Haganezuka's comment kept ringing in her ears. Was she really wearing clothes that were too thin? It would save her the embarrassment if she had to be dumped in a hot spring again. Y/N scrunched her nose in frustration as she grabs several of her outfits. Though it was sunny during the day, she headed out with at least 4 layers on. She did not want to embarrass herself again. There were several stares that she received but ignored them to continue her daily duties. Her body was heating up but she could bear with it as her training prior to being appointed to this village was far worse. Y/N noticed a dark alleyway that she had never once patrolled. Maybe, today was the day she will patrol the streets but in more depth. The walls were making the route cramped but she will never complain about the infrastructure because it was not her responsibility. Her ears did pick up some unusual footsteps but they were most likely from a group of young men. Suddenly, her body was yanked away into a tight corner that could easily hide bodies. Her eyes widened as her mouth was covered by someone's large ones.

"MHPMHPH?!"

"Shut up!"

The voice of the man that held her captive—Haganezuka Hotaru. His hand released its grip, letting her take a deep breath which she inhaled some of his scents. She blushed at the close contact they were in. His hands caged her against the wall as their bodies pressed together.

"Y-You again?! Don't tell me you're after me for more Dango. I already gave you your share t-"

"Shh!"

They had formed somewhat of a friendly love-hate relationship, always bickering here and there. She raised an eyebrow but was taken back when he leans down to whisper into her ear.

"Those guys that have been following you were planning to do something to you."

"What? I don't think they would even harm me."

Their conversation was soft, disallowing anyone to hear them.

"Totally. If you walked 10 more meters, you'd face 40 more of them. You think you can handle them?"

Her eyes squint behind her mask. He was right about her not being able to handle them in such a small alleyway, especially when her abilities were much more useful in wide areas where she can maneuver in the air. 

"Y/N, stay still, and play along."

Haganezuka's hands threaded into her silky hair, his neck cranking to lightly hover above her neck. There, at the corner of her eyes, she saw a large group of young men scurrying around.

"She's gone! Oi! Go over there and search every corner!"

"We'll search this way!"

Easily 5 of them peered into the tight corner they were in. 

"Play along."

He slides his mask on top of his head and his hot breath tickled her neck. Her hands trailed up his chest to grab his sunflower robe as she lets out a fake shaky breath and soft moan, making the men gulp in realization. Haganesuka slides his left hand onto her waist and huskily whispers loudly for the men to hear.

"Babe~ How does it feel?"

His other hand that was hidden behind their bodies moved in such a weird way in the air. But, to the men that stared at them, it looked a little bit indecent. Y/N's face flushed, hands holding onto his back.

"F-feels so good~"

Internally, she was screaming because she would have never once thought her acting skills were that great. The men were obviously stunned, turning their backs and ran away to give the 'couple' some privacy. When they left, they pushed against each other and he swiftly places his mask back.

"Thanks again. But was it really necessary to play out THAT sort of scene?"

"Young men these days would get embarrassed if faced with such a scene in a dark alleyway."

"You aren't that old, Haganezuka."

He scoffs and peeks out of the corner, some men still running here and there. His eyes land on her, face unusually red. His hand lands on her forehead,

"Sheesh! You have a fever!"

"O-Oh...It's probably because of how many layers I'm wearing."

"No wonder you looked a bit chubbier toda-OUCH!"

She whacked him on his head. He rubs his scalp that throb as he responded to her appearance,

"Why don't you just wear one simple layer? You'd overheat in this situa-"

Her body slid down the walls, panting in the heat. Haganezuka sighed,

"You're one idiotic troublesome woman."

His hands untied each layer, throwing them off so that her body could release the heat that bottled up.

"HAGANEZUKA HOTARU, WHAT ON LIVING EARTH ARE YOU DOING, YOU HORNY BRAT?!"

Tecchin, the chief, was finding him, following the directions from helpful villagers. He had to come across the said man stripping Y/N.

"W-wait! I'm helping her! She's just overheating from too many layers!"

The older man stomped his way and grabs the discarded clothing. He points at the woman,

"Carry her. We'll cool her down."

Haganezuka carries her in his arms. Maybe, it was her imagination but he looked somewhat stoic, masculine, and reliable. Her body was settled down near a cold stream and the chief dumps some cold water onto her face.

"Y/N, why on earth did you wear so many layers?"

"I-I..."

One hand covered her face while the other pointed at the younger male.

"Haganezuka said that I should stop wearing thin clothes!"

"HEY! I meant undergarments! Are you stu-"

A bucket went flying towards him, knocking him to the ground. The chief sighed,

"Y/N, you are very important to our safety and we would not like it if you fell sick or died from wearing too many layers... just because an idiot said it."

"HEY! I SAID UNDERGARMENTS, NOT CLOTHING. GAHH!"

Another bucket went flying towards him. She sweatdropped and apologized to the older man,

"I'm sorry... I probably misunderstood Haganezuka's words. I promise to not cause any more trouble for you! I-I'll make sure to not wear such layers and g-get some t-thicker undergarments so I won't be s-sexually harassed by him!"

"HEY! I WASN'T SEXUALLY HARASSING YOU, YOU IDIOT!"

"Good. Now, in any case of female emergency, things that I can't help, you can contact Kanamori's wife. She said that she'd offer you some help if needed."

"Thank you!"

"Haganezuka, stop sulking. Be a proper swordsmith and bring her back to the village."

Haganezuka mumbles in frustration about him 'sexually harassing Y/N'. She giggled teasingly as she meant it as a joke. The two walked away while they bickered and Tecchin smiled under his mask.

"Ah~ Youth."