Chapter 127
Albert Amlet wasn't a main romance option, but a sub-character who became available from the second playthrough onward.
His black shirt was boldly unbuttoned at the chest, and a gold necklace adorned his sun-kissed, tan skin.
A pair of folded sunglasses hung from his chest pocket—his outfit made you want to ask which beach he'd just come from.
"Mind if I join you? What are you talking about?"
"Ah, Mr. Amlet..."
At the man's appearance, Mrs. Veleno was visibly flustered.
Her face turned bright red, and she took a step or two back—it was as if her earlier yapping had been a lie.
(Looks like she's been overwhelmed by this guy's sex appeal...)
Even from a man's perspective, Amlet was absurdly sexy.
All the more so for women. Mrs. Veleno's eyes kept darting between Amlet's handsome face and the chest visible through his shirt.
"I-it's nothing, really. One of the students I'm in charge of has been under your care... I just wanted to thank you..."
"Ah, I see. So that's what this was about."
"Ugh...!"
Amlet ran his fingers through his bluish hair.
The scent of men's cologne gently wafted over.
"Looks like I interrupted something. My apologies."
"N-no, you didn't interrupt at all..."
"Oh...? Mrs. Veleno."
"Eep!"
Amlet leaned his face in close to Mrs. Veleno.
He suddenly moved in until their lips were just centimeters apart.
"W-w-w-w-w-w-w-w-wah!"
"You had something in your hair. Pardon me."
"Y-yessir..."
Amlet lightly brushed Mrs. Veleno's hair and gave her a wink.
At last, she must have reached her limit... Mrs. Veleno let out steam from her head and collapsed weakly onto the hallway floor.
"...What did I just witness?"
Clael muttered, unable to help himself, as the sexy male teacher flirted with a middle-aged female teacher.
He was about to walk away when Amlet casually threw an arm around his shoulder.
"Hey, Mr. Byrne. Where are you headed?"
"...I have business in the staff room, so if you'll excuse me."
"Ah, then we're headed the same way. I'll go with you."
Leaving the collapsed Mrs. Veleno behind, Clael and Amlet walked side by side down the hallway.
"Please don't take it the wrong way, Mr. Byrne. Mrs. Veleno is a woman with her own sense of pride and conviction. That's why she tends to be strict with others."
"...That does seem to be the case."
Clael nodded at Amlet's attempt to smooth things over.
"I don't mind at all. However, she might want to reconsider her attitude toward the students."
"Ah... I agree with you there."
Amlet raised both hands with a troubled expression.
Instantly, the sexy scent of cologne spread through the hallway.
"......Ugh."
While it might be an alluring fragrance to a woman, all Clael could think was, "Gross."
(...Well, maybe some guys like that. He does kind of have that 'man's man' vibe.)
"What's wrong, Mr. Byrne? Aren't you going to the staff room?"
"...Of course I am."
Clael held himself together, resisting the urge to collapse from whatever strange aura was draining him, and followed behind Amlet.
"By the way... Mr. Byrne. Has anything strange happened around you lately?"
"Strange? What do you mean?"
"Like being followed. Seeing suspicious people. Almost getting attacked... things like that."
"No, nothing like that. I basically just go back and forth between the academy and the staff dormitory."
Sadly... Clael didn't really have any hobbies.
In his previous life, he enjoyed games, but in this one, he had nothing of the sort.
If he had to name something, growing flowers or playing the organ might count as hobbies... but they were really just extensions of his work as a priest.
"I see, I see... well, that's good. Just be careful when you go out."
"What do you mean?"
"Oh, it's just that there seem to be more suspicious people around the academy lately. Even the headmaster's been troubled by it."
"Suspicious people..."
In that case, it would be better to warn the students rather than Clael.
Reina usually commuted in the Grand Shrine's carriage and had the protection of the Holy Spirits, so she was fine... but the other students weren't so lucky.
"Ah, of course I'll be warning the students too. But if anything happens, Mr. Byrne, feel free to consult me, your department head."
"...Yes, understood. Thank you for your concern."
"Well then, adios."
When they reached the front of the staff room, Amlet patted Clael's shoulder and walked off.
As he left, he raised his index and middle fingers and flashed a dazzling white smile.
"...What's with that guy?"
Wasn't Amlet supposed to have business in the staff room too?
Tilting his head, Clael opened the staff room door.