Chapter 87

It seems that Yuri's surroundings are filled only with overprotective people. I have released character designs in the activity report. Please take a look if you like!

"Mr. Haloz"

"…Huh? Is something wrong, Leone-san?"

Haloz, called by his name in a low voice, turned around while blinking. There stood a beautiful woman, her lovely face adorned with a beautiful smile, but behind her was a frigid hell. Even if Yuri involuntarily held his breath, no one could blame him. The anger radiating from Leopold was that intense. However, no one present tried to stop him; instead, similar angry auras were emanating from all around. Haloz had no idea what was going on.

With a strained face, Haloz, perhaps due to his nature as a peddler, forced a smile and gestured for Leopold to proceed. He thought he couldn't respond until he heard the other person's side of the story.

"I trust you, Mr. Haloz. Not just in your work, but in your character as well."

"Thank you."

"That's why I can't understand. Is this person really one of your employees?"

Leopold pointed to the employee who accompanied Haloz today. Normally, it was Haloz who appeared here, but if he was out peddling and there was something to be done, he brought this person as a liaison. Of course, he could go directly to the store, but since they were busy day and night, it was better to have a quiet conversation at the hideout.

However, it seems that while Haloz was talking to Arie, this companion had stepped on Leopold's landmine. Or rather, the landmines of the clan members present. The only ones who seemed unaffected were the man, who didn't understand what was happening, and Yuri, who was holding a teapot with a puzzled look on his face, creating a strangely peaceful atmosphere.

"It was so disrespectful to Yuri-chan that I couldn't believe it."

"…To Yuri-kun?"

"Huh?"

Haloz's question and Yuri's tilting of his head were almost simultaneous. Yuri, who seemed to be asking, "Did something happen?" looked as usual. To Haloz, he looked the same as always, and it was hard to believe that anything had happened. Yet, the intense aura of displeasure around them was incomprehensible.

"Leone-san? I didn't do anything, really."

"Yuri-chan, please be quiet."

"…Okay."

Yuri obediently followed the smiling Leopold, who was unusually angry. It was strange for Leopold, who was usually gentle with Yuri, to be so angry. However, his anger was directed not at Yuri, but at Haloz's companion. When Yuri asked Cule with a puzzled look, Cule, who was usually a good-natured brother, also had a smile with a blizzard behind him. Why.

Incidentally, not only Cule, but also the usually carefree Rere and the apprentices who often played together, all had frightening faces. Very frightening. Among them, the only one who seemed normal was the person Yuri approached and tapped on the shoulder. The person, who had noticed Yuri's presence, looked down at him quietly and spoke.

"What's wrong?"

"Leone-san, why are you so angry? And everyone else too?"

"I think it's a pretty justified anger."

"Eh?"

"I also think it's justified anger."

When Brook, who said this with a twisted smile, revealed that his eyes weren't smiling, Yuri realized that even Brook had stepped on a landmine. Moreover, to step on everyone's landmines to this extent, what kind of situation could it be? And to involve himself in it, Yuri had no idea at all.

So, he listened to the conversation between Haloz and Leopold, deciding that the answer must be there. …By the way, he had already given up on mediating, so he was now just an observer.

"This person said to Yuri-chan, 'If you were a girl, you could marry me right away.' What do you think he meant by that?"

"What?!"

"Eh, something like that?"

Leopold solemnly announced this, and everyone nodded in agreement. Haloz, shocked, and the man, who didn't understand what was wrong, blinked repeatedly. Yuri, tilting his head in confusion, opened his mouth. The moment he did, everyone's gaze turned to him.

"Such a thing, no."

"Why do you all have to say it in unison?!"

Why? Yuri was completely confused, not understanding the reason. Meanwhile, Haloz and the man, intimidated by Leopold's beauty, were both sweating coldly. One understood why Leopold was so angry, while the other, though not understanding the reason, realized that the beautiful woman and everyone else were extremely angry. …Indeed, everyone was very angry.

"Yuri is Yuri, period!"

"Rere, that doesn't make sense."

"But!"

"Um, so, Yuri is fine just as he is, right? Why does the assumption that he's a girl come up? That's what you're saying, Leone-san, right?"

"Yes, exactly. Cule-kun."

