Twisted Development (2)
“...Why?”
Elisha stared at him with eyes full of doubt, a mix of confusion swirling within them as if she'd just been hit with some reality-warping shock.
“Why what?”
He pretended not to notice her suspicions and tried to leave. Deep down, he hoped she'd just let him go, brushing past without a care.
“Did... you help me?”
But Elisha grabbed at him as he turned to leave.
“No.”
“Then what the hell?!”
No good answer came to mind. He couldn't exactly spill the real reason or the truth behind why he'd stepped in.
“...I'm going.”
“Hey...!”
She looked frustrated, like she was talking to a brick wall, her irritation plain as day at his curt reply.
“Wait! Talk to me!”
Her voice finally edged with annoyance as she called after him.
“...”
Just let it go, just let it go, just let it go... please...
He desperately ignored her, staring straight ahead.
“Ugh, seriously...! You're just gonna play it like that?”
And somehow, it worked.
“Fine, go...! I was an idiot for even trying to talk to you...”
She clicked her tongue in defeat, giving up on the conversation.
“Jeez—”
Grouses trailed after him for a bit, but he gritted his teeth through the itch in his ears and quickened his pace to escape.
“...Haa.”
How far had he walked?
“Feels like I dodged a bullet there...”
After shaking off Elisha, the tension drained from him. He leaned against the wall and let out a deep sigh from the depths of his dantian.
He felt bad for her, but no excuse had come to mind, so he'd basically stormed off like a brute.
Still... from her vibe, she didn't seem to like him yet. If he had to guess, it was just mild suspicion at best.
“Dodged a bullet.”
At least he hadn't stolen any affection meant for the protagonist. Crisis averted.
“What's so lucky about that?”
But as he caught his breath and started heading back to the classroom, an unmistakably peeved voice rang out.
“Eily?”
Turning, he saw Eily approaching with a sulky, displeased expression.
“How long have you been there?”
She hadn't followed him the whole time, had she?
“Master said it was fine, but... as your maid, I had to stay by your side. So I followed.”
“And then you swoop in like some prince on a white horse to help Lady Elisha?”
Despite his order not to follow, she'd tailed him anyway. And for some reason, her tone dripped with dissatisfaction.
“...Pretty much from the start.”
She closed the distance with surprisingly quick steps for her small stride, then her left cheek puffed out like a toad's.
“Hmmm~”
“Why are you mad?”
“I'm not mad!”
She insisted she wasn't, but anyone could see she was thoroughly pouting...
“Is it because I helped Elisha?”
Come to think of it, Eily had never liked Elisha. She'd always resented her for picking on her master.
Was helping that girl what ticked her off?
“I just... couldn't ignore her looking all troubled.”
“It's not just about helping her. Master's kindness isn't a crime, after all.”
“It's not anger so much as... a bit of jealousy. This feeling's aimed at Lady Elisha, not Master!”
But contrary to his guess, she wasn't mad about the help itself.
“Jealousy?”
“Yes... I hate her so much, but she has the gall to accept your help in a pinch. I can't stand it—and I'm jealous too.”
“I've always devoted myself to Master, but she gets the same treatment... It just chokes me up!”
In short, she resented Elisha for getting his aid despite being ignored otherwise—not him for giving it.
“Hmm~ So, is there a way I can cheer you up?”
“Y-Yes?! W-Well, there is... something...”
Could he fix it, then?
“I-Is that... okay...?”
At his question, Eily's cheeks flushed shyly. She looked embarrassed and sorry for asking, dropping her gaze and hunching her shoulders.
“What is it?”
“Um... well... c-can I borrow just one arm... for a bit...?”
Borrow an arm? What did that even mean...?
“...Ugh.”
She trailed off, too embarrassed to say more.
“Sure.”
“R-Really?!”
He granted her wish for now.
“Th-Then... excuse me...”
Her face beet red, she sidled up cautiously.
“Eep.”
Though she'd asked, she squeezed her eyes shut in embarrassment and leaned against his shoulder.
Then, like a puppy marking its territory, she rubbed her head against him and took a deep breath.
“P-Pet me... like this.”
She really was like an affectionate pup. Her actions screamed of a loyal dog craving her owner's touch.
