Chapter 23
Oscar, an A-Class Guide, was as rare as wild ginseng.
With his high rank and a charming handsome appearance, he was immensely popular among female Espers.
Oscar fully embraced that popularity without any reservations.
Also, it’s not an exaggeration to say that most female Espers had probably been guided by Oscar at least once.
It seemed like in the game, Irene’s story took the spotlight. So, I hadn’t expected any personal friendship between Oscar and Claude.
Of course… It seemed a bit one-sided. Even though Claude displayed his displeasure, Oscar paid that no mind.
Still, the fact that Claude didn’t throw Oscar out proved some level of friendship.
Oscar, with a playful smile, made jokes and, while doing so, spotted me huddled in a corner.
“Oh, who’s this, Claude? Summoning Guides so eagerly. Have you finally found a Guide who tickles your fancy?”
“No.”
“Oh! Then is this cute lady an Esper?”
Oscar’s brown eyes twinkled. Oscar approached me with a bouncy step.
“Ah, a charming lady with such cute pink hair… I couldn’t have missed such an attractive Esper. What’s your name?”
What’s going on? Is this guy hitting on me?
…Or is he just nice?
Blushing in this bizarre situation, I replied,
“Ro-Rose.”
“Oh, Rose! Your name is as lovely as your hair…”
“That lady is a non-ability person.”
Claude cut in with a chilly tone, interrupting Oscar’s words. Oscar froze in his tracks.
“Ah, what? Why is a non-ability person here?”
With a suddenly disinterested tone, Oscar grumbled.
What’s this? Did I just get rejected him without even a chance at a confession?
“Get lost, Oscar.”
“Hmm, alone with a non-ability, not an Esper or a Guide? Claude, is this your taste?”
Suddenly, Oscar’s face was right in front of mine. Whether he was examining every pore or something else, his eyes, full of curiosity, scanned me thoroughly.
No signs of the intense atmosphere between Claude and me were visible. While I was looking nervously at Oscar, Claude said,
“Don’t talk nonsense.”
A glint of gold tainted his icy expression.
What a guy. He fully clung onto me and begged for a kiss, yet he’s now acting like the very idea of being into me was horrifying.
Internally shocked, but unable to voice anything, I remained powerless.
“Hmm… Well, I guess for someone with your high standards. For a change, a girl you’re interested in…”
“…”
“…Is this tiny thing?”
Oscar, scanning me from head to toe, cheerfully remarked. It seemed surprising to him that Claude had a friend. It was possible only between such similar guys.
In the same way that I felt with Claude, I really want to punch the lights outta this cheeky guy.
Actually though, this guy was kinda my type. A slender physique, a cute eye smile and soft brown hair—totally up my alley…
Oh, wait?
…Brown?
“Are your ears even working? I said get lost.”
“Aww, aren’t we close though?”
“I remember!”
I raised my hand and shouted. The surprised gaze of the two men turned to me.
“Your Guide, I remembered just now!”
Fufu… Claude, you punk. Did life seem too smooth until now? You have to experience the bitterness of life to appreciate its sweetness, don’t you think?
After hearing my triumphant words, Oscar looked puzzled.
“Guide? What Guide? Claude, did you get a Guide?”
“…Who, who is it?”
Even Claude, who had been pressing me relentlessly to find his Guide, seemed frozen, his face clearly showing his shock.
In an unusually shaken expression, he urgently urged me to explain.
Even in the midst of this, the oblivious Oscar whined to Claude,
“You didn’t tell me such a thing. A Guide? You got a Guide?”
“Get lost.”
“Ugh!”
Oscar was suddenly flung into the air and was thrown out of the door. The door slammed shut, and Claude briskly approached me. I instinctively took a step back, but his long strides quickly cornered me against the wall.
A long shadow cast over my head, and my view was obscured by his firm chest.
“Who?”
He growled. It was a bit intimidating, but I tried to calmly respond.
“Just now, while talking, I realized something. The reason I didn’t feel anything special even after looking at countless female Guides! We were thinking too narrowly.”
“Cut the nonsense and speak plainly.”
“It’s Lord Oscar!”
“…What?”
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