Chapter 32

Today, on December 15th, the first volume of "The Unaware Genius Girl Doesn't Notice ~ After Struggling in Every Field, She Ran Away from Home and Became an Adventurer Because Her Family Never Praised Her Efforts ~" is on sale!

Have you gotten your hands on it yet?

What? It's 47 hours on December 15th, so it's still the same day, right? (playing dumb)

(Move to pretend that the post was made on the release day)

"Riana, why didn't you run away?"

"Well, since he is technically a senior adventurer, I was trying to handle it calmly, but then he grabbed my hand."

"And you didn't shake him off? No... in situations like that, you should run away immediately."

"I was thinking that it would be troublesome if it became a problem later... I'm sorry."

Riana's way of thinking, trying to handle things calmly with such a guy, probably can't be easily corrected. It's like her low self-esteem; it's probably due to her upbringing.

"It's not your fault to apologize, Riana! But... if something like that happens again, I want you to run away immediately, or if that's difficult, ask for help from others. You're not at fault, but you might not want to run away..."

"No, it's okay... I understand. I'll make sure to stay away from that person."

"Really, even if it's not Duke, run away immediately. Don't care about the pickup artist's ego; if you hit him, it's justifiable self-defense!"

"Thank you... hehe."

Seeing Riana smile, I finally feel a little relieved.

...I want to tell her that if it happens again, it's okay to beat him up, but I'm afraid she might hold a grudge. If I'm around, I can step in and take the heat, but I can't be with Riana all day.

I'm a bit worried that something might happen to Anna when neither Riana nor I can help.

"I heard from the guild that there are other people who approach Riana. Is that okay?"

"Hmm... I think it's okay."

After saying that, I remembered. Riana's "it's okay" isn't reliable.

At that rate, she might think about handling things calmly even if she gets approached by other troublesome guys. She'll probably avoid Duke, but... I think this prediction is correct.

Riana, who is becoming famous for her excellence, is also being sought after by parties. I'm doing my best to suppress the pickup artists, but I can't stop all of them, and it might happen again.

To make Riana understand the situation accurately, I decided to change my approach.

"Anna...?"

"Anna?"

"If something happens to Riana that you wouldn't want to happen to Anna, I want you to run away with all your might. If I'm around, I'll help you right away. You can resist or make a scene. No matter what happens to the other person, I'll take care of it."

"...Fredo, you're surprisingly radical."

"Ah... no, I'm just that worried..."

Unconsciously, I said something that ignored the life of the pickup artist, realizing my mistake. Damn, I still can't hide it well.

I can't look her in the eye out of guilt and look in a different direction, forcing a smile.

This is the worst. ...The worst way to realize it.

At first, it was just a little sympathy and self-satisfaction. I wanted her to be happy because she's such a good girl, and I wanted to help because she seemed vulnerable. I could have just given advice and left, but I thought if I parted ways here, I would always worry and regret not helping. So, unusually for me, I found myself getting involved.

It's not a clean, heroic act like a protagonist. I was angry when I heard about Riana's family. I think I saw my younger brother in her. I was the first prince, but because of my existence, I was never properly evaluated, the second prince.

...No, he's officially the crown prince now, right?

So, I thought it would be good for her to be away from such a family and be happy. I wanted to help, even if just a little.

...At first, that's all it was.

Even when I was told, "Riana, your cousin is being bothered by a guy," I initially intended to handle it without making a fuss. Depending on the situation, making a big deal out of it could be to Riana's disadvantage.

I intended to mediate as usual.

But... when that guy grabbed Riana's hand and I heard what he was saying, I was so angry that I couldn't control myself.

I was surprised at how angry I could get. I didn't even realize I had the capacity for anger.

I didn't feel angry even when I was almost killed. I felt indignation that I had no interest in the throne, and I felt sorry for being the first prince and the futility of my misfortune.

Even if it had happened to me, I probably wouldn't have felt such strong emotions. I had similar experiences before.

In a town I used to live in, the daughter of the deputy guild master was hitting on me. She wouldn't give me good quests or share useful information. It was a much better situation than Riana's, but...

At that time, I didn't strongly resist because I didn't want to cause trouble, but if a girl I knew was in the same situation, I would have intervened.

Even if it wasn't Riana, I would have done the same. I would have pretended not to notice and gently step in, and I would have reported the inappropriate behavior to the guild, but that's it.

That's the usual "Adventurer Fredo" response.

I knew Duke had a history of bothering young girls and using his connections to threaten junior adventurers, but I never thought about solving it or correcting it.

"Fredo, are you okay? Did you get hurt somewhere just now?"

"! No, I'm fine. I'm just a bit nervous because I did something I'm not used to."

I try to divert Riana's worried gaze by changing the subject, as if to cover up my unusually quiet demeanor.

Idiot. Absolutely... absolutely, she mustn't notice.

She has finally started to trust me after being hurt by her real family. If she notices, she'll feel betrayed.

"I should have helped more smoothly... sorry for causing a scene."

Am I smiling as usual? I hope she doesn't suspect and just lets it go.

"No! ...You drew attention to yourself for my sake. I'm... sorry... no, thank you."

"It's not that, I just got a bit irritated and couldn't help it."

I even throw in a light joke, pretending I was just lashing out because I was irritated today.

Even though my response was wrong, I'll consider it a success since it diverted attention from Riana. Most people there will only remember the commotion I caused.

...I wish it had just been a lashing out.

I was surprised at how angry I could get and realized it too late. If I had noticed earlier, I could have thought of a better way to hide it.

At this timing... I didn't want to realize that I liked Riana as a "special existence."

Holding her arm, the words Duke said, that's why I was so angry, I just realized for the first time. I'm very sensitive to romantic feelings from others and can detect and avoid them immediately, no matter how slight. But I'm so insensitive to my own feelings that it's almost laughable.

"Fredo, um..."

"Sorry, I was planning to come over for dinner, but it looks like I can't today. Really, I shouldn't do things I'm not used to. I'm getting nervous and my stomach hurts now."

I put my hand on my stomach and make an exaggerated pained face. I don't want to worry her, but I couldn't think of a better excuse.

"Are you okay?! Do you have heartburn? What kind of pain... is it in your upper abdomen or lower abdomen? What should we do... do you have any potions that can help with digestive issues...?"

"No, no, it's not that serious! It's just a lack of appetite. I'll sleep it off!"

I quickly stop Riana from offering a high-performance potion that I'd be tempted to sell.

I suddenly realized my feelings and my heart is racing, but I can't use such a potion for a fake illness.

"Is that so...?"

"Yeah, so, sorry. Can you apologize to Anna for me? I'll go to bed early today."

"Do you need anything to eat or anything?"

"I'm fine... I have some easy-to-eat food. If I still have a stomachache tomorrow, I might ask for help. Thanks."

"Yes... please take care of yourself."

Saying I have a stomachache, what a lame excuse.

I say goodbye and enter my room with a wry smile. As soon as I enter, I forget to turn on the light and slide down the door to the floor.

"...Seriously...?"

I sigh and cover my face with my hands in the dim room.

Once I realized my feelings, I couldn't even remember how I was talking to Riana. Oh... being 8 years older and acting like a guardian, only to fall for a 15-year-old girl... I feel like self-loathing.

I have no right to say anything to the guys who hit on Riana. Of course, I will still say it, but...

I have to get back to my usual self by tomorrow. If I keep acting like today, Riana, Anna, and everyone else will be suspicious.

...So, just today. I want to flail and worry miserably just today.