The Woman Who Likes Mihail -2-
The woman standing before her was named Shuen, the golden eldest daughter of the Tetra marquis family, renowned for producing scholars. She was characterized by her arrogant demeanor and her habit of spouting empty words. Especially remarkable was her exceptional talent for magic, which had earned her adoption as the tower master's ward—boasting not one, but two such prestigious parents.
Hanna disliked Shuen.
"Oho-ho!!"
Zzt.
"Ho-ho..."
She had no desire to befriend a pampered princess raised in indulgence since childhood. Hanna didn't want to get tangled up with someone whose head was a flower garden.
Letting out a sigh, Hanna turned to leave.
Talking to Shuen made her feel like her own intelligence might start to slip away.
"If you have nothing else to say, I'm going."
"Wait just a sec!"
"Why."
At Hanna's curt demeanor, Shuen's face twisted in fluster, her lips mumbling. Then, as if catching herself, she timidly raised a hand and let out her signature "oho-ho" laugh. Just like that, she flashed a confident smile and spoke up.
"Hanna of the Histania family. You."
"What."
"You haven't forgotten that I'm your rival, have you?"
"Rival...?"
The word "rival" made Hanna grip her sword. Even if the household was tolerant of concubines, handing the butler over to a woman like this would be a waste.
"W-wait, wait, wait a minute!"
Shuen might have her ample treasure pouch, but compared to the young lady, it was laughably inadequate. Who did she think she was eyeing? Hanna glared fiercely at Shuen's chest and assumed her stance.
Shuen waved her hands frantically at Hanna's sudden shift.
"What are you doing?!"
"What does it look like? Enforcing discipline as a future concubine."
"Huh? Is Senior Mihail married?!"
"Senior Mihail?"
"That's right!"
Hanna's bright smile returned as she released her sword grip. It had all been a needless misunderstanding. Mihail was fair game for anyone.
She waved it off and said to Shuen,
"Oh, you meant Senior Mihail?"
"Of course! Who else could possibly match someone as perfect as me, Shuen? You said it yourself—Mihail Senior is the most righteous person there is."
"That's ancient history. I thought you were into the butler."
"The butler?"
"Doesn't matter. Your flower-filled head wouldn't get it anyway."
"Oho-ho~! That's a compliment!"
"Sure is."
Hanna let out a hollow chuckle at the sight of Shuen's lips curling up. Her antics were infuriating, but there was something oddly cute about her.
Feeling buoyed by the praise, Shuen turned to Hanna with a question. It felt good, but she'd caught something weird in those words.
"But Hanna. What you just said—does that mean you don't like Senior Mihail anymore?"
"Huh? Yeah. Why?"
"As vice president of Misa-mo—the club for those who love Mihail—I can't just let that slide."
"There's a club like that?"
"Yep! It's a venerable group going on three years strong. And you're a member too, Hanna."
"...?"
"I signed you up!"
"Why?"
"Just because!"
Hanna shook her head with a wry laugh at Shuen's beaming pride in her empty-headedness. These days, her feelings toward Mihail leaned more negative than positive.
Mihail. She'd admired him once. His righteous demeanor had earned her respect, and his unyielding convictions had sparked a fierce desire to emulate him—not romantic love, but aspiration as a person.
But now...
There was no room for Mihail in her life.
Hanna wore a bitter smile as she shoved away Shuen's face, which was flaring its nostrils.
Smack.
"I don't like him anymore."
"Huh?!"
"Just take him."
"What do you mean?"
"I said I don't like him anymore, so go ahead and have him."
Shuen's hand dropped from her mouth in shock. She gawked like a goldfish, mumbling that it couldn't be true.
"This makes no sense."
To Shuen, the idea of not loving the world's handsomest man sounded like a lie. What woman wouldn't adore a pretty boy like him?
Shuen placed a hand on Hanna's shoulder, her face full of pity, and began offering words of comfort. She thought she understood Hanna's feelings.
"Hanna. Even if you can't have the jewel, you can always cherish it in your heart. That's free."
Hanna recoiled and swatted her hand away.
"Eww, what the hell!"
"Hanna."
"Ugh..."
"I get how you feel. Senior Mihail's just too popular with the beauties, right? Senior Yuria, Princess Shartia... and especially since he's caught the eye of someone as perfect as me."
"Slipping your own name in there, huh..."
"Hanna!"
Shuen grabbed Hanna's hand, eyes sparkling.
"Misa-mo's always open to you. We've got people rejected by Senior Mihail, and those who just pine for him in secret."
