270 – About Her Love -2-

After a little more time passed.

“Hey there!”

“Yes?”

“Give me the expired lunchbox!”

This time, Shuen, who had switched her career aspirations to become a robber, was threatening me with a fan in her hand.

I raised my hands and matched Shuen’s rhythm with a smile.

“Oh… Did you switch from being a student to a robber, Miss Shuen? That’s impressive.”

“No way…! This is a legitimate demand!”

Shuen winked at me with a seductive expression.

“Ooh…!”

“I haven’t eaten yet, so it’s too early for digestives.”

“You! Am I not charming enough for you? Not human! A beast! A devil! An eunuch!”

“…?”

“Eunuch is canceled!”

“Thank you… But to call it a charm offensive, it feels more like a wooden puppet giving a dance. Personally…”

Sneaking out in front of the cashier, I provocatively stuck out my hips in response to Shuen’s taunt.

“I think making a deadly expression like this feels seductive.”

“Argh… I’m disassembled!”

“There’s nothing to be done about it. It’s only natural for me to be seductive, having succeeded as a butler of the Desmont family with just my charm.”

“Hmmmm!”

Shuen clenched her fist and genuinely felt disassembled. And she boldly demanded the expired lunchbox.

“Then give it to me!”

“Haha… I’ve never seen such a brazen beggar.”

“What did you say? Commoner.”

“A commoner spoke like a commoner.”

“Ohoho…! Then it’s natural I didn’t understand.”

‘Idiot.’

Shuen, as if she had forgotten the frame that I had tormented Mikhail, was the first to visit the convenience store during lunchtime, greeting me more than anyone else.

Occasionally, when Mikhail’s visits to the convenience store coincided with mine.

“Leaving your meal halfway, where are you off to?”

“Don’t talk to me!”

“It’s too awkward to say you’re hiding. Especially around the chest area.”

“Beast!”

Although I showed a line was drawn, once Mikhail left, as if nothing happened, she would turn her sparkling eyes on me and start chatting.

Today was no different.

“I really left my wallet and lunchbox behind today…! I got my allowance and grilled a steak…! Ugh…”

Shuen was making a truly vexed face, boldly demanding a meal from me.

It seemed the high-class pride of a noble had been recycled, as Shuen shamelessly tried to extort a free lunchbox from me, causing me to let out a dry laugh and moisten my parched lips.

‘I guess it’s time to talk about it.’

The time for Shuen to confess to Mikhail is approaching. A public confession at the academy’s fountain.

The confession, grandiosely initiated by a noble who loves the public’s gaze, was spectacularly ruined…

Passing by, I wanted to show a little consideration. I didn’t want to see another girl, walking a similar path to the lady, looking sad. I didn’t want to create another outcast.

Especially not for a confession that stood no chance.

“Today’s lunch is the convenience store’s special set.”

I placed Shuen’s favorite ‘Pork Cutlet Lunchbox Set’ and ‘Mango Juice’ on the table and smiled.

“Is this a confession?”

“No.”

“Then why are you giving it to me?”

“Just because I wanted to.”

Shuen looked at me with doubtful eyes, as if not quite convinced.

-Bang.

“It’s not like that.”

“I’m suspicious!”

It’s not the first time a girl complains even when given something… but at Shuen’s audacious attitude, I shook my head and sighed.

“Today’s lunch is on me. It’s not waste, but a brand-new product.”

“You really do like me…!”

“Forget it. I’ll just eat it myself.”

“I’m sorry!”

Shuen hugged the lunchbox with a bright smile. I couldn’t help but laugh at Shuen’s materialistic side, preferring the lunchbox over me, yet her cheerful smile somehow made me feel not too bad.

“Come on, sit down and eat.”

“Ohoho!”

“Don’t laugh like that.”

“Yes….”

For a moment, Shuen set aside her noble status and buried her face in the lunchbox, beginning to devour it.

“This isn’t just a lunchbox! The crispy batter seems to have a life of its own!”

“I don’t think it’s quite that dramatic.”

“Don’t insult the pork cutlet, you commoner!”

“…”

After watching Shuen for a while, when the bottom of the lunchbox became visible, I cautiously broached a sensitive question.

“Um… Student Shuen, this might be out of the blue, but.”

“Mmm… Mmm! (Be quiet, commoner.)”

“Don’t misunderstand, just listen.”

“Mmmmm!! Phewww! Mmm!(I won’t be swayed by the likes of a commoner’s words!).”

“Then, I’ll ask.”

“Nod.”

“Do you have someone you like at the academy…?”

As expected, Shuen, about to spit out the food in her mouth, looked at me with shocked eyes and exclaimed.

