Routine Checkups and Gentle Headpats
Regular inspection complete!
"Hehe, Si-hyun seems to always get tangled up in the most amusing situations, doesn't he?"
"Elissa... is that a compliment?"
"Hmm~ About half? Hehe."
"Sigh... I really had a hard time clearing up that misunderstanding."
Si-hyun leaned back against the waiting room sofa and let out a long sigh.
I thought I'd gotten used to being treated like a lolicon, but getting labeled a playboy trash for hitting on two at once? That was a first—totally threw me off...
Having barely cleared up the misunderstanding, Si-hyun was taking a break in the waiting room with Elissa. Even as her guardian, detailed experiment and inspection info was classified, so Leah couldn't be with them.
"By the way, aren't you participating in the experiments, Elissa? I heard something about MDM-2 this and that."
At Si-hyun's question, Elissa crossed her legs lightly and took a sip of her coffee.
"MDM has versions 1 and 2. I mainly worked on version 1. For MDM-2, Emilia's the lead researcher, and I'm just consulting, so I don't have much to do with today's experiment."
"You know a lot about Emilia, then?"
"Oh? You don't know her, Si-hyun?"
"I really know nothing. I just heard her name for the first time earlier—what would I know?"
"That's... kind of surprising. I thought you two were already close since she calls you 'oppa'..."
"If I'd met a beauty like that before, no way I'd forget."
"Hmm~ You never know? Maybe you're the bad guy who took her first and forgot all about it?"
"Oh come on, I told you it was all a misunderstanding!"
"Hehe, just kidding, just kidding~~"
Si-hyun chatted with Elissa about this and that, waiting for Leah's inspection to end. They talked trivial stuff for about an hour—like how Victoria was doing and maybe grabbing a meal sometime.
—Clank.
"Experiment subject Leah's routine inspection is complete. The guardian may take her now."
A young researcher entered the waiting room to announce the end of the experiment.
"See you later, Elissa."
"Wait, Si-hyun. One last thing before you go."
Elissa stopped Si-hyun, who was heading straight to Leah. She fidgeted slightly, looking hesitant.
"What is it?"
"Don't... get too attached to Noblesse... to Leah."
"Huh? What do you—"
"......"
Elissa couldn't continue and just stared at Si-hyun. Worry and concern filled her sea-blue eyes, making her look somehow sad.
If Leah turns out to be a ghost story for real, the guild and headquarters will move to eliminate her right away. I know better than anyone how dangerous ghost stories are... but if that happens, Si-hyun will get hurt...
Elissa couldn't voice her inner thoughts. She could have said it in a businesslike tone, but she didn't want him seeing her as some cold, detached woman.
At times like this, I wish Si-hyun could read emotions like I do... so he'd understand without me saying it. I know it's a ridiculous thought...
—Stroke.
As Elissa stewed in her worried thoughts, Si-hyun's hand gently rested on her head.
"S-Si-hyun...?! What the—suddenly?!"
"Just stay still for a sec. This is the only way I can express it right now."
"Hwah...?"
Si-hyun silently stroked Elissa's hair with care. With almost no resistance to a man's touch, Elissa had no room to even think about what was happening.
Wh-what? Why is Si-hyun suddenly petting me...?
Yet amid the confusion, she could feel the warmth enveloping her from him. His emotions flowed out: Thanks for worrying, I already know.
He'd already picked up on her unspoken concerns.
I forgot for a moment... Si-hyun has a calm, warm heart and he's quick on the uptake... Hehe.
Though alone in the cold, quiet hallway, a warm energy seemed to wrap around Elissa's entire body.
Si-hyun soon said his goodbyes—see you next time—and left.
"Sigh... I ended up feeling disappointed when his hand pulled away..."
Elissa stared blankly at his retreating back for a while.
"Hmm... I feel a little guilty toward Victoria-unnie? Hehe."
Why did her heart keep going out to Si-hyun, an ordinary guy with no special awakening powers? No matter how much she thought about it, Elissa couldn't find a clear answer.
"Elissa was kinder than I expected. She was all worried about me taking care of tomboy Leah."
Her warning not to get too attached was obvious even to a dense guy like me. It meant: don't expect too much and end up hurt!
"She teaches her all sorts of stuff, but Leah keeps causing trouble. She's probably worried I'll get fed up and quit being her guardian."
It was clear she was concerned I'd feel let down by Leah, who doesn't change despite steady care and expectations.
But to me, who'd already been through Luna, it was unnecessary worry!
Leah's actually easier than Luna. Luna was impossible to read—what was she even thinking? But Leah wears her emotions right on her sleeve.
Plus, I'd already pocketed a huge contract fee as her guardian, with fat monthly payouts coming too.
Quit looking after Leah in this setup? No way!
"Still, she was worried for me, so I should treat Elissa to a meal sometime."
Lost in thought as I walked, I found myself at the isolation room's steel door.
—Beep.
The moment I swiped my staff card and entered, something black hurtled straight at me.
"Huh? Suddenly dark—argh!"
