Hoping to Get Close - 1
Another peaceful morning. Yuria, freshly awake, was locked in battle with the monster known as a hangover.
"Urp..."
How much had she drunk yesterday? Her guts were rampaging like mad, tormenting her stomach, while the dizzying headache flashed yesterday's memories before her eyes.
—Let's... be friends again.
"Waaah!!! That crazy bitch...!"
Blushing memories paraded past like a panorama, making Yuria kick at the covers like a girl reliving her puberty days.
"Aaaah!"
[10:10]
Wanting to hide her flushing face, Yuria buried her burning cheeks in the blanket and let out a sigh.
"Aaaah..."
Yesterday's memories were vivid. She'd drunk, talked with Ricardo, and then Ricardo got hurt. He was someone she disliked, but seeing him injured hadn't felt good at all. It was natural to feel pleased when someone you hated met misfortune, but strangely, her heart had ached. And she hated how Ricardo kept getting hurt all the time. That's probably why she'd blurted out those embarrassing words: 'Let's be friends again.' It was the only thing that came to mind in that moment. She couldn't hurl harsh words at him. And apologizing for past deeds felt awkward given their relationship. Who would take well to an apology like, "Sorry for stabbing you when we were close"? Ricardo would probably just say it was fine. But Yuria wanted to apologize. For her mistakes in the dungeon, she wanted to say sorry to Ricardo. So she thought they needed to sort out their relationship once more. To apologize, their bond needed to grow, and deep down, she wanted to get close to Ricardo again. So she didn't regret it. Even if it was swept up in the mood, she was glad it let them clarify their positions. And then... his hand. On the way home. Carrying her on his back, Ricardo had kept telling her over and over, until her ears were numb: It wasn't her fault, it really wasn't her fault, so don't worry.
She didn't fully believe him, but his persistent comfort had lightened the heavy emotional burden a bit.
Blinking vacantly from under the covers, Yuria clutched a handmade doll with hair of red yarn and soothed her burning heart. Her pulse raced. At the fact that she'd planted a seed of hope in their concluded relationship, Yuria wore a simple smile.
About ten minutes passed like that. Still lying in bed, Yuria threw off the covers and stared blankly at the clock.
"Feels like I forgot something important."
Watching the ticking hands, an ominous premonition crept in. Like she'd forgotten something really important.
Yuria glanced at the round clock on her desk. Its second hand ticked away faithfully as always, dutifully marking her tasks. 10 a.m....
"Something important... related to time..."
Staring at the clock, she felt a forgotten memory might surface. Something to do with time...
"What is it...!"
It wouldn't come to her. Feeling unsettled, Yuria furrowed her brow and glared at the clock.
After about five minutes of agonizing...
"Ah..."
The memory resurfaced, sending chills down her spine. Cold sweat prickled her skin.
Yuria bolted upright in bed and checked the clock again.
[10:25]
"You idiot...!"
The conversation with Ricardo on the way back to the dorm last night resurfaced in her mind.
—That's a bit...
—Don't you... want to be friends with me?
—No. It's not that. I just wonder if it'll really be okay.
It wouldn't be okay. Those words had spilled out in the heat of emotion, but the lingering resentment in her heart would take time to fade. That's why yesterday's her had made a somewhat unreasonable request of Ricardo.
—Then... we can start from tomorrow.
—Start what?
—Us. Let's start over from the beginning. And slowly get close again. If it still doesn't change, we can cut ties then.
—Pfft... That'd be a disaster. I have so much charm, I might end up closer than Mikhail or Ruin.
—I know...
—Huh?
—Nothing...
So, what about tomorrow?
—Huh?
—Tomorrow at noon... I'm suspended, so I've got time.
—Feels like a pretty impure reason to have time free.
—Anyway... how about it?
Yuria yanked open her wardrobe. No clothes to wear. More precisely, the wardrobe was full, but nothing suitable for going out today. Whatever she picked in this crunch would dissatisfy her. She should've agonized over outfits at least two hours ago. Time was critically short. Shower and drying hair: minimum 30 minutes even rushing. Makeup: an hour. And 30 minutes to the fountain meeting spot. No time to leisurely pick clothes.
Yuria grabbed her hair, cursing her past self for dawdling, and dashed to the bathroom.
"Haa...!"
This was the worst. Really.
"You idiot...!"
12:30. The towering clock tower solemnly pointed to 12:30.
Standing alone by the fountain, I faced the cold winter wind in solitude. I'd arrived 30 minutes early just in case, but with no sign of Yuria, I let out a deep sigh.
"Something come up?"
I pondered seriously why Yuria—who was always punctual for appointments—was 30 minutes late.
"Hmm..."
Maybe she couldn't wake up from last night's binge. Or alcohol-induced dementia made her forget the plans—reasonable guesses. Blacking out after drinking was common. Worst case: Yuria changed her mind and wouldn't show. Since I hadn't expected much, I resolved not to resent her for it. Hands in pockets, I huffed warm breath against the biting wind.
"Kinda chilly."
The world outside blankets was indeed perilous.
Plenty of people passed the fountain. Near the academy and in a bustling commercial district, it saw lots of couples and students. Standing alone drew unwanted attention. Others who'd been waiting met up with friends and left one by one, leaving me solo for an hour now. I heard whispers.
Ouch, hits close to home.
The passing girls' murmurs made my ears burn. "Lifelong singleton" stung, but it was true, so what could I do? And they called me handsome. Mitigating factor.
Being good-looking is the best.
For once, I wasn't in butler attire but casual clothes. Black suit, black coat. I'd bought trendy young people's fashion on the way. I'd made good money. Meeting Yuria after setting this up—showing the same old look felt rude. I'd even snuck on some of the young lady's perfume, now sniffing my sleeve to check if it was too strong.
Seems fine.
I nodded slightly at the faint lilac scent.
When's she coming?
Time was already 12:45. My rare effort at dressing up teetered on meaninglessness.
"She coming or not...?"
Should've gone with the young lady. She, the family head, and the heir had gone strolling. To the hospital, and to spend some money while at it. I'd turned down the invite due to prior plans, but now regretted it a bit. Not because I wanted to tag along. But worry they'd cause trouble. The Desmonts might pull something weird, making me tempted to go now—but with the heir there, rational and cool-headed Kyle would handle it. No big issues.
Time dragged. 10 minutes passed. 15. 30. When the fountain's central clock tower hit 1 p.m., I felt the wind's bite.
Sudden plans—Yuria might've forgotten, or maybe wasn't ready mentally to show.
Maybe head to the boss's place.
No tasks, so pick up a shift? As I thought of heading home...
"Wait!"
Panting hard...! My appointment dashed into view from across the fountain. Pink hair to her waist. Tight white turtleneck hugging her body, pink cardigan over it. Yuria yelled breathlessly.
"Sorry...! I'm... super late, right?"
I smiled faintly.
"Nah. I just got here too. Ah... but I'm freezing."
"Huh?"
Yuria looked at me in confusion.
"You're dressed way too lightly for the cold."
I shrugged off my coat and draped it over Yuria's shoulders.
"You look pretty. Really."
Yuria blushed, murmuring softly.
"You're tempting..."