Chapter 106: I'll Get Stronger, Enough That You Can Lean on Me Can you even call this a date?
Well, it's not like we're officially going steady; it's more of a hangout than a real date, but isn't this setup weird no matter how you look at it?
These damn bodyguards and government agents have zero flexibility, sticking right to our heels. Thanks to them, every time Angelica and I walk down the street, the crowd parts like the Miracle of Moses.
They could at least try to be inconspicuous.
Both sides are decked out in sharp black suits, looking like people you absolutely shouldn't mess with, so of course everyone is terrified.
"Is he a celebrity? He's incredibly handsome."
"Are celebrities royalty now? Does he own the road? There's a limit to being a public nuisance."
I never once claimed I owned it, lady. You guys are the ones scattering on your own.
People were either whispering as they watched us or just snapping photos with their phones first and asking questions later. I'll probably end up on social media today. Likely not for anything good, though.
The ones really fanning the flames were the bodyguards Angelica brought… or rather, the ones who forced their way along. They were reaching out to stop people from taking photos or blocking pedestrians, claiming they were preventing anyone from getting too close.
In that regard, our agents were better; they didn't care about the surroundings and just kept their intense gazes fixed solely on me. These agents probably wouldn't care if I got shanked or lynched right here.
Since we were out for a meal anyway, I suggested we walk around and do some window shopping, but we can't do a damn thing like this.
Angelica's complexion looked pale, as if she'd overheard the people muttering. Being timid and fragile, she probably found it hard to endure the stares or the feeling of being badmouthed.
With her shoulders hunched and her eyes cast down, Angelica looked pitiful.
"Huh?"
I clicked my tongue and grabbed Angelica's hand.
Her hand was small and lacked strength, but it was warm. I gripped it firmly and led her away from the main street.
"Forget the bookstore. Let's just take a walk in the park today. We can buy books next time."
"Huh? Oh… okay…"
"Sorry, I'm a bit impulsive. I don't think bookstores really suit me; they're too quiet."
"I-it's okay."
If I told her we were moving because of the bodyguards, Angelica is so nice that she'd probably blame herself and get depressed. It was better to just act like I was dragging her along on a whim.
We passed through the crowds that split like the Red Sea and walked for a good while until we reached a park with fewer people. It wasn't completely empty, so we still got looks for being a suspicious-looking group, but people only watched from a distance and eventually lost interest as they got used to our presence.
As the crowd thinned, Angelica gradually relaxed and became more talkative.
How do celebrities or truly powerful people who drag bodyguards around actually manage to go anywhere? Ah, come to think of it, they probably meet in secret or ditch their guards. Or they meet in places where they don't have to worry about others.
Wait a minute…
Then how are we supposed to go to the restaurant?
Looking at how they're acting, even if I tell them to sit at another table, they'll probably just stand right next to us. It's not like I reserved a high-end restaurant, either. I just picked a place that's been getting good reviews and is popular on social media lately.
It's a bit pricey for the average person, but not so much that it's a burden, so it's always crowded…
I should have insisted on a luxury restaurant.
When I mentioned high-end places while deciding where to go, Angelica got flustered and stopped me, saying we didn't need to go somewhere so expensive, so I picked a moderate spot.
For the Graham family, a place like this would probably be considered takeout quality, but despite being a young lady of such a house, Angelica is strangely down-to-earth in these situations.
Maybe she was being mindful of my wallet.
In reality, I couldn't even compare to the Graham family… No, no matter how much I've earned, I'm not even in the same league as that house. Beyond just the immediate family, the entire clan runs businesses and is united under the family name, making them gargantuan. Even Park Yu-jeong approaches them with caution.
As an individual, I might hold my own, but against the entire family, I'm bound to be overwhelmed.
And yet, the daughter of such a massive family…
Angelica was looking blissful while eating soft-serve ice cream we bought near the park. Every time her small tongue licked the cream, she looked so cute I wanted to grab her and ruffle her hair.
"I need to step away for a quick phone call."
"Okay, that's fine. I'll wait here."
As I moved away from Angelica, who was smiling brightly with her ice cream, the agents naturally followed me. If I left that cute girl alone, the typical cliché would be some punks approaching to hit on her, but thanks to the bodyguards behind her, that would never happen.
Melina? Melissa? Anyway, one agent with intermittent explosive disorder, and Sophia, who was far too timid and self-conscious to be called an agent. Is it really right to attach these two to me?
I don't know about their other abilities, but based on personality alone, they aren't the type you'd assign as investigators. Usually, you'd expect people who are cold and composed… Is the 4th Division that short on talent?
They seemed a bit lacking for people Randall would have assigned.
Well, who knows. I'm judging them after seeing them for a brief moment, but since Randall sent them, there must be a reason.
When I returned after finishing the call, there was, as expected, no scenario where I had to rescue Angelica from being surrounded by punks. I felt like if it had been Akito, that kind of forced development would have happened even with bodyguards present.
"Sorry, did you wait long?"
"No, it was only a moment."
The way Angelica smiled and went "Hehe" was beautiful. She's innocent, has a good personality, isn't a frustrating character like Akito, and possesses great talent. I honestly wish I could take her with me…
Her biggest weakness, her mana barrier, is somewhat compensated for when I'm around. According to the measurements from the last tournament, if I use Soul Chain, I take roughly half of the damage for her. Since I'm a glass cannon myself, it's still a bit nerve-wracking, but in actual combat, the formation would naturally involve protecting Angelica while she fights.
With my Soul Chain added to that, Angelica would be able to pour out her massive firepower with peace of mind. Honestly, setting skill aside, she's just so cute I want to be around her.
