Chained Soldier and Still Waters

Chapter 63

"Wh......wh......wh-wh-wh-wh-wh-what is happening?!"

Mira couldn't process the situation she was in. Right now, she was being carried like a bride in Nagisa's arms. It didn't even look like the boy was struggling to keep her in his arms either. To be honest, it felt nice to be treated as if she was light as a feather. However, Mira couldn't help that her face was getting more red with each passing second.

"Hey, Nagisa, what are you doing?"

"Paying you back."

"Huh?"

Before Mira could ask any further, Nagisa pressed his lips against hers. Mira's face could only express shock as she felt Nagisa's tongue wrapping around hers. After a few seconds, Nagisa broke the kiss as he merely stared at the red Mira who was panting a bit.

"That was your reward. It wasn't fair that only I got one when we both had a role to play in Yokohama. So I'm paying you back."

Mira didn't know how to respond to this as she stayed in Nagisa's arms. Soon the boy began to walk, causing Mira to wrap her arms around the boy as she was getting embarrassed. While some people stared at the two, it looked as if Nagisa didn't care about the stares being directed at him. As he looked at Mira's red face, he thought to himself.

"How cute."

"Nagisa.....I have a question."

"What is it?"

"Why are you treating me like this? You already gave the reward you mentioned earlier, so you paid me back. But why are you treating me like...ya know."

"Sometimes, there are days I wish I wasn't seen as a member of the Anti-Demon Corps or as the War Genius. I'm glad my hard work paid off and i'm able to protect the things I love, but sometimes I just want to be seen as Tomioka Nagisa. A second year high schooler who's trying to get by. I assumed the same was for you. Despite looking like a delinquent and being the Second Unit Chief, I figured you'd like being seen as Kamiunten Mira, a tomboy with a cute side. I bet even tomboys wish they could be girly at least once or twice."

As Nagisa said this, he noticed how Mira grew silent. All the young woman did was relax in Nagisa's arms as he kept walking. With a smile on his face, Nagisa didn't dare to wake her up. All he did was sigh as he thought to himself.

"At least make it less obvious that you're pretending to sleep and just say you want to get closer."

~The Next Day~
Ren was seen inside of headquarters as she was sipping her tea. Sitting across from her was Gun. As the man was watching the video of Nagisa's fight in Yokohama, he couldn't help but be impressed by the boy's performance. Not only that, he was also impressed by the boy's behavior after his encounter with him.

"Even after everything I told him, instead of being filled with doubt, he kept his composure and continued to act like he always did. Not only that, his very core hasn't been shaken despite such an opposition being before him. Tomioka Nagisa, you just might be the successor the Yamazaki need."

"I'm heading out, Gun."

"Off to go mess with your boy toy, huh."

"As if, someone's gotta check in on him and pull his leash every once in a while."

As Ren said this, she flew off to the Sixth Unit Base. While this happened, Gun was still in thought. Nagisa had the qualities to be the next head of the Yamazaki clan, but something was missing. However, to truly test the boy's potential, Gun wasn't the one who had to make the first move.

"This generation has produced quite a few monsters. Tomioka Nagisa, is he Japan's version of James Lee at this point?"

~Sixth Unit Base~
Right now, as Sahara and Yachiho watched from the sidelines, Nagisa and Tenka were seen training. Just as Tenka teleported away from a sword swing from Nagisa, the boy quickly spun his body and kicked the chief on her right hip the moment she teleported behind him.

"His reaction speed and spatial awareness are something else. To think he hasn't even reached his peak yet."

As Tenka thought this, she suddenly began to teleport in multiple areas at high speed. Nagisa was struggling to keep track of Tenka before suddenly all of the portals vanished. Just as this happened, Nagisa looked downwards and saw his shadow growing larger. Suddenly he puts both of his arms above his head as he blocked an axe-kick from Tenka who had teleported above his head.

"Good, let's take a break, Nagi-chan."

"You got it, Tenka-san."

As they said this, Tenka and Nagisa both noticed something flying towards them with great speed. Before they knew it, Ren was standing in front of the two as a smile was present upon her face.

"I had a sudden break in my schedule, so I came to visit."

"Oh, this is unexpected, Head Commander. I'll go get you something to drink. Nagi-chan, can you keep her company?"

As Tenka said this, she walked inside of the base alongside Yachiho and Sahara. Seeing that it was just the two of them now, Nagisa mentally sighed. However, something surprising happened that even he didn't expect.

"So, how was your training?"

"................who are you, imposter?!"

"Hmm?"

"Yamashiro Ren actually asking about my day and NOT trying to push my buttons. Obviously i'd be onto you!! Are you one of the Eight Gods of Thunder?!"

"You see, it's this kind of thing that makes people not like you."

"Yeah....you're the real one, unfortunately."

"What do you mean by unfortunately?! Did you actually want to attack me?!"

As the two of them argued, they soon took a deep breath and calmed down. Soon Nagisa began to pick up pebbles and simply chuck them out of boredom. While seeing this, Ren simply looked at the boy.

"Tell me, what do you plan to do after this is all over?"

"What do you mean?"

"What will you do once the secrets of Mato are revealed? What will you do once the Eight Gods of Thunder are all slain? What will the [War Genius] do without a war to fight in?"

It was now quiet after Ren asked her question. Truth be told, she was rather curious on how the boy might answer. Though seeing as he hasn't responded yet, she assumed he was trying to come up with a reason. However, all she got was a giant yawn from Nagisa.

"You dumbass, you say that like being the [War Genius] was all I wanted to be or that it's my whole identity."

"Huh?"

"Obviously, once this is all over, i'll go back to my normal life. However, training with the old man also became the norm for me. Even if Mato disappears, what's gonna stop peach users from going wild and causing trouble if their powers stay even after Mato's disappearance? I'll settle how to handle my future once I get to that bridge, but for now, I need to focus on what's in front of me. If I let tomorrow distract me too much, i'll never be able to focus on today."

Ren couldn't help but be in shock. This rude boy who speaks like he doesn't have a care in the world actually had a mature outlook. Truth be told, she never expected such a serious answer out of him. But this was a pleasant surprise she was happy to find.

"I see. You know, you're a pretty decent guy, Nagi."

"Huh, did you actually just say my nickname? Do it again."

"No way, if you didn't hear it the first time, that's on you."

"Come on, you can do it again. Nagi, Nagi."

"Oh no, I suddenly forgot the nickname~. Oh well!"

For the first time ever since they met, both Ren and Nagisa let a laugh escape from their lips. Right now, this wasn't an interaction between the Head Commander of the Corps and the War Genius. Right now, it was just two teenagers acting their age.