Becoming the Guide of the Mysophobic Villain? Absolutely Not! - Chapter 200

“…No, I don’t believe in that stuff.”

Even as I muttered to myself, trying to convince myself, my pace quickened. Eventually, I was almost running, my heart pounding as if it would burst from my chest.

Then, finally, I saw the house in the distance and felt a sense of relief.

But just then, something sprang from the bushes and grabbed me.

“Ack!”

I had no chance to resist. I was pulled along by an overwhelming force.

* * *

“Now you’re even stalking me?”

Seeing my furious glare, Daniel flinched.

The person who had waited for me and dragged me here like a kidnapper was none other than Daniel.

“S-Sorry. I didn’t mean anything bad. I thought it might be awkward if someone saw and misunderstood, and it would put you in a difficult position…”

“Intentions don’t matter! An Esper following a guide in the dead of night, do you think that’s something to brag about?”

“I’m sorry…!”

I ground my teeth in frustration. I was utterly exhausted. There was a limit to how much fear one could endure.

For the past few days, I have been plagued by nightmares. But waking up was even more of a nightmare.

I would flinch and shudder at any shadow cast over me. I felt like Daniel had come to finally blackmail me.

I had already sensed from the way his gaze lingered on me a few days ago that no matter how much I avoided him, he would find a way to contact me.

But Daniel chose the worst possible way.

As soon as the fear that had gripped my heart subsided, all I felt was sheer anger.

“Fine! I’m not imprinted! I lied about it because I’m a mutant Guide who can’t guide properly anyway! Report me if you want! Or do you also want to use me like a spare battery?”

“S-Spare battery…?”

“So what, you wanna do XX and XX to me too?”

“…What?”

“Or are you wishing you could XX and XX with me? All the way to XXX and then XXX while XXX…”

The strategy of feigning ignorance was forgotten at that moment.

After spending enough time listening to Claude’s dirty talk, I had absorbed it without realizing it. Even though I always covered my ears and shuddered when I heard it, it had apparently stuck in my brain. Now, obscene words were flowing out of my mouth without passing through my brain.

As I continued, Daniel’s face turned increasingly pale to the point that he looked blue.

“M-Miss Rose, please…!”

Daniel hastily covered my mouth with his gloved hand. I struggled and resisted fiercely.

Let go! I still have more to say!

“Please, Miss Rose…! I swear, I never even dreamed of such things…! If you want, I’ll promise right now that I’ll never seek guiding from you again!”

…Never?

My sanity slowly returned.

As I suddenly stopped resisting and calmed down, Daniel, almost in tears, continued.

“How could I ever think such things… Whether you are imprinted or not, you are the Guide of the person I respect most… Where did you even learn such low and vulgar words…?”

…From the person you respect the most, of course. None other than the great and almighty Lord Claude.

I stopped myself from revealing the truth. It seemed like Daniel’s mental state couldn’t handle any more shocks.

“Then why have you been following me around and bothering me?”

Still suspicious, I asked. Daniel’s face looked genuinely hurt.

“I told you… I just thought we needed to talk.”

“…What about?”

“That time… I was surprised too, but I have since tried to piece things together. You haven’t been imprinted with Lord Claude, but it has been publicly announced that you are. Now that he’s away, you’re afraid that the truth will come out, aren’t you?”

…That’s right. He hit the nail on the head.

When I fell silent, Daniel sighed and spoke with determination.

“I will keep your secret.”