《A Forgotten Hero》Chapter 22: Enjoyment of Something Normal
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I wake up in the morning alone and facedown. I had some of the best sleep of my life, and since I can't remember my dreams I assume they weren't awful. I sit up and stretch greatly with a loud yawn. I roll my head side to side and feel really good and ready to go for the day. School starts tomorrow according to scheduling and I am thankful for the return to some form of regular schedule. It's boring, but at least it's not dangerous. I don't think so at least.
I slide out of bed and change out of the shirt and pants I slept in and into workout clothes. It's not cold but it is chilly enough to warrant long pants and sleeves in the morning for my workout. I check the time to see it is seven in the morning and then head out. As I step from my room the door next to mine opens. Out steps Seraphina in workout clothes with her hair done up. From a little down the hall I see Genevieve step out from her room as well, also dressed to train. I say to them,
"Uhhhh, good morning ladies. I haven't seen either of you up this early since the old man took first-day attendance at class."
Genevive gets closer and Seraphina answers,
"Well, you did promise to help us workout... things have been busy so we thought it would be a good time to start up again. "
I nod and say with a smile,
"Sounds like a plan, just don't complain too much."
She gives a challenging smile and replies,
"Oh don't worry. I doubt you'll even be close to our level."
I give a wide smile and confidently say,
"Oh, so that's how it is. Good news too, I was planning on pure muscle endurance today."
This statement seems to confuse her as she possibly hasn't heard the term before. Unfortunately for the two space girls, this is the worst kind of workout.
The next hour and a half are hilarious for me. I strapped an extra fifty pounds to my torso and did my entire workout in that extra load. Despite my extra load, on running I lapped them, in distance carries of weights I outclassed them to an extreme extent, and in grip exercises like farmer carries they couldn't even pick up my weight. I lose out on a little bit of gains because I was laughing too hard to do some of my sets as at one point Seraphina collapsed claiming to be too exhausted to continue. Genevieve stayed on her feet but had to stop a few times to catch her breath and regain feeling in her limbs. I eventually called it quits as mercy and I had done all I wished to do. They decided to crawl back to the dorms to shower before eating anything but I went directly to my usual spot.
I finished my meal paid and headed back for a shower. Nothing of note happens as I just shower and get dressed for regular daily activities. As I finish putting on my clothes and boots there is a knock on my door. I answer it to find Seraphina dressed to the nines in what I assume is a day-to-day dress. Genevive is dressed in her regular attendant clothes. I greet them and ask,
"What can I do for you?"
She smiles and states,
"Well, I wish to do some shopping at the mall on this island for today, and since you are of my personal knight order you should escort me there."
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I nod with a groan and reply,
"Please don't tell me I need to wear something nice. I like my cargos and soft shirts."
She laughs and says,
"No, no, this is just a normal day out. No need for extra attention. "
I nod and pocket my handheld and follow behind. We walk at a leisurely pace to the large multi-floored shopping center in the main street area of campus. The time is around ten meaning the mall is just now opening. Genevieve and Seraphina talk together as normal girls should. It makes me happy that they are at least somewhat friends, or at least act like friends, regardless of their true relationship. They decide to get breakfast at a chain coffee shop and I wait outside not wanting to waste space inside. I simply sit down on a bench right next to the shop and take in the atmosphere a little. I can't remember the last time I was in a mall, but from how I feel, I can tell it's a good memory at the least.
They eventually leave and I am towed around like a dog for hours. They go into various stores that I have never seen or heard of, but the price tags on even the most plain-looking clothes nearly make me pass out. I am made to carry all the bags keeping the two girls' items separate by putting them on a respective side of my body. At least clothing isn't heavy, but it truly is impressive how much girls with no limit on their credit cards can buy. I don't see the appeal of much of the clothes they buy but it's not on my dime, and I don't have to wear it. Eventually, around lunch they decide to take a break at the food court, they get together with a larger group of noble girls and I am able to set down the bags as they begin eating lunch. I am allowed to go off on my own for a little while which I do and explore the mall for stores I might want to check out.
