Ch 8 — Why Are You Here?

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In the carriage that was heading to the lake, the corner of my lips hooked up for no reason.
I struggled to bring them down, but of course, it wasn’t easy.

1000 shares.

Hehe.
Another silent laugh leaked out again.

What a beautiful number this was.
To think that there are three zeroes, I can’t believe there are as many as three!

The more I thought about it, the more it seemed like a dream.
Moreover, the fact that the date had only just begun motivated me even more.

‘I can definitely sell more.
No, I have to sell more!’

Because Hype King was serious about Leonon.

It was a fact that could be seen just by the way they reacted to his every word and action.
That’s why I had changed my destination to the temple.
It was clear that I would be able to sell more shares if it were only the two of us.

So I couldn’t miss this opportunity!

“We’ve arrived.”

I turned my head at the voice of Commander Leonon and looked out the window.
I could see a fairly large lake not too far away from us.

Even though he had said that it was a lake near the residence, we had arrived rather quickly despite not having travelled for too long.

When the carriage stopped, Leonon got off first and reached out to me.
To receive such an escort made me rather flustered, since I was only familiar with being a superficial, figure-head Duchess who only lived in the mansion.

“Watch your step.”

“Oh, thank you.”

I took his hand and got off the carriage.
Leonon’s face grew much closer that when we were facing each other in the carriage.
A well-groomed and beautiful face smiled back softly.

However, what really caught my attention was something else.

「Total shares sold: 3,700 shares.」

There was a system window floating on top of the friendly face.

To be more specific, it was only the number ‘3700’, that was floating in a sparkling light near Leonon’s eyes, that completely hooked my attention.

I stared at it without blinking my eyes.

How much more can I sell?

“Is…”

1,000? 2,000? Or perhaps 5,000 shares… would that be too much? No, the bigger the goal, the better.

“There perhaps… something on my face?”

At the sound of his flustered voice, I finally closed the system window and looked at Leonon’s face.
For some reason, the tips of his ears were burning red.

I laughed arbitrarily, then shook my head and smiled broadly.

“No.
I’m just really looking forward to it.”

Yeah, let’s give it a go.
If the only way I’ll be able to survive is by selling shares, then I’ll sell, sell, and sell some more, and sell them at any cost!

I made up my mind and grabbed what I was holding in my hand with all my strength.

It was only a little later that I finally realised that thing had been the hand of Commander Leonon.

*** 

pls do not share this anywhere or the transmigration gods will transport u into boku no pico !! this translation has been stolen from mioscorner.com, pls only read there i’m begging u :kneels:

Every time the evening sunset changed colours, a soft pastel pink colour slowly spread across the surface of the lake, as if a bucket of paint had been spilled over it.

The wind that was blowing in from the forest on the other side had just the right amount of chilliness, and I could hear the flapping wings of the birds who were busily returning to their nests.

Some people were leisurely reading a book on the few benches that were scattered around here and there, while others sat leisurely near the lake shore with their fishing rods dangling in the water.

Even with this picturesque landscape in front of me, there was only one thought in my head. 

‘It’s a date.
From now on, I… am going on a date!”

The moment I secretly clenched my fists with a determined heart.

“Do you like it?”

As I turned my head toward the sweet voice, with the sunset behind me, a soft smile caught my eyes.

It was a smile that seemed to make all my worries fade away just by looking at it.

In addition to that, the prominent and good looking forehead, those vivid eyes that looked particularly blue in the pink sunlight, and that long and sharp nose, one by one, all filled my vision.

For some reason… My heart started to flutter unknowingly.

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‘N-No, this isn’t a real date!’

I kept repeating those words over and over again, to the point that the decision I had just resolved to do had become overshadowed.
Otherwise, it seemed that the sound of my heart beating would leak out without me realising it.

“Can I go for a stroll?”

Trying to regain my composure, I made the suggestion while avoiding his gaze.
I thought it would be better if I took a leisurely stroll and got some fresh air.

Leonon replied with a smile.

“Of course.”

We walked along a well-maintained promenade.
However, contrary to what I thought, my heart never calmed down.

“Please.”

It was all beauce of Leonon, who politely extended an arm to me shortly after we began to walk.
He seemed to be worried about my injured foot.

