133 – A New Friend
Her expression went back to normal in an instant.
A change that is only fleeting enough to inadvertently dismiss it as an illusion. But I couldn’t be wrong.
I was embarrassed.
Is there any reason for Blanca to look at me like that? Was there something wrong with what I said?
No, there’s no way Drake would have let it go. Rather, he had a satisfied smile as if he was very satisfied.
Then why?
Perhaps, regardless of her phantom thief followers, she may have touched something of her personal nature. Exactly she doesn’t know what it is, but if she did, she might be able to use it.
“It’s nice to have a good friend.”
“I think so too. I hope to see you more often in the future.”
Once we finished our conversation with Drake, we went back to our original seats.
Blanca strides ahead as if she won’t show her expression.
“To be honest, I was surprised. I didn’t know she was thinking like that.”
“What do you mean by thinking like that?”
“The idea of changing the world. I’ve said it before, but you don’t seem to be particularly interested in this.”
You are quite sharp. As she said, I have no interest in changing the world.
Because the reason I just chatted with excitement was only to earn Drake’s favor.
“The things I just said. Did you really think about it all by yourself?”
“Yes. Are you having a hard time believing it?”
“Honestly a little? I wondered if it would be possible to think that far in a few days.”
As with the current reaction, it was clear that Blanca cared about what I was saying. I haven’t been able to pinpoint exactly where and why.
“I’ve had that idea vaguely since before. It became clear after coming here a few days ago.”
“I see. You will be good friends with Drake.”
“What about Mr. Blanca?”
“Huh?”
At my question, she finally turned her head to meet my gaze, and she had a puzzled expression on her face.
The first button was safely put on, but the plan remained unchanged.
Her help was essential to delve deep into this group. It’s not enough to get Drake’s attention. It means you need my side for sure.
“I also want to get to know Mr. Blanca.”
“… You.”
Blanca, who was staring at me with her mysterious eyes, burst out with her cheesy laugh.
“It is unexpectedly reckless. I don’t hate a man like that.”
Um. I didn’t mean it that way.
Wouldn’t it be better to let them misunderstand?
“You were the first to talk to me. Please come and take care of me today.”
“It was hard to just pass by because he had pitiful eyes like a lost puppy.”
···I did that? What kind of eyes do you have to look at to be like that?
Looking at the way he treats me, he doesn’t seem particularly hostile.
Or it could be that he thoroughly hid his true feelings and wore a thick mask.
Today is the time to leave. Even if you are forced to sit down, nothing will change.
The important thing is to slowly and carefully blend into this space.
“I will see you often in the future.”
“Yes. If there is nothing special, I will come every day.”
“Don’t be too disappointed.”
“Yes?”
“This isn’t such a fun and exciting paradise.”
I’ve never thought of it that way, but it was quite meaningful.
For the girl who has been with us for the longest time from the very beginning, talking like that, it must mean that there is something hidden in this underground.
I’ll have to check it out step by step from now on.
***
The next day. I woke up in the bright morning sun.
I can’t remember how long it’s been since I’ve had such a relaxing weekend.
[What is today’s schedule?]
“I’m going to focus on the phantom thief followers all day today.”
All Foundation-related work was done yesterday. All that’s left is something we can do together after Juliet goes to work.
Since it’s Sunday, I don’t have to go to the academy and I don’t have any special appointments, so I’m going to focus on following the Phantom Thieves in earnest today.
Honestly, I just want to relax at home and have a comfortable rest, but I fought back the desire and started dressing up in the morning.
Since I visited the basement with Yulia the other day, I have been curious about something.
What is the condition of the basement before sunset? As far as I know, the meeting itself is held every evening after it is over. If so, was it just not allowed to enter before then? Or is there something else?
From now on, I plan to head underground to resolve that question.
“I hope you have something.”
[That’s right.]
I left the house with half excitement and half anxiety. It was a different feeling to be near the basement at such a bright time of day. It feels like watching an entertainment district in broad daylight.
The guard that always blocked the entrance at night was no longer visible. Even so, the entrance was not closed separately, and it just looked like it was neglected from the outside.
After taking a quick look around, I moved into the entrance of the building.
A dark staircase going down. Originally, the sound of music should leak from here, but now it is very quiet.
Is anyone there? Silent footsteps, I slipped down to the basement. Contrary to expectations, the door is slightly open. A low voice of conversation flowed from beyond.
“It feels like the uptrend is slowing down.”
“I can’t help it. In fact, this is enough.”
A voice that sounds quite familiar. It looked like Drake was talking to someone.
Realizing that fact, she immediately lowered herself and began eavesdropping on their conversation.
“Have you recruited a singer for today?”
“Uh. How many people would refuse that kind of money? Rumors have spread these days. If there is an inquiry from the phantom thief follower group, you must catch it.”
“hehehe. Very nice.”
“Drake. Of course it’s us, but are we really okay? Is there anything wrong with spending that much money?”
A person who mentions what I was curious about just in time. By the way, even though they are close enough to meet separately and talk alone, they don’t know the source of the money.
That means this gathering is more like Drake managing it alone.
“Okay. Didn’t you say you don’t have to worry about that?”
“Even so. If anything, we can collect some money…”
“Ask your friends for repayment? It’s okay, don’t talk about this any more.”
To be honest, I was a bit surprised. Of course, I only thought of him as a typical dark-hearted villain, but was he surprisingly loyal?
Obviously, when I think about it, I’m just worried that his ideology is so extreme that it will cause damage, but from a modern point of view, there was absolutely no problem with the ideology itself. Rather, it is safe to say that it is the right direction to be headed.
Wait a minute. More than you? Friends? Apparently, there are only two voices coming from there, but why in the plural…
“Hey. Do you want to go behind?”
A bloody comment came right from behind. When I hurriedly turned my head, a man with a fierce expression came down from above, frowning and glaring at me.
“What are you a bastard doing, eavesdropping like a rat? Ok?”
This feels pretty wrong. While trying to find a way out, I opened my eyes when I saw someone coming in behind the man.
“What? What is our cutie doing at this hour?”
I don’t know since when the hell did I change jobs to ‘our cutie’, but now it’s rather a very good nickname. The stronger her relationship with her seems, the higher the chance of getting out of her crisis.
“What? Blanca. Were you acquainted?”
“That’s the kid Drake was talking about.”
“Oh, I see.”
A man who instantly erased his stern expression and patted my shoulder lightly with a big smile.
No matter how much the misunderstanding is resolved, isn’t the change in attitude too sudden?
In the midst of breathing a sigh of relief that the crisis was over anyway.
Blanca, who was behind me, approached me and pushed her face toward me.
“But why are you here?”
“Just… There was something that happened to pass nearby. Do you think about it?”
“Huh. I see Great! I was going to call you separately sometime!”
I expected it to some extent. After all, as long as this group is an organization, there will be a central force, and the basic plan was to naturally join Drake from the moment I fell in love with Drake.
“What do you enjoy talking about outside?”
At that time, as if our conversation could be heard inside, Drake opened the door and appeared.
The gaze that meets me exactly. How many seconds had passed?
Slowly, a smile began to form on the corners of his lips.
“Who is this? Our new friend has arrived.”