Side Story 8
“……”
Claude pressed his lips together in silent displeasure, his face still full of dissatisfaction. I knew it was because of all the guilt he still carried from back then.
Sensing an opportunity, I pressed on.
“Ah, of course, I’d like to leave it alone since it’s her own doing, but there’s a complication. Recently, Lord Oscar has been making moves on Irene, right? But seriously, does that even make sense objectively? Lord Oscar and Irene? How could Oscar possibly think he has a chance with her? And yet, that unbelievable thing is happening. If no one steps in while she’s out of her mind due to the lack of guiding, even Irene could fall into his clutches…”
As I rambled on, Claude rolled his eyes. He had the exact expression of someone who had no idea what I was talking about.
“Are you even listening to me?”
After a brief silence, he finally let out a sigh and replied.
“…Fine.”
“Huh?”
His sudden permission was so unexpected that I was left bewildered.
“…Are you serious? I can really do it?”
“Do it. If you can.”
It didn’t sound like he was challenging me with a sarcastic Go ahead, try if you dare. It was more like… a scoff, as if to say, Do you really think you’ll be able to guide her?
…Whatever it was, it felt insulting.
“You’re not going to change your mind later, right? I’m really going to do it?”
“Yeah, sure.”
Wow, this was a first!
I quickly hugged him and nuzzled my cheek against his. Only then did he let out a small chuckle.
Anyway, with his permission secured, I decided to strike while the iron was hot. Not long after, I met up with Irene again and guided her.
But what I didn’t expect was how Claude would be so furious about it…
***
I confessed to Irene. I told her that I hadn’t actually imprinted on anyone, so I could guide her.
As expected, Irene flat-out rejected me. She wasn’t desperate enough yet. Well, she’s never been one with much of an appetite anyway.
“Stop being stubborn and take it while I’m offering. I got permission this time, but who knows when Lord Claude will change his mind again. You may not know this, but all the Espers I’ve guided before said my guiding was absolutely divine…”
“Oh really? Espers you’ve guided before—plural? So there’s more than one besides Lord Claude, huh?”
“……”
“Let’s see. The only Esper you’ve had any interaction with, aside from Lord Claude, would be… Lord Daniel?”
“……”
“Huh, looks like Lord Claude’s more easy-going than I thought. He let both you and Lord Daniel live.”
This… this terrifying woman…
Even with her hand pressed against her forehead like she had a headache, Irene was still Irene. In just a few words, she’d uncovered the secret I was planning to take to my grave.
“Enough! Just take it!”
Before she could figure out anything else, I pounced on Irene.
Um, that sounds strange, but what I mean is I wrestled her down, pulled off her clothes, and touched her bare skin.
Hmm, that sounds even worse, doesn’t it? Anyway.
Of course, I couldn’t physically overpower Irene since she’s an S-Class Esper. I couldn’t even beat her before her awakening. There’s just too much of a difference in reach between us.
But ever since she became an Esper, she hasn’t treated me roughly. If anything, she finds me even more insignificant and laughable now that she’s awakened as an S-Class Esper.
Apparently, she sees me as nothing more than a flimsy straw in the wind. I guess overprotectiveness is a common trait among S-Class Espers.
Naturally, Irene panicked and tried to push me away. But when I winced and said, “Wait, my ankles…” she froze up.
Of course, it was a complete fake, but after that, she seemed too worried to resist, letting me do as I pleased. The guiding went smoothly after that.
Feeling quite accomplished after doing a good deed, I reported back to Claude on my way home…
“The guiding… worked?”
…I didn’t expect Claude to look so grim.
“Say it again. Did it really work?”
Claude growled, glaring at me with a menacing look.
I was confident. After all, I had his permission. So I carefully repeated myself.
“Well, it didn’t work right away… but after trying a few things here and there, it finally did.”
At first, I didn’t even realize he was angry. Honestly, I was pretty proud and a bit excited.
“But I have to say, my guiding must be really something, huh? It’s the first time I’ve ever seen Irene like that.”
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