Chapter: 43
Oppa, who said he would take a break, turned back several times and smiled awkwardly.
“It feels a bit strange to leave like this. Are you really okay without me?”
“Don’t worry. We actually have plenty of people.”
Running the booth was something for the club members to handle from the get-go, and thanks to Oppa’s request, we had some folks from the Three Kingdoms helping out, so we weren’t short on hands. With that in mind, I waved him off, and he eventually headed toward the cluster of other booths.
But he kept glancing back, so I just stood there until he was out of sight. It was a bit cute to see him hastening his pace as if he were escaping. He might get mad if I called him cute to his face, though.
Whoosh ‘In the end, he didn’t give me a real answer.’
Thinking about Oppa’s emotional armor made me smile bitterly.
I had told him countless times that I wanted to help, and I asked him to let me know if there was anything troubling him. Yet, every time, he just gave me different answers, and never once said he understood.
I wondered if it was because he thought I wouldn’t be useful or because he didn’t trust my capability. Even if that left me feeling a bit hurt, I didn’t take it too hard. Oppa was way more competent and impressive than I was. I didn’t realize at first, but later I found out he was an Executive Manager, and I was genuinely surprised.
That’s why I kept waiting for him to respond. I thought pushing him would come across as looking down on him. But after seeing how he was yesterday, I couldn’t just sit here doing nothing.
“Oppa…”
With a concerned heart, I called out to him, even though he had vanished. The Oppa I saw yesterday looked like he might burst at any moment, ready to collapse at the slightest touch.
On the outside, he showed no signs of distress. Oppa always appeared calm, after all. Because he never expressed what’s inside, no one noticed him rotting away. If I hadn’t ever seen someone like him, I wouldn’t have caught on.
The cookies I gave him yesterday were made to maximize sweetness, ignoring flair, just for him since he worked so hard. Even though he ate everything well, I wanted to give him something nice.
However, it was a misstep not to double-check the ingredients we always used at the booth. I only realized this morning, after running around like a headless chicken yesterday, that sugar and salt had been switched. Facepalm What an unfunny mistake to stumble upon!
Even if Oppa’s typically fine eating anything, handing him a chunk of salt while calling it sweet could lead to trouble. I thought he might get angry or at least laugh it off while saying it was way too salty.
“Um, it was delicious.”
Oppa’s reaction was… not what I expected. When he came by the booth this morning with hardly any reaction, I tried to probe a little, and he simply replied as if it was just normal. There’s no way that’s actually true…
“Hyung has always eaten everything well. Even the mansion’s chef said cooking for Hyung was the easiest.”
I remembered that line I heard from Erich. But this goes beyond merely eating everything well. I wanted to ask him in more detail, but Erich had just started getting close to him, and I didn’t want to create unnecessary worries.
‘Oppa.’
Poke poke “Are you really okay?”
I was scared that he’d falter and disappear without anyone catching on.
*
I charged out thinking it would make Louise cry, but once outside, I had no idea what to do.
What now?
You can only enjoy something if there’s something to do. The only time I relaxed in this world was during my first year after being thrown into this place; everything since has been a mess. Even though Louise said I should take a break, I had no clue what I should do.
I fleetingly thought about following the 1st Manager around, but that idea got tossed aside right away. I had no idea where she might be in the academy, and even if I could bully her into being my guide, I didn’t want to drag her through my nonsense while she tried to enjoy herself.
I knew what that felt like. During my first vacation as an Executive Manager, I ran into the Minister while wandering around just to get some fresh air. We ended up stuck together as neither of us had anything to do. Cringe It was a traumatic experience I wouldn’t wish on anyone, and I surely wouldn’t want the 1st Manager to endure that.
With nothing else to do, I thought about looking for the 4th Manager a bit earlier. Just then, from a distance, I spotted some familiar red hair.
‘Marghetta?’
There she was, inspecting booths with her red fan covering her mouth. Now that I think about it, didn’t she mention that one of the Student Council’s responsibilities was to check if the fair was running smoothly?
Well, since I didn’t have a clear destination, and I had to gather people’s attention anyway, it would be better to tag along with Marghetta. On the surface, people would think the Student Council and a Prosecutor were doing important business together.
“Mar.”
As I walked up and called her, Marghetta turned her attention to me from the booth she was headed for.
“Oh my, Sir Carl! I didn’t expect to see you here.”
A smile broke out on Marghetta’s previously cold face. She probably never thought she’d bump into me here. After all, she knew I had to stick around the club booth like some sort of unwilling ghost.
