Chapter 42
“Eh… Well, yeah… It’s better than being alone, right?”
“From now on, there won’t be any need for that. You, keep walking.”
Claude said it flatly, cutting off any further discussion.
…So, did they get fired after all?
A pointy resentment pricked at me.
Since that day, Claude hadn’t really punished me. I assumed he let things slide because of Shana…
But it seemed he couldn’t forgive the Logs, perhaps because they’d chatted with me and taken my side. How petty can you get, despite their intimidating size?
Soon, I grew tired of it all.
“Eh… sure, whatever. When have you ever not had your way?”
Maybe getting fired by Claude would be a relief.
I did want to get to know Log 1 better, though.
The festival hadn’t even started, and I was already longing to go home, lost in my thoughts.
Snapping out of it, I realized Claude was glaring down at me with a fierce look.
“…You.”
“Yes, yes!”
“Don’t let your guard down, or you’ll regret it.”
“Yes, I’m alert now!”
Claude growled and turned away.
What an attitude…
I rolled my eyes behind his back… and then felt another gaze.
This time it was Shana.
I subtly averted my eyes.
This was probably going to be the least enjoyable festival of my life.
***
Claude and Shana walked a few steps ahead of me, side by side, enjoying the festival.
I followed them at a distance, which meant I unwillingly learned and saw things I didn’t want to.
For instance… Shana subtly trying to initiate physical contact with Claude.
She’d grab his elbow to lead him somewhere or gently nudge his shoulder while laughing.
Of course, Claude was fully covered from neck down, not an inch of skin exposed.
Part of me hoped Claude would recoil. To see Shana, high and mighty, feel embarrassed.
Indeed, whenever Shana grabbed his arm, Claude didn’t last long before pulling away.
But he didn’t show the same level of discomfort he did with me or even Oscar.
Witnessing my boss’s budding romance was an unwanted and uncomfortable sight, but I had no choice.
“Ugh, if you’re gonna be like this, why didn’t you just call the Log Espers instead of me anyway…”
I grumbled to myself as I followed Claude and Shana. They eventually stopped in front of a street skewer stall.
To my surprise, Claude was ordering two skewers. Incredible.
“Oh my, Lord Claude, you eat street food too?” Shana commented, sounding amused.
It was indeed unexpected. Claude, known for his mysophobia and preference for private dining, buying something at a street food stall?
He paid for the skewers without responding to Shana’s question.
“The perfect couple, aren’t you? You two match so well. Are you dating?”
The skewer stall owner kept praising them as he handed over chicken and pork skewers. Claude’s refusal to take the change seemed to have pleased him.
Shana happily took a skewer from the owner.
“Thank you. We’ll enjoy it.”
“…”
“…Street food like this is a rare treat, isn’t it?”
She should have just taken the skewer. Instead, she subtly stroked Claude’s arm while expressing her gratitude.
I was just watching from behind, but I got startled when Claude’s eyes met mine.
He didn’t push Shana away.
Instead…
“Here.”
“…”
“…”
“For me?”
At first, I was so confused I had to ask.
Claude looked at me as if I was an idiot. ‘Who else but you?’ his expression seemed to say.
Claude had bought two skewers. One for Shana and the other not for himself but… for me?
That was odd. Why would he do that?
“…Don’t you want it?”
He asked, raising an eyebrow in confusion.
“Oh, no, I’ll eat it!”
“Take it.”
“Actually, if you’re offering, could I have a lamb skewer instead…?”
I braced myself for his reaction, but surprisingly, Claude just gestured to the stall owner to prepare what I wanted.
Yay! I’m excited!
Shana’s previously happy face twisted in an instant, but I didn’t care.
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