126 – Ambiguous Proposal -2-
The trash had come to the mansion.
I looked at Ruin, holding a broom and dustpan. With this size, could I sweep it all up? After reevaluating the estimate, I flicked the broom.
“It seems like I can sweep it up.”
Upon hearing the silent threat, Ruin skeptically questioned.
“What’s this?”
“Cleaning tools.”
“Why are you holding them?”
“To clean.”
Ruin, who was quick-witted, clenched his fist and glared at me, but his threat didn’t work on me, who was armed with a broom.
After all, the broom was the nemesis of the mossy head.
Ruin’s head, which had cleaned the mansion with Gomtang, was covered in dust.
Maybe it was because his hair was grass-colored, but I suddenly had the thought of playing soccer on Ruin’s dusty head. However, knowing that Ruin was a lunatic, I expressed my regret by flicking my index finger.
“This bastard…”
“Calm down. This is a sacred mansion. Please refrain from swearing.”
“You started it first. Trying to kill me…!”
“Hmm…”
I smiled slightly and glared at Ruin. When his red eyes met mine, Ruin sealed his lips and didn’t say anything else.
“Thank you.”
Ru-in stood hesitantly in front of the front door.
Even though I hadn’t invited him in, I felt the urge to punch the intruder in the face. But as a butler who wanted to avoid violence as much as possible in the mansion, I looked at him, engraving patience in my heart.
“So, why did you come? Mr. Ru-in, who loves the environment.”
“I came because I had something to see.”
“I see.”
-Bang!
I pushed Ru-in away and closed the door.
I had no business with him.
*
Ru-in returned and sat in the kitchen.
Sniffling, as if he had caught a cold, Ru-in shivered and hugged himself tightly.
“How can you leave a person alone for only three hours…”
“It’s because he’s not a person.”
“Sigh… No. Let me speak.”
“It’s a wise choice.”
Ru-in fought against the winter wind for three hours. I was annoyed that he came without notice, and there was no reason to let him in.
There was only one reason why I brought Ru-in to the mansion.
I thought there might be a complaint about the grotesque statue decorating the yard. It wasn’t because I felt sorry for Ru-in or because I wanted to talk to him.
So, why did this guy come?
I looked at Ru-in with a broom in my hand.
“…Put that down.”
“I’m sorry. I said that because the young lady doesn’t like the mansion getting dirty.”
“Hah.”
-Clang.
With renewed energy, Ruin put his hand in his pocket and propped his leg up on the table. He seemed to know what he was doing, putting his leg up on the dining table while eating.
I wanted to kick him out.
Sincerely.
“If a guest comes, at least…”
“I’ll set three.”
“What?”
“You can figure out the reason on your own.”
One.
I counted the numbers without hesitation.
Until the supporting character’s leg disappeared, three seconds. It was a number I chose, considering the time to see the lamp that had lived a fairly good life.
“Two.”
“No.”
“Three.”
Just as the broom was about to hit Ruin’s knee, he clumsily pulled down the leg he had propped up on the table.
Realizing that his body was more precious than his pride, Ruin seemed ready to have a conversation now.
The green-haired figure, who nervously brushed off the dust on his hair, had an incredulous expression.
“Why the fuss..”
Personally, it didn’t seem like there was any carbon dioxide in the air that Rune was exhaling.
The reason was simple.
Because he’s a seaweed head.
Unfortunately, he’s a mage who uses fire magic, which doesn’t quite match his concept.
I asked Rune seriously. Since it’s not too late, I asked if he had any intention of learning magic that aligns with his concept.
I told him that if he learns natural magic that matches his hair color, I will fully support him, and together, we can create a clean world.
I spoke honestly.
“Idiot.”
Oh no, my true feelings came out without filtering.
Rune made a disappointed expression.
Both receiving swear words and being treated like this were probably a first for him.
He glared at me, probably not liking this kind of treatment when he might have brought some news.
But as always, I raised my middle finger in response.
Since Rune, who didn’t come with the companions, was just an unwelcome guest.
If he had come with us like he did with Hannah, the student council executive, I might have had some expectations for the news he brought, but Rune coming alone didn’t give me any hope.
While preparing the tea, I asked Rune.
Pouring cheap green tea that I was about to throw away generously into a teacup, I casually looked at Rune.
“Why has a humble person like you come to such a noble place? Since you came empty-handed, it doesn’t seem like you came to exchange pleasantries.”