Plus, Marghetta promised not to visit Louise, after all, so she hadn’t dropped by our booth.
“Are you busy?”
“Not really. I did the same thing last year, so I’m used to it.”
“Still, it must be tiring to do it alone. Do you need another hand?”
Upon my suggestion, Marghetta tilted her head and replied with a voice full of laughter.
“I don’t just hang out with anyone. Maybe if it’s Sir Carl, it could work.”
“Great! If it’s alright with you, I’d love to join.”
“Excuse me?”
Marghetta’s face turned crimson, and the fan that covered her mouth moved up to just under her eyes. But, thanks to covering her face, her trembling eyes became even more apparent.
I occasionally sensed it, but for a child of the Iron-blooded Duke, she was surprisingly soft and gentle. Would I even know if her other siblings were harsh or not since we never met?
*
One of the tasks was to oversee the progress of the fair. With fewer Student Council members compared to all the booths scattered around the Academy, it was inevitable that I’d be wandering alone.
‘Boring.’
I originally joined the Student Council to connect with Carl. Hence, I didn’t dive into activities with much enthusiasm. This year, since Carl was at the Academy, the motivation was even lower. Yet, as a Valenti family member, I couldn’t ignore my duties, so here I was.
“Mar.”
While I was suppressing my annoyance, a familiar voice called from behind.
“Oh, Sir Carl! I didn’t think I’d see you here.”
Surprise! It’s Carl!
I spun around, seeing Carl standing right there. Thank goodness I was covering my mouth!
He almost caught me with my silly grin!
To be honest, I didn’t expect to run into Carl during the fair. After all, he was an advisor to a club with a bunch of oddballs and probably wouldn’t be leaving their booth. Plus, I wasn’t heading toward where Lady Louise was, so I thought this fair would be dull. But look! I encountered Carl!
‘As expected, it’s destined.’
No matter how impossible it felt to meet, we ran into each other! How romantic!
My mood lifted just like that. Since I met Carl, I wanted to chat for a while longer. But he likely had his own things to do, so I didn’t want to hold him up too long. I could be satisfied with just this.
I was ready to settle for that, but…
“If Mar is okay with it, I’d love to join you.”
“What?”
His unexpected words left me speechless.
Together with me?
Together? With Carl? Wasn’t he busy elsewhere? Had Carl ever asked me to join before?
My face burned, and in a panic, I lifted the fan to cover it. No way! I can’t let him see this face!
D-D-Date… A date…! With Carl!
This was a first. It was the first time Carl invited me to hang out. Not to mention, it would be my first date ever! Last year, Carl was too busy for anything beyond tea together; I couldn’t even dream of going out with him.
This is destiny!
It really was destiny. Carl practically fell right into my hands. It was as if he had made me his already by asking me out first!
“Mar?”
Oh snap!
My excitement clouded my brain, and I realized I hadn’t even responded to his invitation. No, don’t rush into things! I decided to playfully drag this out a little. I shouldn’t accept this too easily.
“Yes, okay. Let’s hang out together.”
…But maybe accepting it today wouldn’t be so bad? After all, Carl mustered up the courage to ask me out. If I acted too dismissively, I could hurt his feelings!
Yes, that’s why I accepted. Really.
*
Thankfully, Marghetta let me tag along. I was worried since it wasn’t budget-related, thus I had no justification to help her with a basic checkup. But I was very relieved she agreed.
In truth, even if we went together, there wasn’t much to do. Marghetta would scan the booths while I accompanied her to enjoy the sights. However, it was pretty sad to see the club leaders trembling and greeting us as we buzzed around.
I didn’t think this through…
Having Marghetta, a noble lady, alongside me was intense enough. But now, the Executive Manager also came to check up? That was a blow to their mental state! The fact I neglected to see this coming was embarrassing. Regardless, picking on the kids felt a bit mean.
“Thanks to you, Sir Carl, we wrapped up earlier than expected. Thank you!”
“It’s nothing, really.”
Still, I managed to pass the time.
“Mar, can we go together again tomorrow?”
I felt like Louise wouldn’t let me stay at the booth anymore. She was likely planning to release me tomorrow too, so I’d better decide where to go in advance.
Marghetta slightly nodded to my suggestion, though her ears turned crimson.
“Thank you, Mar.”
And I’m sorry.
I silently offered an apology to Marghetta, one she wouldn’t hear. She probably was having a harder time than she should by becoming involved with someone like me.
I wasn’t in a good mental space and didn’t want to drag someone innocent through my mess. I kept trying to push those thoughts aside, clenching my teeth and pretending not to care.
I’m really sorry.
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