TLed by NolepGuy
Chapter 240
Mikhail took me around to many places.
Cafe.
Dessert Cafe.
Then back to a restaurant.
Less than an hour after leaving the Tteokbokki Shop, I found myself back there again, letting out an Empty Laugh with a Question Mark hovering above my head.
“We’re back again.”
The flustered woman stared blankly at the Tteokbokki Shop’s sign, frozen in place.
“Ah…”
I directed my question to the woman. How could she propose a Date and end it so quickly?
I should have realized it when she was devouring Cake at the Dessert Shop. She acted like someone who had never been on a Date before, rushing through the schedule at lightning speed. Well, it was understandable, in a way.
“Are we eating again now?”
Looking at Mikhail, who had spent his entire life as The Man, I smiled.
“I’m not even hungry yet, you know.”
“Ah… Well.”
“Secret Girl.”
I smiled at the stationary Mikhail and asked.
“Where are we going now?”
“…”
“I’m really looking forward to this. You’re not saying this is the end, are you?”
“Well…”
“You said you’d try to change my mind… but you’re far from being worthy as a Disciple.”
-Hwaak.
Mikhail’s face turned bright red. With his strong Pride, being Neglected was something he couldn’t tolerate.
Normally, Mikhail would say, ‘No, there’s still a lot left to do.’ But this time, he bit his lip and lowered his head, seemingly unable to think of any plans.
“It can’t end like this. There’s still a Quest…”
“What?”
“Nothing. Please wait a moment.”
Watching Mikhail hurriedly look around for potential places to go, I fell into thought.
‘A Date, huh.’
I hadn’t been on many Dates myself, so no particular place came to mind. He was a handsome Butler, but the person I was dating was special.
-Eeeek! Chocolate!
Letting out A Chuckle, I gently grabbed Mikhail’s wrist.
Recalling the things she had wanted to do when she was younger.
-Eeeek! Minhyuk!
-Lee Minhyuk.
-…Anyway! When I grow up, you know…
-Yeah.
-I want to go to a Festival, wear pretty clothes, and have fun.
-Uh-huh.
-I also want to put money into a Begging Tin.
-Oh, that’s unique.
-And I want to drink with you.
-Drink?
-Mother said drinking makes you feel good.
-I don’t think she meant that in a good way.
Remembering the trivial conversations we had Underneath the Bridge filled with Moss, I held Mikhail’s wrist.
Startled by the sudden skinship, she stared at me blankly with wide eyes.
“Uh…”
“Follow me.”
“What?”
“Have you run out of plans?”
Mikhail absentmindedly followed, letting herself be led by the hand holding her wrist, her gaze fixed on my Red Hair as she walked.
We strolled along the Street.
-Here’s 10 Gold.
-Why are you giving this to me?
-Put it in that person’s Begging Tin.
-What?
-I thought you might want to try it at least once.
We visited a Festival.
-Ta-da. Cat Ear Hairband.
-I don’t need something like this.
-Come on, try saying ‘Meow’ while wearing these. If you wear these and talk to animals, you can hear their stories.
-Really…?
-Nope. That was a Lie.
-Ha… I’ve never done anything like this before, it feels awkward.
-It’s fine. You’re naturally beautiful, after all.
We gazed at the Night Sky In Front of the Fountain, capturing the Milky Way in our eyes.
‘This is fun.’
I spent time completing the things Mikhail had said she wanted to do back in the Slum, staying with her until nightfall.
Mikhail’s cold expression gradually softened, adapting to the atmosphere. The face that seemed ready to leave at any moment now bore a Subtle Smile, and the shoulders that had flinched uncomfortably at our held hands now relaxed naturally.
Watching Mikhail enjoy the Festival, I smiled softly and stopped in front of a Street Vendor selling Chicken Skewers.
“Secret Girl, shall we have some Chicken Skewers?”
“Huh? No… I mean, yes?”
“Chicken Skewers.”
Mikhail gave a small nod.
Fiddling with the Cat Ear Hairband on her head, she smiled brightly.
“Yes.”
Of course, she had to raise her Voice due to the Street Vendor’s playful Joke.
-You two make a great couple.
-No!
-We’re not.
Mikhail, having shed her stiff expression, was now enjoying the moment as a woman. Breathing in the free and peaceful night air, she walked with light steps as if she had cast off her shackles.
“Let’s go to that circus over there too…! Shall we?”
“Sure.”
Smiling, I watched Mikhail grab my hand and lead me toward the crowded Street Performance Venue.
