CLWE 13

Chapter 13

Laughing out loud, I patted his shoulder.

“But don’t worry. You’re my type.”

At that, his expression twisted strangely again.

What’s with him?

Judging by the level of jokes we usually tossed back and forth, this was well within the range of banter we could handle.

Why is he suddenly getting so serious today?

Did I say something wrong? Or was he sulking because I hadn’t come by for the past few days and didn’t even ask why he hadn’t seen me?

“Ugh, having just one high-maintenance thing in my life—Loui-Loui—is more than enough.”

“Pardon? What are you suddenly talking about?”

“Well, that is…”

I meant to answer, It means you’re a pain in the neck, but my tongue stiffened against my will.

With a slightly dazed expression, I looked at Kamin’s face.

Ah… he really is handsome.

It was an extraordinary kind of beauty—one that made it hard to even say something like “you’re annoying.”

Is this what they call a beauty that topples nations?

My lips, far too honest, started babbling my true feelings.

“If it’s a kitten this handsome, I wouldn’t mind letting it be a nuisance in one corner of my life…”

That was when it happened.

—Master!! Snap out of it!!

“Oh my goodness, you scared me!”

Right in front of me, as I was pouring out my heartfelt thoughts to Kamin like I was possessed, appeared a long, glittering fluorescent light—no, Loui-Loui.

Neither Kamin nor I had expected Loui to show up, so we both stared at him in shock. As for me, a chill ran through my body, and trembling, I asked,

“Loui! Have you been tailing me this whole time?”

—Of course. I always have, and I always will!

“Oh… my goodness…”

At Loui’s answer, my eyes welled up with tears. I set the basket of watermelon punch down on the floor and tightly hugged the buzzing Loui.

“You even put up with jokes like that. Loui-Loui, you really are my soulmate.”

Loui laughed impishly and replied,

—Hehehe. Right? Totally different from that guy over there who’s just tall and decent-looking but has no sense and a rotten temper, huh?

Why are you suddenly getting so competitive with Kamin?

“Even if you don’t say it, Loui-Loui, you’re my one and only. You’re my only friend.”

—Master!

So please, at some point, turn into a hoe. Or a sickle would be fine too.

While I was hugging Loui and Kamin was staring at the bizarre scene with a strange look, a voice echoed from down the hallway.

“I was wondering why you weren’t coming up, and here you are in the entryway… and with a guest…”

The lady of the manor, who had been about to launch into a lecture, froze when she saw Kamin, fidgeting as if she didn’t know what to say. Kamin bowed his head and spoke.

“I came out to greet her, Grandmother.”

“What?”

The lady of the manor widened her eyes in disbelief, then soon burst into loud laughter and waved her hand.

“Ahahaha, I see. Riena, have you greeted my grandson?”

Why is this suddenly so awkward? I shrugged and replied shamelessly,

“Greeted him? I’ve fed him, put him to bed, and even applied medicine for him.”

“My, how intimate you are.”

At my answer, the lady of the manor’s eyes curved gently, deep wrinkles forming. Kamin glanced at me, his cheeks flushing.

“What nonsense are you spouting?”

“Huh? I’m just telling the truth. When I told him to open his mouth and say ‘ah,’ he obediently did it.”

“T-That was!!”

When I brought up the incident with the grapes, Kamin’s face turned as red as a roasted sweet potato. As I laughed like a little devil, the lady of the manor nodded with a strangely satisfied smile.

“Oh my, Riena. Are you still using formal speech with my grandson?”

I immediately took her cue and answered for Kamin.

“I don’t think formal speech is necessary between people this close. Right, Kamin?”

Caught in our back-and-forth, Kamin completely lost track of the conversation. He just kept blushing and stiffening, looking utterly flustered. Stammering, he protested to the lady of the manor.

“B-But ma’am—n-no, Grandmother! Proper manners between people are still important…”

“Call her Riena. You’re about the same age, and in this quiet countryside with nothing much to do, you’ll make good friends.”

“Wow, we’re about the same age? Looks like we’re destined soulmates. Nice to meet you, Kamin.”

On my own initiative, I grabbed Kamin’s hand and shook it. The lady of the manor looked pleased throughout, Kamin still hadn’t fully regained his composure, and only Loui-Loui was angrily buzzing.

—Destined soulmates, my foot! Even the worst grudges in the world are ‘special’ in their own way!

Yes, yes—just like you and me, right?

I pressed down firmly on Loui-Loui’s blade, thinking that if I knew where its mouth was, I would’ve gagged it long ago.

