The unexpected request for friendship arrived today, replacing yesterday's hostility, and bringing the taste of candy apples.
'That's what I thought.'
When I offered him a candy apple, he slapped my hand hard, causing it to fall to the ground.
"Don't act close to me. Lowly scum."
I actually really liked the candy... I had hoped that yesterday's enemy would become today's friend. But this guy just rejected my goodwill. And on top of that, he threw away my candy apple.
'Goodbye, my precious candy apple.'
Turning away from Epsilon, I walked off. He probably wondered why I reacted so calmly; the truth was, I was restraining myself. There was no way I'd punch a skinny guy like him. If it were Jung Cha-Ri, perhaps I would have considered it. But Keith? With his muscular build and powerful grip, he could easily knock out that great magician. "Ignore it," I told myself.
'Don't get mad.'
Then I felt his hand on my shoulder. 'What, now he's trying to coax me? As if.'
I swiftly kicked his shin, seized his arm, and in a flash, I had him on the ground. "Take that!" I exclaimed.
'Eh??'
But it wasn't Epsilon I slammed—it was a middle-aged man who had tried to stop me for leaving my candy trash on the ground.'Crap.'
After apologizing, I was finally let go. Right—maybe I shouldn't have slammed him. Really, I shouldn't have done that.
With weary shoulders, I eventually arrived at the theater. I tried looking for Leyla, but instead of finding her, I felt my sleeve being pulled—forcing me to sit down.
"You're Leyla's knight, right?" said Cynthia, who turned out to be sitting next to me. "Sit here."
'Ugh, why her? And what's she even doing here?' Oh right, I just met Epsilon. That guy must've been looking for Cynthia—so that's why he was searching for the theater.'
I pulled my arm away, rejecting her invitation. She smiled. "For some reason, I'm kind of interested in you."
"Rather than working for that woman, how about becoming my knight? I happen to not have one yet."
'Heh. You already have a powerful magician. What do you need a knight for?'
"I'm sorry, Lady Cynthia, but I'm Lady Leyla's knight. Besides, I don't have the qualifications to be yours."
"Hmmm… what qualifications don't you have, exactly?"
"Well, I'm just not good enough yet," I replied quickly.'
What does this villain even want from me?'
Cynthia tapped her fingers, clearly thinking about something. Her shifting eyes were enough to make me uncomfortable."Don't reject me right away. Think it over," she said, then stood up."Well then, I'll go for now. See you later."
I watched her leave the theater, heading toward Epsilon—looks like he found his way here.Epsilon shot me a sharp look before escorting Miss Cynthia out. Annoying. He didn't even apologize for the candy apple.
Still annoyed, I stepped out not long after. That's when I saw Leyla waving at me from the crowd. I ran to her right away."Leyla, where have you been? I've been looking all over for you."
"Sorry, Keith, I think I was spacing out and we got separated. But thankfully, someone helped me. Oh… looks like he's gone."
'Who helped you, I wonder?'
"Well, I'm glad, Leyla. I'm sorry I wasn't good at protecting you."
"Don't worry about it, Keith. What matters is that we found each other again."
Leyla tried to keep me from blaming myself too much. After that, we walked out of the shopping center together.Right. Even if the date was a failure, the rest of the day didn't have to be.
I took a deep breath and began to speak. "Leyla… what do you think of me?"
"What kind of question is that, out of nowhere?"
"Just answer it."
Leyla seemed to think about it. Then, as if she'd come to a conclusion, she spoke."You're kind. Very thoughtful. And extremely responsible, Keith. I'm really thankful you've always stayed by my side. You're like an older brother to me."
"I see… and what about my face?"
"Err… you're handsome. Probably one of the most handsome men in the kingdom."
"In that case… would you, even just a little… start to see me as a man?"
Leyla look shocked by my words, as if she never expected me to say that. "What are you saying? Of course I see you that way."
"I just wanted to say that I—"
For some reason, the words just wouldn't come out. My throat felt tight, as if something was blocking them, maybe Keith's death, or maybe my own fear. I could feel the blush creeping up my neck. "I lo—"
Leyla was waiting for me to finish, but I just couldn't say it, not looking at her. Then my eyes landed on a candy apple stall.
"I love candy apples… hehe. Let's grab some before we go," I blurted out instead.
"You're right... let's get some, I've wanted them too."
'Hahaha…'
'You're pathetic, Keith. Absolutely pathetic.'