Chapter: 328
“Hehe. I didn’t expect the Young Lady to have such a cute side.”
“You could just accept my thanks since I did put in some effort.”
“Lucy, are you shy?”
“Yeah, this guy is a shy one.”
As soon as I finished my posture, I was dragged into the private room of the Academy, surrounded by these four, having to listen to all kinds of chatter.
Normally, they’d have forced me to shut up by now, but unfortunately, I was currently in a perfect position of being a subordinate.
If they changed their minds and decided to give me some dreadful punishment, I’d have to suffer even more humiliation.
Not wanting the situation to worsen, I clenched my fists and kept silent.
And this situation isn’t entirely bad for me.
Sure, their misunderstandings are embarrassing, but isn’t it true that because of those misunderstandings, Arthur and his party feel indebted to me?
If I just endure this annoying feeling for a little while, the severity of the punishment I’ll receive might decrease.
It’s fine. This is nothing!
I’ve faced life-and-death situations countless times; this is just a slight annoyance.
It’s not painful. It’s not scary. There’s no risk of death. It’s just that my head is a bit heated—can’t I handle that?
“Look at this. You’re not saying anything out of fear of what we might make you do.”
“A shy and cowardly one.”
“You’re really cute like this. I’m looking forward to dressing up the Young Lady later.”
“Joy, would it be alright if I also joined in on that?”
“Of course! In my dreams…”
Ugh, I can’t take it anymore.
Just as I lost my sanity, I raised my head with a laugh.
“What’s this, Lucy Allen? All of a sudden.”
“The immature Pitiful Prince being so full of himself is a bit annoying. The one who couldn’t even make eye contact in the morning is now calling himself shy? Heh heh. How can I stand this?”
“W-what are you talking about?! I was just at that time!”
“Not true? Really? Hehe.”
“…”
“Pervert♡ How disgusting! I feel like throwing up!♡”
Arthur’s face turned red, and he fumbled his lips, not knowing what to say, unable to retort.
That’s one down.
Next, should I sink Frey, who’s quickly switching tactics to tease Arthur?
“So the Prince is a Pervert?”
“Hahaha♡ Dumb Knight♡ Who would think you’re not a Pervert?♡”
“…Huh?”
“Are you trying to provoke me?♡”
“No, I’m not like that…”
“Not like that?♡ Then why did you run away like a shy girl last time?♡ I’m very curious, so please answer!♡”
Frey couldn’t find a place to look and ultimately buried her face in her hands.
That’s two down.
As I turned my head sharply, Joy and Phoebe quickly averted their eyes.
What’s this? Did they just now become aware that they’ve crossed a line?
Too late for that! Just because you keep quiet now won’t erase everything that’s happened!
You will face the consequences of your deeds!
“Oh, Foolish Young Lady♡ You’re happy because you made a friend, but you should tone it down!♡ If you keep this up, I’ll just call you Foolish from now on!♡”
“I-I wasn’t that excited!”
“Hmm♡ Is that so?♡”
“Of course! As the center of numerous Young Ladies, I wouldn’t get excited over something like this.”
“Then I don’t need to be friends, right?♡”
“…”
“Do you really not need me?♡ You don’t have to play with a Foolish one, right?♡”
“…Sniff. No, I’m sorry! I got excited and made a mistake!”
“Hahaha♡ That’s all I needed to hear!♡ It’s cute that the Foolish one is Foolish!♡”
Now, just one left.
I turned my head slightly aside and saw a flushed Phoebe.
“Sloppy Saintess?♡”
“Yayyy!”
“Hehe♡ Can you consider yourself a Saintess? Aren’t you sorry for the believers who trust you?♡”
“I’ll repent right now! I’m sorry!”
Looking around at the four of them who couldn’t lift their heads for their respective reasons, I felt a sense of satisfaction.
Future matters? That’ll be handled by my future self.
I don’t regret this action at all!
…No, actually, that’s a lie.
I seriously regret it a lot.
I feel like I’m increasingly getting devoured by the Mesugaki Skill. Why do I feel like my boiling point is getting lower?!
When compared to when I worked in the past, what these guys are doing is genuinely cute!
While lamenting my previous actions inwardly, I acted confidently outwardly.
What’s done is done!
The dice have been cast; I must push through!
I’ll weaken the penalty by pretending to be the dominant one!
“Pitiful Prince?…”
“Pitiful Prince! You still have much to say, but how long are you going to keep quiet? Have you forgotten how to speak?”
“…Yeah. I still have a lot to say.”
The gaze of Arthur, who slowly raised his head, was hot like someone vowing revenge.
Yeah. This really went downhill.
“Lucy Allen, you’ll remember what we agreed on when we succeeded in the strategy.”
“…Yup! I remember!”
“Do I look like a fool like the Pitiful Prince? Of course, I remember.”
“Then the conversation will be quick. We discussed what we would demand from you at length. Among them was the suggestion to just buy us dinner.”
“What?! Really?! That was a suggestion?!”
“Then you should’ve mentioned that earlier! If you did, I would’ve held back, thinking, ‘Thanks, thanks,’ no matter what you said!”
“But now it seems there’s no reason to bestow such mercy.”
As Arthur spoke in a heavy voice, Frey and Joy nodded their heads.
Phoebe looked hesitant, but against the sharp glares of the three, she didn’t seem able to resist and merely held her tongue.
