Chapter 17:

Eres smoothed her skirt out and leaned back on the blanket she’d set in the grass. She crossed her legs and sighed.

In the distance, Leo was running with all his effort around the track. This young master had too much energy…she’d never seen him this motivated.

He’d actually woken up before noon of his own volition for the first time since reincarnating. Eres chuckled, imagining Ed’s expression—like seeing the specter of your friend appear after death.

Maybe his ego took a hit, but after the incident in gym class, Leo had become determined to improve his physical condition. He’d dragged her out for morning training every day since. 

Well, it was mutual. They took turns for off days, helping each-other with rubber legs and sore muscles. Whoever wasn’t training that day was the other’s gopher. She traced a finger across the still-warm box of food as she smiled. 

How earnest. Leo was truly wrapped in the essence of youth. Such vigor! He’d even been lifting weights in his downtime. Eres snickered at the memory of those noodle arms struggling under the bar. Even she’d managed more than that. If anything, Eres was surprised he could lift something other than a teacup. 

Eres was pulled from her daydream by the sound of footsteps marching towards her. She raised an eyebrow. A boy she couldn’t remember was walking straight towards her, his hands clutching something, and behind him marched another boy with a grin.

They stopped in front of her. The boy who was clutching something blushed furiously and opened his mouth to speak, but couldn’t form the words. Eres blinked. Ah. So it was that.

Immense waves of cringe energy radiated outwards, distorting the mana fields in the area. Eres stood, gracefully adjusting her skirt. She clasped her hands in front of her body and smiled. 

“Yes?”

Eres knew what he was here for. It was obvious. However! As a previous shut-in, despite the boy’s foolish appearance, she couldn’t help but be impressed by his bravery. She’d been rejected brutally in her previous life, so she intended to let the poor kid down lightly. 

“U-um…I—”

His face burned with shame as his voice cracked. Ah. Eres almost flinched in sympathy but held her posture. His friend slapped his back. “Hey, get it together, man.”

The boy simply looked at his feet, his shoulders wilting. Oh god. This was rough. Should she save him?

Eres leaned forward, lowering her face into his field of vision. “Is this for me?”

She pointed towards the item in the boy’s hand. He flinched, but nodded, finally meeting her gaze again.

He wordlessly presented a letter and a single flower. Eres stared at it with a complicated feeling.

To think. The first confession she’d ever receive would come from a boy…

“I think I understand.”

He looked up hopefully. Eres smiled at him, channeling her strongest white moonlight energy.

“I’m sorry. I appreciate the gesture, but my heart belongs to another.”

His face broke. It shaped into a sorrowful frown, before twisting into something deranged. He took a step towards her, his face reverent.

“I don’t mind. Please, as long as I’m around you, I don’t care if I don’t have your heart, Lady Eres!”

…What? Huh? Was this the legendary simp?! Eres’s expression shook. She stepped back. What was this level of fanaticism?!

No, she couldn’t let this poor youth mire in unrequited love! She had to correct the course!

Firming her resolve, she frowned. Eres stepped forward and clapped one hand on his shoulder.

“Bro. Don’t be a simp. You need to have some self-respect. I can’t reciprocate your feelings.”

His eyes trembled as he chewed on her words, though they fell to the hand on his shoulder with glee. 

Following his gaze, Eres retracted her hand and unconsciously wiped it against her skirt. Ugh. Was it possible to get through to this kid?

She looked helplessly at the boy’s friend. He was flushed, scratching the back of his head in embarrassment at his friend’s behavior.

Eres was struggling to find the words to speak, when someone walked over from the side. Leo brushed the sweat from his forehead as he approached. He looked confused, until his eyes landed on the letter and flower. They narrowed. 

“Eres.”

She looked over. “What’s up?”

“Can you step over there for a moment?”

“…?”

“Please. I just need a word.”

She stared at him, confused, but complied. Eres walked out of earshot, but didn’t take her eyes away. 

Leo stepped close to the kid and leaned over to his ear. The kid flinched, stiffened, his face paled, then he sprinted off, dropping the items he was holding behind. His friend scratched his cheek helplessly, bowed a bit to Leo, then darted off chasing the boy.

Eres returned, noting Leo’s triumphant smirk. What was with that?

“What’d you say?”

“Told him you were taken.”

Eres snorted. “Oh, that’s a problem. I accepted his confession.”

His head snapped to her. “The flower impressed you that much?”

“What girl doesn’t like flowers?”

He rubbed his chin. “Noted.”

“Noted? What noted? As if a glorified weed could impress me.”

Eres had been to the botanical garden in her past life, and the only thing she’d felt was seasonal allergies. She was a red-blooded man! How could a dandelion pulled from the field do anything?

Eres picked the food from the blanket and handed it to him. “Here.”

“Thanks.”

He opened the box and chowed down, his eyes landing on the letter still flopping in the wind.

“You gonna read it?”

She laughed. “Why would I read it? If it’s poetry I might jump.”

He walked over and grabbed it. He tore it open. His lips twitched, before he folded it and slid it into his pocket.

Eres raised an eyebrow. “What’d it say?”

“Nothing special.”

“Come on, tell me.”

Leo shrugged. “That’s bullying, Eres.”

“?!”

He shook his head. “How could you be so careless about another person’s feelings?”

He sat down on the blanket. Eres sat next to him, grabbed some food from his box, and tossed it into her mouth.

His eye twitched as she went back for seconds. “Wasn’t this my food?”

“You’re my fiancé, what’s yours is mine.”

“Why are we only engaged when it’s convenient for you?”

“Because I say so.”

He laughed. “Fair enough.”

They settled in, Eres snatching food under Leo’s intense gaze, until the box was finally empty. 

They leaned back onto the blanket. 

“Damn. My first confession was a snot-nosed brat.”

Leo chuckled. “I’m surprised he had the guts.”

“He told me he’d be fine with me being with another man.”

Eres shivered.

Leo sat up slightly, his face bemused. “Was he cultivating green-hat foundation?”

A laugh belted from her. “Youth these days…”

“You sound like an old woman.”

“Hmm~ does this face look old to you? I’m a spring chicken.”

He turned his head towards her. “Should someone in their thirties be so shameless…?”

Eres met his gaze. She crossed her arms under her head, smirking.

They looked at each-other for a moment. Leo smiled at her. Eres turned her gaze to the sky. 

Yeah. This was the most peaceful. Stupid jokes with Leo, that familiar comfort. 

What would happen when her work contract ran out? Could she really stay at the mansion forever? It wasn’t like they were really engaged.

Would she have to leave? Somehow, the thought made her lips lower. Maybe she could still convince him to go be adventurers with her. Then they wouldn’t have to worry about station or office.

They could just pal around forever. 

Eres smiled at the thought.