just a pretty face

"Oh, well...I guess that's also..." the hero's voice trailed and cut off before he finished the thought. His smile faded and he turned his head away from Joan, this time more so.

If it weren't for the mask, the true scale of discomfort on his face would be visibly transcendent. Joan was starting to trail off, but even so the Golden Ronin could make out just enough to know it wasn't all good and healthy thinking for a woman.

He could at least still empathise with her, but one more rash action left him stunned. As she pulled out her phone, the Golden Ronin turned to ask what she was doing. Something he saw left him frozen.

"Hey wait-" as soon as Joan sent her message, a loud vibration buzzed in his own pocket.

"E-Excuse me, looks like the...mayor has an emergency call," The Golden Ronin sprung off of his butt and started towards the other side of the roof. He took out his phone and pretended to answer a call, even though by the length of the vibration suggested a text.

"Yes Mayor. ...Right away. Well ma'am, it would appear duty calls. I will suggest one more thing: tell him in person!"

With that, the Golden Ronin leapt off of the roof. A few minutes later, Joan would receive a reply from Søren.

What is it? I'm free if you need to talk in person.

Søren would be a few minutes late, though he promised he was one his way and would not be much longer. His clothes seemed a bit misplaced on his body, not as perfectly adjusted as when he arrived for work. It seemed he had a great time with drinking with his coworkers.

"Hey Joan," Søren smiled to her outside of the hotel. He seemed unsure of what Joan wanted to ask, especially since he seemed nervous. It was hard to tell for anyone but himself, however.

Afte Joan's confession, Søren shifted weight between his feet. His hand dug into his pockets and he pursed his lips. He tried to come up with the right words, and it took him a long moment to even smile as he intended.

"Joan. I am flattered. But I don't see you the same way. I think I'd disappoint you more on a date than I would right now," Søren spoke fluidly. It seemed almost rehearsed.

"You're pretty cute, but it's more... lack of chemistry," Søren tried to explain. The latter part, he clearly didn't rehearse.

Søren watched Joan walk away. He promised not to tell anyone, nor would he, and above all he hoped they could both forget about this. It ate at him afterward, however, that Joan was still his makeup artist. They'd still be working together, they'd still be seeing each other almost every day even after she threatened to kill him.

Well, Søren wasn't entirely sure it was a real threat. Honestly, it was more a gut desire she was just exaggerating rather than being sincere. For now, Søren would just have to think of something to say the next time they met. Something to help calm her down.

For now, he'd rather go home and just relax.