Chapter 45
"Ellie! I told you not to use flashy magic in the middle of the city!"
"Ah... Sister, I'm soooorry."
"Honestly, you're such a handful."
Amy stopped there, then noticed that Elizabeth was crying and rushed over to her immediately.
"What's wrong? For Sister Elizabeth to cry, it must be something serious."
"Well..."
"It's okay, Ellie......... *sniffle*... I'll tell it myself."
Elizabeth finally stopped crying and lifted her face. Tear stains remained on her cheeks.
According to her, tomorrow's ball is a major event hosted by Greifner Magic Academy, and anyone involved—students, alumni, teachers, administrative staff—can participate freely. Apparently, couples often form thanks to the shared topics among such a diverse crowd. Elizabeth is eighteen this year. She earnestly wants to snag a good man like Father. That's why she was super motivated this time, preparing thoroughly in hopes of finding someone.
"I'm really not popular at all... So I thought at least I could try hard with my clothes. But this is what happened."
Elizabeth said this half in embarrassment, half in resignation.
Here stands a troubled maiden.
If we don't save her, can we even call ourselves men—or rather, fat girls?
No. Absolutely not.
"That's strange—Sister Elizabeth is so pretty and kind, there's no way she wouldn't be popular."
Amy tilted her head.
That's true. But—however—there are lots of beautiful girls who don't have boyfriends. There are various reasons for that.
As a super handsome elite who's helped countless loves succeed, I had already figured out why Elizabeth isn't popular.
"I know why Sister Elizabeth isn't popular..."
"Huh?"
"Whaaat?"
"Whaaaaat?"
Elizabeth, Amy, and Usax all leaned in toward me. Usax's adaptability, already blending in, was seriously impressive.
"First, Sister Elizabeth, have you ever asked a man for help?"
"Asked for help?"
"For example, asking someone to carry something heavy, or to do a task in your place."
"No. I'm a lady representing the Golden family. I would never involve men in such trivial matters."
"So you do everything yourself?"
"Of course I do."
Elizabeth answered proudly, puffing out her chest.
She crossed her arms and nodded.
Before we knew it, we were sitting in a circle on the carpet.
Me, Elizabeth, Amy, and Usax in that order, with Clarice standing behind me.
"One more question. Sister, you're beautiful, so I bet people compliment you a lot. Like on the street, 'You're pretty,' or at work, 'You look beautiful today,' or 'You'd look good with white roses.' Maybe a waiter even winked at you at a restaurant. If you think about it, there must be lots of times, right?"
"Eh... yes. That's true. Have I ever told you about that?"
"No, Sister, I haven't heard anything. But it's easy to guess."
"Ellie, you're amazing!"
"As expected of Lady Ellie!"
Amy and Usax exclaimed in admiration.
Hah, the name of the love detective is me.
Elizabeth probably comes across as a 'capable type' or 'strong-willed type' girl, as they say in Japan. She gives off the impression of being unapproachable despite being beautiful, which makes it hard for her to get a boyfriend. Deep down, she's thinking, "Hurry up and hit on me," but no guys approach her. On top of that, her shy personality further hinders her relationships with men.
By the way, I love girls like that. No, I absolutely adore them.
"So even if you know that, what's the point?"
Elizabeth leaned in, urging me to continue.
"Sister, what do you usually do after someone compliments you?"
"Hmm, let me see..."
"Wait. Let me guess."
I hesitated a moment, then quickly gathered my thoughts.
"When you get complimented, you get embarrassed, and then make a slightly scary face and say something like, 'That's not true,' right?"
"Auu..."
Elizabeth blushed, clenched the frilled skirt that had torn, and looked down. Seems I hit the mark.
"Sister, am I right? Am I right?"
"Lady Elizabeth, is that correct? Is it?!"
Amy and Usax were like children cornering a magician after seeing through a trick.
Give her a break.
"Well, Sister? Hmm?"
"How about it, Lady Elizabeth?"
Usax is blending in way too well...!
"Come on, Sisterrrr, am I right?"
"Milaaady—am I right or what?"
Eventually, Elizabeth gave in and lifted her face sharply.
"You're right! Ganging up on me like that is just cruel!"
Elizabeth puffed out her cheeks in uncharacteristic embarrassment.
What do I do? She's ridiculously cute.
"Ellie, are you trying to humiliate me!?"
"That's not it, Sister. That's not what I mean."
"Then what do you mean?"
"Those two questions I asked—that's why you're not popular."