Kamin couldn’t hear Loui-Loui’s voice, but from the violent buzzing and sparkling, he seemed to realize the sword was venting some sort of displeasure.

With a sullen expression, he held out his hand.

“…Do whatever you want.”

Oh—he probably thinks the sword is angry because he disrespected me.

It’s completely the opposite. If I shook his hand, Loui-Loui would probably throw a fit about me cheating.

Still, how often do you get a chance to hold hands with a guy this handsome just to be friends?

Honestly, there aren’t any men this good-looking in Postin!

It’s not like mysterious men don’t approach me—but all the men in Postin are dark-skinned, burly, and can’t tell a hoe from the letter ㄱ. No wonder I keep getting bewitched by a face like his whenever I get the chance.

But Loui-Loui didn’t give me even a moment to waver.

—Try grabbing that hand and see! I’ll show you exactly why I’m a sword with a will of my own!

Why is this sword suddenly getting jealous and making a scene? I’m exhausted.

Loui pressed on stubbornly.

—Master, are you really going to drop the formalities with this guy? You’re really going to be friends with him?

“I need to have friends too.”

—You just said I’m your only friend!

“People who are too possessive aren’t attractive.”

—Master, traitor!

Loui trembled all over in indignation. Afraid he might actually go berserk and chop off Kamin’s arm, I hugged Loui and whispered softly against his blade.

“Listen, Loui. I’m not trying to be friends with that man just because I’ve fallen head over heels for his looks.”

—Then what is it?

Good grief, you silly sword. I say one thing and you immediately prick up your ears. Holding back the urge to kiss Loui, I continued in a serious tone.

“I’m pretending to be his friend so I can keep a close eye on him! So I can quickly notice if he shows signs of trying to take Loui-Loui away.”

At that, Loui shook all over as if deeply shocked, then shouted,

—T-That’s…! I can protect myself just fine!

I nodded. Loui-Loui had a strong sense of pride—if you didn’t acknowledge him, he’d put up a wall and shut you out.

But at the same time, he was very soft-hearted and terribly lonely. Smiling gently, I soothed him.

“Of course. Our Loui is a strong sword. But I want to do everything I can to protect you too.”

—Master…

As expected, Loui completely fell for it. Finding him too cute to resist, I hugged him and rubbed my cheek against him.

Watching our tear-jerking display of friendship, Kamin muttered in a flat tone,

“Looks like you’re scamming that sword again.”

This guy—he knows me way too well now!

How did he figure out I was conning it?!

But flinching or acting awkward after being called out would be amateurish. Smiling brightly, I clasped Kamin’s hand.

“Nice to meet you, Kamin! In that spirit, why don’t we all enjoy some watermelon punch together with Grandma?”

“Watermelon punch?”

Kamin tilted his head, looking as if to ask what that was. I lifted the basket and beamed.

“It’s made with fresh watermelon. Let’s eat together, Grandma.”

The reason I’m close with the lady of the manor isn’t because of the benefits that come with it—it’s because she has a kind heart and is truly serious about food.

I wonder how much she’ll like it this time.

Thinking that, I opened the cloth with a faint blush.

The watermelon punch in the glass bowl sloshed gently. When I lifted the lid, various fruits floating on top in different shapes immediately caught the eye.

The lady of the manor clasped her cheeks with both hands and exclaimed,

“It’s so cute and pretty! It almost feels like a waste to eat it. How on earth did you cut it like this?”

“Hehe.”

I shot a sideways glance at Loui-Loui. Loui flared with light and shouted,

—Don’t tell her I did it! I’ll die of embarrassment!!

You’re an inanimate object—how would you even die?

The star- and heart-shaped fruit had been possible thanks to Loui transforming into fruit cutters.

Truly a万能 knife.

No one else could have done this, so I wish Loui-Loui would take more pride in himself.

Being a sword isn’t only about harming people, you know.

But Loui had deeply ingrained ideas about what a sword should be like, so no matter how much I praised him, he refused to listen.

Whoever used Loui-Loui purely as a weapon, they must’ve been terrible people. Even if it’s a sword with a will, wouldn’t it be nice to at least ask what it wants to do?

I pouted slightly, then smiled sweetly at the lady of the manor.

“It definitely wasn’t Loui-Loui who did it. I can’t say how it was done, but it wasn’t Loui-Loui.”

“…She did it.”

Kamin muttered quietly.

Why do you understand me so well?

It hasn’t even been that long since Kamin appeared in Postin.