Chapter 96 – Masked Man (7)

[…Secretary of the Cornus family?]
“Yes, something like fostering friendship. I don’t know what it means, but when a noble family calls for humans, shouldn’t we go at least once? I don’t even have any power.”
[Handle it as you see fit… You won’t lose a battle of wits, just make sure to verify if there’s an ulterior motive. However, be prepared in advance for tonight.]

A harbinger of Heaven’s ruthless training in hell.
I hung up my cell phone and sighed.
Tonight, I’m doomed.

“But why are they calling me all of a sudden?”

Secretary to the eldest daughter of the Cornus family. If the role also includes being a guard, it is certainly not a lowly position.

‘Was it a problem to interact with Sansuyu?’

However, the one who suggested that Sansuyu make friends was none other than the secretary herself, either Miho or Shiho. And personally, I think of Sansuyu as a really adorable friend.

Black heart? How could such a thing exist?

She had large, attractive breasts that could make other men’s eyes wander, but…honestly, it was difficult to see Sansuyu in that light. At times, Sansuyu seemed more like a puppy than Gu-seul, who resembled a dogwood tree.

Just then, a black sedan appeared in front of the academy’s main gate and came to a stop.

Sansuyu, who alighted from the luxurious foreign car, gracefully stepped out, showcasing her elegant demeanor. Yet to me, she appeared as nothing more than a walking teddy bear.

“Refreshing~”

Observe her, happily skipping towards me while waving her hand.

She wore a white ribbon blouse and a knee-length skirt, dressing coolly for the early summer. She hopped out of the car, her face beaming brightly.

It’s uncertain if others would perceive her expression as radiant. However, it was clear to my eyes that Sansuyu was excited. It stirred in me an urge to playfully bite her cheeks.

“Did you wait long?”
“I just arrived.”

She was dressed in a simple cardigan with a crossbody bag slung at her side.

The only items inside were the writing tools and textbooks I had brought with me upon entering the academy.

Sansuyu grasped my arm and guided me.

“Let’s go.”
“Going? Where?”
“My house.”

Wasn’t I just supposed to meet the secretary?

As I gazed at Sansuyu with wide-open eyes, she merely tilted her head, her expression still emotionless.

The black sedan that she led me into was spacious enough to stretch my legs comfortably.

*Thud.*

The door closed.
There was no turning back now.

In the driver’s seat sat the stern-faced secretary, who stole a quick glance at my face through the rearview mirror.

“I brought him. Oh, right. My name is Shiho, the secretary.”
“It’s Seong Ji-ho.”
“This is Si-eon. My friend Miho told me to date.”
“This is Lee Si-heon.”

How could she not get a single name right?
Seeing Seong Ji-ho’s bitter smile, I oddly felt a sense of camaraderie.

Thinking about her assisting Sansuyu, in a way, this person was also a victim.

“Wait a moment… Wasn’t it that person from Tree Inside who recommended it?”

I decided to withdraw from our supportive relationship.

“How did you and Lee Si-heon become friends?”

On the road to the private mansion of the Cornus family, built within the academy grounds, he asked while turning the steering wheel, and Sansuyu answered.

“Si-heon learned my swordsmanship – oops!”

He stole it.

I covered Sansuyu’s mouth, anticipating she would say that. Although it’s true, the family’s swordsmanship is top secret, and it’s problematic that I learned it just by watching.

“We just got close while training together. Suddenly, the secretary called me, saying I should make a friend.”
“Oh… is that so?”

Ji-ho looked at me with a suspicious expression, then turned his head forward again.

“Is it cold?”

Your mouth is such a troublemaker.

As the medicine took effect and pricked his thigh, Sansuyu blinked her eyes, seemingly not understanding the meaning.

A few minutes later, we arrived at the mansion.

The secretary exited first, opening the car door, and Sansuyu carefully leaned her body and stepped out slowly.

