A Tsundere Uncle's Gruff Encouragement
After her father passed away, Arina had never once exchanged any personal messages or calls with Uncle Humon. Unlike Uncle Huren, who kept in regular contact whenever he could, the most she ever caught of Humon's voice was secondhand, overheard during phone conversations with Huren. Even then, his comments were almost always grumpy: "You're on the phone with that girl again?" or "What's so special about her that you keep calling?"
While Uncle Huren maintained an ambiguous attitude—impossible to tell whether he liked her or not—Humon made his dislike crystal clear. So why had he called her out alone? For some reason the situation felt even more nerve-wracking than facing Chris during the match. Arina clenched her fists tight.
"...This should be far enough."
Having put some distance between himself and the rest of the group, Humon Grant stopped walking and turned to face her. His brow was deeply furrowed, as if the sight of her displeased him greatly.
"I watched the match, for what it's worth."
"Ah, yes. Thank you."
Startled by the compliment delivered in such a curt tone, Arina answered hurriedly.
"Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine someone like you would participate in the Academy Tournament."
The conversation had opened with praise. Did the real point come now? Criticism and mockery were surely on their way. Her face darkened at the grim prospect, and Humon clicked his tongue as he looked at her.
"Since you've entered the competition, do your best from now on."
"Pardon?"
What followed was not the scolding Arina had expected, but encouragement. For a moment she simply blinked, unable to process his words. The foolish expression only deepened the wrinkles on Humon's forehead, as if it irritated him.
"Since you're competing under the Grant name, I won't tolerate you getting your ass handed to you like some pathetic loser. Do you understand?"
He could never accept an embarrassing performance from anyone carrying the Grant name. Since she had entered, even if winning was unrealistic, she should at least bring home a respectable result.
"Keep performing like you did today. Then every organization out there will be desperate to recruit you."
It was still early to prepare for the future, but there was nothing wrong with starting now.
"I already told that arrogant guardian of yours, but if you need advice about any contracts, contact me or my brother."
"......"
"And if I find out someone's trying to exploit you with some slave contract, I won't let it slide. Understand?"
A merchant family could never allow itself to become the sucker. That was unacceptable.
"Got it?"
What was this? His tone was harsh, yet every word was packed with sincere advice and concern for her. Did this mean he didn't actually hate her?
"I'm asking if you understood."
No. There was no way Uncle Humon, staring at her with that terrifying expression, actually liked her. Both of his eyes burned with pure anger and annoyance.
"Yes, I'll keep it in mind."
"If you need anything, tell me immediately. I'll sponsor you under the proper pretext. Besides, with the Grant name attached to you, good results will provide decent indirect promotion for us anyway."
His attitude remained ambiguously balanced between dislike and favor. One thing was certain, however—he had not called her here merely to criticize her without reason.
"If you understand, you may leave. And while you're at it, maintain the connections you've made until graduation. I don't know about my older brother, but I have zero intention of taking you into our company. You'll have to find your own path."
After giving his final piece of advice, Humon waved his hand grandly as if shooing her away. That was when Arina noticed it—the faint flush of red that had crept across his cheeks.
"Thank you for cheering me on."
Her expression softened at the sight. She had always assumed he simply hated her. Now it seemed his feelings weren't quite that severe.
"Cheering? Don't misunderstand. It ruins my mood."
Humon scowled fiercely at her words and spun on his heel. As Arina watched his retreating back—never once looking back—a gentle smile bloomed on her face. The unexpected support from such an unlikely person left her spirits soaring.
With that warm feeling, she turned in the opposite direction from where Humon had gone. Then, suddenly recalling something odd in his earlier words, she tilted her head.
"Did he meet Uncle?"
The "arrogant guardian" Humon had mentioned in passing had to refer to her uncle. Which meant Uncle Humon had already met with him. Of course, it wasn't strange. Uncle had been watching from the VIP room, and the Grant Trading Company had every right to be there. It was simply that she could not picture the two of them meeting and talking at all.
"......"
Thinking that, Arina glanced around. Her friends were waving her over now that the conversation had ended. Ignoring them for a moment, she kept turning her head, searching. A giant question mark seemed to hover over her face.
"But where did Uncle go?"
Had he simply left? Even Uncle Humon—who wasn't particularly close to her—had come to see her in person. Yet the man who had watched her entire match hadn't bothered to come over. For some reason the realization brought a wave of disappointment. Given Uncle's personality, it wouldn't be the least bit strange if he had returned straight to the dormitory without a word. That only made it worse.
"......"
Suddenly she remembered what Marily had once told her: Simply enduring everything only burdens the other person. Sometimes you have to act like a child and ask for what you want.
Recalling those words, a smartphone found its way into Arina's hand before she realized it. It was the same device she touched every single day, yet today it felt unusually heavy. She took a deep breath, squared her shoulders, pressed her lips into a firm line, and with a determined gaze brought her slightly trembling finger to the keypad.