Whoosh!
The impact nearly knocked me over backward, but whatever jumped into my arms clung tight, saving me from falling.
"Ugh... what the heck?"
"Sihyeeeeeeun!! I missed you so much!!"
Leah was dangling from my face, wrapped around me.
Leah's chest is huge. Can't even see her face properly.
—Squish.
"This soft feeling... Leah, right?"
"Hauuu... F-figuring it out from that is embarrassing..."
"Haha, whatever. How'd you know it was me and come flying?"
"Uung! I heard Si-hyun's footsteps, so I ran ahead!"
Leah peered down at me, her purple eyes sparkling. In a room full of dozens, she'd pinpointed my footsteps perfectly.
"You remember my footsteps, Leah?"
"Of course! You pick it up quick living together."
"Haha, really? How'd the inspection go?"
"Ung! It was tough, but I remembered Si-hyun saying to tough it out, so I did my best!"
"Our Leah's amazing! You handled a knight's duty like a true knight."
"Hehe... 'Knightly'—haven't heard that in forever."
Leah rubbed her face against me like a purring cat. Breathing a bit heavy from the sprint, but her voice rang with joy.
Leah, who can't stay still for a second, tried hard for me? Good job. My efforts aren't wasted!
I gently stroked the Leah in my arms to show my gratitude. Whether she got it or not, she just grinned dopily, clinging on.
"Hehe, Si-hyun definitely likes this body the most."
"The most?"
"Ung. Not that weird weed-head girl—this body with red hair and purple eyes is the favorite, for sure."
Weed-head? Oh, Emilia.
Leah clearly didn't like how clingy Emilia was with me.
Right then, the weed-head girl in question—Emilia—trotted over with Leah's inspection chart.
"Shin-oppa... Here's the results. Take them."
"Oh, thanks. Nothing special wrong with Leah, right?"
"If you mean the red pepper paste head you're babysitting, she's totally normal. No powers at all. Body's just like any girl's..."
"Good to hear."
Truth be told, the fancy new MDM-2 detector had me a bit nervous. What if it picked up something on Leah?
Leah being a ghost story is my secret alone. If the guild found out, dealing with the fallout would be apocalypse-level trouble!
It's better for everyone if she keeps passing as a normal girl.
I thanked Emilia, who'd summarized the results for me.
"Thanks, Emilia, for handling Leah's inspection so well."
"Thanks...?"
"Yeah. You two bickered, but the checkup went smooth. As expected from the chief researcher—Emilia's awesome."
"I'm awesome...?"
Emilia repeated my words, inching closer. Soon she was right in my face, staring with her coral eyes.
—Smack.
"Hey, Emilia?"
"......"
"Chief researcher?"
"......"
The girl just looked up silently, face blank as ever. But I instantly knew what she wanted.
She wants praise.
No matter how expressionless, it was no issue for me. After Luna's total emotional void, this was a piece of cake!
Emilia clearly craved praise but was too shy to ask.
A man has to pick up on it and deliver.
—Pat.
I lightly stroked her head, just like with Luna and Leah.
"Shin-oppa...?"
"Thanks for checking Leah so well, Emilia."
"You said that already... but why the hand...?"
"Oh, this? Felt like you wanted some praise."
"......Shin-oppa really is amazing..."
"I get that a lot. Haha."
Emilia closed her eyes slightly, tilting her head into my touch. The sight was adorably like a small animal.
I had no clue why this tiny, emotionless girl fixated on me.
She's not hurting anyone... and since she'll handle Leah's checks, better to get along.
I said goodbye to Emilia—see you later—grabbed Leah's hand, and left the isolation room.
"Leah, you behaved today, so three puddings when we get home."
"For real?! Si-hyun's the best guardian ever!"
"A knight returning victorious from battle deserves her reward. Haha."
"Hehe, this knight's tired from the inspection! So carry me!"
Leah stretched her arms out, demanding a hug.
Say what you want... our little knight's too cute.
I scooped up the knight with sparkling purple eyes like a princess.
"Hehe, Si-hyun's arms are so warm and comfy..."
"And I like how your soft chest brushes me—win-win?"
"Fnyaaat...? S-saying it so directly makes this body a little embarrassed..."
"Hahaha, sorry, sorry."
Holding tight to the squirming, blushing Leah, I started walking again.
"Shin-oppa..."
Emilia, the girl with swaying light green hair and coral eyes, stared out the window at Si-hyun.
The red pepper paste head has it good... getting to go home with Shin-oppa...
Truth was, the girl wanted to stay by Si-hyun's side too. Now that they'd finally met again.
She'd given up, thinking she'd never see him again... but here he was, like a miracle.
"Oppa... might not remember, but that's okay..."
No way oppa forgot me. He'll remember soon. Right...?
Emilia kept her eyes on Si-hyun's back until it shrank to a dot.
"Bye, Shin-oppa... Pet me again next time... like 'back then'..."
A faint sadness tinged the girl's voice, but it echoed only in place, never reaching Si-hyun.