I pass all kinds of cool and interesting stores, one I wished to go into was a video game store with all kinds of awesome looking new games available, but without a console or computer I cannot run any of the games, and again looking at price-tags one thousand a month in money is nowhere near enough to cover a single purchase. I eventually end up at a hobby store, well a nerd hobby store as some would call it. I don't know why but I felt somewhat drawn to here, something in the back of my mind tells me this is the place I should check out. Especially the wargaming section. I browse for a bit, a few settings catching my eye and causing gears to turn, eventually, I stop looking as I begin to become upset at my inability to figure out why I am drawn there. I can't find any answers so I leave the store head hung low. I kinda wanted to buy some models to build them, but I couldn't figure out what setting I was longing for.
I am taken from my thoughts by some wicked laughter and see Genevieve doubled over laughing at me. She collects herself enough to make fun of me,
"I knew you were weird, but the fact you'd go into a store like that and seem upset that you couldn't get anything is absolutely perfect."
I shake my head with a slight smile. I guess I figured out what makes the usually stoic girl laugh. The smile, despite being at the cost of making fun of me looks good on her. I guess to her I'm odd. Makes sense, then I notice out of the corner of my eye what else the store sells. Back in my time, this wouldn't fly without any trouble, and I was so engrossed in the wargaming models I didn't see it. The store also seems to be split in half with what one would refer to as a weeaboo shop, or something similar. Scantily clad plastic figurines of anime characters. How on earth are they allowed to advertise these things in a public area? I swear even a couple are completely naked and on display. Yet the absurdity of it makes me laugh too and I say to Genevieve,
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"Ahhh, so you finally figured out my deepest secret. "
I pose weirdly in a sarcastic way that purposely makes it look like I'm desperately trying to look tough,
" Yes, I admit it fair maiden. I have a fetish for maids and catgirls. Now that you know my secret I must do something I much regret, and you mustn't be allowed to spread this information."
She takes a step back and stammers out,
"W-wait are you joking? Are you actually a pervert who admits to fetishes in public? Catgirls? What the hell are those."
I give a wide smile keeping up the silly facade and reply,
"Well my dark-haired beauty, looks like you'll find out after I make french maid uniforms and cat ear headbands your new uniform."
She takes another hesitant step backward and says,
"Please no. I had no clue this was hiding underneath! I'm sorry I saw this, please have mercy."
I walk up close to her and still using the same overexaggerated voice I reply,
"Well... there is one issue..."
I go back to a flat tone and say with a sigh,
"I was only looking at wargaming models. My dad got me into playing tabletop wargames when I was younger. I wasn't paying attention to what the store also sold. Finally, my fetishes are beyond human comprehension, just saying maids and catgirls is silly and to basic. "
She composes herself and replies,
"So that was an act?"
I nod and reply,
"Yeah, I don't know what kind of perversions are inside your skull, but mine is clear and clean. You made fun of me so I had my own."
She nods and then says back to her usual expressionless face,
"I see. Seraphina is ready to continue shopping for the day and needs more things carried. Please come to the food court."
I nod and follow close behind the girl all the way to the food court. I greet the empress and we are back to shopping. I still work like a pack mule and do my best to ignore obscene price tags and store displays anywhere we go. Eventually, our group, which picked up a couple of other noble girls and their escorts, arrives at a swimwear shop. It's for both genders so it's not a forbidden zone for me and the other dudes. Thinking to myself I remember I don't actually have anything to wear for swimming, I doubt I can swim anymore with fifty-pound legs but I am in Cali technically, no reason to not enjoy the beach every now and then. The girls go off to whatever section of the store catches their eye. I find the guys swimwear section rather lacking, but I find a pair of trunks and a swim shirt that seem to look decent together. I checkout as I am not picky when it comes to this kind of thing, and their prices were quite low so I can't complain. I gather my bag and put it with the others and my ears catch the girls all having a very in-depth discussion on how certain swimsuits flatter their bodies. The thought of taking a look does cross my mind as it does for most guys, but I just continue on my way. No reason to get on their shit lists.
I take a seat outside the store for a while after getting a soda from a vending machine. I just sit in the busy mall taking in the crowded, but overall peaceful environment. Everyone here seems to be enjoying themselves and is at peace. No worries about anything, no danger or fear. This is nice. It's like morphine to my soul. The peace of a day out with other people, it's good for you and takes the pain out of your soul. I am ripped from my new daydream as the girls leave the store and each toss a strangely heavy bag onto the growing pile. I am told they are done for the day and it's time to head out. I nod and we leave in high spirits.