“Lucy Allen, I’ll tell you our demands. Each of us will borrow a day from you. Simply put, for one day, you’ll have to follow the requests of whoever borrowed that day.”
“I already decided when I’d take my day. Young Lady.”
“Me too.”
“U-uh, same here. Young Lady.”
“Me too. I will inform you of my schedule, so prepare your heart in advance. Got it?”
As Arthur said he would make me regret this, I began to sweat as reminders rang in my ears.
What is it! What is it this time!
[The penalty has been determined.]
[You have to follow what they ask for one day.]
[Please do your best to complete the punishment.]
…
Damn you, you crappy piece of trash.
What?
You’re telling me to do my best?
To fulfill the punishment?
This is all your fault!
You caused all this!
What are you rambling about as if it doesn’t concern you!
Just wait! Shoddy God!
I’ll never forget this grudge!
I’ll definitely give you a fitting education later!
*
The next day, after the penalty was determined.
As usual, when I went to the training ground, it was Frey who welcomed me.
She usually stuck by my side, but today her steps seemed lighter than usual.
The reason was obvious. Today, this girl took my day.
Looking at Frey, who wandered around me like an excited puppy yet kept her expression unchanged, I couldn’t help but chuckle.
Hah. I wonder what she wants from me.
Last time I overheard her, she was thinking of asking for compliments, so could it be that she wants me to pamper her all day today?
If it’s that, I can do it as much as she wants. What’s so hard about saying a cute thing about a cute girl?
“Lucy. Lucy.”
“Why?”
“Why? Dumb Knight.”
“That’s not it. Today is different.”
“Different? You mean you want me to call you by name?”
“Okay. Repeat after me. Big Sis Frey.”
‘…What?’
“What?”
“Big Sis Frey. Hurry up.”
The request for me to call her Big Sis cluttered my mind.
It’s not that I have an aversion to the fact that I have to elevate Frey to that title.
When you’re in society, you often have to bow your head to someone much younger than you.
Using honorifics for someone of similar age is no big deal.
The problem lies in the very title itself.
Big Sis!
I’ve never uttered such words before!
I could say elder sister or older sister, but the title of Big Sis gives me a rejection instinct!
“Today, Lucy promised to listen to me. Hurry up.”
– Ding ding.
[You must follow the request.]
[If you refuse, the penalty may randomly add one of your nearby individuals.]
What does it mean to have an additional penalty imposed?
Does that mean I have to fulfill requests from someone other than these four?
Randomly picking from the nearby individuals means…
Don’t tell me.
Is there a possibility I might have to listen to the Sloppy Fox’s request?!
Gyaaah! Not that!
Fine! I get it! I’ll do it!
I’ll give it a try!
But if I fail because of this Mesugaki Skill, there’s nothing I can do, right?
That’s not a problem related to my will!
If I get taken down for this, I’ll really turn to the other side!
‘B-Big Sis Frey!’
“Big Sis Frey.”
Look! There’s no way this will be proper!…
Huh?
Huh-huh?
‘Big Sis Frey!’
“Big Sis Frey!”
…Did I just properly call Frey by her name? Right?
I didn’t say anything like Sloppy or Dumb, I called Frey properly!
Wondering if this is a dream, I pinched my cheeks and felt a clear pain, causing me to laugh.
This is real.
I really called someone’s name properly.
It’s not a twisted name, but the right name!
I don’t know why this is happening.
Is it because the compulsion of the Mesugaki Skill is less than the compulsion of the penalty?
Or maybe the Shoddy God did something?
I can’t even guess that far.
But what does it matter?
The only thing that matters right now is that I can call someone’s name properly.
“Big Sis Frey!”
Just the thought that I can say what I’m thinking out loud makes me so happy that I called Frey’s name again, realizing I could finally see her red cheeks.
What’s this? I thought she would be showing off, but why is she standing there blankly without saying anything?
Thud.
At the sound of something falling, I turned my head to see Joy and Phoebe, their eyes wide open, frozen in shock.
Isn’t it too early for them to be out in the training ground?
Why are they up so early?
“Young Lady!”
Suddenly, Joy jumped forward and grabbed my shoulders with both hands.
Surprised by her excited eyes, she hurriedly continued speaking.
“Me too! Call me Big Sis Joy! No! I’m fine with just calling me Joy!”
Huh? You want me to call you Joy?
…Oh.
Can I?
Since I just called Frey’s name correctly, could it be possible to do this too?
‘Joy?’
“What are you saying, Foolish Young Lady.”
As expected, it seems there’s no way it could be without the penalty.
“Hwaaah! Why can’t I!? The Young Lady Kent can, but why can’t I?!”
Looking at Joy who was tearing up, I couldn’t help but chuckle.
Excuse me.
More than anyone else, I want to call your name properly!
When the day comes that you get to ask me, I’ll call you nicely, so just bear with it for now?
And Phoebe, why do you look so disappointed?
Did you want your name to be called too?
While I was aghast at the two’s expressions, Frey, who regained her composure, butted in between me and Joy.
“Today, Lucy is mine. Get lost.”
“…Ughh. Just wait! Young Lady Kent! When it’s my turn, you won’t be able to see the Allen Young Lady!”
Joy?
What on earth are you trying to make me do?
I’m seriously feeling uneasy right now!
Please explain properly.
“Do as you please. As long as I can take Lucy home today, that’s all I need.”
…Frey?
Taking me home?!
What the heck does that mean!?
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