Chapter 117
Chapter 117
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 117
Chapter Title: The Most Dangerous of the Good People (3)
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Perhaps it was because Lily was on her best behavior in front of Raven.
We managed to devour all four pizzas we ordered before they got cold.
Unless it’s ice cream, I’m not a big fan of cold food.
I was glad in many ways that we could eat while it was still delicious.
After we finished our meal and neatly stacked the empty pizza boxes.
Raven posed a question to Lily, who was sipping the coffee I had served her.
“So, what brings you here? Did you have some business with me?”
His question was perfectly reasonable.
Although Lily was Alice’s older sister, she was, strictly speaking, an outsider.
Showing up unannounced without an appointment made her nothing more than an uninvited guest.
But perhaps the content of his question didn’t sit well with her.
She replied brightly, her expression asking why he would even need to ask.
“Why do I need a reason to see my darling? Oh, are you worried you’re taking up my precious time since I’m so popular? Aww, you don’t have to be shy~”
“So you came because you have nothing better to do.”
Just when I thought things had been quiet lately….
Raven pressed a hand to his forehead as if a headache was coming on and shook his head.
It was a stark contrast to Lily, whose every action dripped with honeyed affection.
I sat next to Raven, cautiously observing the two of them as I brought a cookie to my lips.
I didn’t want to get caught in the crossfire again and be on the receiving end of Lily’s glares.
Oh, for the record, I brought out these cookies when I made the coffee. Our agency is always stocked with snacks.
I was truly fortunate to have the kind of constitution that doesn’t gain weight no matter how many sweets I eat.
‘Still, her love is a heavy burden… even though she’s a beautiful person.’
Lily was a tall, well-proportioned beauty of the career-woman type.
With her androgynous features, she was more handsome than cute.
She was the type women would be more likely to fawn over, calling her their prince, rather than men.
Yet here she was, gushing with affection like a middle schooler with a feverish crush.
It was a truly incongruous sight.
But there was a reason Lily was so fond of Raven.
He was the one who had saved her life and her future, the only one who understood her.
Explaining the details would be complicated, but to summarize, it went something like this:
A criminal organization had plotted to kidnap Lily, a genius who was both a mechanic and a magician.
And just as they were about to succeed, Raven took her hand and pulled her from the depths of despair.
Lily, who had never felt romantic feelings in her life, instantly fell for Raven.
And thus, she transformed into a bulldozer of affection, relentlessly pushing her love forward!
‘Still, hiding cameras in the agency to secretly film him is a bit much. That’s just being a pervert.’
However, having never been in a relationship and thinking differently from ordinary people, Lily's love was completely warped.
Perhaps it was because she could build any mechanical device she wanted.
Stalking, secret filming, wiretapping, and so on. Her obsession with Raven was more than enough to have her handed over to the police.
She was even caught red-handed trying to steal his underwear once.
It had reached a point where even her younger sister, Alice, begged Raven to do something, saying she wouldn't mind if he sued.
Even the easygoing Raven had been genuinely angered by her bothersome behavior.
After several rounds of correction, they had agreed that she would express her affection in ways that didn't break the law.
That was only because Lily had desperately pleaded, saying she would rather die, so please just let her love him.
She looked so perfectly normal on the outside. What a troublesome person she was.
In any case, Lily, with such a past, silently placed her coffee cup on the table and continued, as if speaking of something truly sad.
“Actually, I’ve wanted to visit, but I was stuck in the lab with a project, not even getting proper sleep. So I came as soon as it was over. Weren’t you happy to see me, darling? It’s been almost three months, you know?”
“Well… I guess?”
“‘I guess?’ That’s so mean! I missed your face so much I couldn’t even sleep properly!”
“Hey, well… do we really need to exchange pleasantries? If you’re alive and well, that’s all that matters.”
Raven responded to the visibly displeased Lily in a very dry tone.
He wasn’t trying to act tough or giving a half-hearted answer.
He was the type to not even visit former colleagues living in the same city. He really wasn't one to keep in touch.
As I nodded at Raven’s very Raven-like response.
Lily, who was pouting, glanced my way.
“…”
“…?”
Is she glaring at me again…?
Startled, I rolled my eyes and quietly assessed the situation.
But surprisingly, unlike before, I didn't sense any hostility from Lily.
Had she had some kind of change of heart in the short time it took to eat pizza?
She was a difficult person for someone as exceedingly normal as me to understand.
Soon, Lily’s gaze shifted back to Raven.
She looked at him with the same adoring eyes and gave a small cough.
“Well, that’s just like you, darling. In that case… could I trouble you for another cup of coffee? I’m curious about what’s been happening at the agency during the three months I was gone.”