“Is that so? You’re interested in me! Eeee… Despicable commoner! To think you harbored impure thoughts towards me…!”

“No, you’re not my type.”

“Impure, commoner!”

I chuckled and soothed Shuen.

“It’s just that love stories are the most interesting stories in the world, aren’t they? It’s a concern everyone your age has.”

“…That’s true!”

“That’s why I asked. Not because I’m interested in you. I was wondering if there’s anything I could help with.”

“What would you know, you commoner!”

“Haven’t you heard the rumors about me?”

“…What?”

Shuen’s head began to fill with outrageous statements she had heard from her seniors at the sight of Ricardo’s smug smile.

Just a damn dog.

Hmph! Hmph! Hmph! He’s been eating dirt in his mouth, you know.

Girls only make me go crazy.

You guys should be careful when you meet that dog. You might get eaten, you know.

Shuen clapped his hands and said to me.

“A guy who’s gone crazy…! A damn dog!”

“?

“A dog that’s not a person, but a barking dog, I heard.”

“…but it seems like the story has been spread around. Anyway…”

I tried to ignore Shuen’s disgusted gaze and mumbled on. Even if he’s a damn dog, he’s really annoying. To spread such rumors about someone who has no friends. Honestly, it made me feel bad.

“Who comes to mind when I think of that person?”

“Bad woman!”

“That person is also a bad woman.”

“I’m not one!”

“Anyway, not our Miss. A person with a white head.”

“Magician?”

“Does he have a rock in his head?”

“How dare you, a commoner, insult a noble…!”

“Michael, Michael.”

“Aha!”

Shuen applauded with his fist and responded with a cheerful smile.

“Is that what Michael-senior said? Why is he tangled up with him? I’m not even a tenth as good as him.”

“…I’m taller than you.”

“I know.”

“…but Michael didn’t get along with me at all.”

“You’re wrong, you know!”

“Yes, that’s what I’m saying. When someone is really hated by someone, I think I know a lot about that person.”

“Oh…”

You know, what someone likes or dislikes.”

Shuen naturally fell into the conversation as if he understood Ricaardo’s words exactly.

“Tell me in detail.”

I leaned against the table and approached Shuen, who was listening attentively, with a faint smile.

“Well, I don’t know who you like, Shuen, but if by any chance you like Mikhail, I think I might have some helpful information for you.”

“…So it’s true, you do like me!”

‘…’

Is her head filled with rocks?

I shook my head at Shuen’s naive reaction.

“Think whatever makes you comfortable.”

“…!”

“I’m just trying to help you as a lunch buddy, but a foolish noble might as well eat a discarded lunchbox.”

“Don’t ignore me! I’m quite the model student!”

“For your information, I maintained a top-ten ranking when I was at the academy.”

“…”

“Idiot.”

Shuen, feeling indignant, slammed her fork down on the table but, lacking any retort, timidly boasted, “I was… tenth in writing.”

“That’s impressive.”

“Don’t tease me! A villain with no friends!”

“You’re having lunch with a villain, Shuen… It’s sad, so I’ll spare you the words.”

I smiled awkwardly at the fuming Shuen.

“Anyway, it was fun.”

“Huh?”

“It’s about time for me to leave.”

“Leave?”

Shocked by the mention of leaving, Shuen looked at me with wide eyes, her expression asking what she would do if her lunch friend left.

“Just wait…! I may not be able to date you, but I can still be your friend!”

“Heh, forget it.”

Shuen’s face looked as if she might cry any moment as she hung her head.

“Is business… not going well? If that’s the case, I’ll give you all my allowance!”

“I really appreciate the thought, but I can’t do that.”

“…Why?”

I responded to Shuen’s dewy-eyed question with a bitter smile.

“There’s been a complaint.”

“Excuse me…?”

“A criminal who caused controversy at the academy is working here, isn’t he? Get rid of him quickly. That’s the kind of complaint it is. Fortunately, business is going well, so there’s no need to worry about the convenience store closing down.”

“…”

“And I need to return to my main profession. I can’t stay here forever.”

-Misamo members…! He’s here!

Shuen looked at Ricardo, dropping her gaze as she recalled the words she had spoken in the past. She knew where the complaint Ricardo received had originated from.

“…”

There was no rebuttal.

With a bitter smile, Shuen looked at Ricardo and spoke with a quivering voice.

“Are you really… leaving?”

I nodded to Shuen, affirming that where there are meetings, farewells are bound to follow.

“Yes.”

I opened my mouth heavily towards Shuen, who was on the verge of tears.

“That’s why I brought it up.”

“…”

“Do you like Mikhail?”

About her love.

Hoping she would be hurt just a little less.