Suspicious Proposal -2-
Trash had come to visit the mansion. I picked up a broom and dustpan and stared at Ruin. Could I sweep up a piece of shit this size? I sized him up and wiggled the broom.
I could fit him in if I crumple him up.
Ruin spat out a plain question after hearing my silent threat.
"What the hell."
"Cleaning tools."
"Why are you holding those?"
"To clean."
The quick-witted Ruin clenched his fist and glared at me, but his threats didn't faze me with this broom in hand. Brooms were the natural enemy of green-haired bastards, after all.
Ruin's head was caked in dust after cleaning the mansion with Gomtangi. His grass-green hair made it look like a soccer field dusted with dirt, and for a moment, I wanted to kick a ball around up there. But knowing this prickly asshole wouldn't allow it, I settled for flipping him the bird to vent my regret.
"You little shit..."
"Calm down. This is a sacred mansion. Mind your language."
"You started it. You wanna die...!"
"Hm..."
I flashed a small smile and fixed Ruin with a stare. My red eyes bored into him, and he clamped his mouth shut, saying nothing more.
"Thank you."
Ruin stood awkwardly in front of the entrance. I wanted to punch him square in the nose for barging in uninvited, but as a butler who avoided violence in the mansion, I engraved the character for endure in my heart and looked at him.
"So, why are you here, Mr. Ruin, lover of the environment?"
"'Cause I have business."
"I see."
—Bam!
I shoved Ruin out and slammed the door. I had no business with him.
*
Ruin, who came back again, was sitting in the kitchen. Sniffling like he had a cold, he shivered and hugged himself.
"How can you leave a person out there for three hours..."
"Because you're not a person."
"Haa... Forget it. I'll shut up."
"Wise choice."
Ruin had battled the winter wind for three hours. I was pissed he'd shown up unannounced, and there was no reason to let him in anyway.
The only reason I'd ever brought Ruin to the mansion was one: to avoid complaints about the hideous statue in the yard. It wasn't out of pity or a desire to chat with him.
So, what was this guy's reason for coming here? I picked up the broom and stared at him.
"...Put that down."
"Sorry. The young miss hates the mansion getting dirty."
"Ha."
—Bam.
Regaining his energy, Ruin shoved his hand in his pocket and propped his leg on the dining table. Thinking he was hot shit, he put his filthy foot on the table where we ate. I wanted to kick him out. For real.
"If you have a guest, at least offer some tea..."
"I'll count to three."
"What?"
"Figure out the reason yourself."
One.
I counted without hesitation. Three seconds until the sub-male lead's leg vanished. I'd even factored in time for his life to flash before his eyes, given his decent run so far.
"Two."
"Wait."
"Three."
As the broom swung down toward Ruin's knee, he awkwardly slid his leg off the table. Realizing his body mattered more than his pride, Ruin finally seemed ready to talk. The green-haired bastard brushed dust from his hair irritably, his face a mix of absurdity.
"Why you picking fights..."
Personally, I doubted carbon dioxide even existed in the air he exhaled. Simple reason: green-haired bastard.
Too bad he was a flame mage who didn't fit the concept.
I asked him seriously. It wasn't too late—did he want to relearn magic to match his concept? I'd support him fully, and if he picked nature magic to suit his hair, we could build a cleaner world together.
I said it straight.
"Asshole."
Damn, my unfiltered thoughts slipped out.
Ruin's face went blank. Suddenly getting cursed at, and this kind of treatment—it was probably a first for him. He glared, knowing he had news to share, but as always, I responded by flipping him off.
He was just an uninvited guest without his companion. If he'd come with a student council officer like Hanna, maybe I'd expect something, but solo? Zero hype.
I prepared tea and asked Ruin while pretending nonchalance, pouring cheap green tea I'd nearly tossed last time generously into his cup.
"What brings a noble from such a fine place here? Not here for pleasantries, judging by the empty hands."
Ruin flinched at "empty hands." He'd clearly swallowed basic etiquette whole. Even going to your mortal enemy's house, you bring at least a flower.
I scolded the bare-handed Ruin and sat across from him with my teacup.
"Not here to see my face either, right?"
I shoved the over-steeped, murky green tea at him.
Thick, nasty green brew. I'd made it as undrinkable as possible since it wasn't for me.
"Drink up."
Ruin's twisted expression reflected in the cup.
"I steeped it real good."
"...Hah?"
"Or leave."
Instead of answering, Ruin grabbed the cup and chugged it. Liking the cheap swill? He drained it in one go.
"Cough... Cough...!"
A satisfied smile spread across my face.
—Bam!
Ruin slammed the cup down roughly and wiped his mouth. As expected of a sub-male lead with some chops, everything about him looked slick. Decadent, even. Kinda cool, somehow.
Hm.
"Sorry, mind if I smash your pretty face in?"
"...What?"
"Your posing's ruining my appetite."
"Bullshit."
"I'm dead serious."
"..."
Ruin stared at me with trembling eyes. My 'I'm serious' gaze made his eyebrows twitch. He cleared his throat awkwardly to regain composure.
Time to cut the teasing. I'd dragged it out because it was fun, but more time had passed than I thought. With the green air freshener in the living room, the air felt cleaner anyway.
Time for the main topic. My low voice cut through the settled atmosphere.
"So, what's the reason for visiting our humble mansion?"
"...I need a favor."
"A favor."
Academy second-year winter break. Around now, Ruin was starting to realize his mere interest in Yuria had grown into real feelings. The point where seeing his fragile, beautiful friend Yuria turned his face red and his heart racing. This winter break was like spring for him.
I didn't know why such a Ruin came to us, but if it was a favor, maybe there was something I could do.
I watched the deeply troubled Ruin and asked plainly, no teasing this time. Why here?
"Greenie... I mean, Mr. Ruin."
"..."
"Speak up so I can answer."
"Haa... Fuck."
Ruin muttered a curse and opened his mouth.
"Hey."
"Yes."
"I... haa..."
Ruin ran a dry hand through his hair, sighing deeply like he couldn't believe he was here.
"Yuria's birthday is at year's end."
"Right."
"I wanna give her a gift, but..."
Embarrassment crept onto Ruin's face. Asking me must bruise his ego bad. Honestly, hilarious. Never thought he'd beg me for anything.
Of course, no plans to help some unfriendly prick, so I nodded with a soulless reaction.
"A fine birthday gift. Good. If personality's lacking, at least prep a proper present."
"...This fucker's been talking shit all day."
"Why? Want me to mop the floor with your face again like last time?"
Ruin shut his mouth at the black history jab. Even an unyielding bantam rooster had PTSD.
Without Yuria around, his pride condition wasn't met, so rational thought kicked in.
As the awkward air thickened, I smiled and said,
"Kidding. Keep going. You were saying you're prepping a birthday gift."
"Well..."
"Yes."
"Haa... I need... a Pavia Gem."
"Oh... Pavia Gem?"
Pavia Gem. As far as I knew, it dropped from a monster with a chicken head and snake tail. Popular with nobles, boosted mana efficiency for mages—a pricey stone. And processable into artifacts, no less.
Hm.
"Don't fuck around."
This bastard was talking crazy. Head down, he couldn't even dream of becoming chicken feed.