Chapter 25
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 25
Chapter Title: Another Misunderstanding!
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Another misunderstanding!
Brüel, in a good mood, was climbing the stairs to the villa where Su-hyeon lived.
"Hey, miss, come here for a sec."
"?"
'Is she calling me...?'
Brüel, who had never imagined anyone would approach her, turned around. The residents from the alley restaurant stood there with displeased expressions.
"What's the matter?"
Brüel quickly composed her emotions before responding.
To others, her voice sounded cold and emotionless.
"Are you the guardian of the little kid who lives alone here?"
A kid living alone. It was clearly referring to her young master.
At the word "guardian," her expression nearly cracked with a 'Yes, I am!' but as an agent trained to the extreme, she held it together.
"Ahem, yes. I am her guardian."
Brüel turned confidently as she spoke.
But the people clicked their tongues while scanning her up and down.
"You're still young and have a great figure, so it's the perfect time to have fun. But isn't this a bit too much?"
"...Pardon?"
"We all have kids and grandkids, so we know how tough it is to raise them. It must be even harder doing it alone at a young age. But come on, don't you have any sense of responsibility?"
"Excuse me, what is this all of a s—"
The atmosphere was a bit different from what she'd expected.
But one resident, thinking she was dodging, let out an incredulous laugh.
"No, the kid was bragging so much about her mom coming back—like, this way and that! How many days has it even been since you got here? We saw the trash you put out before, and it was all fast food and convenience store meals. Have you ever even cooked for her?"
The residents' anger gradually built like a gradient.
They had started out trying to admonish her gentlemanly, but humans naturally get fired up when those around them do.
For Brüel, who had almost no contact with civilians, this was an incredibly tricky situation.
This wasn't just her problem—it was a common issue for elves.
If it had been something she could solve with force, she wouldn't be this flustered.
Elves never even considered conflicts with civilians, so she had no manual for handling this. She just stammered denials incoherently.
"No, that's not it. There's some misunderstanding."
"Misunderstanding my foot!"
"I'm not her mom, I, uh, well..."
"We get it, young mom, life's tough, but your kids are all you've got in the end. How can you ignore such a sweet girl and just abandon her like this?"
"Abandon? She's sweet, sure, but... no, that's not what I—"
"Fun is temporary, but you'll regret it big time later."
Surrounded by aunties and uncles, Brüel endured a barrage of verbal abuse.
It was a group lynching with no room for excuses.
Brüel was so flustered and wronged that tears welled up in her eyes.
She'd never cried even during hellish training.
Then, an angry child's voice rang out from the stairs.
"What the hell are you all doing?!"
Su-hyeon had come out after hearing the commotion while gaming.
She'd meant to peek from the hallway, but the railing was too high for her height, so she'd come down herself.
As she descended, she saw familiar voices facing off against familiar faces.
Su-hyeon quickly wedged herself between Brüel and the residents.
The residents hurriedly tried to explain upon seeing Su-hyeon appear suddenly.
"Oh dear, kiddo. You might think it's fine, but to us, it's not at all. A mom being this irresponsible..."
"Whaaat?"
Su-hyeon was baffled by the talk of "mom."
Once she understood the situation, her face scrunched up in anger.
"Mom's living separately because she's sick, and this person's just helping me out!"
Fuming, Su-hyeon yelled indignantly.
She had no idea how this absurd misunderstanding had arisen. (Of course, she'd realize if she reflected on her own behavior.) How could so many people gang up on one without verifying?
As she huffed to calm down, her chubby cheeks puffed out.
Even her angry face was just cute, but everyone panicked at the sight.
"Ah, oh no, what have we done. Miss, we're sorry."
"Really sorry. We misunderstood without knowing the full story..."
"I thought it was the clothes you were wearing."
"You old man! Just apologize quietly!"
"...Sorry, miss. Here I am at my age, acting like a fool."
"No, it's fine. Really."
"We're so sorry, what can we do? Come to our restaurant anytime, kiddo—meals on the house. Yeah? Come with her sometime."
"I appreciate the thought, but we're good."
"Don't say that, we're really sorry..."
The residents floundered, apologizing profusely.