Her graceful and poised movements never ceased to amaze me, always seeming a world apart from the Sansuyu I had known. I followed her, and Jiho quietly asked me.

“Siheon, wait a moment.”

I halted my steps, which had been trailing Sansuyu. She, who had been leading the way, turned her head.

“Please go to your room first, Miss. I have some private matters to discuss with my friend.”
“Why?”

Jiho’s eyes widened in surprise at Sansuyu’s swift reply.

“What kind of conversation is it?”
“It’s a personal matter.”
“But… he’s my friend.”
“Ha, I apologize.”

Sansuyu, her mouth curling in a slight smile, departed first. Only then did Jiho take the lead, adjusting his tie once more.

“I apologize. I know it’s impolite, but… it concerns the young lady. I hope you can understand.”
“Well, go ahead and speak freely. I won’t take it to heart.”

“No, it’s all right. The lady is waiting, so let’s find a place where we can sit comfortably.”

Outside the mansion, a row of benches was available to sit on at any time. Jiho led the way and sat down on a suitable bench, and I took a seat opposite him, observing his demeanor.

“So, he said he wanted to foster a connection with me…”

I was the one to break the silence.

“A connection?”

Jiho raised the corner of his mouth, as if he didn’t expect to hear such a statement.

“Ah, isn’t that it? That’s why I was called.”
“No, I merely suggested calling on you while you’re studying…”
“Oh… He must have misspoken again.”

Fostering a connection was meant to be about Sansuyu and me. It seemed he had conveyed the message incorrectly.

Though I was inwardly taken aback, I managed to grasp Seong Ji-ho’s intentions. Studying. He intended to speak with Sansuyu, getting to me in the process, in an effort to discuss something.

“Oh, I apologize for addressing her that way. I’ve been used to speaking informally.”
“That’s all right, haha… There is no hierarchy among friends.”
“Yes… Well, what brings you here?”

For now, I decided to ask directly.

“It’s nothing major. I just wanted to express my gratitude for getting along with Miss Sansuyu… She talks quite a bit with you. Truth is, she doesn’t have many friends and isn’t very good at conversation…”

She’s being subtly disparaged.
It was indeed a fact that she had few friends and wasn’t talkative.

“And Miss Sansuyu… She holds a certain position, right?”

The question seemed to imply a suspicion of ulterior motives.
It felt like that’s what was being insinuated.

“I’m aware. Cornus… Was it her family name?”
“Yes.”
“They’ve been assisting the World Tree for a long time and produced many elite guards… I’ve only heard rumors.”

Comparable to a duke in medieval nobility.

In a world where social hierarchy mattered, it was only natural that a commoner wouldn’t have the chance to get a proper glimpse of someone from a higher status in their entire lifetime.

Over the years, the barriers between commoners and nobles have crumbled significantly, but the concept still lingers. If it were known that an unknown commoner had approached the princess, it would be reasonable to start worrying about what attracted such unwanted attention.

‘But why is this being brought up now?’

Sansuyu and I first met in March. Over two months have passed since then.

This means that too much time has been wasted. If they had asked earlier, they would have investigated and found the answer.

In today’s world, one might wonder who would do such a thing, but committing crimes openly can be seen quite often among the upper class.

‘Of course, they must have conducted a background check.’

Considering I haven’t been in this world for long, there probably isn’t much information about me. Furthermore, it was evident that caution was necessary due to the connection with White Peach.

I silently observed her secretary from within the mask. The resolute expression he wore, combined with an air of composure, revealed his professional training. He was no ordinary secretary.

“I believe I understand your thoughts.”

However, this was something I couldn’t prove. With a harsh word, branding him as a spy after his demise could easily make him one.

Nonetheless, taking into account his cautious manner of speaking, he didn’t appear particularly hostile.

“…Are you suggesting we keep our distance? That’s something straight out of a drama.”
“Orders from above mentioned it. But I don’t want to.”

Seeing him talk so openly made me wonder how to make someone indebted and confess honestly. He seemed somewhat familiar.

