"It's utterly absurd… How can I possibly carry such an overpowering scent?"

With a frustrated grunt, the girl, her curly brown locks bouncing, flung her snug uniform onto the sheets and liberally sprayed perfume even on her undergarments. Lately, whispers had been circulating about her smelling like a giant - completely unreasonable! She had never set foot on a battlefield, yet here were rumors concocted about her. Gritting her teeth, she repeatedly doused her armpits with the scent. The perfume's potency could bring tears to one's eyes, yet from her narrowed hazel gaze, it was evident—she was rather pleased with it.

Today's makeup had taken about three hours, but she wasn't rushed. She had a hundred reasons to take her time. So, what next to while away the hours? She tapped her chin with her fingers, eyeing the worn-out notebook on the table. It was something she had picked up from the roadside, the notebook of an enigmatic recruit. Its pages were filled with indecipherable symbols. Rumors abounded about him—some hailed him as a recruit paragon, others branded him an emotionless monster, and some insisted he was certainly not an Eldian. She cared little for any of it. Her only interest lay in uncovering the secrets hidden within those fragmented sketches. It was one of her few hobbies aside from naps and wine.

Just as she hummed, ready to resume her perusal, the door creaked open. The notebook's owner scanned the room, his gaze landing on Hitch's face. Her trademark smirk remained, but beads of sweat dotted her forehead, her hands raised in a reflexive gesture of surrender.

"Well, well, isn't this the valiant hero? This happens to be a lady's private domain…"

She gulped, attempting to cross her arms in an innocent stance, though it seemed ineffective.

"I swear I didn't read anything… Not a single page, not even a corner. Not even the title…"