Catch Me 'Cause You Can
After wrapping up the paperwork for the Journey, I was walking down the hallway when...
...Huh?
Will this be enough, I wonder?
After all, there's no telling what might happen...
...Hm?
Oh my, it's you, Captain.
I never took you for the type to peep into a lady's room.
Oh dear, did I leave it open?
I'm terribly sorry. I fear I was too preoccupied to notice.
What's got you so busy?
I was picking out clothes for the Journey.
Given the nature of the Journey, I should be prepared for any and every occasion.
A swimsuit is an obvious choice, but I was undecided on whether to pack a bunny girl suit or a maid outfit as well...
Hmmm? Why would I have such garments, you ask?
Well... As the Deputy Master of the Monastir Knights, I am sometimes called upon to escort and guard others.
As such, I like to be prepared for all kinds of situations.
This, of course, includes having the appropriate attire for the job.
In other words, clothes that can let me blend into the surroundings without calling attention to myself.
Yeah, that makes sense.
I'm glad you understand.
Oh, while you're here, would you like to browse the goods?
I do need to sort through all these clothes, and while I'm at it, you'll get to see me in outfits I don't have much occasion to wear.
I'll just pop into that dressing room, so please wait right here.
...Oh, and I'll leave the door slightly open.
Wh-what are you even talking about?!
After lightly teasing me, Carmen stepped into the dressing room.
After a short while...
Are you ready, Captain?
Carmen stepped out of the dressing room, leaving the door wide open as she did.
I... didn't know where to look.
Well, Captain? Does it suit me?
...Hmm?
Oh my, Captain. You should really look this way to critique me properly.
Y-yeah, it, um... It looks really good on you.
Haha, thank you.
To be honest, I've never had the opportunity to wear this before.
Never?
I was supposed to dress up as the bride to escort a VIP attending a wedding, you see.
But the culprit who went after their life was apprehended before the ceremony even began!
Must've been a shame, considering all the trouble you went to prepare it.
Hehe, it's all just part of the job.
Besides, thanks to that, I got to show it off to you before anyone else, Captain. That alone makes it worth it.
...Hmm, I just had an idea. Since I went through the trouble of putting this on...
Why don't you accompany me for a while longer, Captain?
Accompany you?
Yes. I believe spending some time with you while dressed like this could be quite enjoyable.
It would also give you an opportunity to observe how I work up close and personally.
How you work...
Not only is Carmen my Journey member, but she is also the Deputy Master of the Monastir Knights.
Getting a grasp of how she conducted her duties could help me build rapport with her.
As for the setup... Ah, yes, that could work.
Let's imagine that I'm just about to be married off to someone.
Well, what could you be talking about?
Back to the scenario... Someone suddenly rushes into the venue, proclaiming, "I object to this wedding!"
Let's assume this intruder has their reasons for objecting. Passion, financial gain, or simple malice...
Regardless, they are armed, and fully intend to inflict grievous harm on me, the bride.
How would you protect me from this threat, Captain?
Hmm, well...
Since the interloper is armed, I shouldn't be rash and act on instinct.
So I'd try to talk them down at first.
My, that's the textbook answer to conflict resolution.
Considering that the wedding's taking place indoors and that there are innocents nearby, jumping straight to violence is risky.
So, just as you said, trying to negotiate is the better idea.
However, some people are deaf to reason.
In times like those, we have no choice...
But to restrain the assailant.
..."Restrain" them?
Hmm...
Captain, would you prefer to experience being restrained?
N-no thank you!
Haha. What a pity.
After that, Carmen and I continued to engage in a bit of roleplay for various scenarios.
Like making a daring escape in a speeding wedding car while being chased by our enemies...
Or getting caught up in an intense shootout in the lobby of a hotel that had been booked for our honeymoon...
Wait, these things really happen?
Certainly. Well, the chase might be a bit of an exaggeration.
But the shootout? I've actually been caught up in one before.
Though I had my trusty sword and shield with me back then.
You're pretty amazing, Carmen. In more ways than one.
Haha. I'm just doing what's expected of a Deputy Master.
...Oh dear, it's gotten quite late.
Mind joining me for one last scenario?
Sure, why not? It's actually pretty fun.
Haha. Well then...
I do hope this doesn't shock you too much.
Excuse me, Captain...
Before I could respond, my body was pushed down in an instant.
When my vision cleared, I was already on my back, my eyes staring at the ceiling above.
...Until Carmen's face emerged, blocking my view of everything except her.
C-Carmen?!
Shush...
Now that we're properly wed...
We can finally begin our honeymoon, Captain.
In fact, it's almost time to spend our first night together as husband and wife.
Tell me, Captain... What will you do now?
...This is still about protection, right?
...
Yes, of course.
Protection's very important at a time like this.
So, if you ever found yourself in this scenario...
What would you consider the biggest threat?
You... maybe?
...Oh?
Is that so?
Don't worry, Captain. I won't bite.
A gleam in Carmen's eyes sent a shiver down my back.
Wait, this is...
This situation's getting a lot more intense than I expected...!
Haha. I suppose that's enough.
My, Captain... Your face is as red as a tomato!
Are you... disappointed, perhaps?
N-nope! Not at all! Not even the slightest!
Ah, such a firm rejection.
Perhaps even a bit hurtful.
...However, I suppose I can let it slide this one time, considering how much fun we had together today.
If you ever wish to see me try on some other clothes, or even this dress again...
Just let me know.
That night, wedding bells tolled in my dreams as Carmen made her way to me in a stunning wedding dress.
While Carmen seemed to have returned to her usual self the next day...
I was beset by drowsiness, as the dream had kept me tossing and turning throughout the night.