There was a deep sigh of relief as the lock clicked shut. Haaaah.
Of course, that didn't mean he let Louise go yet.
“So then.”
“Hmm?”
“Didn't you say that you had a meeting with the clerk?”
Ian made a sound like he was suffering from something, then eventually answered in a small voice.
“I did.”
“You haven't talked to him at all this semester, have you?”
“Now that sounds appealing.”
“Ugh, so how did you pull this off?”
“Is that important now?”
“It matters now!”
“Really, this moody girl…"
He let go of Louise at last, his expression disgruntled.
“It's not a big deal, it's just that the clerk's private office is above this room.”
Louise looked at Ian with wide eyes. There are quite a number of ways to get to a lower floor, one of which is to use the stairs.
And the other one.
“Don't tell me you climbed down the window!”
“Amazing, isn't it?”
There was swagger in the way he spoke. Wasn't that too dangerous? What if his hand or foot slipped and a disaster happened!
“You could've gotten hurt, and that dangerous stunt would have been recorded in history!”
“I'm not hurt. And it's not going into history.”
“But still! Why did you take such a risk?”
“Because…”
He patted Louise on the head as he struggled over his answer. It had been a long time since he touched her hair this way. They hardly got to meet during vacation.
“I need s.p.a.ce to breath sometimes.”
“Then get a respirator.”
“Yes, I'll be careful that my royal respiratory system won't fall from me. People who lose their respiratory organs die.”
He really couldn't say it and kept waffling.
“Well, something like that. And I just–“
The hand that he used to stroke her hair now cupped her cheek.
“I just wanted to see you.”
“…Me?”
“Yes, Louise Sweeney.”
He paused to think for a moment then continued.
“A 'meeting' is more than just seeing each other face-to-face."
In other words, when they b.u.mped into each other at the Academy office it didn't feel like a proper meeting.
"I know that much!"
She agreed that none of the conversations that seemed to have come from "The Great Encyclopedia of Etiquette for Children in the Capital" were any pleasant.
“I can't believe you were acting like a brilliant honor student.”
“I actually am though.”
“Just because you're a senior and you're president of the student council, doesn't mean you're the best.”
“Then who is it going to be? Is it going to be my d.a.m.n neighbor who likes to look at my sister?”
“Yeah…that's a little weird.”
“Of course.”
“You know, I was happy when you said I was making a 'profane look.' Is that wrong?”
Ian chuckled as he lightly pinched Louise's cheek.
"Yeah, its weird, but I can't help it. It's the same with me too."
Louise looked at him with round eyes. It was clear she wanted an explanation for what he meant with "Me too."
"For example, when you give me that profane look, it creeps me out but also makes me feel happy.”
“…Huh?”
“And when you make a look like you can't trust me, there's a crease here in the middle of your forehead. It makes me…how should I say this? It makes me want to aggravate it even more."
“It just makes me annoyed.”
"Because you're paying taxes to a pervert?"
He gave a bright smile as he exactly read Louise's thoughts. After she said it so many times, it was only natural that he understood her.
“To think I've come to that terrible knowledge.”
“It's entirely my fault. I apologize.”
He apologized with no regrets. In fact, he looked like he was enjoying himself.
“Sometimes I think you just want to bully me.”
“Of course not. I told you before, I'm courting you pretty seriously.”
“Ugh, what kind of courts.h.i.+p is this!"
“It's just that you keep saying things that break the atmosphere.”
"Me?"
Ian nodded his head.
"A while ago, when a man wanted to see you, you wanted to know about his meeting with the clerk.
“…Well.”
“And if the atmosphere continued naturally, then there never would have been talk about how that man was a pervert."
“Then what was he going to do?”
“…You want to know? “
He had quite a serious look on his face, and Louise shook her head vigorously.
"N-not at all!"
“See. You changed the atmosphere.”
Ugh. That wasn't intentional. Seriously.
“I've known you for so long that it feels awkward to be serious about something.”
“I know. That's the disadvantage of a childhood friend. And you hate losing to me.”
Yes, that was the problem. She always wanted to fight back.
“Then let's do this for a moment.”
"What?"
“Of course I enjoy your sparkling conversation, but hold on. Just for a minute.”
“Wait, a minute?”
“I want you to answer simply with your body.”
"Wh-what?! Are you crazy? “
Louise stared at Ian with huge eyes.
“I meant nod or shake your head. What on earth were you thinking? I just want you to be as clear as possible.”
"Well, if that's the case, just tell me to nod my head normally!"
“I just wanted to respect diverse expressions of opinion. There are many ways to wave your hand or turn your body.”
“Ugh…”
“Anyway.”
He continued with a much more composed voice.
“Can you show me a simple answer?”
She nodded for him.
“Right. Good job.”
He patted her cheek like he was praising a puppy. Louise bit her lips as she thought, 'Please treat me like a human being.'
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