Rune flinched at the mention of being empty-handed. It was clear that his manners had gone down the drain.
Even if you visit the home of the Iron Heaven Water Supporter, it is basic etiquette to bring at least one flower.
I scolded Ruin for coming empty-handed and sat across from him, holding a teacup.
“It’s not like you came because you wanted to see my face.”
I handed him a cheap green tea until he trembled in front of Ruin. Thick green tea. I made it as tasteless as possible because I wasn’t going to drink it.
“Please have some.”
Ruin’s distorted expression reflected in the teacup.
“I brewed it diligently.”
“…Huh?”
“Either leave or drink it.”
Instead of answering, Ruin drank the teacup in one go. Ruin, who empties the teacup in one gulp, as if the cheap tea suits his taste.
“Cough…Cough…!”
I had a satisfied smile.
-Clank!
Ruin roughly placed the teacup down and wiped his mouth. As expected of a supporting male lead who plays a minor role, everything looked good.
Somewhat decadent.
At the same time, it felt cool.
Hmm.
“Sorry, can I smack you in the face?”
“…What?”
“Pretending to be cool makes the food taste worse, and it puts me in a bad mood.”
“Utter nonsense.”
“I’m being sincere.”
“…”
Ruin looked at me with trembling eyes. Seeing the look in my eyes that said “I’m being sincere,” Ruin’s eyebrows trembled slightly, and he cleared his throat to set the mood.
I guess it’s time to stop playing around.
I’ve been teasing him because I enjoy it, but time has passed more quickly than I thought.
Maybe it’s because Nokjo’s head is in the living room, but the air in the room seems to be somewhat purified. It’s time to get to the point.
Amidst the calm atmosphere, my low voice resounded.
“So, what brings you to our mansion?”
“…I have a favor to ask.”
“A favor, huh?”
Academy, second year, winter vacation.
It was the moment when Ruin, who had only felt simple interest in Yuria, gradually became aware of his own feelings.
The moment his face turned red and his heart raced when he saw his fragile and beautiful friend, Yuria.
From Noble mtl dot com
This winter vacation was like spring for Ruin. I don’t know why Ruin came to us, but if he said it’s a favor, there must be something I can do for him.
I looked at Ruin, who was deeply troubled, and asked. Why did he come here? This time, I asked a straightforward question without any intention of teasing.
“Nokjo… No, Mr. Ruin.”
“…”
“You have to speak for me to give you an answer.”
“Sigh… Mr.”
Ru-in opened his mouth to let out a small curse.
“Hey.”
“Yes?”
“I… sigh…”
Ru-in ran his dry hand through his hair. He let out a deep sigh, as if he didn’t even know what he was doing here.
“Yuria’s birthday is coming up at the end of this year.”
“That’s right.”
“I want to get her a present. But…”
Embarrassment began to show on Ru-in’s face. It seemed to be a blow to his pride to ask me for a favor.
Honestly, it was amusing.
I never thought Ru-in would ask me for a favor.
Of course, I had no intention of granting a favor to someone I wasn’t close to, so I nodded my head and gave a soulless reaction.
“It’s nice of you to want to give her a good birthday present. It’s important to prepare properly even if your personality is lacking.”
“…Why does this bastard keep talking nonsense?”
“Why? Should I clean the floor with your face like last time?”
Ru-in tightly sealed his lips at the question that brought up his hidden dark history.
No matter how unyielding he was, PTSD was a real thing. Ru-in, who didn’t have Yuria around, met the condition of having Gaora, so he was able to exercise discernment.
Feeling the awkward atmosphere, I smiled and spoke to Ru-in.
“It was a joke. Please continue. You mentioned that you’re preparing a birthday present.”
“Well, that’s…”
“Yes.”
“Sigh.. It’s.. I need Fabia’s jewel.”
“Oh… Fabia’s jewel?”
Fabia’s jewel.
From what I know, it seemed to refer to a jewel that comes from a monster with a rooster’s head and a snake’s tail.
It’s popular among many nobles.
For wizards, it’s a high-priced jewel that enhances the efficiency of magic power.
Moreover, Rune was talking about a high-priced jewel that can be processed into an artifact.
Hmm.
“Don’t talk nonsense.”
This bastard was saying crazy things.
Rune, who was talking about his future dream of becoming a rooster, couldn’t lift his head.