"Huh?"
"Whaat?"
"Whaaaat?"
"Whaaaat!?"
Amy and Usax were already shocked, but now even Clarice added her voice.
Let me, Kobashigawa the super handsome elite and love detective, explain it all.
"Sister, you try to handle everything yourself without relying on men. That's admirable as a lady, but to men—well, I'll just say 'men'—you come across as a totally capable type of woman."
"Capable type of woman?"
"Yes. Think about it. Say you were carrying a bunch of heavy books at work. Then a handsome guy shows up and says, 'Lady Elizabeth, let me help,' and reaches for the books. But you firmly say, 'No thank you.'"
"...Yes, that's true. That's exactly what happened yesterday—it's like you saw it yourself."
"Usax. How would you feel if you tried to help out of kindness and got flatly rejected?"
"I'd be heartbroken."
"And if she were beautiful?"
"The peak of heartbreak. No, the deepest depths of despair."
"Exactly. Sister, your actions hit rock-bottom disappointment."
"But... I didn't mean to... More importantly, who are you!? How can you listen to my story so calmly!?"
Embarrassed, Elizabeth suddenly turned her ire toward Usax.
"Eek! I-I'm Max Denonslart... um, I'm just a lowly clerk recently hired by Lady Ellie!"
"It's Usax, Sister."
Usax's rabbit ears twitched as he kept bowing and apologizing, "I'm Usax, I'm sorry, I'm sorry."
As expected of a former town hall window clerk. He's a pro at apologizing.
Apparently, this Usax was so competent that the local government didn't know how to handle him. He'd finish work in one-tenth the time and just play around afterward. Had he been serious, he might've found a better job, but he was finally fired just the other day.
"This is a rare chance to hear an older man's opinion! Sister, hold it together."
"F-Fine. I'm sorry, Mr. Usax, for losing my temper so suddenly."
"If someone as lovely as you would benefit from me, please feel free to curse me however you wish."
"That just makes you a pervert, Usax."
"Lady Ellie, you're absolutely right!"
"Touché," Usax nodded.
"Anyway, back to the point—Sister Elizabeth isn't unpopular. She's actually popular. It's just that guys find her hard to approach. Usax, wouldn't you get nervous if someone told you to hit on Sister Elizabeth?"
"Totally! She's so beautiful and looks so strong-willed. I could never do it."
"Then what if a beauty like Sister asked you for a favor?"
"I'd give it my all! Being relied on by a beauty is the ultimate male honor!"
"This is what I mean."
"Ooh~," Amy and Clarice exclaimed in awe.
Only Elizabeth hung her head in embarrassment.
"So, I have two suggestions. One is to ask a gentleman for a small favor at tomorrow's ball. The other is to smile and say thank you when you're complimented."
"Yeah, yeah! I think that's a great idea!"
"My lady! What incredible insight!"
"Obodaba! Obodaba!"
Amy spoke happily, Clarice was moved, and Barry—who had come in uninvited—was crying. Barry, when did you even get here!?
"Clarice, Barry, go to Mirrors and get the usual item. Just tell Misa it's for Sister Elizabeth—she'll understand."
"Understood."
Since it was convenient, she asked the two of them. They bowed swiftly like body doubles and left the room.
"Now all that's left is for Sister to do her best."
"E-Ellie... I can't do it..."
"Why not?"
"Because it's just too embarrassing..."
A capable, strong-willed beauty was blushing and biting her lower lip. This was devastatingly powerful.
"You're beautiful and kind, Sister, so you'll be fine."
I smiled and placed my hand on Elizabeth's shoulder.
"That's... simply not true!"
"Sister, that's not what you're supposed to say. It's 'Thank you,' T-H-A-N-K Y-O-U."
"Ah... Nnngh——I can't, Ellie, I'm too embarrassed to say that."
"It's all right! Now smile brightly and say, T-H-A-N-K Y-O-U."
"Th-thank... y..."
"Hmm? I couldn't hear that. T-H-A-N-K Y-O-U."
"Th-thank y..."
"That won't do! Don't mumble like that! Say it again!"
For some reason, Usax began passionately coaching her.
"You can do it, Sister! Ready, set—T-H-A-N-K Y-O-U!"
Amy enthusiastically joined in.
"Th-thank you..."
"Too quiet, Sister!"
I gave my older sister a pep talk.
With tears in her eyes, Elizabeth earnestly expressed her thanks.
And so, while coaching Elizabeth, the night went on.