Once back to the dorm I drop off the respective pile of clothes for each girl in their room and start heading back to my own. I am stopped by Seraphina who tells me to hold it for a second. I stop and she says to me,
" Hold it there. There is something we need you to do for us... at the moment you are the only one we trust who has the qualifications..."
I nod and ask,
"What can I do for ya?"
She shakes her head and says,
"We each got a few swimsuits for this summer, but we don't know which ones are the right ones we should keep. Since you are a guy and have proven yourself to not be a raging pervert I thought maybe you'd like to give your opinion?"
I shrug and reply,
"Why not? I'm no clothing Connoisseur but I'll do my best."
I mean what's the harm in looking at clothing? I'll just pick the ones I think look cool and aren't too skimpy and call it a day. I'm quite hungry and want to go find some Mexican for dinner.
As I am told to sit in Seraphina's room as both girls go into her bathroom and tell me to wait, I realize how much of an idiot I am. I thought they were just gonna show me the clothing. I would have not agreed if I knew they were gonna model for me. Despite being a dude, I am quite the prude in this day and age it seems. I wait nervously and look around the lavishly decorated room that Seraphina calls her own. My biggest fear isn't seeing them in swimwear, it's that I accidentally say something mean because I don't understand clothes or women. What if I call one ugly that they thought looked good and they get offended? I take my mind down a path of doubt in an attempt to purge any and all dirty thoughts from my mind.
My worst fear then happens. They step out of the bathroom and the show begins. I feel almost as if I should look away, but it is my task to keep looking. Both are in two-piece swimsuits but thankfully nothing super revealing. Seraphina steps out wearing a white one with frilly bits on it, overall a decent choice as it shows off her goods quite well but doesn't go too far and show too much skin. Overall it looks great on her. Genevieve is wearing a dark-colored one with a top that looks just like a strip of fabric across her body. I think they call it "strapless" as nothing goes over the shoulders and it uses the elasticity of the material to keep it on the wearer's body. It flatters her more reduced curves, in comparison to the good-figured Seraphina, but it is a surprise that the top stays on when I seem to have a bigger chest than she does.
They stand before me chests puffed out for some reason completely confident that I'm looking at their half-naked body. I look between them for a bit and realize they are waiting for me to say something. I stammer out,
"They... both look good I guess. They fit and match your general aesthetics from what I can tell..."
Genevieve laughs lightly at my hesitation and Seraphina says,
"Okay! That's good. I'm glad I picked a good one off the bat. I have one more I wanna try and one I want Genevieve in... so wait a little longer..."
She seems to hesitate at the end for some reason. Genevieve looks away from me hiding her face as they step into the bathroom. I wonder what this could mean?
I wait for a little longer thankful for my short break, who knew I'd be sitting here judging a world leader's summer beach collection of clothes. Eventually, they step out and I instantly look away with a quick surprised laugh. I say while looking away,
"Wow! I didn't know you had it in you to wear that kind of getup!"
What I had seen is definitely engraved in my mind, in what most would call a "spank bank". I'm not looking away because they look bad, I'm looking away to maintain modesty for all parties involved. I'm not sure how much they spent on what they are wearing now, but I hope it was cheap as there is very little fabric used. Seraphina is wearing a bikini that barely covers the front of her chest and if its bottom shrinks just a little around the edges there will be an unforgettable view. It's colored in a regal purple with yellow polka dots covering it. While it shows off everything Seraphinas got, Genevieve is wearing one that somehow fits her perfectly.
While being a one-piece it fits tightly around her slender but toned frame. What makes it very interesting is the pattern on it. While it is mostly black with white it is very clearly an attempt to look like a french maid uniform. The way it fits though cannot be comfortable in the least as it seems to ride up heavily on her revealing outlines of certain parts of her body and despite her lack of large assets, the tightness around the chest area shows that in fact, she does have them and is a woman.
I keep my gaze away from the girls as I try to think of something to say. I don't want to say they look bad, but if I am not careful they might think I'm a pervert. I say to them without looking over,
"Well... those... ones seem to flatter you two quite well. I-I really don't know what to say, but they seem to be designed for a certain type of personality I doubt either of you has... or maybe you do. I won't judge but those swimsuits may be a little revealing."
There is quiet for a moment and the Seraphina says,
"You hardly looked. I guess that might be true, it feels a little... tight and revealing... but why are you so bashful?"
