Birthday (3)
"Ashu Kan Hart."
Ashu turned at the voice calling him from behind.
"...Sihan?"
Sihan Kan Hart stood there, impeccably dressed with arms crossed.
'Tch, what a pain in the ass.'
Ashu openly scowled, his face screaming annoyance.
"Why'd you call me?"
"Someday, I'll crush you and claim the family head seat for myself."
Dragging him over just to throw shade? Ashu snorted in disbelief, cocking his head.
"What're you getting at?"
The grand duke had already picked Sihan as successor—not him. No need to come rub salt in the wound.
So he couldn't figure it. Why spout this crap at him?
"...As much as it pains me."
Sihan gritted his teeth hard.
"You're stronger than me. Much stronger."
He hated admitting it more than anything, but it was time to face facts. He wasn't even in the same league as Ashu Kan Hart. Not yet, anyway.
But skill gaps aside, he had zero interest in clawing his way to family head with cheap tricks.
"Eight years from now, at the coming-of-age ceremony—duel me. We'll settle who truly deserves the grand duke's seat!!"
Sihan's eyes blazed fiercely.
Ashu groaned, shielding his face with an arm like the intensity was too much.
'...What a hassle.'
He wasn't thrilled, but Ideal had told him to get along.
"So, th-this is a gift. For that!"
Sihan's ears flushed pink.
Ashu's eyebrows twitched upward.
A glass vial gleamed in Sihan's outstretched hand.
"...What's this?"
"Perfume. Specially made black cherry scent."
"Uh, um, sure."
Ashu took it reluctantly.
Gift—the word felt strangely itchy.
But why this? Something for the ceremony?
Ashu eyed it dubiously, so Sihan cleared his throat.
"Ahem. And they say it makes women warm up to you faster."
"...For real?"
Ashu's expression shifted. A flicker of anticipation softened the reluctance.
Sihan nodded with a smug puff.
"Dead serious. You've got a girl you like, right?"
"...A girl I like?"
"Yeah. Like your master, for instance."
"Wh-what the hell!!!"
Ashu bellowed.
Gazes swarmed them amid the commotion—he felt it vividly.
Sihan tilted his head.
"...Not into her?"
"N-nothing like that!"
Then what was that freakout last time? Threatening to wreck anyone who touched her, only to react like this?
Ashu dodged Sihan's squinting glare.
"Got it. Whatever."
His call if he used it.
Sihan shrugged and turned away.
As the footsteps faded, Ashu let out a quiet sigh.
Then, like a guilty criminal, he scanned the surroundings.
'...Coast clear?'
Just needed this.
Gulp. His throat bobbed noticeably.
Excuses? Who cared. Ashu didn't.
First birthday gift ever, after all.
Spritz.
A sweet aroma crept up pleasantly from his forearm—pure bliss.
'...Not to impress Ideal or anything.'
Just in case it lingered at his first-ever birthday banquet.
That's all.
"...Hah, me liking Ideal? What bullshit."
Who'd fall for a total airhead like that?
The guy he already couldn't stand was spewing nonsense—enough to make him sick.
Sniff sniff. A sweetness unlike any before filled his nose.
Ashu straightened his clothes in the mirror.
Only after fussing his hair repeatedly did his feet turn toward the banquet hall.
His ears stayed beet red the whole way.
The banquet was dazzlingly lavish.
No wonder the servants had scurried like mad earlier.
Tables and chairs embroidered in splendor, vases and decorations galore.
A feast for the eyes from start to finish.
Teeming with guests, the usually silent grand duke's residence buzzed with life.
Amid the raucous crowd, I fixed Ashu with a steady glare.
"...What're you staring at?"
"Nothing."
What a rotten kid.
How much hell had I gone through protecting him?
And he ditches me like this?
My outfit was a disaster now.
I lifted my arms, twisting side to side.
That same revealing training getup from before—but this time, sparkling silver!
A rose even dangled at the waist for flair.
Indoors last time was tolerable, but outdoors? The chill wind sliced right through.
'...And why's the chest cut so low.'
I tugged the neckline higher, but the damn things just jiggled mockingly.
'...Stuck in something like this.'
A pitiful sigh escaped at my plight.
Shoulders sagged.
'My manhood's utterly slain.'
Felt like stripped bare in a bustling square.
One more minute and my brain might fry.
"Ugh...."
Thank god for the mask—if my face showed, I might've bitten my tongue off.
'No grown-ass adult shows up to a kid's birthday in this!!'
Trashy as hell!
Unforgivable for a proper Confucian boy like me.
