Chapter 322
Chapter 322
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 322
Chapter Title: Siwoo: Romance Manipulation Squad (7)
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A new goal had ignited a surge of motivation in me, but... making a girlfriend for Siwoo wasn't as easy as it sounded. After all, Siwoo already had a girl he liked. Forcing a new woman into the picture in this situation would just poke at our protagonist's sore spot.
That said, it wasn't like we had zero options. From watching him all this time, Siwoo seemed way more interested in romance than I'd expected. So, if we placed an attractive girl around this hot-blooded guy, there was a good chance his eyes would wander.
"Hmm, so what you're saying, bro... is we should recruit a new party member?"
"Yeah. Operation name: 'Pursue a Natural Encounter'."
That's why my plan was to find a female companion to adventure with Siwoo. I'd scout a party member who could shake up his heart and pair her off with our protagonist.
"Hmm, a new party member... Well, aren't the two of us enough as it is?"
"Nah, we're not. Don't you know the basic party setup is DPS, tank, healer? We're getting by without major incidents for now, but if we're facing a manticore, we need more stability."
"Hmmm... You do have a point."
"So, what kind of party member are you looking for, Deok? A rogue? Or maybe an archer?"
"An archer would be nice, but a mage would be even better. Our party needs someone who can hit hard from range right now."
"A mage... Sure, it'd help, but would a mage even want to join our party? I've heard they're all super arrogant... and we're just a small elite group."
"We won't know until we try recruiting. Let's put out a posting first."
Siwoo's point wasn't wrong. Mages usually joined mage towers or guilds, so bringing one into a party as a companion wasn't easy.
But we had our protagonist, the 'Hero', on our side. Heroes recognize heroes. I trusted in Siwoo's narrative pull, and sure enough, we ended up interviewing over ten mage applicants.
"Nice to meet you. Jo... ahem, Joseph here. I get called frail a lot, but I'm healthier than anyone. Just FYI."
"Puhahaha! Hey, Joseph! Go suck on mommy's tit some more, kid! Who does a greenhorn like you think you are, trying to join Deok's party? Act your age and read the room!"
"Y-You...! I'm not a kid!"
"Kukukuku, that's exactly why we call you a greenhorn—you flare up so easily, you idiot!"
"Hey, outsider, shut it, will you? Can't you see we're in the middle of an interview? We'll decide if Joseph's a greenhorn or not... so butt out and scram."
"Ahem... Just joking, joking."
And from those ten-plus applicants, I found the perfect 'heroine' who fit all my criteria—someone appropriately beautiful, with the right touch of cuteness, pure enough to trust and rely on a comrade to the end. She had a secret she couldn't easily share, making her seem a bit lonely and mysterious.
A cross-dressing girl, mage Joseph.
Using Observation, I'd seen through to her true identity, so I welcomed Joseph into our party.
"R-Really!? You mean I passed!?"
"What, not happy about it?"
"No, it's just... I'm so thrilled..."
"Haha, glad you're happy. Nice to meet you, Joseph. I'm Siwoo, the swordsman you'll be syncing up with from here on out. Looking forward to it."
"Y-Yes! Me too!"
"Alright, then to celebrate us teaming up... how about we all grab a drink together?"
What was this? Were they already hitting it off? Watching Siwoo and Joseph chat amiably after the interview, I smiled contentedly.
"Joseph's a girl? For real?"
"Yeah. Seems like she's using an artifact or magic to disguise herself as a guy, but I can tell. Joseph's a cross-dressing girl."
"Oh... And here I thought you were trying to turn Siwoo gay."
"Sopi... Do I really seem like that kind of guy to you?"
We could've questioned why pick a cross-dressing girl, but considering Siwoo's situation, she actually had more upsides than a straight-up woman. For starters, if she seemed like a guy, Siwoo would feel less pressure. As a total simp and social klutz, he'd open up easier thinking she was a dude.
