Chapter 27

I intend to eat snacks according to my preferences, so what's the problem?

In fact, I didn't even have the time to elegantly sip a hot cup of coffee.

'Oh, now that I think of it, what time is it?'

It was 9 o'clock when I left the dormitory.

When I checked the time with the pocket watch I took out of my pocket, it was already 9:20.

'Soon it will be time for Mimosas to come to school.'

Drinking tea in Damian's private laboratory and spending a cozy time together was essential to increase his affection.

Just, I couldn't let Mimosas find out.

The probability of Mimosas coming to Damian's private laboratory was very low.

However, if I were to let my guard down and Mimosas found out, the difficulty of the game would skyrocket due to the torment from Demisa.

'What would happen if Mimosas found out that I drank coffee with Damian in his laboratory?'

Would she misunderstand and declare war, thinking I had fallen for Damian, or hire an assassin, thinking I came here to torment Damian? It would be one of the two, wouldn't it?

Anyway, it was clear that a life-or-death situation would arise either way.

'That would be troublesome.'

I got up from my seat to avoid the death route.

"I enjoyed the coffee."

"Eh, are you leaving already?"

Damian looked very disappointed.

If I didn't know his affection level, I might have mistaken his holding me back as him liking me.

I showed him the book I was holding and said,

"I have to finish reading this before my major lecture."

If Mimosas found out I was with him, it would be troublesome for me.

At that moment, I felt a strange sensation.

'What is this, a thought a cheater would have?'

The situation was somewhat similar, but it felt off.

I took my bag and books and left the laboratory.

Then, I saw a distinct pink hair, even though it was quite far away, from the stairs.

It was Mimosas.

My eyes widened as much as they could.

'Why is she here already?'

[The thrones are excitedly watching the unexpected situation.]

To make matters worse, Damian was already right behind me.

"Then let's go together. I have a lecture soon too."

It was the worst timing.

I turned around and pushed Damian's chest, forcing him back into the laboratory.

"Therese? ...Why are you doing this?"

Damian looked puzzled but moved back obediently.

"Hide!"

"Huh?"

"There's no time for this. Mimosas is coming!"

I shouted in a suppressed voice and looked around.

"Ah... Mimosas."

Damian nodded, finally understanding my reaction.

It seemed like one corner of his mouth slightly lifted.

'Now is not the time for that.'

"Is there a place to hide? Somewhere Mimosas would never touch."

A place so lowly that even a noble wouldn't want to touch, like a storage room, would be ideal...

At that moment,

Knock knock knock.

"Damian? Are you in there?"

The nasal, whiny voice sent shivers down my spine.

It felt like a school ghost story.

Ding!

[Throne 'QuestionMarkKiller' has donated 1,000 coins.]

[Is this a horror game?]

Ding!

[Throne 'MadMania' has donated 1,000 coins.]

[No, it's love and war lol. Wow, it's been a while since I felt this excited!]

'Where can I hide... There!'

The supply closet in the corner of the laboratory.

It seemed like two people could fit if I squeezed in.

Since this hiding option wasn't available in the game, I didn't know what the outcome would be.

I dragged Damian to the supply closet and opened the door.

"Can I come in? I said I'd bring you a bento today, didn't I?"

'Get in! Hurry!'

I pushed the large Damian into the closet first, then squeezed in myself.

It was too cramped for an adult man and woman to hide, but now wasn't the time to be picky.

I pressed myself as close to Damian as possible, even pushing my feet into the closet, and quickly closed the door.

"I'm coming in~"

Creak!

The sound of Mimosas entering the laboratory was heard.

Thump. Thump.

An unknown heartbeat echoed throughout my body.

I realized I was pressed up against Damian.

A thin line of light cut through the darkness, seeping through the crack in the door.

While my upper body was partially blocked by the books and bag I brought in, my legs were uncomfortably intertwined with his.

Damian's face was right above my head.

If I lifted my head, the distance would be very, very awkward.

Swallow.

Somehow, I swallowed hard.

Ding!

[Throne 'RomancePass' has donated 1,000 coins.]

[Aaaaaah!!!!!]

"......"

The strange tension that enveloped me was suddenly shattered.

Thanks to that, my flustered heart calmed down like it had been doused with cold water.

'Now that I think of it, Damian didn't need to hide.'

I panicked and dragged him to hide in the closet when Mimosas suddenly appeared.

'No, this is better. If Damian told Mimosas where I was hiding...'

I didn't trust Damian that much.

'He wouldn't suddenly leave the closet, right?'

I moved silently and grabbed Damian's jacket with the hand not holding the books.

I also sent him a threatening look, warning him not to leave.

Damian chuckled.

In the darkness, Damian looked completely different from when he was in the light.

His beautiful golden eyes, which were like candlelight, now looked eerie like a reptile's.

"Lalala~ ...Huh? Why are there two coffee cups?"

I shuddered at Mimosas' words, and Damian whispered,

"Move and you'll be caught."

Nod.

Damian chuckled silently.

He seemed to have accepted the situation and relaxed his posture.

He adjusted his hold on me, who was precariously sandwiched between his thick body and the cold wall, without making a sound.

It made me think that the protagonist, who was the master of the assassination guild, truly had the skills of a bad ending.

"Oh my. There's lipstick on the cup? It was a woman who drank coffee with you."

I heard her grinding her teeth.

"Which audacious noble's daughter tempted our innocent Damian? You don't seem to fear Demisa."

'I need to erase my lips if I go out.'

No, I need to throw away all my lip cosmetics.

"Wait until I catch you. I'll get you expelled no matter what!"

Mimosas stomped out of the laboratory and slammed the door.

I peeked through the crack in the door.

I was worried about a fake-out, a common trick in horror games.

'Is this how the protagonist feels when hiding in a closet to avoid a ghost in a horror game?'

It seemed no one was outside.

I couldn't stay here forever, so I decided to go out.

"Is it okay now? Should we go out?"

I asked in a slightly awkward voice, and Damian opened the door first.

"Go out first, Therese. You might get hurt."

"...Okay."

It was hard to get out of the narrow space.

I tried to pull my body out while holding my bag, but I almost fell.

Damian easily caught me and pulled me out with his strength.

"Ah, thanks."

"No, it's my fault you had to hide like this."

'I guess so. I need to wipe my lips.'

I took a handkerchief from my bag and rubbed my lips.

Damian looked at me intently and said with a strange smile,

"But, Therese, if you're going to hide in the future, you shouldn't choose such a place."

"......?"

While rubbing my lips, I looked up, and Damian continued with a thin smile.

"You'll be caught right away."

Ding!

[Throne 'ConspiracyTheorist' has donated 1,000 coins.]

[This guy is intense, huh?]

It was natural for the throne to feel that way.

After all, the person he was talking to was a professional assassin.

Of course, if it were anyone else, they might not have understood and would have indignantly asked, "Who are you to criticize me?"

I thought Damian's advice made sense.

After all, it was advice from a pro.

"Really? Then tell me where to hide next time. I'll hide there."

I just reacted casually, but it seemed Damian took it differently.

"Does that mean you'll come again?"

'...When did I say that?'

Damian didn't even give me a chance to deny it.

"Therese, I have a question."

His expression was very serious.

'What is it? Why is he making such a serious face?'

I met his gaze with a serious expression, and Damian hesitated before speaking.

"Do you not hate me now?"

This was an unexpected turn of events.

I nodded awkwardly in agreement.

"...Yeah, I don't hate you."

I don't hate you, but you might hate me.

A sharp look flashed in Damian's golden eyes.

"Then, what do you think of me?"