Chapter 20

The streets of the Bastion had a peculiar stillness in the evening. The lively morning bustle was long gone, replaced by an almost eerie quiet. If the Agents of MES weren't sometimes passing by, the streets would feel haunted. Breeze walked with measured steps, his mind spinning about how to approach Samar. He'd rehearsed this moment countless times in his head, picturing grand gestures and honorable speeches. Yet, here he was, clutching nothing but a mix of nervousness and the resolve not to leave Samar to face anything alone.The closer he got to Boss's restaurant, the heavier his steps felt. His confidence wavered, giving way to a nervous energy that refused to be subdued. As he reached the door, it swung open before he could even raise a hand. Standing there, framed by the dim glow of the street lanterns, was Samar.She looked exhausted yet radiant, her hair tied back, and her bear-hide coat shone with a soft sheen. Her soft smile melted the tension in Breeze's chest, but it also ignited an embarrassing flush that spread across his face."I…," was all Breeze managed to utter, his voice cracking slightly. A wave of heat rushed to his face, and he stumbled back a step, momentarily losing his composure. He took a deep breath, trying to compose himself. His expression loosened—at least, he hoped it did."Hi," he said, the word trembling on his lips. "I'm here to escort you home."Samar blinked in surprise, then smiled warmly. "Well, that's kind of you, Breeze."Her smile did nothing to calm him; in fact, it made him feel even more exposed. He swallowed hard, forcing himself to suppress his embarrassment as they started walking side by side.The route to Samar's modest home was familiar, yet tonight it felt charged with a tension Breeze couldn't shake. As they walked, he stole glances at her, wondering how to broach the topic of his concerns. He needed to know if anyone had tried to hurt her, but he also didn't want to alarm her."So," he began hesitantly, "has anyone… I mean, has anything happened lately? Anything unpleasant?"Samar's brows furrowed slightly. "Unpleasant? What do you mean?"Breeze scratched the back of his neck, feeling foolish. "You know, like anyone bothering you or saying things that upset you?"She tilted her head, her gaze piercing. "No, nothing like that has happened. Why? Is there something I should know?"Breeze sighed, realizing he couldn't hide his intentions from her. "Well… no. But I just wanted to be sure. That's all."Samar stared at him in silence, raising an eyebrow.He winced. "I want to know how you are doing."She raised her other eyebrow and tilted her head slightly downwards, her lips quirking in a knowing smile. "You've spent enough time with me for me to know when you're hiding something. Spill it."Breeze groaned, rubbing his face with his hands. "Fine. I'm sorry. It's just that I got myself a master at the Monster Extermination Society, and she found out about me wanting to marry… you. And, well, she might have threatened anyone who tries to approach you with a death sentence."Samar's eyes widened, her cheeks flushing bright red. For a moment, she seemed speechless. Then, without warning, she began punching Breeze's shoulder."You idiot!" she exclaimed, her punches surprisingly strong. Breeze barely managed to keep his balance, silently thankful for his training and improved physique."Ow, ow! Samar, stop! It's not my fault! I didn't ask her to do that!" he protested, raising his arms defensively.Her punches slowed, and she finally stepped back, her face still a bright shade of red. She looked away, muttering something under her breath."You know... I… I didn't mean for it to happen this way," Breeze said softly. "I wanted this meeting to be more… grand. I wanted to come to you as someone stronger and richer. Someone you could be proud of. Not the bag of rotten meat you found near the trash cans."Samar's head snapped back toward him, her expression stern. "I dare you say that again."Breeze blinked, taken aback."Believe it or not," she continued with a firm voice, "if you had done that, I would have never seen you again. To begin with, I never thought of you as a bag of rotten meat. When I found you, I saw a kid in trouble. And to my surprise, that kid turned out to be a polished diamond, not only on the outside but also on the inside. Look at you now, you've grown so much in such a short time, Breeze. You're even taller than me."She sighed, her gaze softening. "I don't need a knight in shining armor. I don't want someone who only shows up when I'm in trouble. What I want is someone to talk to, to laugh with, to eat with, to sleep with, and to wake up with. I want someone who's there with me through everything. I want to share the good times and the bad. No one is perfect; our life is a journey, and the happiest thing about it is to travel it together, to witness the success after a thousand failures. It's not enough to witness the result but also the process that leads to it. Do you understand?"Her words struck Breeze like a hammer. He stared at her, his heart pounding. Before he could respond, she punched his arm again, this time even harder.But he was ready for it this time. "Hehe, I also know enough about you not to fall for your punches.""…" Silently, she kept staring at him for a few seconds, then burst into laughter.He chuckled, then gave her a warm smile that made her feel an affinity she had only felt with her late parents and Boss and his wife. His striking face brought an uncontrollable, foolish smile to her lips as they resumed their walk.Unbeknownst to them, Sayah stood in the shadows, observing the exchange. She leaned against a wall, her expression a mix of amusement and melancholy."Even that infamous girl found a great man," she muttered to herself. "And here I am, the most infamous of them all, still searching for half a man."Her lips quirked into a sad smile. "But I'm happy for them. They deserve this."With that, she disappeared into the night, leaving Breeze and Samar to continue their journey together, their bond stronger than ever.