Chapter 85
I answered with a snort.
“Ah, that wouldn’t be it. I asked him about that just in case.”
“Oh, you did? What did that guy say?”
“He said that even if I didn’t gain weight, the Espers wouldn’t be particularly interested in me.”
“How could he say something so harsh!”
Azir was shocked, covering his mouth with his hands.
…Now that I think about it, I’m getting upset again.
I was initially indignant, but I completely forgot about it due to the sweet kiss that followed.
Azir was restless, trying to console me.
“Rose, don’t mind it. That punk Claude doesn’t understand what he’s talking about.”
“…Yeah, well.”
“What does a Guide’s appearance matter to Espers? As long as the guiding works, they wouldn’t care if the partner was a person or a piglet. Once your identity as a Guide is revealed, Espers will line up for you.”
“…That’s such a comforting thought.”
“Ah, well. Anyway, maybe making you unattractive isn’t the goal. But there must be some other intention. Everything that guy does has a reason, I’m telling you.”
After pondering for a moment, Azir suddenly exclaimed,
“Maybe he was trying to increase the surface area for guiding?”
“Eh? What?”
“Well, Claude is really big, right? And you are…”
“…You better watch your words.”
“Um, fairy-like and precious?”
He was trying his best.
When I encouraged him to continue, Azir sighed with relief and went on,
“Guiding is conducted through physical contact, right? If you’re small and thin, the surface area is less, making the guiding insufficient. But since you’re already an adult and can’t grow taller, he made you gain weight instead! To compensate for the short vertical length by increasing the horizontal width!”
“How could that be!”
This time, I was the one shocked, covering my mouth.
It was a shocking claim. Gaining weight to increase the guiding surface area?
Could a human be so unscrupulous?
Yet, I couldn’t dismiss Azir’s words as mere nonsense. There were too many moments when I couldn’t understand why Claude was so serious about my meals.
Every time I asked, Claude just smiled and didn’t answer.
I suddenly remembered how Claude used to prod my cheeks, asking if I had food stored in there.
The scolding to lose weight didn’t make sense when he always had a pleased smile on his face while doing it.
Could it all have been because…
My confused expression made Azir thump his chest in frustration.
“Ugh, Rose, you’re too naive. You don’t know the depth of his malice yet. He’s the devil. He doesn’t do anything lightly. Most of what he’s shown you while being with you was probably pretense.”
…Indeed.
During our time living together, the one thing Claude was excessively obsessive about was my meals and snacks.
He would prepare all sorts of delicacies and watch from across the table until I finished every last bite.
Unless he’s a fan of mukbangs, it’s unlikely he finds watching someone eat that entertaining. Could there really be another reason?
What is Claude’s true nature?
When did the man who used to shudder and push me away as if touched by filthy sludge change his attitude?
Suddenly, the thought that Azir’s ridiculous hypothesis might be true crept into my mind.
Thump, thump, thump.
My heart pounded heavily.
“Though I sold you out because I was afraid of his threats… I haven’t had a single day without guilt. I’m sorry to my fiancée, but I thought I had to reveal the truth to you, even risking my life! To save you from his evil clutches!”
Azir clenched his fist and said this.
I rubbed my uneasy chest and asked,
“…How are you going to help me?”
“Leave that to me! I’ll take care of everything. You just need to follow me.”
I was anxious. Should I listen to Azir? Shouldn’t I hear Claude’s side too?
I thought his threatening was not serious, just mischief. Despite his words, his eyes and touch were always gentle and tender.
Maybe he truly cared for me.
But if all my misconceptions were part of his calculated plan?
“Come on, Rose!” Azir urged.
Irene advised me that Claude wouldn’t let me go anyway, so I shouldn’t bother trying to escape and should just resign myself.
But if there really was a way out as confidently as Azir claimed?
And if there’s no next chance? He couldn’t use a Code Black excuse twice.
“…I’ll go!”
“Good choice.”
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