"Hah?"
At Zexeed's sudden words, Shana snapped back irritably, glancing behind. Inside the entrance, three figures peeked out curiously, but Zexeed apparently hadn't noticed. Yukko and Haruka hated being treated like "girls," but they read the air and played along. They were cunning that way.
"You… how's that relevant to combat?"
Shana, still irritated, said that. Taking it as sour grapes, Zexeed provoked further.
"Gyahahaha, sour grapes, Shana? Can't get girls sad!"
"Towards Shana…"
"Can't get girls…"
Pitohui and Rozalia were speechless so unlike Shana. They gawked at Zexeed's ridiculous attitude. Pitohui looked back, signaling Shizuka with her eyes; Shizuka nodded.
Some understanding passed the three inside stayed put. Ignoring them, Shana stared coldly at Zexeed, tone cooling.
"Girl count doesn't matter. Man up prove your skill."
"Sour grapes again, Shana."
Yukko and Haruka felt superior in the exchange, but noticed something odd. Unlike inside, no eyes on them.
Looking around, every player male or female stared only at Shana.
"Hey Yukko, nobody's looking at us?"
"Yeah, thought so. All eyes that way."
"Why? Zexeed-san made BoB finals, right?"
"Yup, he said…"
"I'll ask around."
"Hey Haruka"
Haruka slipped behind Zexeed, approaching a male player with a video-camera-like item.
"Um, excuse me."
"Yes?"
"Why's everyone staring at that Shana guy?"
The player eyed Haruka like what's this idiot saying?, but realizing she was a newbie, relaxed and gushed about Shana.
"Why stare at Shana? Anyone who saw last BoB finals would. You might not know, but last tourney was dominated by terrifying Satrizer. First to encounter him? That Shana.
Lost eventually, but fought even for minutes only one. Satrizer used gun + dagger; Shana dagger only. Insane? Others lasted <10 sec vs Satrizer shows Shana's level.
During that fight, the guy with you Zexeed tried interfering, got bisected instantly. Shana was total unknown pre-BoB, rarely shows face even now. Known: owns M82 snipe from ~1km. Dagger master.
That tattooed girl Pitohui hated most in-game, real skill but trouble. Somehow Shana made her subordinate-like. Pitohui stopped crazy acts, happily calls herself Shana's servant.
Making Pitohui that devoted? Legendary. Seeing them, seems true. Anyway, Shana's there eyes on him only. GGO common sense."
"Ah… y-yes, got it…"
Digesting the long spiel, stunned Haruka approached a nearby female player. As expected, first half matched the guy's.
"S-sorry, heard BoB, weapons, Pitohui stuff. Anything else?"
"Hm, felt the female player scarcity? Gun game obvious. But we have a community. Most popular, always center: Shana. Kind to newbies. Persistent? Gently rejected. Asked questions answered properly.
Handshake smiled. PKed during mob hunt sniped saviors. Endless stories. Then Pitohui joined, plus Sinon (rare participant) in Shana's team community buzzed.
Lone wolf Shana chance to join? Want his eye, his side. Failing that at least headshot by his gun. Last sounds joke, but most in community mean it."
"S-so…"
Shocked, Haruka wobbled back to Yukko.
"Haruka, you okay? What happened?"
"Yukko, bad… That Shana hate admitting, but same type as him…"
"Him? Who?"
"Reunion…"
"You mean Bi"
"Stop, Yukko real names bad, drop it."
"Y-yeah… definitely no-go."
They had some common sense, at least.
"So what?"
"Shana's him here. Hero? Top among girls too."
"For real?"
"Yup. Zexeed got bisected instantly… Search the clip later words don't cut it."
"Yeah…"
They were the real deal, naturally but oblivious. They compared the glaring duo.
"But Zexeed-san's genuinely nice, right?"
"Yeah."
"Then we roll with it keep going."
"Positive thinking!"
"Cash first, then bye."
"That!"
No need to stick with Zexeed but they missed that, drifting along. The glaring pair shifted.
"Nothing to say, Shana? Guess mannish chick suits you."
The words hit; Shana's aura changed clearly. Shizuka sensed it, whispering.
