OH CRAP! NO— I went overboard.. My disguise act… He's going to notice something is wrong!
Oh shoot, oh shoot, I'm not acting like a proper girl— I need to reset. I need to reset.
"Huuu… haaa… huuu… haaa…"
I took deep breaths, trying to reset my rhythm. As I inhaled and exhaled slowly, my breath heavy with tension.
To Haer, the girl he's looking— looked like someone either in distress… or full of rage.
But in reality, the "girl" was just trying to refresh his mind. Restart the act.
Still… the lack of experience hit hard.
Haer's brows furrowed slightly, then raised in hesitation,
clearly trying to make sense of why an unfamiliar girl—alone in the dark sky, lightly soaked by the rain, wetted except the unique looking dress, looking downcast—
had appeared so suddenly. Why did she grab his shoulder?
[Haer]
Hold on—
Haer gently moved his umbrella over, shielding me from the light drizzle.
His mouth twitched a few times as he hesitated, then—
"S—Sister? You shouldn't be out in the cold rain like this… You'll get sick, ya know?"
I heard his voice. Deep—not overly so—but calm and soothing.
Haa… wow. Haha. He's kind. As expected of the hero's heir…
Still looking down, I kept breathing, slowly regaining my composure.
"Huuu… haaa… huuu… haaa…"
[Haer]
Uhh… What's really up with this girl? Like, what the hell is going on? …WAIT, COULD IT BE—
Suddenly, Haer slipped away from my grip, the umbrella handle now in my other hand.
"Eh?" I let out, startled.
His expression tensed, bit by bit, as he stood under the light rain and the dark sky now—no longer sheltered.
[Haer]
Is this girl one of them? She's strikingly tall— as tall as me. Her face is a cute one regardless, but her frame… and that interesting, unique dress I've never seen before… it's intimidating— SHE MUST BE.
Haer relaxes and smiles with his eyes closed,
"I'm sorry, but I'm not interested."
Huh?
My face blanked.
HUH?! DID I JUST GET REJECTED?!
DID I JUST GET—
"Why…?" I let out a soft, soothing noise, laced with quiet sadness.
Haer's expression shifted. He looked at me, puzzled,
"Huh—so… yeah, I'm not interested in anything you're selling to me, yo."
I couldn't believe it. I failed before even trying…
Wait, wha—?
Haer pointed his finger at me,
"Thanks for the upcoming offers— But! I'm broke! Brokie. Brokier than you", he grinned.
"Eh? No no, I'm not a saleswoman or anything particular—"
I relaxed a little, though a tiny, teeny drop of tear clung to the very edge of my eye.
Haer raised his left eyebrow in question—
but suddenly, he shifted. His posture straightened sharply. His expression tightened. His eyes narrowed. His whole demeanor changed in an instant.
[Haer]
I KNEW IT! I tried to stay positive, but it looks like my earlier thoughts were right.
Seeing Haer's reaction, I was a little startled by the sudden shift in atmosphere and aura.
Huh?!
Why is he in some kind of defensive stance?
Wait—did something try to attack us?! Huh? Huh?!
Confused and worried, I looked around—
turning my head left and right, left and right,
again and again, quickly and repeatedly.
Haer closed his eyes, took a proper breath, then opened them again with a firm expression.
"So that's it… I'm not naive, miss."
I stopped looking around and focused my gaze on Haer. Both of my arms lifted in front of me, bent at 90 degrees.
My eyes blinked repeatedly and twitched slightly,
"W-What— What do you mean….?"
Don't tell me—
He... HE FIGURED IT OUT—
"This is a robbery scheme, am I right, Miss Criminal?" Haer said with a firm voice.
"EH?! Uhm—" My expression was startled, but quickly relaxed.
Oh thank god.
What nonsense is that—? But hey, at least he didn't figure out my disguise.
I wiped the sweat off my forehead with my left hand, blinking rapidly and repeatedly, shining my thick, long and curly eyelashes.
"Tell me, where are your comrades? Where are they hiding? Planning to ambush me?"
His voice was loud and clear, a tiny smirk tugging at the edge of his right lip.
"Did I scare y'all?"
Haer continued, confident and firm.
I looked at him, utterly confused.
Uhhhh—
Did he really think I'm some sort of pathetic robber? Really dude? Are you for real-for real, dawg?