"…Why?"
When I stared at her without a word, Angelica shyly lowered her head, hiding her reddening cheeks.
It's certain now. I don't think I did anything special, but Angelica likes me more than she likes Akito. Not a single event has triggered, so why did she fall for me? Where did she satisfy the condition of overcoming her fragility and gaining a strong heart?
I could consider the Soul Chain, but if she were easy enough to be won over by just that one instance, I wouldn't have been able to shake off the feeling that this was just a game yet.
"How is the Research Society?"
"The Research Society? Oh… it's good. Everyone is kind, and Shiori is so smart that making magic together is fun."
The club Akito created is basically a gathering spot for his comrades. Being in there means being part of his party, and they grow together through training, magic research, sex training, or whatever else they do. And Angelica belongs there.
"Everyone is so passionate that they train and study a lot. Some people even stay until dawn. So recently, we even moved some beds inside."
…This bastard is actually going to do the sex training after all.
I see. So that's how the beds get brought in. In the game, you just pay money and they're built, so I didn't know the process.
It's a great excuse. Since everyone is working so hard and getting tired, they set up beds and sofas in the innermost area with walls and a door so that no matter what kind of moans leak out, they won't be heard outside.
Sure, that makes sense. It would be embarrassing if someone heard you talking in your sleep, so soundproofing is important.
From the perspective of the game itself, it's actually a bit late. Players, after all, usually scrape together money to build the sex room first just so they can play the eroge part.
Angelica continued talking about the Research Society with a bright face.
As I thought… it's not possible, right?
I can't reduce Akito's power. I'm constantly intervening and worrying because I don't know where he might kick the bucket, and yet I'm going to take Angelica away out of my own greed? That's nonsense.
"Um… did I say something wrong…?"
"No? Why?"
"Oh… because your expression looked dark, Yeon-woo… I-I guess I was mistaken!"
Angelica hurried to change the subject. Was my expression really that bad…?
Sigh… what am I doing?
If Akito isn't there, the world ends. Yukina, Haruna, Frey, Turk, the people of Yggdrasil, Yume and her daughters, the owner of the chicken skewer shop I frequent, and even the people I pass on the street whose faces I don't even remember—they all die.
And yet, I'm hitting on Angelica just because of my own greed? When I don't even love her to the point of being unable to live without her?
Even meeting like this, I'm interfering with Akito. I made a resolution at the start. I'd only take the heroines Akito discards.
This is something I shouldn't do.
Let today be the last time I shake Angelica's heart.
I was surprised when Yeon-woo took my hand.
His hand was larger than I expected and rough, filled with calluses. People misunderstand him because of his handsome looks and somewhat lighthearted behavior, but his hands were full of the marks of hard work. To the point where I felt embarrassed of my own hand touching his.
But the embarrassment was fleeting; the warmth felt through his hand made me so happy.
What made me even happier was that Yeon-woo was being considerate of me. Because I was foolishly getting nervous at the stares and the unkind words of the people, he took my hand and led me to a place where there were no people.
And then, just so I wouldn't worry, he claimed he hated bookstores…
His consideration is so warm that my heart won't stop throbbing.
Yeon-woo was always like this. Usually, he shows off his looks, skills, and grades without reservation, but when it really matters—especially when someone else is involved—he hides what he's done out of consideration for the other person.
He works hard behind the scenes for others and cares for them, but he never demands anything in return. He doesn't ask for thanks or for anyone to notice; he just silently assists from behind for the sake of the other person's smile, or steps forward to open the path like he just did.
A character that can only be described as noble.
The more I like a person like Yeon-woo, the more my inadequate self feels pathetic, but it also makes me want to work harder to keep up with him. To stand by his side, I work a little harder, take one more step, and the more I find courage, the more I change.
I like following his dependable back as I move forward and change, and I like Yeon-woo as he acts as a guide, gesturing for me to follow. Taking courage used to be a scary thing, but when I'm chasing his back, it becomes a joy that I want to pursue forever.
When Yeon-woo brought up the Research Society, I thought it was my chance. How wonderful would it be if he joined the Research Society? I wanted to study together, train together, and be by his side for even a little longer.
So I talked about the Research Society even more enthusiastically. With a desperate heart, I laid out interesting episodes, achievements, and everything else I could think of to get him interested so that he might join…
But…
The longer I talked, the more Yeon-woo's expression became stoic, and his eyes grew infinitely cold.
He spends most of his time smiling. I loved the gentle smile he usually wore; he was always pleasant and never created a heavy atmosphere. That's why Yeon-woo's stoic expression felt so foreign.
I can feel his body heat from our shoulders touching right next to me, but it feels like Yeon-woo is actually far away.
Did I say something wrong…?
I'm afraid that if I keep talking, he'll drift so far away that he'll disappear, so I stop talking. When I change the subject, he returns to his usual expression as if nothing happened.
He never talks about his true feelings. Even when he helps someone, he doesn't state his intentions and just helps silently from behind.
It's noble, but I hate it.
Why won't you tell me? Why do you think alone, decide alone, and never ask anyone for help?
… …
I'm neither close enough nor dependable enough for him to lean his back against me. Even asking him to lean on me would be selfish…
Maybe he's opened his heart to Yukina…
A surge of emotion makes it feel like tears might spill, but I hold them back. I said I'd get strong for him, so I can't shed tears over something like this.
I…
I'll work hard. I'll make my body and mind strong enough that it won't matter if Yeon-woo leans his back against me, so please just wait a little longer.
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