“You don’t want to?”
“There’s a reason she has no friends.”

Perhaps the friends she had made before had drifted away for various reasons.

It seemed as though he was considering the person he served.

“As a secretary, I hope for some happiness… If it pleases the lady, I would like to accommodate as much as possible. Even if the head of the household disapproves.”
“I think I understand your sentiment.”

Despite this, there was a sharpness in one corner of his expression.
I had a feeling that if I didn’t manage to persuade him somehow, things would become troublesome.
I spoke lightly and with sincerity.

After all, I had neither the incentive nor the inclination to lie.

“When I look at Sansuyu… I always think that her emotions seem parched. Perhaps something must have happened.”
“……”
“That’s why I was drawn to her. Although I’m not in a position to help, to be honest, I’m the only friend she has, so when she asked me to be her friend, how could I refuse?”

In the end, it was Sansuyu who had approached.

“What kind of friend do you want to make like that? This isn’t a cartoon, you know. ‘Let’s be friends’… It was absurd.”
“Ah…”

Upon hearing that, Jiho’s face turned slightly red.
It seemed that she was feeling a sense of shame.

In her mind, she could already see Sansuyu speaking like that.
Sansuyu was indeed a character with a unique personality.

“But after we became close… You know best, don’t you? What kind of person Suyu is.”
“That’s true.”

Jiho nodded in agreement.
She was an innocent and kind-hearted person.

“So, I grew to like her as a person. There’s really nothing more to it.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes.”

There was a brief silence.

“I understand. I apologize for bringing up unnecessary matters.”
“No, it’s fine. I understand.”
“We’ve been here for a while, should we get up?”

On the way back, guided by Jiho, she engaged me with a few more stories and tried to test me with her words.

Of course, I spoke honestly, as there was no reason for me to be defensive.
Seong Ji-ho seemed to understand that as well, eventually making a lighthearted joke with a relieved voice.

“Spicy Tteokbokki…”

Wince.

“Did you figure out why it tasted that way?”

I broke into a sweat and quickly changed the subject.

“The kid was suddenly rummaging through the tree inside.”
“…Ah.”

We laughed together, likely sharing the same thought internally.

This madman.

* * * * *

As I went to meet Sansuyu, I recalled what else I had heard from Ji-ho.

– Lady Sansuyu has been the center of attention since she was a child.

With her exceptional talents in swordsmanship and social skills, she was greatly loved by her relatives and father. Of course, it’s said that Sansuyu wouldn’t have turned out this way if her talents were the only outstanding thing about her.

The issue was that the blood of the World Tree was the most concentrated.

-Do you know the meaning of the Sansuyu flower’s language?

Eternal immortality.

And that has been the long-cherished aspiration of the Cornus family. It is said that the dream of eternity, which began in the 9th century, has been the goal and dream of every member of the Cornus family.

There were several processes to attain it, and Sansuyu, more exceptional than anyone else, had been following those procedures since her childhood.

-I don’t know what those processes are since I’m just a mere secretary.

However, it is said that Sansuyu gradually lost her emotions at some point. He shared this, wearing a bitter smile.

-Lately, it seems she’s been improving. So, please take good care of her.

The words he added were as follows:

-It’s a welcome development for me as well to see more people on her side.

Why is there so much work surrounding me? As I knocked on the door that I’d already arrived at, Sansuyu promptly opened it.

“Did you arrive?”

In a tidy room, a bed reminiscent of a bright yellow chick catches the eye. Sansuyu welcomes me, clad in an exceedingly elegant loungewear.

“I ordered spicy tteokbokki!”

The anticipation-filled corners of her mouth appear so delightfully sweet.

“Alright, let’s study while eating.”

Before I know it, my hand rests on the crown of Sansuyu’s head.

“Why are you laughing?”

Being with her seems to elicit laughter for no particular reason. It feels as if I’ve stumbled upon a healing camp. Not bad at all.