Becoming the Guide of the Mysophobic Villain? Absolutely Not! - Chapter 176

* * *

‘Claude.’

Oscar smirked, his legs casually crossed. He knew how to make himself appear more charming.

‘I’ve met with all the female Espers in Esper Hall at least once… It’s starting to get boring now. So, I thought I’d broaden my choices.’

‘….’

‘To keep things interesting, it has to be someone as exceptional as you, right?’

After saying what he wanted to say, Oscar stood up.

Then he gently touched Claude’s shoulder, who was kneeling in front of him, comforting him as if to soothe him, but actually tormenting him.

Oscar wasn’t his usual flippant self.

Now, he was a true homme fatale. His charm was so magnetic that it was impossible to look away.

In front of Oscar like that, Claude was utterly helpless.

Claude’s arms wrapped tightly around Oscar’s waist. His desperate hands moved like a snake across Oscar’s back.

Oscar, impressed, leaned into him with a smile.

Their lips were close enough to nearly touch.

While they were doing that, what was I doing…?

…Nothing. I was just a scarecrow watching them in a dream!

Even knowing it was a dream, I was so upset that tears nearly fell.

I wanted to shout ‘No way!’, but I couldn’t. After all, what can a scarecrow say!

While I was internally struggling, their lips almost touched…

“Rose!”

“Ahh—!”

I was jolted awake by the rough shaking. I gasped, momentarily confused.

As my eyes adjusted to the darkness, I faintly saw Claude who had awakened me.

Whew, tears formed out of frustration.

…I’d understand if it were Shana, but how could I get so worked up over Oscar, whom I hadn’t even suspected?

The fact that it was all just a dream was no consolation at all.

As I looked up at him resentfully, his face grew very serious.

“Did you have a nightmare?”

A nightmare, indeed. For me, for Claude, for Oscar.

I thought it would be okay because it involved Oscar. They had already held hands, even come close to kissing.

Even in both cases, I was the one who egged Claude on. I watched it all happen right in front of me, how much they detested each other’s touch.

But Oscar in my dream, skillfully wrapping Claude around his finger without fluttering like a pigeon…

Overwhelmed, my eyes welled up again.

Claude, clueless about the reason, suddenly slid his hand inside my pajama top.

He chuckled as he stroked my clammy stomach.

“What kind of sweat is this…”

“….”

“Wait. I’ll get you some water…”

“Take me with you on the deployment!”

He paused as he was pulling his hand back.

“…I thought that conversation was over.”

I insisted, ignoring his reaction.

“Do you know what dream I just had? If you heard it, you’d find it dreadful too!”

“What did you dream about?”

“…I don’t want to say.”

I replied sulkily, and a vein throbbed on Claude’s forehead.

However, he soon sighed and admonished me.

“Rose. We agreed and I promised. No guiding from anyone other than Oscar.”

“….”

Yes, I had promised.

But how could I now say that I couldn’t even accept Oscar, after all that? I couldn’t bring myself to say such childish things, so I pushed him away and got up.

“Rose.”

“….”

Picking up only my pillow, I left the bedroom, ignoring the sound of Claude sighing behind me.

I locked myself in my bedroom, the room I use alone.

This all happened on the dawn of his departure day.

* * *

I took the pillow but there was no way I could sleep. I spent the night wide awake, and by the time morning came, I was glaring at the firmly closed door.

I thought I’d feel better if I didn’t see him, but it seemed like a mistake. My hearing was sharpened, and I could hear Claude preparing outside.

As the time for his departure approached, he finally came to my door after finishing all his preparations.

Despite feeling his presence right through the door, he didn’t do anything for a long while. He was hesitating.

Eventually, he knocked on my door gently.

I should have greeted him with a calm face so both of us could feel better, but I was stubborn. I didn’t want to see his face just then.

He turned away when I didn’t respond, his footsteps gradually fading.

Until finally, the heavy sound of the front door opening and closing echoed through the apartment.