“Thank… you.”

My face heated up as I lightly interlinked our arms together.
I could feel his firm muscles under the thin cloth that touched my palm.

“It’s fine, so please lean against me comfortably.” 

Leonon grabbed my hand, which had only been hovering slightly clumsily, and repositioned my hand so that it was now properly grasped.
Thanks to this, my body had now shifted a little closer to him.

Ding dong!

「‘This area’s hype king’ smashes the fourth wall and buys 300 shares.」

「I came since I heard that the bride and groom were doing their wedding parade here???」

I gradually bowed my lower just as the cheesy comment appeared.

It was just as I was taking a step forward, ignoring the sound of my heartbeat that was still racing.

Somehow, it felt as if the back of my head was getting more and more prickly.

When I looked around, the groups of people that were around us all had their eyes on me. 

They didn’t come any closer, but just continued to stare with eyes that were obviously filled with curiosity.
They even hurriedly averted their eyes whenever we made eye contact.

‘Was it because of Leonon?’

It was a lake near the Holy Knights headquarters, so it wasn’t too surprising for the people to recognise his face.

Since Leonon’s long blond hair and white uniform that suited him extremely well, were extremely noticeable, even from far away.
In addition, his handsome face, which was quite hard to forget once you’ve seen it, also played a part.

I asked quietly, looking around.

“Commander, is this okay?”

“Pardon? What are you talking about?”

“That… if a rumor spreads in high society…”

Although I was a figurehead Duchess who had been imprisoned in the North for two years, and who was hardly known to anyone anyway, that wasn’t the case for the Commander.

However, Commander Leonon seemed to think for a moment before shaking his head with a friendly smile.

“You don’t have to worry.
I’m always around rough knights, so I’m rather far from such a place.
There’s no way my name would ever be on everyone’s lips.”

“What? That can’t be true.
I’m sure everyone is curious about the Commander’s every move.”

“Haha, no way.
I’m sure my men are the only people who would be interested in me.”

He spoke with a lot of assurance, so I quietly shut my mouth.
It was because it was obvious that he wouldn’t understand, even if I continued talking.

…This guy is the type to be popular, but he himself is the only one who’s unaware of it. 

“By the way, you’re not tired from walking, are you?”

 “No, not at all.”

Well, if the other person didn’t care about rumors, then I wouldn’t mind them either.
As if to reassure him, I walked more vigorously.

“I’m so healthy, I think I can even run now.”

When I pretended to run, whether it was funny or not, a hearty laugh erupted from Leonon’s mouth again.

“Still, don’t overdo it.”

I also followed him in smiling brightly.

Was walking side by side while chatting with someone this enjoyable? It was clearly only a small and mundane thing, but I felt even happier since it was something I never could’ve imagined doing in the Duke’s estate.

But apart from that, my heart grew more and more impatient. 

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「Total shares sold: 4000 shares」 

Time was ticking, but apart from that time when the system window had run earlier, it had been as silent as a dead mouse.

Even if that was the case, I couldn’t start being pessimistic already.

‘Just making cheesy comments while we walk together would be rather ambiguous.’

Then what should I do? If I want to sell shares, just what do I have to do in order to satisfy the ‘hype king’?

I felt somewhat hopeless and looked around, but I couldn’t think of any other brilliant points.

I didn’t even know what was near the lake which I had come to for the first time, and even more so, I had never been on a date in this world I had transmigrated into.

Then, the sun went down in the distance as the surroundings began to darken.

They must’ve thought it’d be too lacklustre for them to buy shares so easily, even for such small actions.
As my harvest was less that I had expected, I kept getting nervous.

Since it was Commander Leonon, he’d ask me to go back before night falls, and then I won’t be able to sell shares!

“Don’t worry.
Everything will be fine.”

However, at that time, I heard a soft voice from beside me.
As I hurriedly turned my head, I made eye contact Commander Leonon, who was looking at my crumpled face.

“Sorry for being so sudden.
You seemed to have a lot of concerns.”

“Ah, that…”

“If there’s something that’s too difficult or tiring for you to solve on your own, please do not hesitate to tell me.
Helping people who I’ve only met once is the principle of the Holy Knights, and also mine.”