"I said I don't need it! And don't sign me up without asking. I don't wanna be the girl with a past."
"Hanna!"
"Ugh... enough!"
Shuen gazed at her with pitying eyes.
"Don't hide your feelings."
"Sigh... how far does that flower garden go?"
Hanna figured she had to spell it out, since Shuen wasn't budging. Otherwise, she'd cling forever.
"Truth is, I've got someone I like now."
"Someone you like?"
"Yeah. Way handsomer and kinder than Senior Mihail."
"Are you dating?"
"No..."
Hanna smiled shyly.
"Someone I want to date."
She straightened the books on the desk to hide her embarrassment. It was the first time she'd confessed this to anyone—not even properly to her brother. Her face burned for some reason.
Shuen pouted, hugging her massive bosom.
"Hanna of Histania... is crushing on someone?"
"N-no! That's not—"
"The academy's iron wall... in love...?"
Shuen's expression hardened. She'd started with pity, but the idea of a man better than her beloved stung her pride.
"I can't accept that."
She felt miffed.
"Doesn't matter. He's the one I approve of."
Shuen's eyes widened in shock, trembling. She staggered, clutching the desk for support.
"So you don't like him anymore?"
"How many times do I have to say it? Shuen, get it through your head already."
"No. I can't understand. There's no man handsomer than Senior Mihail in the world. And no one's more perfect than him—except maybe a god."
"Spot on about the 'other kind' of god."
"Are you insulting my idol...?"
"No, complimenting."
"Warning one. Three and you're out of Misa-mo."
"Please do it."
Ignoring her, Shuen pressed on with her feelings.
"You're being fooled right now. Don't waste time compromising with some average guy!"
"Shuen. Watch your mouth."
"Did I say something wrong?"
"Trash-talk him again, and you're dead by my hand."
"...Eep!"
Shuen averted her eyes and blurted,
"Anyway, I can't forgive this...! As Misa-mo vice president, I can't let a deserter like you go free!"
Hanna sighed deeply, shaking her head. What to do with this airhead?
"You come find me after a year, and that's all you wanted?"
"Yeah! You won't hang out with me, so I got bored and came over. But you're saying weird stuff! We promised to chase Senior Mihail together at the entrance ceremony...!"
"When did I ever promise that?"
"You shameless woman!"
"How long are you gonna keep up with Misa-mo crap?"
Shuen thrust out her massive chest proudly, eyes brimming with tears.
"Forever! Senior Mihail and I are destined to be together!"
Hanna shook her head again, reconfirming: better not get involved.
"Tch. And you're the one badmouthing the swordsmanship department?"
"Senior Mihail's face is his magic!"
"Then your boobs are magic too?"
"Huh?"
Shuen looked down at her chest—where her shoes were visible instead—and tilted her head. Then her face flushed red, and she huffed indignantly.
"Wha-wha—boobs?! What did you just say?!"
"I'm out. Got a lot to do today."
"Hanna of Histania!"
Shuen had no friends.
"Hnnng...! I won't forgive you...!"
More precisely, no normal friends. Just like certain dropouts.
*
Another peaceful day at the Desmont mansion.
"Hmnya."
The young lady, nose-picking away, blinked wide-eyed at me and said,
"Ricardo."
"What is it, Young Lady?"
"Why don't I have any friends?"
I chuckled softly at her perfectly reasonable question.
"Because you're too amazing, Young Lady."
"Right?"
"Lies."
"Eeeeeek!"
Watching her wind up a punch, I thought: for her to make friends, reincarnation might be the answer.
"Oh, right, Young Lady."
"Hm?"
"I might need to step out for a bit."
She'd been stretching my cheek, but perked up at "step out," question marks popping over her head as she stared.
"Going to play?"
"No. Someone called me."
"Who?"
"Well..."
—Drop by the academy for a bit, Ricardo.
—The academy's a hassle...
—I'm setting up that convenience store you mentioned last time. Want your advice.
—Oh... At the academy?
—You said it yourself: places with lots of people who value convenience.
—True, but...
I blocked her finger from my mouth and flashed an awkward smile.
"A friend who buys me good meals."
"Ah...!"
The young lady fished a chocolate from her treasure pouch and handed it over.
"Give him this too."
"Why?"
"If you get something, you give something back."
I pocketed it with a nod.
Guess I'll buy separate chocolate to give him.
Anything from the treasure pouch was hygienically suspect. Definitely not because I wanted to hoard it.