Her eyes flash with suspicion before she takes a deep breath, trying to relax her shoulders. "Fine. Then you must have seen something you shouldn't have."

She keeps her hands crossed over her chest, covering her breasts. "I need you to keep this a secret. If anyone finds out I'll be discharged, and all the hard work I've done will be for nothing."

Her face tightens, and she stares at you with an unreadable expression. "Don't assume too much," she warns, her voice low and threatening. "It's none of your damn business what others think or know. You're the only one who found out, and you better keep it that way."

She takes another step back, putting more distance between you two. "If you value our friendship, you'll do as I say. Understood?" Her eyes bore into yours, making sure you know she means business.

She observes your reaction carefully, her eyes searching yours for any hint of deception. After a moment, she seems satisfied with what she sees and relaxes slightly. "Good," she says curtly.

"As for navigating this...I suggest you forget you ever saw anything tonight. Nothing changes between us, we continue training like normal. And if anyone asks, you know nothing. Understood?"

She raises an eyebrow, waiting for your response. Despite the tense situation, there's a glimmer of something in her eyes - perhaps amusement, or maybe relief at having a confidant in this secret.

She narrows her eyes, her guard instantly back up. "Depends on the favor," she says warily, eyeing you suspiciously. "I'm not going to do anything that would jeopardize my position here."

She crosses her arms, waiting for you to continue. Despite the tension, there's a spark of curiosity in her eyes, wondering what you could possibly ask of her in this situation.

She hesitates, her body language still guarded. But after a moment, she lets out a sigh and relaxes slightly, dropping her hands to her sides.

"Fine. For a moment. But don't make it a habit. I can't afford to let my guard down, not even with you."

She fixes you with a serious look, her red eyes intense. "What is it you wanted to say?" Her voice is softer now, more open than before, but still tinged with caution.

She freezes as you step closer, her breath hitching slightly. Her eyes widen in surprise at your words, and for a moment, she seems at a loss for how to respond.

"W-what are you doing?" she asks, her voice barely above a whisper. But there's no real reproach in her tone, just confusion and perhaps a hint of vulnerability.

She takes a half-step back, but doesn't pull away from you completely, her eyes searching yours for any hint of ulterior motive. Despite herself, she seems to be leaning into your closeness, drawn in by your sincerity.

Her lips part slightly, and for a moment, she looks almost dazed, as if lost in your gaze. Then she seems to snap out of it, shaking her head and taking a step back.

"What are you playing at?" she demands, her voice regaining some of its usual steeliness, even as her cheeks flush a soft pink. "This isn't funny. I can't afford to...to..."

She trails off, looking flustered and frustrated. Despite her words, she doesn't move away completely, staying close enough that you can still feel the heat radiating from her body.

She stares at you, her expression unreadable. For a long moment, she's silent, her body tense. Then, slowly, she relaxes, her shoulders slumping slightly as she lets out a soft sigh.

"Fine. For a minute. Then we go back to normal."

She takes a small step forward, closing the distance between you once more. Her gaze is intense, searching yours for any sign of deception. But there's a new softness there too, a vulnerability she rarely shows.

"What do you want to know?" she asks quietly, her voice barely above a whisper. "Ask your question, and let's get this over with."

Her eyes widen, and she takes a sharp intake of breath. She seems torn, her body language conflicting - one moment leaning in, the next tensing up, ready to pull away.

"You want to see the real me?" she asks, her voice barely a whisper. There's a raw edge to it, a mix of fear and yearning. "You have no idea what that even means."

But despite her words, she doesn't move away. Instead, she reaches out, her hand hovering uncertainly near your cheek. She seems to be battling with herself, warring between her instincts and her fears. "This is...this is crazy. We can't..."

She shudders at your touch, her eyes fluttering closed for a moment. When she opens them again, there's a new vulnerability in her gaze, a softness that's rarely there.

"Know me?" she echoes, her voice trembling slightly. "You want to know me?"

She takes a deep, shuddering breath, as if steeling herself. Then, slowly, she leans in, her lips brushing against yours in the barest whisper of a kiss.

"I'm...I'm not what you think," she whispers, her breath mingling with yours. "I'm...scared. And confused. And...and I don't know what I'm doing."

Her eyes search yours, begging for understanding, for acceptance. "Is that what you wanted to know? Is that the real me?"

Her breath hitches at your words, her eyes widening. For a moment, she seems speechless, overwhelmed by your sincerity and acceptance.

"You...you really mean that?" she asks, her voice barely above a whisper. "You don't think I'm...wrong? Or disgusting?"

There's a vulnerability in her gaze, a hint of the deep-seated fear and shame she's carried for so long. But there's hope there too, a desperate yearning to be seen and accepted for who she truly is.

"I've never...I've never let anyone see this side of me before," she admits, her voice trembling. "But...but if you're serious, if you really want to know me...then...then yes. Yes, I'll show you."

*She leans in, her lips meeting yours in a gentle, tentative kiss.

She melts into the kiss, her body relaxing against yours as she lets herself be held, lets herself be seen. For a long moment, she just clings to you, her eyes closed, savoring the feeling of being accepted, of being held without judgment.

"Extraordinary," she echoes softly when the kiss finally breaks, a small smile playing at the corners of her mouth. "I've never been called that before."

She looks up at you, her eyes shining with unshed tears. There's a new light in her gaze, a softness that wasn't there before. She reaches up, her fingers tracing the line of your jaw.

"Thank you," she whispers, her voice thick with emotion. "Thank you for seeing me. For accepting me. I...I don't know what I'd do without you."

She laughs softly, a sound that's both relieved and joyful, like the release of a long-held breath. "Of course. After everything, I think I owe you that much."

She pulls back slightly, looking at you with curious eyes. "What's been bugging you?" She tilts her head, a playful smirk tugging at her lips. "Did you want to ask about my favorite color? Or maybe my deepest secret?" She winks teasingly. "You might be getting more than you bargained for."