"Before y'all hurt yourselves badly for daring to challenge me, let me be clear—"
Haer tensed his eyes further.
"I am the youngest confirmed heir of the legendary hero!"
"Heh, Did that scare you?"
My upper body leaned back slightly, eyes widening for a second.
I waved both hands in front of me,
"Uh, no I'm—"
"AND", he cut in,
"You won't get anything from me other than pain. I won't allow it."
Haer currently looked like an undefeated champion with his spirit unbroken.
…But—
[Haer]
Trying to act cool and intimidating—
Holy sheet, I managed to do it. OH MY GOD.
I'll be damned!
They'll fry me—burn me—toast me if these robbers are experienced.
And if they knew I'm merely the hero's descendant who can't do anything other than fight with a dagger and run away—
HOWEVER I LEFT THE DAGGER AT HOME. I'M SO DAMNED.
But hey… Ain't nobody told them I'm broke, right??
Like, our family's not doing well.
They'd gain literally nothing from this other than a face-to-face meeting with me.
I softened my expression and smiled gently to Haer,
"N-No, I'm not— neither a robber, nor are there any comrades waiting to ambush."
"Ehhh… How could I be so sure?"
He's looking with skeptics.
"Look! You're the youngest heir, right? Use your soulnergy you inherited from the legendary hero to scan our surroundings. Believe me—there's no such robbers." I said with a wide open smile,
[Haer]
Scan with soulnergy?!
Oh shoot— I ain't got none of that!
But—
If I said I couldn't…
this girl—and they—would know I inherited no such power. Which would make me an easy target. Especially without my tools! AHHHHH— Frick it!
"Hmmm… Stand still, anonymous."
Haer pointed his right arm at me, standing upright like a proper warrior—firmly and cool.
His loose curly hair, now wet by the continuous drops of rain, flattened into a straighter, soft wave, sticking gently to his skin.
"Hnnnggggh…"
Haer tried to act like he was using some kind of power, awkwardly pressing both index fingers to his temples with intense focus.
The countless drops of light rain poured down over him—from his hair to his elbows, down his body, sliding past his ears before dripping to the ground.
I looked at him with a deadpan expression,
Uhhh, bruh…
Did this guy really use his power?
I can't sense anything. Is it invisible to me, or is this guy just frauding?
Out of nowhere, the sound of running steps echoed.
"Haer!"
A soothing, mature female voice called out.
It's Falora.
Looks like she acknowledges the situation.
Haer snapped out of it, looking confused and surprised,
"Oh, Falora? What are you doing here?"
Falora slowed her pace, stopping beside Haer to cover him with her umbrella.
Then, with a gentle smile, she suddenly hugged me.
"Au! TOO HARD, TOO HARD—" I struggled to breathe.
Falora noticed my struggle, and her arms loosened.
She looked at me, her expression soft with an apologetic look.
To be honest, I was slightly surprised by the sudden hug.
Not because of the hug itself, but the intensity of it!
How in the damn world did Falora— A guild receptionist, or counter worker, or whatever she is— have such immense strength in her hugs?
Like… OH MY GOD—
"Haer, meet my new friend!", Falora said in a soothing, feminine voice that was able to significantly diffuse the tension and prevent the misunderstanding from escalating further.
Haer stood there, slightly in awe and confusion.
"Friend? Ah, I see. So that's who she is… I knew this time would come… sooner than I expected…"
His defensive state loosened as he stood up properly again.
"Uh?" Both Falora and I said, confused.
Haer bowed slightly, placing his arms together as his tense gaze and expression shifted into a relaxed, apologetic one.
"You must be one of the new friends Falora has met from the higher branch. I know we've delayed this, and I'm very sorry for my actions earlier, Miss."
"Ehhhhh?" Falora let out, while I was still trying to process what Haer had just said.
Haer gradually relaxed, his gaze softening, becoming saddened.
"The truth is, we've been trying to pay off our debts. I know it's slow, but we have to make sure we get enough proteins, fats, and essential nutrients in our diet. We've had to cut out many other ingredients like vegetables, fruits, spices, and herbs."
WHAT. WHAT.
I was baffled.
I was shocked.
Hold on…
He and his family are living like this?
B-but aren't they one of the confirmed heirs of the salient figure—the hero??
They should get generational privileges!