Actually, the truth is, I have to sell some shares to the hype king.
So, if you don’t mind, could you please cooperate with me?

‘…I couldn’t say that.
You’d definitely think I’m crazy.’

Although I was unable to even answer and just bit my lips, Leonon continued. 

“Although I don’t know anything about why you’re hiding your identity, or what your circumstances are…”

Blue eyes that were clearer than the lake, stared at me.
Everything, even my red hair, which was rustling in the mountain breeze, was reflected in it like a mirror.

“I don’t believe that you’re a bad person.
If you were, your expression wouldn’t be as honest as it is right now.
And even if that’s the case, you don’t have to be sorry, since I just trusted you according to my own will.”

“…Th-Thank you.”

Wait, no, Commander.
You seem to trust people too easily… How much of me did you even see to believe in me like that? 

“Anytime is fine, so please feel free to tell me when you are ready.
Who knows? There might really be something I could do to help.”

At that moment, his melodious voice was so calm and comforting that I momentarily forgot about my problems with shares.

The best swordsman in the continent, and the Commander of the Holy Knights of Ecrestus, who even the imperial family couldn’t touch recklessly, was a man who seemed to have been made of kindness and everything good, from head to toe.

“Thank you so much… just for saying that.”

My face heated up again as I hurriedly bowed over the silence.

“Ah.”

At that moment, I tripped and stumbled unknowingly.
It was because I hadn’t seen the jagged stone in front of me since I had been thinking of something else.

Then, Leonon’s large hand grabbed onto me and held me tightly so I wouldn’t fall.

“Be careful.”

It was then. 

Ding dong! 

「‘This area’s hype king’ buys 300 of your shares with a clenched fist full of tears.」

「Master… Please give me a closeup of those veins on the back of your hand.
I’m begging you… 」

The hype king finally bought some shares.

Although it was the sound of the bell that I had longed for, I was still confused.

…Just what part hooked you? 

Was it perhaps because of those sweet words that said they were willing to help me with anything, no matter what it was?

However, there was a short, but clear period between those words and the actual sale of the share.
I continued to walk slowly and glance at the system window as discretely as possible.

‘Maybe there was a hint in the comment.
Master, the veins on the back of your hand…’

Wait a minute.

…Don’t tell me, it was because he grabbed my shoulder?

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No matter how much I thought about it, that seemed to be the only plausible thing.
Yeah, there was a time when I too, would shout for amore when the male lead had skinship1 with the female lead. 

Then, shall we… give it a go?

After taking a deep breath, I twisted my body to the side in an even more exaggerated manner than before.

“Oh my! There’s another stone here too!”

I’m sorry for saying such awkward lines, on top of my bad acting.

“Are you okay?”

A strong arm wrapped around my waist as soon as my body faltered.
Perhaps because I had staggered by myself on flat ground, there was also a look of surprise on Leonon’s face.

Ding dong! 

「‘This area’s hype king’ bought another 500 shares.」

「Crazy, crazy, crazy.
This is crazy, this is crazy.
No matter how crazy it was, it’s still crazy.
The hang wrapped around the waist was crazy.
This is seriously crazy.」

They really bought it! 

Only now did I seem to know what the selling point was. 

So… you buy it every time I have skinship with the Commander… 

“This road appears to be under maintenance.
I wasn’t aware of this.
Let’s go over there.”

The same words as the message that the hype king had left echoed in my mind as I was let away by Leonon, who had innocently given me an apology without being aware of anything.

Crazy! Crazy, crazy, crazy!

It hasn’t even been that long since we first met, but now we have to do skinship! What we’ve done so far is already the limit!

But I had no choice. 

You have to sell shares to survive!

As I straightened myself where I stood, I clenched my fists and calmed my breathing.

“What’s wrong with you?”

Then, Leonon also stopped in his steps and looked at me.
It was when the expression on his face was full of worry.

“Urgh.”

I let out a half sincere moan and clutched my forehead.

“S-Sorry.
My head suddenly…”

As I tried to pretend to be vulnerable, my voice naturally trembled due to my feeling of shame.
Perhaps more worrisome was that I could see Leonon stretching out his arm toward me. 

