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Everyone has their weak spots, don't they? Of course they do. No one escapes from having the few things they were weak to. And even Ann was no exception. Not like Izumi expected her to be an exception to begin with.
He had seen her red several times, flustered beyond belief, never sure how to respond. But this time it was extremely bad. It was written all over her face and her legs had become a little shaky. Very much so in fact. Even though he had said nothing in particular, or so he thought. At least he believed it to have been nothing unusual.
"You helped me out that last few times, didn’t you? So, why don't I treat you like a princess once in a while? Here, let's start by holding your hand, shall we?" He had said it in a soft voice with a gentle smile, solely to show that he was not being sarcastic in any way. He meant it.
Usually he would not even spoil Ann like this but today was a special day and he needed to pay her back for last month, Valentine’s Day. So doing this on White Day seemed like the perfect excuse.
And yet, just as he had grabbed her hand all of a sudden he noticed how much that one was shaking as well which led him to look right at her face, noticing what he had described just a moment ago. Needless to say, she was speechless. It was as if her own brain had shut off, even if only for a split second, and was trying to comprehend all of this. He had seen a lot from her but this?
It was as if he was seeing a completely different side right then and there. Ironic, isn't it? Given that it was not unusual for her to initiate more intimate situations than this, especially alone. And a little hand holding is getting her all flustered now? Was that all?
No, of course not. It was not the hand holding itself which had left Ann speechless. Or so Izumi had assumed at the very least. After all, the two had held hands before, several times, she is used to it and much more… Actions way more intimate than this.
It was the combination of all, wasn't it? Hah, so even if she was to deny it all now, he had witnessed it with his own eyes – Even someone like Ann was not immune to Izumi's own charms. One look at his face at the right time and she may as well be melting. So if she was to protest now, he could hold it against her, couldn't he?
Well, she wasn't going to protest but it seemed that she was not going to admit to it either, given that she had turned her face away all of a sudden, all to not having to face him. And she had been mumbling something under her breath, he could hear that much. He didn't hear exactly what yet it was a result of her flustered state, was it not?
For a moment he let out a quick chuckle. It was at least somewhat adorable, yes, making it hard to resist his next move. It had been a spontaneous decision, wanting to test the waters right then and there. But he also had to keep in character. Right now he chose to be a knight after all, her knight.
“What's the matter, Princess?” He asked, the tone remaining as gentle as before. He could see and feel her flinch on the spot, holding her free arm onto her chest for a moment, as if trying to check if her heart was pounding or not. It got her to turn back to him at the very least, forcing herself to look at him while trying to keep a straight face.
“P… Prin– N… Name!” She said a little louder than usual, her face flushed. “I have a name!”
It was a weak attempt of reasoning, or whatever she was trying. He couldn't help but want to laugh, even if only slightly. This was too good to be true right now. She just made him want to push it more and more.
“Of course you do. I'm more than aware of that.” He began, stating the obvious. It was to ease her in, give her a false moment of security… One which would be very short lived.
Because he had gone ahead from one moment to the next– He grabbed her hand a little tighter before pulling her more in all of a sudden, so that her body would be pressed against his own. Not just that but he also snuck his arm around her waist, pulling her even closer to him. Both of their faces were now closer than ever and it all had left an impression on her. She couldn't hide it, letting her mouth release jumbled nonsense. But he didn't let that stop him. Instead he had leaned a little more forward, their noses almost touching.
“However, it is a knight’s duty to also protect and cherish his princess, isn't it?” And as if that was the final blow he could see her at the brink of screaming. Her head may as well be burning by now! Then again, maybe it was! And even when she tried to hide it by turning away… It was pointless. He was more than aware how much damage he had done. Him being sorry though? Not a chance.
“S… Stop! Embarrassing!” It was her first words after a good while yet she couldn't say this right into his face. Oh, the sheer irony.
“I'm afraid that I can't do that Princess~”
“N… Name! Use my name!”
“Apologies, but this is a request that I cannot fulfill, Princess~ ”
“I… Izuzu! That's–”
“Oh my, how bold~” Someone just had to interrupt the moment however, making both shut up from one second to the other. Talk about ruining the mood… Izumi himself noticed how his cheeks lit up from the sheer amount of embarrassment and he turned his gaze to the door… Only to spot a face all too familiar to him peeking inside, said face smiling innocently yet being visibly amused all the same. Just when it was going so smoothly…
“Do you have to peep Naru–Chan?“ Izumi decided to ask out loud, tone shifting to the usual harsh, unamused one everyone had been used to. Although he could feel Ann flinch in his arms before deciding to hide by burying her face in his chest. Looks like she won't come out of there anytime soon… “Ever heard of knocking?”
“Haha, I did but no one answered. So I just helped myself~” It was that woman's excuse. Oh the nerve… “But you two were busy and I didn't want to interrupt~”
“And what do you call this?”
“Oh, just carry on. Ignore me, I'm nothing but air right now.”
He only sighed. This was not planned… Why does everyone have the worst timing possible at moments like these? “Get out.”
“Huh? Bu–”
“I said get out!”
Ugh… So annoying!