How could he live like that? Is he lying?
But what would be the point of that?
How did he manage to communicate using a soulnergy-powered writing device then?
"I know that our life doesn't matter when it comes to the debt, but we've tried everything in our ability to pay it off faster. Our food is enough to live and grow on, but it's bland. Our home still uses candles and fire. I—I dropped out of the academy to reduce the costs too—"
At that moment, Falora suddenly spoke up, her expression full of shock and disbelief,
"What?! Haer, that's why you've been to the guild so much more frequently these past months. Does that mean you've been lying to others?? Why didn't you tell me? I could help—"
With a gentle smirk,
"Haha, I'm sorry, Falora. But doing that would cause problems for others. I know most of you are kind to the hero's lineage. However, I won't, and I don't want to be a burden."
Falora looked concerned, her eyebrows furrowed,
"But Haer…"
Haer smiled to lighten the mood and reassure Falora,
"Don't worry! I'm a strong young man! Haha! Besides, I get to accompany you more often with that part-time job of yours and protect you from any of the people's bad intentions, right?!"
However, Falora didn't look relieved at all.
This can't be!
Seeing this, I decided to step in.
I stood upright firmly, my right hand placed on my chest while my left hand extended to the side, striking a warrior's pose.
Let me pull this line!
"That's not right, Haer. I understand y'all. While doing this, you won't be a burden physically, but although I don't know your relationship with Miss Falora and others, I know that by keeping your suffering to yourself while hiding it from those who actually care for you will instead place an emotional burden on them!"
Haer was a little shocked, moved by my words. He let out a small sound.
He relaxed and closed his eyes in acceptance.
OH, THANK GOD.
Looks like that wise line I copied and completely referenced from one of the books I read worked. Yo, damn it, boy, I can be an actor. LET'S GO—
"Thank you for understanding, Miss. But I do hope you understand that I'm currently not able to pay off the debt. The goblins at the location likely ran away after seeing their ally die, so I didn't get the job done yesterday to receive my payment. I'm truly sorry."
Oh… Wait, he's still misunderstood. This weird situation— I must clear it up while maintaining my girly act, on God.
I put my hand to the side of my hair, grabbing my short-medium length, fine strands of smooth, dark, wavy hair, scrunching it a little. My left arm was in front, leaning to the side with an open palm, and I smiled, giggling softly like a soft-spoken girl, with my eyes closed and an open, heartfelt expression,
"Haha… Oh! Yeah, about that…"
"Hmm?…"
Haer looked at me in genuine curiosity and confusion, his mouth slightly open and his eyebrows raised.
I put my right arm in front of me, my index finger pointing upwards while the other fingers were closed,
"Urm, actually— You misunderstood everything."
Haer looked at me, shocked and awkward,
"Eh?…Eh?!"
He stared at me, slightly surprised. Then, his pupils constricted to very small dots as the realization hit him.
I grinned softly, showing my clean, healthy, and shiny teeth,
"I'm really just her new friend…"
Haer, Still in disbelief,
"You mean… You're neither a saleswoman, nor a robber, nor a government debt collector, but really just a new, regular friend of Falora's?"
"Uhm, yeaaaaaaaaaaaa….." I slowly rolled my eyes from left to right.
Haer looked at me, realizing his mistake.
His face showed the full weight of it—he was done for.
[Haer]
OH MY— DID I JUST TELL THE TRUTH FOR NOTHING BUT A MERE MISUNDERSTANDING?! AND FALORA IS HERE TOO— OH NO, SHE LOOKS MAD— COOKED, GENUINE COOKED.
Falora's gaze was filled with disappointment, sadness, and a hint of anger.
Haer visibly deflated, slowly looking down as he slapped his forehead lightly, the sound of it amplified by the water dripping from his face.
I crossed both of my arms, closed my eyes, and raised my right eyebrow while lowering my left, sighing deeply.
Sighed,
I came to prank this guy… not for some drama.
Like, bro… what's going on?
Why does Falora look so sad and baffled? Why is Haer keeping this a secret from people who clearly knows and care him well?—
…And what do you mean Haer lives poorly?! HE IS THE DESCENDANT OF THE LEGENDARY HERO FROM THIS LAND?! HELLO?! BOTH OF THEM OR SOMEONE PLEASE EXPLAIN THIS—