"Haaaaaaaam."
Meanwhile, at that same moment, Kain lay sprawled inside the VIP room as people gradually left, lazily letting out a yawn. The match was over, but the thought of moving all the way back to the dormitory had become bothersome. Since he would have to return tomorrow anyway, maybe he should just sleep here. The idea was starting to sound better and better when—
"Aren't you going down?"
Without the slightest sound of footsteps, Jealousy appeared beside him and spoke.
Still wearing Professor Clara's outfit, Jealousy knelt respectfully. Kain glanced at the bright pink crown of his head—completely different from Jealousy's natural color—then turned away indifferently, as though the sight held no interest.
"Not particularly."
He immediately understood the question's true meaning. Now that the match had ended, was he not going down to see Arina? Honestly, the suggestion held little appeal. He had no desire to awkwardly insert himself among her friends, and above all, he saw no real need to go.
"There's no reason for me to squeeze in among those noisy, chattering brats."
If it were only Arina, perhaps. But joining a place full of other brats was exhausting and headache-inducing even in theory. It would be far better to spend time alone like this and meet the brat briefly on the final day. Even this counted as Kain showing considerable consideration. Given his usual personality, attending these brats' talent show in the first place would have been utterly impossible.
It's all because of the young lady.
Kain was fundamentally a cold, indifferent person who cared nothing for worldly affairs. Even if the world were to end tomorrow, he would be the type to lie in his room lazily fiddling with his smartphone. He had always disliked crowded places even during his underworld days. The only reason he had come to this bustling venue was Arina. In the past it had been his sister; now it was her. Toward those two, Kain was endlessly soft and weak.
The same held true now. Though he outwardly expressed annoyance, his true feelings contained worry that he might disturb Arina while she played with her friends. He had probably read some book passage that said, "Children at that age tend to prefer playing with friends over family."
He shows a surprisingly timid side in these matters.
Kain was clumsy with human relationships. Unlike Jealousy—who could at least construct false relationships through acted behavior despite his ruined character—Kain was simply born unable to read others' feelings or thoughts. That was why he referenced books heavily when dealing with Arina. Though people differed individually, anything written in a book represented the popular average. He had judged it far superior to his own distorted common sense.
Still, going down once might be good.
From Kain's perspective it was consideration, but Arina would clearly be much happier meeting him. Especially after her standout performance today. She would definitely want to hear his praise for the match.
Well, it can't be helped.
No matter how much of a doting fool Jealousy was, he could not order Kain around. That would clearly cross the line. Even asking his opinion earlier had required great courage. Simply coming to see him without being summoned could already risk upsetting his master.
Fortunately, Master doesn't seem particularly bothered.
Thinking this, Jealousy secretly breathed a sigh of relief while watching Kain, who remained lazily reclined in the stands with no intention of getting up.
"If you're done with your business, leave."
As if he had known Jealousy's thoughts from the start, Kain spoke indifferently. Jealousy felt goosebumps race down his spine. It seemed Master had known exactly why he had come from the very beginning.
Still disgusted by that monstrous insight, Jealousy rose to leave when—
Vrrrr.
Suddenly Kain's smartphone began vibrating. Jealousy sneaked a glance and saw the young lady's number displayed on the screen.
Master, not even saving the young lady's number is a little...
No matter how good his memory was—able to memorize any number after seeing it once—not saving hers felt excessive. Was even that too bothersome for him?
"What's up?"
Ignoring Jealousy's icy stare from behind, Kain casually answered Arina's call.
"In the stands."
"I was going to wait until the crowd thinned out a bit."
Originally he had been debating whether to go or not, but telling the brat the truth would only earn him a lecture.
"......"
Kain might choose to ignore others' feelings, but he was not oblivious to them. He instantly understood Arina's intention behind those words. He glanced at Jealousy, who was listening with a triumphant grin that seemed to say, See?
"Going is fine, but are you sure it's okay?"
Even if he went, he wouldn't say more than a few words anyway. Wouldn't he simply get in the way of her time with her friends?
Arina shouted decisively, sweeping away all his concerns and making it clear she would accept no refusal. The call ended with a click. Kain stared blankly at the smartphone screen, surprised by this new side of Arina.
"The young lady has grown up. She certainly knows how to handle Master."
"Shut up."
Scolding Jealousy, who wasted no opportunity to tease him, Kain frowned and rose from his seat. He had refused to budge at his subordinate's words, yet he stood without hesitation at a single sentence from the young lady. Passing by Jealousy, who burst into laughter at the amusing sight, Kain suddenly remembered something and glanced back at his phone.
Come to think of it, hadn't Pride sent a list of restaurants suited to Arina's tastes?
Just how far ahead is that guy planning?
At Pride's behavior—which now sent chills down even his own spine—Kain stopped in his tracks and could only frown deeply.