The Eminence in Shadow: The Dark Swordsman

Chapter 8: Undercover Charades

With a mouthful of meat, Delta attempted to speak, causing her words to come out muffled and comical. "Mmmrrph, hmmmeeen grr nmmthtt yrr pppwtrh?" (Translation: "Did you see the prey?")

The mysterious Beastkin girl looked down at Delta with an exaggerated expression of disgust and annoyance. She let out an exasperated sigh and rolled her eyes, muttering to herself, "Ugh, you dumb dog. Can't you see I'm trying to be inconspicuous here?"

Delta, oblivious to the sarcasm, continued to proudly display her meaty trophy. With a muffled voice, she replied, "Mmmmnn, mm a grgrt huntrrr, hoooman. Grrt meaaat! Zeta."

The girl now, revealed to be Zeta, blinked in disbelief at Delta and her muffled, meat-filled proclamation. Her cat-like eyes twitched with irritation as she scolded Delta.

"Delta, you stupid food fiend!" she exclaimed in an exasperated tone. "I'm incognito, you dork! Don't call me by my name when I'm dressed like a commoner! You're ruining my surveillance act!"

Delta, struggling to understand Zeta's frustration through her meat-filled mouth, finally removed the massive piece of meat and replied, "Mmm, Zeta, you're still Zeta, no matter what you wear."

Zeta facepalmed in exasperation, muttering under her breath, "Lady Alpha should have known better than to involve you in any covert operation."

Delta, still struggling to comprehend Zeta's frustration, tilted her head and said, "Delta wants to hunt the guy with the black hair! He looks like fun to fight against, mmmmm!"

Zeta's irritation grew as she realized that Delta's focus had shifted to a potential battle rather than the covert operation at hand. She sighed and muttered, "Not now, Dumb Dog. We have to observe quietly, not start a brawl. Keep your predatory instincts in check, at least for a little while."

With Kirito...
Kirito stretched his arms and yawned, feeling the weight of the day's journey. He turned to Yukime with a tired smile and said, "I think I need a shower to freshen up after all that walking. The food can wait a bit, right?"

Yukime nodded in agreement and replied, "Of course, Kirito-kun. Take your time. I'll start preparing dinner once you're done."

As Kirito headed towards the bathroom, Yukime closed the window and drew the curtains, blocking any prying eyes from the outside. She then turned to Kirito with a serious expression, her large fox ears standing erect.

In a low tone, she asked, "Kirito, while we were out there, did you sense it too?"

Kirito, surprised by Yukime's question, furrowed his brow. He had noticed something amiss during their shopping trip but didn't want to alarm her. He nodded quietly and said, "Yeah, I did. It's like someone was keeping an eye on us, but I couldn't pinpoint who it was. What do you think it means?"

Yukime's sharp senses didn't fail her, and she nodded with a hint of concern. "You're right, Kirito-kun. I sensed it too. They were definitely from the Beastkin races, just like me. But their intentions, I can't say for sure. It's hard to tell whether they were just curious or if there's something more to it."

Kirito, after a moment of contemplation, turned to Yukime and said, "Maybe we should use some sort of distraction or trap to lure them in. We can set up a situation that seems interesting to them, and if they take the bait, we'll be able to figure out their true intentions."

Yukime, intrigued by Kirito's idea, thought for a moment and then a mischievous smirk slowly spread across her face. She looked at Kirito, who was somewhat perplexed by her expression. In a sly tone, she said, "Kirito-kun, you might be onto something. Let's turn the tables and make them the curious ones. "

After Kirito finished his refreshing shower, he was in the process of drying off and getting dressed when Yukime rushed into the room. She was excited and a bit breathless, her large fox ears perked up, and her tails swayed with anticipation.

"Kirito-kun!" she exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Quick, you need to wear your fanciest clothes. We're going to set up a little performance to pique the curiosity of our watchers!"

Kirito, still half-dressed and slightly puzzled, asked, "A performance? What do you have in mind, Yukime?"

Yukime grinned as she handed him his finest attire, carefully chosen for the occasion. "Trust me, Kirito-kun. We'll make them wonder what we're up to, and they won't be able to resist coming closer."

As Kirito changed into his fanciest clothes, he couldn't help but wonder what kind of performance Yukime had in mind. With his outfit now on, he looked at Yukime, ready to take part in their plan. "Alright, Yukime, I'm dressed. What's the plan?"

As Kirito finished dressing, Yukime reentered the room in a stunning, elegant dress that accentuated her beauty. Her large fox ears were adorned with delicate accessories, and her tails swayed gracefully behind her. She looked radiant, and her presence left Kirito momentarily speechless.

Yukime flashed a dazzling smile and approached Kirito. With a playful wink, she said, "Kirito-kun, we're going to give them a show they won't forget. We're going on a date."

What would await them on this date?