooperative.
But the problem came from a totally unexpected angle...
Hmm...
...What's wrong?
Oh, did you notice me staring?
It's nothing! I was just looking!
...
Captain, I've been meaning to ask you something...
...What is it?
When training's over and you go back to your quarters...
What do you usually do to pass the time?
...That's an interrogation!
What? No! Of course not!
I was just genuinely curious...
I mean, we're Captain and Journey member now, right?
The more we know about each other, the more efficient our training will be, and...
And...
She wasn't wrong.
Normally, I'd be the one asking these questions of my Journey members.
In any other situation, I'd be glad Annah was so motivated, but...
Wait, you seem a little off today, Captain...
Did something happen?
I got mistaken for the culprit again this morning...
Ahh! So that's what it was!
Ugh... Sorry about that. That's on us for failing to catch the culprit.
Don't worry, Captain! The town guard will definitely!
Catch that creep!
That black coat and hoodie-wearing... Nudist!
Can you please not shout that while looking right at me...?
...Hmm.
By the way, Captain.
You wear that black coat all the time... Do you wear it on your days off too...?
Ah! I-it's nothing! Hehe!
...Don't just giggle it off!
Hmm... I see...
Mhm...
...It wasn't my imagination. Even during training, Annah didn't take her eyes off me.
She probably thought she was being sneaky...
...I know you're staring at me right now.
Huh?! H-how did you know?
You didn't even try to hide it...
I was just admiring how dashing and commanding you look during training!
That's all!
So it's got nothing to do with you thinking that I'm the suspect?
Brr! So cold!
If I even had a silver of doubt in my heart...
I would've arrested you already!
...Wait, a silver of doubt is enough to make an arrest?
It's not an arrest if it's just putting on cuffs!
Cuff first, think later!
That's just the town guard way!
You town guards are way more gung-ho than I expected...
Well, NOA does see more incidents than you'd think...
You said you came from far away, right? Must be different over there.
Anyway!
No need to worry, Captain! Just focus on the Journey!
S-sure...
Okay, break time!
Okay! Great training! Hehe...
My legs are tired... so I'll just sit right here...
Hmm hmm hmm...
She crouched down and rested her chin on her knees, watching me.
She was lost in her own little world, and I couldn't help wonder what she was thinking.
Mmm hmm... Hmm... Ooh...
...
That day, I ended training early due to my lack of focus.