TLed by NolepGuy
Chapter 126
Trash visited the estate.
I held a broom and a dustpan, looking at Ruin. I estimated whether I could sweep him up at his size and tilted the broom slightly.
‘If I crumple him, I think I can fit him in.’
Ruin, who heard the silent threat, voiced a plain question.
“What?”
“Cleaning tools.”
“Why are you holding that?”
“To clean.”
Ruin, being quick-witted, clenched his fist and glared at me, but his threats didn’t work on me, who held the weapon known as a broom.
The broom was probably the nemesis of a Green-haired Head.
Ruin, who cleaned the estate with Gomtangi, had his hair covered in dust.
Perhaps because his hair was grass-colored, I suddenly thought about playing soccer on top of his dust-covered head. But knowing that Ruin, with his nasty personality, wouldn’t allow it, I expressed my regret by raising my middle finger.
“You bastard…”
“Calm down. This is a sacred estate. Please refrain from profanity.”
“You started it first. Are you trying to get yourself killed…!”
“Hmm…”
I gave a small smile as I glared at Ruin. When my red glowing eyes turned toward him, Ruin shut his mouth tightly and didn’t say another word.
“Thank you.”
Ruin stood awkwardly in front of the entrance.
Though I wanted to punch the intruder in the philtrum for trespassing without being invited in, as a Butler who wanted to avoid violence at least within the estate, I engraved the patience symbol in my heart and looked at him.
“So, why are you here, Mr. Ruin, lover of the environment?”
“I came because I have business.”
“I see.”
-Bang!
I pushed Ruin out and closed the door.
I had no business with him.
*
Ruin, who visited again, was sitting in the kitchen.
Perhaps he caught a cold; he sniffled and shivered, hugging himself tightly.
“How could you leave a person outside for three hours…”
“Because you’re not a person.”
“Ha… Forget it. I won’t even bother talking.”
“A wise choice.”
Ruin had fought against the winter wind for three hours. I was annoyed that he came without notice, and I had no reason to let him in.
The only reason I brought Ruin into the estate was one thing.
I thought complaints might come in about a hideous statue being displayed in the yard. It wasn’t out of pity for Ruin or because I wanted to talk to him.
So, what could be the reason this guy came?
I looked at Ruin while holding the broom.
“…Could you put that down?”
“I’m sorry. The Young Lady hates it when the estate gets dirty.”
“Ha.”
-Bang.
Regaining his composure, Ruin put his hands in his pockets and propped his legs up on the dining table. Acting as if he was someone important, he placed his legs on the table where we ate.
I wanted to throw him out.
Sincerely.
“When a guest visits, at least offer them tea…”
“I’ll count to three.”
“What?”
“Find the reason yourself.”
One.
I counted without hesitation.
Three seconds until the Supporting Male Lead’s legs disappeared. A number calculated to give him just enough time to see his life-flashing memory of living a somewhat decent life.
“Two.”
“Wait.”
“Three.”
Just as the broom was about to strike Ruin’s knee, he awkwardly slid his legs down from the table.
Realizing his body was more important than his pride, Ruin seemed ready to have a conversation now.
Brushing off the dust from his hair with irritation, the Green-haired Head wore a dumbfounded expression.
“Why are you picking a fight..”
On a personal note, I felt like the air Ruin exhaled didn’t contain carbon dioxide.
The reason was simple.
Because he was a Green-haired Head.
Though unfortunately, he was a Wizard using fire magic, which didn’t match his concept.
With genuine curiosity, I asked Ruin if he had any intention of relearning magic to match his concept since it wasn’t too late.
I told him that if he learned nature-based magic to suit his hair color, I would give him my full support, and together we could create a cleaner world.
I spoke with sincerity.
“Idiot.”
Oops, my unfiltered thoughts slipped out.
Ruin wore a blank expression.
It wasn’t just the sudden insult.
This was probably the first time he’d been treated so poorly.
He wouldn’t know what kind of news he was bringing, but Ruin, displeased with such treatment, glared at me. As always, I responded by raising my middle finger.
Since Ruin came alone without a companion, he was nothing more than an unwelcome guest.
If he had come with the Student Council Executive like during the Hanna incident, it might have been different. But I had no expectations for news from Ruin, who came alone.
While preparing tea, I asked Ruin.
Pretending to be indifferent, I poured the cheap green tea I had almost thrown away last time into a teacup without holding back and looked at Ruin.
