NOVEL NEXT Chapter 24 - The Number One Handsome Man in the Guild
The Number One Handsome Man in the Guild
Ah! I can’t afford to space out! Pulling myself together, I hurriedly returned his greeting and introduced myself. Kei-san didn’t mind at all and, with a gentle smile, offered me a handshake. His hands were fair and smooth… I-I couldn’t help but feel my heart flutter!
“Kei really is a master at erasing his presence. As good as Gil. Even Schlie and I can’t sense him unless we’re on guard.”
“Well, it’s in his nature.”
Saura-san grumbled, hands on her hips. Kei-san really was skilled. I figured that Saura-san and Schlie-san, who were able to say such a thing, must be incredibly skilled themselves. They were from a world I knew nothing about…
As the adults started talking, I secretly observed Kei-san once more.
Kei-san, the rumored most handsome man in the guild, had snow-white hair, styled in a short cut with the back slightly longer. His crimson eyes, visible through his stylish black-framed glasses, could appear intimidating, but due to his gentle personality, I felt more of a laid-back, relaxed aura than anything scary. But objectively speaking, he was slender, with refined beauty. From his clothes to the accessories he wore, he had a very stylish look.
Well, all that aside. That wasn’t the point.
Kei-san, with his tear mole under his eye, tall and slender… was most likely a woman.
“…The most handsome… man… in the guild, shan?”
He had androgynous features and a slender build, but judging from the curves of his shoulders and hips, as well as his voice, I thought he was definitely a woman. I never imagined the “handsome man” would turn out to be a woman.
“Hold on. Sauradite, is it? What exactly have you been telling people?”
When I couldn’t help but voice my thoughts, Kei-san chuckled wryly. Even though he was verbally complaining, he didn’t seem to mind. …So, he was aware.
“Because it’s true. The girls in town all agree that their ideal is Kei, and so many guild members come crying to me, saying it’s unfair. They even come complaining to me! It’s a disruption to work, it is!”
“That’s not something I can do anything about. I’m just living my life.”
“Their standards are way too high; no ordinary man can compete… It’s affecting marriage prospects for both men and women!”
“Well, girls are cute, so I don’t mind being told that. But affecting marriage prospects is a bit of a problem.”
Kei-san forcefully changed the subject, turning his attention towards me.
“I’ve heard what happened. You’re having trouble deciding where Meg-chan should stay tonight?”
Just when did he start listening? Both Saura-san and Schlie-san grimaced. Ignoring them, Kei-san continued.
“Since the condition is someone she met today, I could also be considered…”
“No!”
“Absolutely not!”
Before Kei-san could finish speaking, the other two interjected. Hey, no need to be so harsh! It was true that I’d only just met him and could use a little time to get used to him, but still!
Kei-san didn’t seem the least bit fazed by their blunt rejection. He simply withdrew, saying, “That’s a shame.” Hmm? Was he just teasing? To be able to tease Saura-san and Schlie-san… he must be someone important…!
“Well, jokes aside, I have a good idea.”
“It’s a little annoying to admit, but Kei does come up with good ideas. Let’s hear it.”
“Sauradite, you’ll ruin that pretty face of yours with that expression,” Kei-san said, approaching Saura-san, who was, as usual, being a bit rude. Saura-san took a step back cautiously, but Kei-san gently lifted her chin with his index finger, forcing her to look at him.
“That lovely face of yours is best when you’re smiling.”
Th-This is…! A chin lift!?
I never thought I’d see someone do it in real life! I thought it only happened in manga! And it suited him so well! There was no awkwardness…! I see, Kei-san really was a true handsome man. I’m convinced.
“Uu-Ah-Ah-I-Iyaaahhh!”
Saura-san’s face turned bright red as she let out a scream. She was surprisingly innocent.
Schlie-san sighed, watching the scene with an exasperated expression. He seemed used to this. I’m a little girl who can read the mood.
“That’s why! I! Can’t stand you! I know, logically, but… it’s so embarrassing!”
Saura-san covered her face with her hands and shook her head. She was completely flustered. C-Calm down!
“Hmm, you really are adorable, Sauradite. Your size, your reaction… My type.”
“I told you to stop!”
I could tell that Kei-san was being serious, not teasing or malicious, even though Saura-san was so flustered. Ahh, this guy’s bad news… No wonder Saura-san shuddered when she talked about him.
“Well then, wouldn’t you mind telling us your so-called ‘good idea’?”
Ignoring Saura-san, whose face was still a little red, Schlie-san calmly brought the conversation back on track.
“You know, Schlie Letziano, you have a lovely face too. It would look better if you weren’t always frowning.”
“I’m fine as I am.”
Schlie-san swiftly shut down Kei-san, who was, as always, unfazed. It seemed like Schlie-san had won this round. Kei-san tilted his head curiously, pouting slightly, before explaining his idea.
“This child, Meg-chan. I don’t know the details, but she’s way too thin, she looks incredibly fragile. I know she had a checkup, but… are we sure she won’t have any problems at night?”
“…………”
Both of them fell silent at Kei-san’s words. It was true that this body was incredibly thin. Dr. Ludo said there were no immediate health problems, but he warned us not to make me push myself. And who knows what could happen? I got sleepy easily and couldn’t eat much at one time. I thought it was just because I was a child, but that was just an amateur assumption. Dr. Ludo had only said, “at first glance.” Who knew what kind of effect the fatigue accumulated in this body would have on a child? It’s quite possible to develop a fever or something.
“I hadn’t considered that. You’re right, Meg-chan is still such a small child. We can’t treat her like our impossibly durable members, it should be obvious…”
“Indeed… I was so excited to finally meet a child of my race. We need to thoroughly research how to properly care for a child. If we can’t even do that, we have no right to be around Meg.”
Aaaagh, they’re visibly depressed! Kei-san was right. And I understood why they were upset. But I, the person involved, felt incredibly awkward!
I should have spoken up more, saying I was tired or needed to rest. But it was hard to gauge my own fatigue. See, I have years of experience as a corporate slave; pushing myself was normal, so… this was getting depressing.
“It can’t be helped. Having young children is so rare; I doubt anyone here is used to living a lifestyle like that. Let’s learn from this mistake. Let’s take our mistakes to heart and use them to our advantage next time. Now, lift up that pretty face.”
It was a great speech, but that last part… kinda ruined it. But I guess that was just Kei-san. Yeah, I’d get used to it.
“So, I think it’s settled then. She’ll stay in the infirmary tonight. As for what happens after tomorrow… well, that depends on how much we learn.”
“…Yes, let’s do that. Ludo has experience with children, he might be the best person for this.”
“Alright, I’ll go tell Ludo!”
And so, my sleeping arrangements were secured. The infirmary… Was I basically being hospitalized? I felt bad for taking up so much of their time, but I would gracefully accept their kindness!
Anyway, Kei-san was surprisingly objective. Putting aside their personality, I was genuinely impressed.
The most handsome person in the guild lived up to their name, both in appearance and character.