That's Why I Like You -1-

Hamel's early dawn.

"Yaaawn..."

Hanna Histania rubbed her eyes as she greeted the chilly Hamel morning. Her entire body ached with muscle pain. Even though she'd moved less than in her usual training, her body had stiffened up, screaming in protest.

"Ugh... I'm dying."

It must be from all the tension. That man she'd seen yesterday had been a monster incarnate. It was probably the first time she'd encountered someone where the slightest mistake could have her head rolling in an instant. Not just his skill, but that blatant killing intent too.

Of course, all that threat had ended because of one person.

-Just go when you send it off.

Sitting on her bed, Hanna hugged her knees as she thought back to yesterday. The butler who had appeared when Senior Mikhail was in danger. At the same time, she let out a long sigh at the memory of herself—her legs bound by the heretics' rabble, unable to do a thing.

"I couldn't do anything..."

She'd clearly meant to help, but in the end, she'd accomplished nothing. Not even the first time they'd met. Not even when there'd been friction with her father. Hanna had done nothing but receive help every time.

She found herself pathetic like this. Nothing had changed. She only knew how to cling to the butler's saving hand—he who always extended it—while she stayed stuck in place, useless.

"Salvation" might sound grandiose, but to her, the butler was like the key to a birdcage she could never escape on her own.

Hanna had vowed time and again. I'll become someone who can help the butler. She wanted to be someone who could give, not just endlessly receive. Not like her brother, overflowing with countless talents, but she wanted to assist in some other way. She'd thought that, and worked toward it.

That's why she'd spent this winter break so busily. Continuing her adventurer work. Taking on as many quests as possible to rack up real combat experience. Escorts, subjugations, gathering— she'd tackled every type without exception, living frantically.

Thanks to that effort, she'd overcome her fear of monsters, especially orcs. She'd pretended it didn't faze her, but honestly, it had. The sight of an orc brought back memories of that blue spear, freezing her body and causing endless troubles. She'd flinch at big men, fear weak monsters—restrictions that hobbled her life as a swordsman.

Hanna had confronted them head-on countless times to conquer her flaws. All for one stubborn goal: to be of help to the butler. And to carve out at least one thing she could do better than others, she'd clung even harder.

Her looks weren't outstanding. Her personality wasn't vibrant. Her family backing wasn't elite. Hanna had always felt inferior in everything compared to others.

She knew her own heart. The worst first meeting, but the man who gave her the greatest gift—she was in love with him. Selfish. Caring only for the young lady. A man who loved the world of the flesh.

She admitted she harbored feelings for him. That's why... even more...

"Haa..."

She hated her utterly ordinary self. She thought she had nothing better than others, only knowing how to receive. Even compared to the young lady, or viewed objectively, Hanna saw herself as inferior.

Her figure wasn't bad, at least. With a sullen expression, she glanced down at her chest, then buried her face in her knees.

"Idiot."

She wanted to work harder. Become prettier, hear praise from the butler. She knew it was wrong for someone who only took, but she wanted to learn more about him. See his smile more. Make him smile. Hold his hand.

That's why she pushed herself relentlessly—and she couldn't deny that Ricardo had become the driving force moving her life. If not for the butler, she might not have survived this world, might not have this freedom.

It was absurd not to fall for the butler, who reached out like a ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠fairy-tale prince. The exit had vanished long ago.

"...Yeah."

Slap. Hanna timidly smacked her cheek, steeling her resolve. No point in gloomy thoughts—they only added wrinkles.

"Lazing like this changes nothing!"

With her mind set, Hanna faced the dawn.

And then.

"...Hanna~"

A man's voice came from outside the window. Hanna rubbed her eyes and peered out. The familiar voice called from beyond the window.

The field trip had ended due to the heretic attack, but at the familiar man's call, Hanna straightened her clothes and looked out.

"Hanna~ What are you up to today?"

She could see the face of the man she liked. Ricardo was smiling. Despite the early hour, his vibrant smile made the corners of Hanna's mouth twitch upward.

Gripping the windowsill, Hanna thought: I can't give up.

To Ricardo's question, she replied softly, considerate of the sleeping students.

Tap.

"Butler...! I'm alone in my room. Come in!"

"Pardon?"

The butler stared at her with the most flustered expression she'd ever seen.

*

"Hey now!"

I scolded Hanna after climbing through the window into her room.

"How can you invite a ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠man into a lady's private quarters? 'Men and women over seven shouldn't even sit together' isn't just an empty saying!"

I'd planned to grab a meal with Hanna after so long, but here I was, quietly reprimanding her for her bold antics. Her finger beckoning me still lingered in my mind, fanning the Confucian flames in my heart.

Thanks to her, I'd scored a short-term gig, so I'd thought to repay the favor— not get repaid like this.

I eyed Hanna in her flimsy nightgown, hiding my burning ears. Academy students returned in three days. No carriage back, half-forced to stay in this rural spot, I'd decided to keep her company, dispensing life's wisdom.

"Don't do stuff like this later with someone you like..."

Hanna cut me off firmly.

"Why would I call any other man besides you, Butler...?"

"Pardon?"

I stared at her with ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠wide, innocent doe eyes. What the hell does that mean? But Hanna said nothing, just tying up her hair.

Last I'd seen, it was a bob to her shoulders, but she'd grown it out ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠quite a bit. Lips holding a hair tie, she deftly bound it up.

With her hair tied, Hanna flashed a small smile, staring straight at me. A faint peach scent wafted from her. I sniffed and asked.

"Perfume?"

"Nope?"

"Really? Smells like peaches."

"Ah..."

Hanna extended her hand, eyes sparkling.

"It's my skin's natural scent!"

At her eager gaze begging me to sniff, I let out a dry laugh and firmly refused. "No thanks." Sniffing skin? Bad optics.

I perched lightly on her bed and said to her.

"Anyway, you free today?"

"Time?"

I pulled a small booklet from my pocket and showed her.

"Got two tickets by chance. Wanna go together?"

Hanna blinked in confusion at the two tickets in my hand.

"What about the young lady?"

Her thoughtful kindness toward my lady made me smile and shake my head.

"She says she doesn't wanna watch women wriggling around. Unless it's a talking fish. Sounds boring..."

"Th-then! Just the two of us...!?"

"Yeah, pretty much."

Hanna clenched her fist, reacting dramatically.

"Yes!"

"Huh? Yes to what..."

"Just... feeling good!"

I chuckled and asked again.

"So, free today?"

"Yes...! But can you wait a bit? Need time to get ready."

At her shy, genuine demeanor, I shook my head.

"Not leaving right now. Haven't even fixed the young lady's breakfast yet."

"Phew."

"Pardon?"

"Nothing! How about lunch? At the park!"

"Got it."

Before I climbed out the window, Hanna called in a trembling voice.

"Butler...!"

"Yes?"

"Um... Wh-what are you wearing today? Maybe match colors? Haha..."

I smiled faintly and replied.

"Casual clothes. Got some new ones."

And added, "Not the butler uniform."

Hanna beamed.

"Okay!"

*

Thus, at noon.

"Wow..."

I couldn't look up. For various reasons.

"You look... really different?"