I shake my head and reply,
"Well, who wouldn't be if someone of the other gender just walked out of a room pretty much naked and in what I can best describe as an exhibitionist uniform."
There is another pause and she then asks in the most painfully innocent and honest voice,
"Wait... I thought you'd be fine. You're gay aren't you?"
I stiffen up and ask back carefully,
"Ummmm... What makes you think that?"
There is hesitation for a moment before she says in a slightly shaken voice,
"Well... you... haven't reacted to advances done by some attractive noblewomen for one... you also turned down an offer of Genevieve... and I know you said you aren't perverse like some men, but I thought you were just being nice... I was told from a young age any man at our age is always looking for something to... relieve themselves and if they arent, that means they have a girlfriend or are gay... you haven't done anything of the sorts... and you also don't have a girlfriend I can tell... so that leaves just one thing right?"
I hear Genevieve slap her own forehead and sigh. I reply back in a calm tone like the one you'd use to talk to a child,
"Well... what kind of fucked up logic is that? That makes no fucking sense. Yeah, I find those girls attractive, and yeah Genevieve looks good, but... has it even crossed your mind that I could just be, ya know, normal and not driven like some animal?"
I hear an odd noise escape Seraphinas throat and she then asks,
"W-wait... so you are attracted to me?"
I let out a long breath and reply,
"Yes. I like women. If I am to marry I want it to be to a woman. If I love, I want it to be with a woman. Yes, you are an attractive woman, but just because of that doesn't mean I want to... how did you put it? Relieve myself with you."
Genevieve then asks her,
"I was wondering why you were so comfortable doing this around him... or even being near him... my empress, who told you this?"
I hear quick movement and the bathroom door slam as she shouts,
"M-My mother raised me saying this about men!"
I stand up to leave shaking my head and I ask Genevieve,
"Can you please explain to her how it should work? I mean I hope she is joking... but that reaction has me worried."
Genevive sighs and replies,
"I'll explain it to her... I really don't know how that slipped past me... I mean I guess you might be the first non-perverted man she has ever met. This...This is really bad... sorry about that... I had no clue, and sorry for being so... poorly dressed in front of you."
I pass by her and when I open the door to leave I say,
"Well, I guess it's fine because I'm glad you remembered how much I like maids!"
Something hits me in the back of the head as I hurry to my room snickering at my final jab as I leave. As I sit down in my room I can't help but wonder how on earth she got that result about me. Yeah, I don't constantly stare at girls' bosoms and rears, but I am just being polite like how I was raised to be. I sit down at my bed and say to myself,
"Man... what the fuck..."
I wait around for some time before deciding to go get some supper and get my mind off that awkward bullshit from earlier. When there is a soft knock on my door. I answer it and find Seraphina whose face is cherry red and Genevieve with her usual neutral expression. I invite her in and she quietly enters and sits on my desk chair and I sit down on my bed facing her and I say,
"I am sorry for not clearing this up earlier... I am not gay. Sorry if that surprised you."
She shakes her head and says,
"I-I wasn't sure until that dinner we went to. I mean you hardly reacted to their clear advances. That was the final thing that made me decide. I could maybe understand the Genevieve thing, maybe you didn't like her or something... but I am sorry. This was a major oversight on my part... worst of all... I spent most of the night in a room... alone with a man! What would people think if they knew you found me attractive?"
I shake my head and reply,
"What I meant is you are very pretty... That doesn't mean I want to marry you or do anything bad. What is going on with you?"
Her face remains beet red as she explains,
"I was told by my mother since I was born men only want you for that one thing... most of the imperial noblemen were also quite... vulgar... I haven't met anyone really like you."
I shake my head and say,
"I really don't know what's up with this noble culture shit, but I'm gonna try and change it up a little. First things first... no more pervy shit. "
She gives a small smile and I continue,
"Hey, don't feel so down. Once I'm over the shock of you saying that I'm gonna laugh my ass off at it, but if you want me to prove you right to show you I like girls fine, you in that skimpy purple bikini was a wonderful sight to behold. It allowed me to fully understand the finer points of your figure, and also... it's a perk you are an outie."
She looks at me confused for a moment before touching her belly button before horror spreads across her face. Genevieve rushes me rage growing as I laugh maniacaly. My revenge for that shit is complete and it's gonna be worth the ass-kicking incoming...
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