'...Doesn't change a thing, though.'
My inner manliness had been brutally gelded ages ago.
All that was left: resigned sighs laced with lament...
'Huh, but...'
Isn't that a nice whiff somewhere?
Sniffing around, I hunted the source.
Sweet cherry teased my nostrils.
Over this way...
"Disciple?"
"Uh, huh?"
Ashu shifted, and the sweetness exploded.
Leaning in for a sniff, he shoved me back—face flaming crimson.
"Wh-what the hell are you doing!!"
"You smell amazing, disciple."
"Amazing?"
"Like... cherry, maybe?"
Ideal's senses were sharp anyway.
Ashu's scent was so good, I craved more.
"Quit glomming on!!"
"B-but..."
It was mesmerizing. This what scent-drunk feels like?
Ashu Kan Hart's favorability has increased!
Current favorability: 80%
Core character's favorability exceeds 80%.
Now feels obsession toward the player!
'...Wh-what?'
Why's favorability spiking now? Just from a sniff?
And obsession? Why's this kid obsessed with me?
That prickly gold nugget, cheeks blazing as he snaps at me—obsessed?
Ridiculous.
Last time it was "mild obsession," turned out jealousy.
Status window's just screwing with me.
I waved it off with a smirk.
'Yandere from my past life? Nothing like this.'
This gold nugget was miles from dere, too.
"...Pfft."
"Why're you laughing?"
"Just... you getting all shy is hilarious, disciple."
"Wh... shy?"
Still, these three months had brought us close.
From cash-grab to... this? I'd planned to earn and bail.
'Acts like he ignores me, but keeps promises anyway.'
Hard not to get attached.
I carefully pulled out the gift box.
Ashu, fuming seconds ago, froze and blinked.
"...What's this?"
"Wanna open it?"
He took it, gingerly untying the knot.
Grab—the lid lifted slowly.
His face brimmed with irrepressible excitement.
Like a kid ripping into Christmas presents.
'Still just ten, huh.'
My lips curved unbidden.
"This is...?"
Fully open: a white scarf inside.
Slightly uneven stitches, a bit crude.
Tucked note in neat script: Happy birthday, disciple!
"Heh heh... S-so? Kinda crappy, right?"
I'd braced for it, but showing it still embarrassed me.
I kept rubbing my heated nape.
'...Stayed up late for this.'
A secret project—total agony.
Dozed off mid-stitch who-knows-how-many times.
Lucky it was wood knitting; real needles would've shredded my fingers.
'...But thinking it my last birthday gift...'
Hands moved on their own.
"M-master...?"
Ashu stood stock-still for ages.
Hands clutching the box trembled.
'...Doesn't like it?'
Made sense. Not pretty, finishes sloppy.
Even I'd pass.
"Y-yeah, kinda lame, huh? Lemme get something bett—"
But it stung a little. A month's sleep-deprived prep, down the drain.
Bitterer than expected.
"No."
Ashu deftly dodged my reaching hand.
Then fished out the scarf, wrapping it around his neck like treasure.
He stood there, fingering it silently.
"...Th-thanks."
Head bowed, he mumbled after an eternity.
"...H-huh?"
Did I hear right?
"I said thanks...!!"
"Gah!!"
My hand flew to my mouth.
Thanks—from that gold nugget's mouth!!
Tears welled up.
Pride swelled too huge to contain.
Thanks, thanks!
I flung my arms wide, crushing him in a hug.
"Discipleee!!"
"Wh-what're you doing!! Let go!! People's watching—"
Buried in my chest, his words cut off.
Warm breath burrowed between—vividly felt.
One thanks and my heart overflowed.
Gazes burned in, but who cared now.
"Mmph!!"
Ashu flailed to escape.
Ashu Kan Hart's favorability has risen!!
Current favorability: 88%
Gift effect? Favorability rocketed.
'...Whatever!'
Not bad. Hearing thanks from him trumped it.
Chest brimmed; throat tightened.
Then—
"Ashu Kan Hart, the grand duke summons y—"
Footsteps halted. Eyes met Sihan Kan Hart's.
My grip slackened; Ashu popped up like a mole from my chest.
Face twisted in rage, he spotted Sihan—and froze solid.
"...W-well. Perfume's working, huh. Cute couple."
Sihan flushed, spinning away.
"H-hey!! Sihan Kan Hart!!"
Ashu lunged, hand outstretched.
"Si-Sihannn!!"
Must clear this misunderstanding...!!
Or rumors paint me a deranged pervert master, shota-obsessed and playing push-pull games!!
Can't have that!!
I bolted after them.