"Shana, ignore me handle Pit!"
Shana bellowed.
"Pit, permission granted. No second chances I'm pissed."
He yanked Pitohui close.
"Eh? Shana?"
"Hey Zexeed, blind to her charm? Sure, not girly but super clingy, never betrays, pure to who she loves. You badmouthing her means you failed her standards. You judge girls your way; I don't. I fully affirm her. Insulted her? I crush you."
"Sha-Shana! I-I…"
"No crying smile. Ruins a good woman."
"Y-yeah."
Overwhelmed, Pitohui clung tight, burying tearful face in his chest. Crowd exploded in applause. Zexeed flushed silenced by vibe. Pitohui looked up.
"Hey Zexeed, major misunderstanding."
"Huh? What?"
"Shana unpopular? Idiot. Shiz, Sinon, Kay showtime!"
Shizuka led; Sinon, Benkei emerged. Shizuka tall, long-haired, sharp-eyed beauty exuded grace. Flanked by Sinon & Benkei, fairy-tale princess. Even Zexeed stared briefly. Shizuka stood beside Shana, cupped his cheek, light kiss. Shana pulled her close flowers in both arms. Biggest uproar yet.
"Whoa, hot cool beauty!"
"First sight!"
"No harassment warn Shana's girlfriend?"
"No warn with Pitohui either."
"All his girls?"
Ignoring buzz, Shizuka reluctantly parted, introducing to Zexeed.
"First meeting I'm Shizuka. His other half, eternally bound. Pitohui, Rozalia, Sinon, Benkei here chosen, walk with him."
"I-I…"
Sinon started protesting, but silenced, resolute stepped forward.
"As Shizuka said, bound to him. I borrowed his gun, blew your head off earlier."
"Nn… recognize you you with Shana too."
Benkei & Rozalia next.
"I'm Benkei"
"You know me Rozalia."
"retainer duo!"
Benkei planted tiny frame guarding Shana's right. Rozalia crossed arms (unintentionally emphasizing chest later Pitohui-teased). Shizuka stepped forward again. Graceful flourish like unfolding fan rapier materialized. Shana's custom gift practicality unknown, but familiar shape for self-defense; her favorite.
"Greeting from me."
Closed eyes, deep breath, rapier vertical glare. Vanished. Next instant rapier at Zexeed's throat across street.
"You died once."
"Nn…"
Zexeed speechless; crowd awed at impossible speed.
"What was that inhuman!"
"Shana BoB insane, but this…"
"Ultimate couple!"
Shizuka silent, blade steady. Zexeed drew gun, aimed face. She spun gracefully aside pistol to his temple.
"Died twice."
"Y-you, when'd you kuh…"
Zexeed back-jumped. Shizuka hopped lightly, grabbed head as step, flipped landed behind, dagger to throat.
"Died thrice."
Zexeed froze. Broke collapsed. Yukko & Haruka too legs gave. Shizuka flourished, weapons vanished. Shana beside her looked like magic summon. Fantasy scene; Shana loomed.
"Next time no mercy, Zexeed. I'll headshot you every sighting. Absent? My crew crushes you. Penalty for insulting them. Prepare."
"You died thrice instantly. Provisional deaths. Fourth real. Prepare."
They turned, strode off regally. Four others chatted merrily, following. Silence then roar.
"Uoooo, what was that?!"
"Best thing I've seen…"
"Upload recordings please!"
"Our Shana that's why!"
"Princess Shizuka, peak!"
"Glad I came by chance."
Crowd thinned; trio left.
"Um…"
"Tough break, Zexeed-san."
Post-drama kindness maybe soft-hearted? Actually, pre-eye-contact: can't lose cash cow yet. But only that? Future actions would tell.
"Heh… hehe… hahahahaha!"
Zexeed laughed; girls rushed, worried.
"Z-Zexeed-san, calm!"
"You're okay!"
Genuine concern. Zexeed smiled.
"Sorry scared ya. I'm fine. Rock bottom now climb up. Laughed suddenly."
"That's right!"
"Let's go!"
"Yeah we won't lose easy!"
"Show 'em!"
"Yeah yeah!"
-------------------------------
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