Chapter 64

Kasumi was rescued by the guild master, Act.

"Hmm... what? This is..."

When Kasumi woke up, she found herself staring at an unfamiliar ceiling.

"You're awake, I see."

"Gilmas..."

Looking around, she realized she was in the guild's infirmary.

"What happened to me...?"

"I'll go get Shokolade."

Act stood up and turned to leave.

"Ah..."

Kasumi grabbed his hand tightly.

"Is something wrong?"

"..."

"No."

"Alright. I'll be right back. Wait here."

Act left the room.

After a while, the healer, Shokolade, arrived.

"Hi, Kasumi. It seems you've been through quite an ordeal."

Shokolade quickly examined her.

"Yep, the wounds on your face have healed nicely, and there are no aftereffects."

"Really? Thank you..."

"Mm-hmm. Don't worry about it. Healing is my job, after all♡"

Shokolade smiled.

Looking at her reflection in the window, Kasumi saw that her face was smooth and unblemished.

"If it weren't for Gilmas, it could have been dangerous."

"Really...?"

"Yes. He stopped the internal time to prevent the injuries from worsening, which allowed for a clean recovery. If it had been left untreated for a while, there would have been scars on your face."

"..."

Kasumi's heart was filled with affection for him. At the same time, she felt guilty for causing a fight with the nobles.

"It's alright. He took care of everything."

"Really...?"

Kasumi listened to Shokolade's account of the aftermath of the incident.

"Is that even possible?"

"Normally, it wouldn't be, but there are a lot of people who will do anything for him."

Shokolade smiled and patted her head.

"You don't need to worry about it."

"But... it's because of me..."

"Did Gilmas say anything to blame you?"

"..."

"No."

When Act carried her, he spoke gently to her, despite her injuries.

"He's so kind and cool, isn't he?"

"...Shokolade-sensei..."

"Hmm? What is it?"

"Ah... nothing... nothing..."

Shokolade chuckled and patted her head.

"I love him too. Just like you."

"Wh-what...? Why...?"

"I can tell. I'm sensitive to that kind of romantic aura♡"

"Um... please keep this a secret..."

"I know, I know. Good luck♡"

Shokolade winked as Act entered the room.

"How long are you going to chat?"

"G-Gilmas...! D-did you hear...?"

"I'm not interested in your chatter. Shokolade, how is she?"

Act said, sounding irritated. Shokolade, on the other hand, smiled calmly.

"There's no need to be so tense. Kasumi is perfectly fine. She can return to work tomorrow."

Kasumi nodded.

"Fool. Work is irrelevant. Is her face alright?"

"Her skin is flawless, as you can see. There's no problem at all. Really, Gilmas is such a worrywart."

Shokolade poked Kasumi's cheek.

"Don't misunderstand. Kasumi is the face of the guild, representing the next generation. I can't afford to have her face marred."

"Sure, sure. I'll let you off with that. You were really worried about leaving a scar on a woman's face, weren't you?"

Act, without changing his expression, said to Shokolade.

"I apologize for calling you in the middle of the night."

"Don't worry about it. I'll come anytime for Gilmas."

"Make sure to log the overtime. And you can take tomorrow off."

"Really? Thank you."

"You've done a lot. You can go now."

"What about Kasumi?"

"She'll stay here tonight. Leave the rest to me and go home."

Shokolade took her coat and winked at Kasumi.

"See you, Kasumi. Take care."

"Ah, yes! I'm sorry for the trouble at night!"

"It's fine. And..."

She leaned in and whispered in Kasumi's ear.

"Since you'll be alone with Gilmas until morning, why don't you try to invite him?"

"Wh-what!? What do you mean...!?"

Shokolade chuckled and waved goodbye.

"Bye, both of you. Have a good night♡"

Shokolade left, looking very pleased.

"..."

An awkward silence filled the room. Shokolade's words echoed in Kasumi's mind.

"Invite him... Does that mean I should try to seduce him?"

"Kasumi"

"Y-yes! What is it, sir!"

Kasumi's face turned red with tension. Act, on the other hand, bowed his head slightly.

"I'm sorry. I caused you trouble."

...For a moment, Kasumi was confused. Why was he apologizing? He caused trouble?

"N-no! It's my fault!"

"No, it's my responsibility for assigning you the mission. You did nothing wrong. So, don't worry about it."

"Gilmas..."

Act touched Kasumi's cheek.

"A..."

After hesitating, Kasumi closed her eyes and pouted.

"I'm glad there are no scars."

But he only touched her cheek to check her condition.

Feeling a bit disappointed, Kasumi's shoulders slumped.

"What's wrong?"

"..."

"Nothing. It's fine."

She didn't want to be seen as too forward, so she didn't say anything more.

She just wanted to repay him for the trouble she caused... in a physical way.

She wished she could see his so-called evil guild master side.

"Anyway, you did your job well. You don't need to feel responsible."

"Yes, I understand. If you say so, Gilmas."

Act nodded, seemingly satisfied.

"You can stay here tonight. Don't worry about Kanao. Frederica is taking care of her."

Act sat down on a nearby chair and picked up a stack of papers from the table.

"Um... Gilmas?"

"I'll stay here tonight too. Go to sleep."

But he didn't seem to be going to bed.

Kasumi realized that he was staying awake in case her condition suddenly worsened.

"..."

Her heart felt warm. She was overwhelmed with affection for him and couldn't control herself.

"G-Gilmas..."

"What is it?"

"..."

"I... I..."

She just needed to muster the courage to say "I love you." But she couldn't.

It wasn't just a lack of courage; the other guild members also loved him.

She couldn't monopolize him. Besides, he had his duties as the guild master.

She couldn't be a burden. So, she decided to keep her feelings to herself for now.

"Is something wrong? Is the light too bright for you to sleep?"

"..."

"No. It's just... I'm a little scared to sleep alone."

Kasumi, lying on the bed, reached out to him.

"Can you hold my hand until I fall asleep?"

She had suffered mental trauma from the ordeal with the guild members and thugs.

She was afraid to sleep alone.

"A-ah... I'm sorry. I'm being a bother, right?"

But Act moved his chair closer, sat down, and took her hand.

"Go to sleep."

"..."

"Yes."

His hand was warm, nothing like that of a criminal.

There was no way this person could be an evil guild master.

"...Gilmas"

"What is it?"

"..."

"I love this guild. And I love... the Gilmas who picked me up..."

She wasn't sure how much of her feelings reached him, but what she said was undoubtedly true.

Fatigue overcame her, and she gradually drifted into a deep sleep.

"Thank you... my best... guild master..."

【To the Readers】

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