“Why would someone of your status visit such a humble place? Judging by your empty hands, it doesn’t seem like you came just to check on me.”
Ruin flinched at the mention of empty hands. He clearly had no sense of etiquette.
Even when visiting a sworn enemy’s house, it was basic courtesy to at least bring a single flower.
Criticizing Ruin for coming empty-handed, I picked up the teacup and sat across from him.
“It’s not like you came just to see my face.”
I handed Ruin the cheap green tea that had been steeped to the limit. The dark green tea. Since I wasn’t going to drink it, I made it as unpalatable as possible.
“Drink.”
Ruin’s distorted expression was reflected in the teacup.
“I brewed it with care.”
“…Huh?”
“Leave if you want.”
Instead of replying, Ruin picked up the teacup and gulped it down. Whether the cheap tea suited his taste or not, Ruin emptied the teacup in one go.
“Cough… Cough….!”
I couldn’t help but smile with satisfaction.
-Bang!
Ruin slammed the teacup down harshly and wiped his mouth. As expected of a Supporting Male Lead, everything about him seemed impressive.
Somehow exuding a decadent charm.
At the same time, he gave off a cool vibe.
Hm.
“Excuse me, but may I punch you in the face?”
“…What?”
“Your pretentiousness is making me lose my appetite, and it’s irritating.”
“Nonsense.”
“I’m serious, though.”
“…”
Ruin looked at me with trembling eyes. Seeing me radiating the gaze of ‘I mean it,’ his eyebrows twitched as he let out a small cough to compose himself.
It was probably time to stop joking around.
Because teasing him was so enjoyable, I had continued for longer than I realized.
Since the Green-haired Head was in the living room, it felt like the air purification in the room had improved to some extent. It was about time to get to the main point.
Amid the now calm atmosphere, my low voice resonated.
“So, what brings you to our estate?”
“…I have a request.”
“A request, you say.”
It was the winter vacation of the 2nd year at the Academy.
Ruin, who initially felt simple curiosity toward Yuria, was gradually starting to realize his feelings.
Whenever he saw his delicate and beautiful friend Yuria, his face would flush, and his heart would race.
This winter vacation was like spring for Ruin. I didn’t know why he came to us, but since he mentioned a request, it must be something I could help with.
Looking at Ruin, who was deep in thought, I asked why he had come. This time, I posed a straightforward question without any teasing intent.
“Green-haired… No, Mr. Ruin.”
“…”
“You need to speak for me to give you an answer.”
“Ha… Damn.”
Ruin let out a small curse and opened his mouth.
“Hey.”
“Yes.”
“I… Ha…”
Ruin ran a dry hand through his hair, letting out a deep sigh as if even he didn’t know what he was doing here.
“At the end of this year, it’s Yuria’s birthday.”
“That’s right.”
“I want to give Yuria a gift. That is…”
Shame began to creep onto Ruin’s face. It seemed that asking me for a favor hurt his pride greatly.
Honestly, it was amusing.
I never imagined Ruin would ask me for a favor.
Of course, I wasn’t planning to grant the request of someone I wasn’t even close to, so I nodded with a hollow reaction.
“You’re preparing a nice birthday gift. That’s good. If you lack character, at least prepare a proper gift.”
“…You’ve been talking like an ass this whole time.”
“Why? Should I help you clean the floor with your face like last time?”
At the mention of an embarrassing memory he had tried to bury, Ruin pressed his lips tightly together.
Even the most unyielding fighter has their PTSD. Without Yuria around, Ruin’s bravado had no conditions to flourish, so he could exercise some discretion.
As the awkward atmosphere lingered, I smiled and spoke to Ruin.
“I’m joking. Please continue. You mentioned preparing a birthday gift.”
“That is…”
“Yes.”
“Ha… That is… I need the Jewel of Fabia.”
“Oh… The Jewel of Fabia?”
The Jewel of Fabia.
If I recalled correctly, it referred to a gem obtained from a Monster with a rooster’s head and a snake’s tail.
It was highly sought after by nobles.
For Wizards, it had the effect of enhancing mana efficiency, making it an expensive gem.
Moreover, Ruin was talking about a high-priced gem that could also be crafted into an artifact.
Hm.
“Don’t be ridiculous.”
This guy was spouting nonsense.
Ruin, as if confessing his dream of becoming chicken feed, couldn’t lift his head.