Although I was really embarrassed, now was my only chance.
Even if I stayed in a temple that was managed by the Holy Knights, it’s unclear whether or not I can spend time with Leonon like this again.

I finally ended up closing my eyes tightly… 

“…I feel so dizzy!”

And fell towards his shoulder.

“This…!”

Along with an urgent voice, I felt long, strong arms supporting my back.
At the same time, the sound of my heart pounding whilst enveloped in a warm body rang in my ears.

‘H-Huh?’

I figured it out thanks to that.
It wasn’t Leonon’s shoulder that I bumped into, but his firm, wide chest.

“N-No.
Wait a moment…”

I didn’t mean to do this! I was just trying to sell some shares by bumping into his shoulder!

I twisted my body slightly to get out of his arms.
However, as he held me in his arms, his strong arms didn’t budge.
I was so startled that I couldn’t do anything but open and close my mouth like a goldfish.

 “It could be bad if you move too suddenly.
It’s alright, so please lean against me.”

ugh i’d simp for her too

 

Ding dong! 

「‘This area’s hype king’ buys 1000 of your shares with tears in their eyes!」

Heok, I did it! 

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My opened my eyes unconsciously.

I finally sold 1000 shares.
Another zero was added, just like I wanted.
Thanks to you, the shame has now disappeared to somewhere far away.

However, the sound of the bell didn’t stop there. 

Ding dong! 

「Kiss! Clap! Kiss! Clap! Kiss! Clap!」

S-Say what? Kiss?

I was so embarrassed that I lost my breath at the unexpected message.
A kiss? Does that even make sense?

Perhaps because of my rough breathing and stiff body, Leonon, who was holding me quietly, said in a low voice.

“In any case, there’s no helping it.
You don’t seem to be feeling to well, so we should go back.”

N-No! How am I meant to sell the shares then? I mean, I wasn’t enduring the shame of pretending to be weak just to only end up selling this much!

“No, it’s okay.
I have mild anemia all the time!”

I held onto Leonon, who was trying to walk away in a hurry.

In fact, I hope he never found out that I had ate a large amount of steak for dinner just before going out on a walk.

“You’ll feel better after a short rest…”

Meanwhile, my inner conflict, which no one knew about, continued. 

We had already held hands, interlinked arms, and even hugged.
Would ‘hype king’ really buy shares for skinship that had already been done before?

In fact, even though Leonon was holding onto my shoulders to support me, the system window remained silent.

Seriously… there’s nothing left to do but kiss, right? What should I do if that’s the case? I didn’t know how to sell shares to other people either.

Sh-Should I do it?

If I dare to steal a kiss from the Commander and stand in the Knights Court of Law, am I supposed to pretend to be crazy?

Whatever it is, it’s better than dying!

“Then, I’ll take you to the carriage first.
I think you’d better sit down and rest for a while.”

Commander Leonon lowered his posture while saying excuse me.
It seemed like he was going to carry me again.

Fuck it, I’ll just do it!

Let’s think about this all later!

Having made up my mind, I raised my hand to grab the collar of Commander Leonon, who was approaching closer toward me.

No, to be more precise, it looked like I seized his throat, but I didn’t have the heart nor time to care about that right now.

Because there was only one thought in my head.

‘5000 shares, let’s goooooo!’

“W-Wait…”

It was when I was pretending not to notice his flustered face as I closed my eyes tightly and pulled him towards me.

“Let go of that hand.”

What greeted me was neither warm, soft lips, nor the beautiful ringing of a bell, but rather, a dreary voice.

“…What the hell are you doing right now?”

A ferocious force, as if a cold wave of the north wind was raging.
And somehow, the voice that seemed to freeze my body from head to toe was rather familiar.

I prayed for it not to be what I thought it was, and forced myself to turn my head, which was already stiff with tension, back.

The moment I saw the disheveled black hair and sharp deep-blue eyes…

 “Come on, tell me.
Just what are you doing right now?”

Without realizing it, I closed my eyes tightly again.

“You’re going to have to explain everything, from why you’re here, to why you’re with the Holy Knights Commander.”

Rather, that’s what I wanted to ask. 

Why are you here, Periot?! 

Why!

[1] 스킨십 physical affection, physical touch.