Seeing Mikhail in a White Dress, laughing brightly, she looked like a Girl her age, and it made me smile.
‘She looks just like an ordinary Student.’
I didn’t like Mikhail. There were still too many unresolved issues and things to address.
For today, I wanted to treat Mikhail not with the bitter memories of the Academy, but with the warmth of our time in the Slum.
I was tired of constantly grumbling.
Perhaps I had made many choices just to see her like this. Choices that involved sacrifice or becoming a scapegoat.
Led by Mikhail’s hand, I enjoyed the Festival for a long time.
Time passed, and the bright moon rose into the Night Sky.
The sun set, and the moon, a charming Lantern of emotions, lit up the sky.
The Street Vendors began to close.
The Capital City’s Friday Festival came to an end, and as the Date neared its conclusion, I stopped in front of a Tavern with a good atmosphere and halted Mikhail.
“Secret Girl.”
“Yes?”
“This is the last event of the day.”
“What? Ah…”
Mikhail looked at the Tavern with a regretful expression at the mention of it being the last. Perhaps sad that the night had already come, he lifted his head and made an awkward face.
“Isn’t it about time we part ways? So, the last event.”
Smiling faintly, I pointed to the Tavern in front of us and tugged on Mikhail’s wrist.
“You’re not underage, are you?”
“No….”
“Then how about a drink? To get closer and to mark the beginning of a new Master-Disciple relationship, I thought it might be nice to have a drink.”
“…”
Mikhail nodded.
A first drink together.
Since getting to know Mikhail, I had never had a drink with him, so I thought about what we might talk about as I opened the door to the Store.
Two beers and squid.
It wasn’t a grand menu, but I ordered a simple Drinking Snack and carefully clasped my hands while looking at Mikhail.
“Did you have fun?”
“…”
Mikhail didn’t answer and simply nodded.
“I’m glad.”
“…”
“By the way, Secret Girl.”
“Yes…?”
“How long are you planning to keep wearing that Headband? I mean, I’m happy you’re still wearing the Gift I gave you, but isn’t it embarrassing?”
It seemed Mikhail liked the Cat Headband I had given her, as she continued to wear it. With an Exclamation Mark practically visible above her head, she quickly moved her hands.
“Ah! You should have told me sooner!!”
“Puhaha…! I thought you were wearing it on purpose.”
“Why would I do that!”
Watching Mikhail scream loudly and hurriedly move her hands, I burst into laughter.
The Liquor Glasses kept being emptied.
Cheers, with cold glasses clinking.
Cheers, while talking about the events of the day.
“I was so surprised. You were glaring through the Glass Window… I thought it was a Duel challenge.”
“…Hiccup. Should I challenge you to a Duel?”
“No.”
“You’d just go easy on me anyway…!”
I clinked glasses with a Lady who had shed the name of Mikhail.
It was nice.
Sharing drinks with Mikhail, free of anger, and reminiscing about memories—it was a refreshing and enjoyable experience. It was good to see those memories thriving and to adapt slowly, making it all the more colorful.
‘If she can laugh like this, why was she like that at the Academy….’
Letting out an Empty Laugh, I carefully posed a question to the slightly drunk Mikhail with unfocused eyes.
“Hey, Secret Girl.”
“Yes?”
I looked at her and asked.
“What do you think of me?”
“What?”
“By now, you must know a little about me. Not the Rumors, but just today. I’m curious about what you thought of me today.”
Looking at her, I sought an honest answer.
Just as I had questions about the Time Mikhail had handed me today, I asked her for her evaluation of Ricardo from today.
“You know, I’m not exactly a good person.”
“…”
“Even at the Academy, I was a Renowned Healer, so I don’t think you wouldn’t have heard the Rumors about me.”
“…”
“I just want to hear your impressions of today.”
“…”
Mikhail hesitantly opened her mouth.
Repeating the keyword ‘Just for today,’ she cautiously began to speak.
“I didn’t dislike it.”
“…”
“I’m still not sure, but you seemed like an interesting person.”
“Is that so.”
Smiling faintly, I raised my Liquor Glass.
“I guess I did okay.”
This time, Mikhail threw a question at me. Perhaps unwilling to be the only one answering, she gulped down a drink and opened her lips.
“Then, may I ask you a question too?”
“Of course.”
Mikhail, with trembling lips, spoke to me.
“What do you think of Mikhail as a person?”
“…”
Mikhail’s question was sharp.