Side Story 17
***
“Um, so what you’re saying is…”
I hesitated, rolling my eyes around before cautiously speaking again.
“…You want to be my Guide, right?”
“No, Rose.”
Who does this guy think he is, calling me by my name so casually?
I wanted to ask that, but I didn’t dare. The man in front of me was just too terrifying.
Sure, I’m an F-Class Esper, which is hardly impressive, but I’m still an Esper at the end of the day. And even though I’m small, I’ve managed to hold my own well enough to defeat most non-ability men.
But this guy in front of me? He’s a different story. I could already tell I’d lose without a fight.
The man towering over me cast a long shadow across my head. I was small—too small—and he was massive. His size felt like it was two, maybe even two and a half times mine.
So, yeah. It was probably best to stay polite.
“I didn’t say I’d just be your Guide. I said, ‘I’ll be your exclusive Guide.’”
“….”
The guy, with his obviously Esper-like physique, was actually a Guide. Unbelievable.
As he said it, a crooked smile spread across his red lips, as if he was certain I wouldn’t dare refuse him—how arrogant.
Exclusive Guide, huh?
An F-Class Esper doesn’t have much power, so there’s no risk of losing control. If I don’t get guided, well… I might get a fever, or feel chills, maybe something like that. But it’s never unbearable. Plus, I can still get regular guiding sessions from the Center about every two weeks.
But what is an exclusive Guide?
If the unattainable dream for Espers is imprinting, then a more realistic dream is having an exclusive Guide. It means having someone who, even though they might also participate in other Espers’ regular guiding, can be available to you at any time.
It’s an over-the-top luxury for an F-Class Esper like me.
“So, um, what should I call you…?”
“…You don’t know who I am?”
The man asked, incredulous. His previously relaxed face suddenly tightened in annoyance. His expression became so fierce, my Esper pride crumbled instantly.
What kind of Guide looks this terrifying…?
“Ha, Rose. You’re an Esper. Why are you scared of me…?”
“…”
“Claude. Claude Denhardt,” he said, forcing a smile, though annoyance still lingered on his face.
I definitely can’t afford to forget his name now…
“So, Sir Claude… Maybe you’ve mistaken me for someone else…?”
“Rose Valentine. F-Class Esper. It’s you.”
“Oh. Um.”
…But why?
F-Class Espers are often overlooked, even by other Espers. While we have powers, they’re hardly stronger than a well-trained ordinary person.
Most high-ranking Guides don’t even bother with us, thinking we’re not worth their time.
Does he want to play some twisted version of the princess and the pauper?
“Well, thank you… I guess.”
“Right, Rose. So from now on, I’ll be the only one guiding you…”
“But I don’t really need an exclusive Guide.”
“…What?”
I couldn’t bring myself to meet his now-dangerously intense gaze, so I avoided his eyes. How could anyone see this guy as a Guide…?
“Rose.”
“Y-Yes…?”
“I’m an S-Class Guide. And I just told you I’m offering to be your exclusive Guide.”
“…Whoa.”
So he’s an S-Class Guide.
The one and only S-Class Guide in all of Arteon. The one who caused a stir at the Center just by manifesting.
No wonder he didn’t seem like an ordinary Guide.
…But why on earth would an S-Class Guide want to be an exclusive Guide to an F-Class Esper like me?
Does he just have too much spare time?
“But… I’m F-Class, so I don’t really need that level of guiding…”
“…”
“And besides, I already have a friend who’s a Guide. They’ve been helping me plenty…”
“What?”
“Eek!”
Claude’s red eyes flared dangerously.
Suddenly, his massive hand grabbed my shoulders, gripping them tightly.
He leaned in, practically trapping me between his arms and his body, glaring down at me as if he were ready to devour me.
That already menacing face had become downright terrifying. If there were a contest for “staring someone to death,” Claude would win first place, hands down.
“Who. Dares. To. Guide. You.”
His voice was low and seething, like he was grinding the words between his teeth. I squeezed my eyes shut and shouted back,
“I-It’s Irene!”
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