Chapter 45
What do I do.
What do I do?
What do I do?!
I must have been caught. It’s clear.
The guiding was faint, like a spiderweb brushing against the skin, and it was just a momentary contact.
But if I, who initiated the guiding, felt it so distinctly, how could Claude, who experienced it, not notice?
Last time, even the briefest touch on his forehead made him relentlessly track me down.
It’s harder to deny this time. Unlike before, this happened when both of us were completely aware.
…Or maybe not?
Since it was really just a fleeting moment, maybe I could brazen it out, claim Claude is mistaken, and ask why he’s accusing an innocent person.
After all, even if we touch again, the guiding might not work, right?
I didn’t even think about not showing any signs.
I was in a complete panic. My mind was spinning so fast I couldn’t grasp a single coherent thought.
Then, suddenly, my arm was grasped.
Trembling, I looked up to see Claude asking,
“What did you say?”
His face showed none of the expected exhilaration of finally finding his Guide.
Instead, he looked annoyed by the noise of people and fireworks, upset that he couldn’t hear me.
I was momentarily stunned.
…Wait, could it be that he didn’t catch on?
When I didn’t respond, Claude’s brows furrowed.
Seeing that, I realized.
I hadn’t been caught…!
The tension drained out of me in an instant, and I almost collapsed, but I held myself up, using the arm Claude was gripping.
I waved my hand dismissively to show I was fine.
When I did that, his brows shot up in displeasure.
I thought I’d surely been caught, but it seems Claude’s severe aversion saved me.
Unlike the last time when the guiding happened, he was now in a crowded and noisy place. Therefore, his discomfort from the environment overshadowed the pleasure of the guiding.
Knowing Claude, he wouldn’t pretend not to notice if he did.
…Unless I was dismembered and locked away somewhere.
A shiver ran down my spine.
Regardless, Claude tugged on the arm he was holding.
I stumbled forward, his face suddenly very close to mine.
“It was too noisy so I couldn’t hear. What did you say?
“Ah, I didn’t say anything important. What does it matter?”
“Why did you stop talking…”
“I said I wanted to go home, okay?”
I must never confess.
How his actions seemed like those of someone who liked me, and how it confused me.
I was almost on the verge of creating an embarrassing history for myself, influenced by the atmosphere.
Festivals. Fireworks. Loving couples.
Being in an environment full of unfamiliar things must have messed with my head.
…Anyway.
“Um, can you let go of me now?”
“…”
My arm was still firmly grasped, our faces too close, our bodies almost clinging to each other.
Even though it’s a narrow alley, do we need to be this close?
He’s supposed to be a man with severe mysophobia.
“Lord Claude?”
“Let’s go back, then.”
“Really?”
“…Yes.”
Claude sighed as he spoke, still holding onto my arm.
“It seems hard to get through this crowd. Are you going to teleport us?”
“…Yes.”
I was relieved, given how sore my legs were. But suddenly, anxiety followed.
“…Alone?”
“What?”
“I mean, are you going to coldly leave me here alone or show some magnanimity and take me with you?”
Considering he once tried to leave me behind in a collapsing cave.
I wished he would take me along, even if I had to endure another disaster.
Desperately trying to look pitiful and exhausted, I grumbled.
Suddenly, laughter scattered above my head.
Claude was genuinely laughing.
Not a sarcastic chuckle, but real laughter.
“?”
He shook his head, chuckling, as if thinking, ‘What a peculiar situation.’
Whatever the reason, it was the first time I saw Claude laugh. Curious and astonished, I stared at him.
“Oh, why are you laughing…”
Still holding my arm, he wrapped his other arm around my back, pulling me closer into his embrace.
Hunched over and with my head down, he whispered to me with a laughter-tinged voice.
“We’re leaving together. Just the two of us.”
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