Crushing flags and claiming the Villainess

A beach trip. Valerie didn't expect that.

She knew that since her lover had advised the Headmaster, he must have been considerate and mindful of what everyone actually needed rather than what they usually demand.

And a fun trip without any purpose and without any requirement of preparations, would help them reconnect with themselves.

She knew she was going to enjoy herself there since any place becomes beautiful when he is there with her.

However, there was a matter of concern.

Swimsuit.

She was standing before her wardrobe, unsure what she should do.

She has never even once bought a single swimsuit. She never needed one.

The only swimsuit she had in her closet was something her mother bought when she was just six. At that time, she went to the hot springs.

However, naturally, wearing something so small never crossed her mind.

'What should I do?' She wanted to choose a swimsuit that would make her lover all flustered and impressed at the same time. She wanted to make him look at her, not anyone else but her.

'He must have seen girls in swimsuits before...' Her face turned gloomy at the thought of his ex-girlfriends...would she be able to make the deepest impression?

Her clouding thoughts were dispersed as she heard a few knocks on the door,

*Knock*

She closed the wardrobe and approached the door.

*Click*

"Hmm?" Her brows elevated upon seeing two familiar figures standing there

"I want to ask for your help," Averis said, entering the room without being invited. Valerie didn't mind.

She invited the other person, knowing she wouldn't step inside otherwise.

"I was thinking if we could go shopping?" Rhea suggested, the hesitation in her voice suggesting how awkward she still was around her.

"Oh?" Valerie's brows elevated as she offered the pink head a chair and asked her sister-in-law first, "What help do you need?"

"You know I have locked myself away for the past few years, so now I don't have a single idea what the current trend in swimsuits is. So help me pick one."

"...." Sister-in-law, you are asking the wrong person. Valerie, despite not being locked away, was feeling very outdated at the moment.

Rhea, somehow, understood Valerie's predicament, as she suggested, "I was going to buy one too, so wanna join?" She didn't show much hesitation now since they both seemed to be stuck in the same situation.

Valerie nodded, "I'd love to. Avy, come with us."

"Okay."

°°°°°°°

"Hmm? What does she like?" Sheldon hummed, tilting his head after being questioned about his girlfriend's hobbies and favorite foods.

Austin nodded. "Yeah, instead of trying to be overly creative, just give her something she genuinely loves—something that speaks to her heart."

"Genuinely, being a daughter of a trader, I thought of giving her some gold coins."

"..."

Austin froze mid-step, turning to look at Sheldon with an expression that clearly said, 'Are you serious right now?'

Sheldon shrugged. "I mean, you said something that goes with her lifestyle."

Austin blinked, deadpan. "Right. So if her family ran a bakery, would you have gifted her a sack of flour?"

"Yeah?" Sheldon asked with a shrug.

Austin parted his lips but then decided not to say anything about it.

"Okay, tell me what she likes to do in her free days?" He asked as they started walking again.

They were both gathering quite a lot of attention. Tall, handsome guys, wearing casual clothes, having a fun chat, laughing, and teasing while they walk. For some, they were a sight for sore eyes, and for some, they elicited a sigh of admiration.

"Hmm, she likes to make clay pots and sculptures?" He said, remembering how he often found her in the small workshop she had created in her room.

Austin hummed before asking, "And what does she like to wear? The dress usually?"

Sheldon narrowed his eyes, "Why are you curious about that?"

"...man, I am helping you select a gift. Did you forget?"

"Oh, yeah...sorry." The silver head thought for a moment before responding, "She likes to wear a one-piece strap dress. Light color."

Austin nodded, "Tell me her taste in food."

"Sweet, fluffy."

"She gives that vibe." Austin suddenly came to a pause before he told Sheldon, "Can you bring her on the trip?"

Sheldon was taken aback, "She has graduated, you know that, right?"

"I know, but she can be 'coincidentally' present there as a visitor, no?"

Sheldon's brows elevated, "Hmm~I never thought about it. Well, why do you want me to bring her over?"

"You can make a cheesecake for her and spend the day with her?" He suggested. He believed Sheldon would guess by now.

Sheldon scratched his head, "I only know how to cook fish."

"And how many times have you cooked?"

"One."

Figured.

Austin has taken a very difficult case today. Should've rather enjoyed the evening with his beloved.

.....

While on one side, Austin was struggling with Sheldon, the group of three beauties was wandering around the market.

Averis and Rhea were chatting continuously, sharing their experiences and likes. Meanwhile, Valerie just followed them.

"You actually created wooden toys at such a young age?" Rhea seemed surprised.

"I was good with knives and small blades." She shrugged.

Rhea chuckled, "I somehow learned it and used to sell them years ago. Now I craft things to release some stress."

Averis was aware of Rhea's circumstances, which is why she didn't react to that.

"There is a small shop here that sells crafting tools. Wanna check out?" Rhea suggested, and Averis readily nodded, "Sure."

As such, they walked towards a completely unrelated shop.

Just as the duo were about to step inside, Valerie said, "You go ahead, I will eat something." She hasn't had anything after lunch, and there was a rice ball shop nearby.

Rhea held a guilty smile as she suggested, "We can go to the shop later. Should we search for the swimsuit first?"

"No, it's okay. It's not often that you go shopping, isn't it?" Valerie asked, taking Rhea off guard.

She....didn't expect Valerie to notice something like that.

Valerie held a soft smile and nodded, "Go and enjoy yourselves. I will be nearby."

Rhea gave a soft nod before she entered the shop.

Valerie heaved a long sigh before she walked back to the store.

"What can I do for you, young lady?" The shop owner asked as he moved his hand and prepared the filling.

The rich aroma of spices and the meat made her even more hungry.

She was about to order a few varieties when suddenly,

"Give her whatever she wants. It would be on me."

Valerie turned towards the source of the voice and found three men, clearly not with pure intentions, grinning at her.

Rolling her eyes, she muttered under her breath, 'Must this happen?'

°°°°°°°°°°

A/N:- It's a cliche set up. You can't run away from it. Thanks for reading.