Becoming the Guide of the Mysophobic Villain? Absolutely Not! - Chapter 149

I, Rose Valentine, had always been the epitome of an ordinary commoner, never stepping out of the sphere of being just another dot in society.

Somehow, I ended up becoming somewhat of a keychain, practically attached at hip, and the imprinted Guide of Claude, who’s second only to the president in terms of fame in this country.

But people don’t change overnight, and I still had my ways of living.

I still find other Guides difficult.

Though misunderstandings have been cleared and it wouldn’t be bad to get somewhat close to them, I staunchly maintain my distance, treating them like work colleagues.

We might share meals and chat at work, but personal phone numbers are strictly off-limits.

I had long given up on winning the affection of other Guides.

I was a Guide who evaded registration and shirked my guiding duties. And then, without the Center’s approval, becoming the scandalous imprinted Guide of Claude, no less.

Even without Shana stirring things up, I doubted any Guide would like me. I had lived well enough without friends anyway, so it didn’t matter much to me.

…But lately, I’ve started to feel that might not be entirely true.

“Hi Rose!”

“Yes? Oh, hi…”

“Me too, I want to say hi. Good morning, Rose.”

On my way to the Guide Division for classes, I encountered Guides who greeted me warmly.

I was used to being pointed at from a distance and whispered about among themselves, but this reaction was new.

At first, I suspected it was a sophisticated strategy to mock me.

However, the strange change in the Guides’ behavior didn’t stop there.

Upon arriving at the classroom and attempting to sit in any available seat, someone already seated raised their hand in recognition.

It was Epine and Simeyez.

“Rose, here, we saved a spot for you. Sit with us.”

“…?”

Lately, they had been reserving my spot as if it were a given. It was overwhelmingly awkward, but I had no reason to refuse.

Reluctantly, I took a seat between them, and Simeyez, as if we had been best friends all along, struck up a conversation.

“Rose, did you bring your packed lunch today, looking like a country mouse who just arrived in the city?”

“No…”

“Carrying that lunchbox as big as your torso every time, it’s just too cute!”

…Let’s not talk about it. I resigned myself to the situation.

But then, Epine gave me a look that I couldn’t ignore.

“…What?”

“Rose, you know, I came thirty minutes early today for class. You’re so smart but always come early, so I thought I should at least try to be earlier than you to make some progress. Oh, and today is the first time I brought all my books? I’m really going to study properly. I want to be a guide I can be proud of, too.”

“…?”

“What do you think?”

I want to be the one asking questions.

Why are they doing this to me…?

As I was seriously contemplating any excuse to naturally leave their company, a savior came to my rescue.

“Rose, do you have a moment before class?”

“Yes! Absolutely! I do!”

The person hesitantly calling me from the entrance of the classroom was none other than Demona, a fellow office worker from the Guide Division.

Whatever she’s calling me for, it didn’t matter. Leaving behind a disappointed Epine and Simeyez, I quickly followed Demona.

Expecting her to quickly relay her message and leave, Demona surprisingly took me to a staff-only lounge for a quiet conversation between the two of us.

“Hey, Rose. You like this, right? Have some.”

Then, she awkwardly offered me a chocolate bar with a smile.

I immediately became suspicious, much like when a boss offers coffee just before leaving work for no apparent reason.

After all, while people who give you food are generally nice, Demona had never given me something like this without a reason before.

“Hehe, Rose. I’ve heard you’ve adapted perfectly to life as a Guide recently. Not missing out on any excellence awards among the Guides. Your reputation is good among them too.”

“…”

“Actually, I had already expected you to do well. From the office worker entrance exam, your scores were outstanding, and you’ve always had excellent performance. Did you know the seniors were quite jealous of you? Lazy, lacking ambition, acting like you’re missing a screw but still delivering flawless work so they couldn’t scold you? Hehe.”

Demona’s praise only deepened my suspicion.

…Isn’t it typical for superiors to sweet-talk you before asking you to do something absolutely tedious and troublesome?