"…This is a serious offense. You should apologize too."

"Eh? Ah, yes. …I'm very sorry."

Though he didn't fully understand the situation, the man instinctively realized that apologizing was in his best interest and moved next to Haloz, bowing deeply. Haloz also bowed deeply. A subordinate's mistake is the master's mistake. Especially when it comes to rudeness to someone with whom they have and want to maintain a friendly relationship, it's even more important.

However, Leopold, who received the bow, sighed. To the two who raised their heads, he exhaled in a troubled manner. Even this gesture was beautiful, but the frigid hell behind him made him incredibly terrifying.

"Apologizing to me won't do. You should apologize to Yuri-chan."

"Right, right!"

"Yes, you all should stop cheering him on."

"…Why do I have to apologize?"

"Yuri!"

"But, I don't think anything of it, and I haven't been wronged. It's a pretty common thing, actually."

Yuri didn't understand why everyone was making such a fuss. Because in his hometown, such conversations were frequent. From family, a few friends, relatives, and well-meaning neighbors. Yuri was often told, "If you were a girl, I'd marry you." Most of it was in jest, not to negate Yuri's personality, but to praise his housekeeping skills.

…It seems that in this different world, for the overprotective people around Yuri, such statements couldn't be ignored. Even though the person who said it and the person who heard it didn't think there was a problem, the surrounding people made a big fuss. Yuri thought this situation was similar to how the internet mob reacts on social media.

"Yuri-kun"

"Yes, what is it, Haloz-san?"

"Even if you don't feel uncomfortable, we judged that his statement was disrespectful to you."

"But I don't mind."

"Of course, the feelings of the parties involved are most important. But don't you think it's also important to consider the feelings of those around you?"

Persuaded by the calm-faced Haloz, Yuri tilted his head and nodded tentatively. Indeed, he understood that such a perspective exists. Even if the party involved doesn't mind, if the surroundings are bothered, it should be corrected. Understanding that this situation applied, Yuri bowed to the man.

Before anyone could point out why he was bowing, Yuri raised his head and spoke to the man in his usual carefree tone.

"Actually, I should have been the one to judge first. I'm sorry for causing trouble."

"No, it's my fault. I didn't think."

"No, no. I like being praised for my housekeeping."

"…Yuri, you should have a more normal boiling point."

"Eh? I do get angry sometimes, you know?"

"We know that."

Yuri answered with a soft smile to Leopold's exasperated comment. The surrounding people agreed with Yuri, knowing that he, who was usually gentle and soft, could get angry in certain situations. They were careful not to step on his landmines, as they didn't want to meet the angry great demon again. However, no one could clearly identify what his landmines were. If they had to guess, it might be related to the safety and health of others.

"Then, let's end this conversation here."

"Yuri!"

"…I have some baked goods that are ready to eat. Do you want some?"

"Yes, please!"

"Then I'll prepare them. Can someone help me carry them?"

"I'll help!"

With snacks dangled in front of them, they were easily swayed. The man, who was not used to such a commotion, was wide-eyed. Seeing the quick change in everyone, Leopold sighed, looking exasperated.

"What was all the fuss about?"

When Arie, who had been in her room, appeared in the living room, everyone was already happily chatting with baked goods in hand. She probably sensed that the commotion she heard from afar was different. Arie, squinting at the beautiful woman who no longer had the frigid hell, took the baked goods offered by Yuri.

"It was just a difference in opinion."

"Eh?"

"That's all. Oh, Leone-san, do you want another one?"

"They're delicious, so I'll have one. …But, they're so good that I might eat too many and get fat."

"Leone-san, I don't think you're fat."

"Oh, thank you. I work hard to maintain my figure."

The beautiful woman, who was now laughing happily, no longer had the frigid hell. So, Arie, thinking "This guy must have done something," decided not to say anything, as it was too much trouble. She didn't want to cause more trouble by saying something unnecessary. If things were settled, that was fine. That's how Arie felt.

By the way, the man, when he returned to the store, was thoroughly scolded by Haloz's wife and son. Pray for him.

Even though the person himself didn't care, the surrounding people got really angry. The employee of Haloz's shop was just unlucky. I look forward to your comments and feedback.