Brüel was just as lost in the completely reversed situation.
"Let's go inside for now."
"I'm fine... Ah, yes!"
Su-hyeon took Brüel's hand, who'd been accepting apologies in a daze, and led her home.
"Sigh, sorry about that. They're not bad people, just watch too many morning dramas. Every time they open shop..."
Su-hyeon sighed after closing the door and turned around.
There was Brüel, standing on her hands.
Her helmet was neatly placed beside her.
She was so tall her feet nearly touched the ceiling.
"Brüel...? Why are you doing a handstand?"
"It's the highest form of courtesy from our homeland. A pose modeled after the World Tree we serve—known as the handstand."
"I can see it's a handstand, but..."
"For a vassal sworn to protect you to instead be shielded by you... I feel utterly pathetic and profoundly moved. I, Brüel Eleniel, vow to devote my life to serving you, Su-hyeon."
Here we go again.
"...Got it, so get down now."
Her platinum hair hung upside down, revealing a dazzling nape and the back of her long, snow-white ear.
It looked vaguely erotic at a glance.
If not for the tears and handstand.
Su-hyeon made a bemused face at the bizarre scene but eventually gave up trying to understand.
On the weekend morning she'd promised to help the professor, Su-hyeon headed to the meeting spot.
They'd agreed to meet somewhere easy to park and go in his car.
For reference, today's outfit was a short-sleeved raglan tee and shorts with big pockets.
Tribute from Min-ji and Ji-eun's "get close" project, worn straight out of the bag.
Upon arriving, she pulled out her phone to check for messages. A car window rolled down from across the way.
"Over here, Su-hyeon."
"Ah, Professor!"
She'd left a bit early to not keep him waiting, but he'd arrived even sooner.
"Sorry, I made you wait."
"I got here early. With a car, it's no trouble. Was it hard getting here?"
"No, it's fine. Thank you."
He looked admiringly at her short legs as she answered briskly.
Ignoring his gaze, Su-hyeon buckled her seatbelt.
As her tiny hands fussed with her messy hair, the professor asked,
"No hair tie or anything?"
"Uh, yeah... Forgot."
Until last week she'd been a guy—what was she gonna have?
If not for the clothes just received the other day, she'd be in the tracksuit from debating the professor.
Ga-eun's picks weren't washed yet...
"Hold on..."
The professor rummaged in the glovebox and pulled out a plastic hairband.
"It's old, but if you don't mind, use it. I bought it because I liked it, but it's too youthful for me... Haven't used it much."
"Ah, thank you..."
She accepted politely and tried it on carefully.
No experience, so no clue if it was right, but the professor's pleased smile suggested it was on straight.
The interior had quieted. Not awkwardly, though.
The car passed through the university district.
Glancing out the window by chance, she spotted a cultist handing out flyers, just like the one at the school gate a few days ago.
Not the one who'd chased her.
"Man, cults are everywhere lately. Even here."
"Really? ...You're right. Have you been approached, Su-hyeon?"
"Yeah, a few days ago."
The professor clicked his tongue in displeasure.
"So brazen, not even hiding. I'll tip off security."
Thinking little of it, they arrived at the exhibition hall.
The professor got out, made a call, then led Su-hyeon to the entrance.
"Welcome, Doctor. Oh, and this is...?"
"My student. Su-hyeon? This is a staff member from the company where I'm an outside director. They develop gear suited for gate environments. This expo is an extension of their promo and research."
"Hello, I'm Kim Su-hyeon. Studying under Professor Lee A-young."
"Nice to meet you, Su-hyeon. Just call me manager or director. By the way, Doctor, having such a cute student must make teaching enjoyable."
"Heh, spot on. I'll go meet some others first. Need to give them a heads-up before introducing Su-hyeon. Take care of her?"
"You got it."
"Ah! Wait..."
An unexpected abandonment here!
Left alone with a stranger in an unfamiliar place, Su-hyeon's eyes trembled slightly.
Unaware, the self-proclaimed manager smiled warmly.
"We have time—want to look around the expo?"
"...Sure."
If he did the talking, it'd be less awkward than now.
She was a little curious too.