Chapter 4
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As such, he stood at the center of much attention. Among the countless rumors surrounding him was also the tale of his intimate relationship with Meliano’s direct superior, Collette R. Verna.
No matter how I look at him, he seems dangerous.
Meliano gnawed at his lip. The man who had nearly crushed his hand was now speaking once more to his senior.
“Somerset.”
Just as Meliano cast a narrowed gaze at Valerian, Collette’s call made him open his eyes wide.
“Yes, Senior. Shall we head to the lab now?”
“No. Would you mind going ahead first?”
“Excuse me? Alone?”
Meliano looked at her with an expression that plainly asked, We’re returning together, aren’t we? What is this about? Collette offered an awkward smile.
“I have some business with Valen. Go on ahead.”
“But…”
“I’ll help you with your experiment later.”
Having told him to go ahead and prepare the experiment, and that she would buy coffee for the other seniors as well, Collette turned her back without a trace of hesitation.
“Let’s go, Valen.”
“All right.”
As Collette carefully tugged at his sleeve, Valerian gently detached her hand and took the lead, walking ahead.
I only gave a slight tug, and he can’t even tolerate that? Pouting, Collette followed Valerian out of the plaza.
* * *
The place Valerian led Collette was his office. A space granted to the Team Leaders of the Labyrinth Exploration Squad—unlike the researchers’ laboratories, cluttered with all manner of odds and ends, this room held only a desk for paperwork and a reception sofa.
Our lab is overflowing with all sorts of junk.
It was a clean, tidy space, much like its owner.
“Sit for a moment.”
“Mm.”
Sitting demurely on the sofa, Collette followed Valerian’s movements with her eyes. He was rummaging through his desk drawer. What was he taking out?
“Here it is.”
“……?”
Rising from his seat, he walked toward the sofa. Collette tilted her head in curiosity. In both hands, he carried a document envelope and something that rustled.
Could that be the exploration report?
Perhaps he had hastened his return to show it to her early, knowing she would have to read it eventually anyway. Not that she minded—she was always glad to see Valen’s face.
“Is that what you wanted to give me?”
“Yes.”
Valerian set the document envelope down on the sofa table and rubbed the back of his neck. A habit of his whenever he felt sheepish or embarrassed.
“I wanted to give it to you this morning, but I was detained by the Tower Master. So I’m giving it to you now.”
So he had even returned in the morning. He hadn’t pushed himself more than usual, had he?
As Collette gazed at Valerian with worried eyes, he, feeling her stare, sat down beside her. The sofa sank under his weighty frame, tilting Collette’s body toward him.
“I didn’t overexert myself. This Labyrinth’s difficulty was not particularly high, and thanks to the Labyrinth compass you developed, the initial breakthrough time was significantly shortened.”
“If that’s the case, then I’m relieved…”
As her shoulder touched Valerian’s arm, Collette stole a glance at him. He was fiddling with something rustling in his hand. Is this much contact acceptable?
Warm. The heat radiating from his high body temperature slowly flushed her cheeks like ripening strawberries. Through the point of contact, she could feel the tension in his arm.
As she sat pressed against him, her heart pounding, something was brought to her lips.
“Ah.”
“Ah…?”
Opening her mouth, Collette accepted it like a fledgling bird, not even knowing what it was. The sweet-and-sour apple flavor that immediately spread across her tongue made her green eyes go wide.
“It’s delish!”
Saliva pooling in her mouth, Collette rolled the candy over her tongue. Her pronunciation was muddled as a result, but she had no time to feel embarrassed. As the apple flavor faded from the candy’s surface, this time a milk chocolate taste emerged.
“I’m glad you find it delicious.”
“……”
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