And to hook them up, we'd eventually need Joseph to start crushing on Siwoo—which we could spin into fun events using her disguise. Like sharing a bed with him or hitting the baths together. Those tense, thrilling moments would bring them closer.
"But bro, Siwoo thinks Joseph's a guy. How do you even connect them like that? Unless he's gay, he's not gonna get butterflies for a cross-dresser."
"Nah, Siwoo can make it work. Joseph's disguise is still pretty cute, and her personality and mannerisms are adorable, right? Hang out enough, and he'll catch feelings without realizing it."
".........From the way you're talking, it sounds like you're the one crushing on Joseph."
"Psh. Sopi, with you right here? As if."
"Pfft... Fair enough. Hehe, sorry."
And above all, Siwoo was the protagonist. Everything revolved around him narratively, so even as a cross-dresser, Joseph had a high shot at winning him over. Protagonists recognize their heroines, after all. Worrying the small stuff would just shoot us in the foot.
"Alright, explanation's done. Time to head back."
"Aw, already? Shouldn't we leave them alone a bit longer?"
"Nah, stay gone too long and Siwoo'll get suspicious. Timing-wise, now's perfect. Plus, leave 'em solo too much and it'll get awkward."
"Hmph... Fine, bro!"
My name is Joseph—no, Josephine Del Sahara.
The sole failure of the Del Sahara family.
I'd clawed my way to vice-leader with my pitiful talent, but the pressure crushed me, and I fled. But paradise wasn't waiting outside... Away from the family, I realized just how worthless I truly was.
Unknown origins, tiny frame, flawed magic skills.
In the end, no guild or party would take me, so I'd spent last winter in lonely solitude.
But now, light had finally come to me...
'Can't control your firepower? Whatever, you can fire it off. That's enough.'
Four months and seventeen days after running away, I'd finally found comrades.
"Tell me more! What else did he say?"
"Hmm, he said he liked how you stood your ground against seasoned adventurers without backing down. Thinks you won't flinch even in front of most monsters."
"Heh heh heh, did he now..."
"Oh, right... And he mentioned being impressed that you seemed so relaxed after casting a big spell. Said your mana reserves must be overflowing—is that true?"
"Oho, indeed... They called him a famous porter, and he's got an eye for talent!"
Everyone else called me a walking nuisance... but there were people in the world who saw my worth. His name was Deok. With his noble looks and rough speech, he was the coolest guy I knew. A commoner porter through and through, but his vibe and actions screamed storybook wandering knight.
'Hey, outsider, shut it, will you? Can't you see we're in the middle of an interview? We'll decide if Joseph's a greenhorn or not... so butt out and scram.'
Ahh, Deok... You got mad on my behalf back then, didn't you? We weren't even friends, and I was disguised as a guy with an artifact to boot—yet you stood up for a total stranger... How could anyone be so kind? Just thinking of his warm, caring expression made my heart race.
......I wonder if he has a girlfriend?
"Hey, got some snacks from outside. The stuff here is all mushy."
Eek, he's back already! I'd been fantasizing wildly about a comrade when I pretended to be drunk and bowed my head. We'd just met today... Imagining holding hands like lovers? I was mortified at myself.
"Ah, Deok. You're back. But this... if Madam finds out..."
"Heh, got her permission, of course."
"Haha, really? That's Rachel for you—thorough as always."
Compared to that, Rachel was so pure, like a proper nun. Even as a teammate, she could barely meet Siwoo's eyes. A clean girl like her would probably faint from embarrassment just from a peck on the cheek.
Hmmph... But kissing... Was it the booze? I shouldn't think like this, but naughty thoughts kept bubbling up. Holding hands with Deok, kissing Deok... Ahh, no! Kissing makes babies!
"Hm? Joseph? Something you wanna say to me?"
"Sister! I shall pray to the Goddess Aria!"
Fearing I'd sink deeper into depravity, I desperately turned to prayer.