Heroine Distribution Episode (!!!!!!!!) 1
To dodge Ska Rate's wrath, I'd hung up on Lapis Julie, but I couldn't just ghost her completely. Even if she'd gotten engaged to some great guy, she was still my direct superior, and people don't change overnight. She was bound to grill me endlessly for cutting her off like that. I'd already hung up, but at least I could send a text. Better than nothing.
If I spun it positively, there was a chance she wouldn't care about me anymore now that she was engaged to someone like Ul Blond—super famous, talented, handsome, and from a loaded family. The fact that she'd called me personally on a holiday morning suggested otherwise, but hoping couldn't hurt. Please just lose interest in me already. With that prayer, I turned away from Ska and quickly typed out a message while walking.
"Sorry for hanging up. Something came up suddenly."
Normally, you'd add something like "I'll call you back later," but what was the point with an engaged woman? I didn't want to talk to her again anyway, so I kept it short and sweet, no standard courtesy. That took care of Lapis. Now, just Ska left?
"Paster! Wait up! What's the rush?!"
As I hurried to send the text, Ska caught up from behind and grabbed me. For some reason, today's Ska was running slow. Not her usual blazing inferno yelling "hurry up," more like a chill oven. She probably wanted to stretch out our outing together a bit longer. Fair enough—it'd been ages since we'd gone out just the two of us. From her perspective, she had every reason to want more time with me. Especially since I'd agreed without a single complaint. This outing probably felt extra special compared to the ones where she treated me like a pack mule.
Those were forced errands, but today? Kinda date-like? The vibe had shifted because I'd been agreeable. Honestly, dating Ska creeped me out a bit. But she was buying me clothes, so I'd endure. Among these S-rank bitches, Ska was the shittiest by far, our bad blood deeper than with the others, but she was still the most comfortable. Fifteen years together—we were used to each other, like it or not. That's a long time. Familiarity, sure. Romance? Hell no. Gotta draw that line clear in my head.
I mentally reinforced that boundary and answered Ska casually. "I'm hungry. Haven't eaten since waking up."
"Ugh... just hold out a bit! It's been forever since we went out together! We should stroll leisurely, take pics, post 'em on Inbyul, y'know!"
She didn't say "date," but everything she listed was straight out of a couple's sunny-day playbook. Anyone but a total blockhead would pick up her signals. Today's Ska was blasting "I like you! Notice me!" auras hard. Why was she so aggressive today? She wouldn't wear such a cute outfit or say stuff like this normally. Something up? But no way was I asking.
Mentioning walks, photos, and Inbyul posts had her cheeks flushing already. How does a girl this shy spew filthy shit like "pussy slut" and "sex" the second the hypnosis app comes out? Fifteen years by her side, and some things stayed mysteries. Like "Why does she like me?" or "How can she say such trash without shame?" Not urgent, though.
I smirked and told Ska—the one who turns into a begging mutt with just a Beastman Collar—"Fine. Walks, pics, Inbyul posts. Whatever you want today."
Normally I'd scowl and make it obvious I hated it, so my easy agreement threw her. "H-Huh? Why...?"
Her blank stare was hilarious, stirring my prankster side. "Don't want to? You're turning down me saying I'll do whatever."
"N-No! I didn't say that! Why do you twist my words?!"
I turned away gruffly, and she panicked, rushing over. She looked like a kid who'd stopped throwing a tantrum and chased after a parent leaving—too cute. Had to hold back the laugh. No matter how much of a collar-wearing, scent-sniffing dog-bitch she became, that explosive temper was still there. And we were outside. I'd brought the collar just in case, but no way was I shoving my nose in her collarbone with puppy ears out in public.
"..."
"Paster, why're you smiling? Mocking me? You, mocking me?"
I'd stifled the sound, but my lips twitched. She spotted it like a ghost and geared up to rage. Ska's anger was gasoline—one spark and boom. Best counter: defuse before ignition. I flashed a relaxed smile. "Yeah, I'm smiling. How could I not? You came running up so cutely."
"W-What?!"
"Cute" from me caught her off guard; she forgot her fury and flustered. Seeing flustered Ska so much today felt good. My smile softened naturally, and her eyes went dreamy—like a girl in love. I knew she liked me more than I could handle, but it still threw me. Anyway, no plans to accept it. Not until a real, heartfelt apology. Until then, we were just barely-not-close childhood friends. If she apologized sincerely enough to touch my heart... I'd reconsider. Maybe.
Only Silk Blond was prettier than Ska on sight. And that day my penthouse blew up, Ska bawling "don't abandon me" looked prettier too. A stunning woman—celebrity-crushing beauty—liking you? No guy turns that down without reason. Clearing this grudge would benefit us both. Well, until the S-rank dungeon raid three months from now. No apology by then? Tough luck. I'd ghost her crying, clinging, whatever—change my name, live as a suspiciously rich unemployed uncle.
So this "date" was really grace time, her last chance. If she blew it, her fault.
"B-But Paster, if I'm that cute... shouldn't we take pics quick? Gotta preserve cuteness forever. And share it—Inbyul rules, right? Yeah?"
Her obvious ploy was transparent. I chuckled at classic Ska and nodded. "Yeah. Gimme your phone. I'll take 'em."
"Y-Yeah! Here!"
I grabbed her phone, opened the camera, and sidled up. Quick as a fox, she looped her arm around my waist. I pulled her shoulder to frame us perfectly.
"Eek?!"
"Smile."
Click.
Caught her flustered blush mid-hug. Still pretty.
"Alright, now..."
"Lemme see first!"
No time to check my killer angle shot—Ska snatched it, uploaded to G-Cloud, and locked it down. "Perfect. Pics safe... time for Inbyul."
She hummed happily, posting while angling away so I couldn't peek. What's the big secret about one pic? I don't do Inbyul. Can't, really. Back as a Rate family butler, lonely me tried SNS to cope. Posted a pic, got perma-banned instantly. "Classified leak"—their crest was in the corner. Next day, furious Ska reamed me, and I lost all interest in SNS. So her secrecy? Whatever.
2.
Lapis Julie had been gripped by vague unease since Paster's text: "Sorry for hanging up. Something came up suddenly." The faint voice of Ska Rate right before the call dropped. The engagement news blasting everywhere. Everything around her felt off.
What do I do? How should I handle this? Where did it go wrong?
Uncharacteristically panicked, Lapis Julie floundered. She'd rejected the engagement to confess to Paster—no, for him to confess—but now he was dodging her, leaving her just another fiancée. That plunged her into panic.
Bzzz.
Lost in chaos, a familiar vibration hit her ear. "Ah!"
Maybe Paster? She checked—froze solid.
Paster and Ska Rate, arms around each other all chummy, smiling in the photo on Ska Rate's Inbyul.