“This okay?”
“Mmm~ Yes...!”
He placed his hand on her head and gently stroked her hair like combing it back.
“Hehe... hehehe.”
Her sulky expression melted away like snow under his touch.
“Feels so much better now.”
She looked embarrassed yet pleased, her mood visibly lifting.
“All better now!”
Soon enough, she was back to her bright, energetic self.
“Thank you, Master!”
She beamed like a sunflower, her steps lighter as she started walking.
“Let's head back to class! It's about time for lessons anyway.”
She checked the time as she suggested returning.
Damn... class was right around the corner.
“Yeah, let's go.”
He followed her back to the classroom, sighing in relief that everything had wrapped up nicely.
“Arnold~!”
Back in the classroom, Varis greeted him with a grin, like he'd been waiting.
“Here, take this! Payment for earlier.”
He bounded over with excessive enthusiasm, handing over a talisman with the pure smile of a kid bragging about a perfect test score to his parents.
“This is...”
“A luck-boosting charm! Bought it hoping you'd like it~”
It was a decorative item from the game, just as he said—slightly raised your luck stat.
“......”
Grateful, but honestly... luck was the most useless stat even with the boost.
Still, for Varis's sake, he'd keep it.
“Thanks, I'll treasure it.”
He gave a mild smile—not too much, not too little—and voiced his thanks.
“No prob! I'm the one who's grateful.”
Varis flashed a thumbs-up with a wide grin. He really had that shonen protagonist vibe.
“Let's be buddies from now on, Arnold!”
He balled a fist and slowly offered it.
The meaning was clear.
Thud—their knuckles bumped lightly.
Varis grinned proudly, teeth gleaming.
“Yeah, let's get along.”
Good start with the protagonist. Things would be easier to assist from here.
Now he just had to help him connect with all the heroines through events.
“......”
Please no more mishaps like today...
He hoped for the day Varis won everyone's hearts.
Clack-clack—somewhere in the academy, a quiet hallway devoid of people.
Only the echo of high heels resounded crisply.
“Oh my~ If it isn't you~”
Amid it, a voice laced with mockery, contempt, and sneer called out.
“Hm?”
The footsteps halted as their owner turned.
“Elisha... You're at this academy too? The heavens must hate me.”
Lustrous golden blonde hair swayed. Elisha swept her locks back, eyeing the lady with the unique hairstyle.
“...You.”
Her hair twisted into spiral rolls, braided into twin buns—brighter, more radiant gold than Elisha's.
“...Vieka—”
Elisha ground her teeth in hatred, naming the condescending noblewoman.
“Running into you here... What rotten luck.”
Her already sharp eyes narrowed further, spitting venom.
“Speak for yourself. But lucky in a way—we can finally settle our rivalry now that we're here.”
Calling Elisha her 'rival,' her laugh mixed confidence with derision.
“Time to knock that nose down a peg.”
Vieka Lemoliona. Like Elisha, born to nobility risen through agriculture. They'd known each other since childhood, but never friendly.
Now reunited at the academy, the air between them reeked of hostility.
“Hmph... Try it.”
“And I've never seen you as a rival. No one considers low-class trash a rival.”
Elisha fired back with insults to rile her up, meeting Vieka's scornful gaze.
“What?! You done?!”
“Yeah, I'm out. Let's not cross paths again.”
Vieka bristled at the jab, glaring furiously, but Elisha ignored her with icy indifference and walked off.
“Hey, wait—!”
She vanished down the hall despite Vieka's call.
“Tch...! Same as ever... I hate everything about her!”
Vieka spat curses at Elisha's retreating back.
“Vieka, you okay?”
Right then—
“How're we gonna punish that Elisha bitch?”
Her friends emerged from hiding nearby, all with haughty, sharp-eyed nobility.
“Haha! Yeah, I've got plans.”
Grinning wickedly like a demon at the question, Vieka pulled out a mystery vial.
“Heheheh... Just watch, Elisha.”
Pink liquid in a vial
Vieka smirked in satisfaction at the pink liquid labeled as such. What vile schemes filled her head?
“I'll give her the most humiliating disgrace of her life! Hahahaha!!”
For a while, only her creepy laughter echoed in the empty hall.