“Hey, it’s not like we’re just lazing around here…”
“Weren’t you just planning to watch the Nighthaven Week’s commemorative dinosaur race? Just hang out with me for a bit. Isn’t this a small price to pay for me making your special bullets?”
“…Give me a break. Yuria, could I ask you for one more cup?”
“…!”
It wasn't a difficult task.
Besides, continuing to sit across from Lily was a bit stressful.
I nodded in agreement at Raven’s request and energetically rose from my seat.
My plan was to make one more cup of coffee, then discreetly slip away and hide in a closet while they talked.
Three months ago, the Crowley Fixer Agency was a place I hadn't even joined as a part-timer yet.
So they probably wouldn't pay much mind if I disappeared. They would have a mountain of things to talk about.
‘Lily prefers coffee that’s not sweet at all. Such a grown-up palate.’
The coffee was made in the kitchen at the back of the office.
It wasn't the type where you just stir powder into hot water, of course.
In the kitchen was an espresso machine from a not-so-expensive brand.
You put the beans into the machine to extract a rich coffee, then mix it with water or milk.
By now, I was so used to the process I could do it with my eyes closed.
Making a single cup of coffee didn’t take long.
“Hey, Yuria? Can we talk for a moment?”
But just as I was mixing the espresso and milk to make a smooth latte.
Lily’s cool voice came from behind me.
I had sensed her footsteps in the hallway and knew she was approaching.
But I never expected her to strike up a conversation so boldly.
I held the dainty teaspoon I used for stirring and watched Lily carefully.
“…”
When I first saw her, she had stared at me with menacing eyes, as if she wanted to do something to me.
For someone so smitten with Raven, she couldn't possibly like me living in the same house.
It was a deeply troublesome misunderstanding.
Of course, Raven was a good person. He was capable, and he had a good heart.
There were probably few people in Nighthaven as charming as him.
But I hadn't thought of him as a romantic interest for even a milligram. In the first place, I had no intention of liking anyone.
Considering the apparent age difference between us, it would be strange for him to like me too.
So, if you’re going to be jealous, at least pick the right person to be jealous of.
I watched Lily silently, prepared to use the teaspoon if she tried anything funny.
And she, leaning slightly against the wall… nodded with a serious expression and spoke.
“I’m sorry. I… I was completely mistaken. I sincerely apologize for the threat I implicitly made earlier.”
“…?”
Lily’s words were completely unexpected.
Apologizing so suddenly here and now. I hadn’t anticipated this at all.
But her demeanor didn't feel like a lie.
Thus, I slowly lowered the teaspoon, unable to do anything but relax my guard.
Still, the question remained.
The obsessive, love-crazed woman that she was, wouldn't admit her mistake so readily.
As I tilted my head, blinking in confusion about her motives.
Lily closed her eyes as if embarrassed and honestly shared her thoughts.
“Watching you eat pizza earlier, I could tell how you two feel about each other. I thought you were a wicked little stray cat trying to steal my darling. I never imagined you were just a cute pet cat… I was completely wrong. I can see for sure now that neither of you has any ulterior motives toward the other.”
“…”
“D-don’t look at me like that! You kept breaking the spy cams I secretly hid, so… I just assumed…”
It seemed Lily’s misunderstanding of me had been completely cleared up.
Apparently, she thought I liked Raven and was trying to interfere with her.
She must have realized during our pizza meal that she had been gravely mistaken.
Perhaps her obsession with love gave her an ability to discern rivals.
Come to think of it, the fierce gaze she had when we first met seemed to have faded over time.
I thought I had just gotten used to it, but her hostility had actually disappeared. How could she be so transparent?
‘Uh… anyway, the misunderstanding is resolved. That’s a good thing. It would have been unfair to be bullied for no reason.’
Besides, she wasn't just glossing over it to smooth things over.
Apologizing directly to my face like this… that was a top-tier apology, in the top 1%.
I had no particular reason not to forgive her.
It’s not like I was actually harmed. And besides, she’s pretty, right? Pretty people get a pass on everything.
“…!”
“A-are you accepting my apology?”
“…!!”
“Heehee… Thank you. And I’m truly sorry for being such a mean adult.”
Lily’s cheeks flushed slightly in embarrassment as she gave a bashful smile and pulled me into a gentle hug.
She was a different type of beauty from Alice, but perhaps because they were sisters.
There was certainly a familiar feeling in her smile.
‘Well, this is probably half an act. She likely wants to create a connection with me, who seems close to Raven, to gain an advantage. In many ways, unlike the naive Alice, this woman… is quite calculating.’
I quietly entertained such thoughts and glanced at the mirror inside the kitchen.
Reflected there was Lily’s face, looking down at me with a serious, contemplative expression.
See, she really is the most dangerous of the good people.
Love is a truly frightening thing.