Becoming the Guide of the Mysophobic Villain? Absolutely Not! - Chapter 191
“What?”
“Do you even know what kind of animal a honey badger is?”
Irene’s expression was oddly ambiguous as she asked.
I answered, feeling a bit confused.
“…I heard they’re cute and brave?”
Demona had certainly told me that. She had sweet-talked me, saying that I was recognized among the guides.
Given the context, it was obviously a compliment, right?
But as soon as I said that, Irene looked noticeably exhausted.
“…Well, as long as you’re happy.”
Her expression was one of resignation, as if she didn’t know where to start explaining.
Already feeling a bit insecure, this was enough to trigger me.
“What’s with that look? I’m really uncomf…”
“…Wait a moment.”
I was about to snap back, but Daniel was quicker. He asked us urgently.
“Are you talking about Rose?”
“?”
“…Is Rose a Guide?”
Daniel seemed genuinely shocked.
Neither Irene nor I expected such a reaction and were momentarily speechless.
The power of pink hair? An ordinary office worker who turned into an S-Class Esper’s branded Guide!
Not even two hundred billion Berks would be enough! A national hero, shout out for the unauthorized brand double!
Was there someone in the Center who didn’t know this famous gossip?
And you, Daniel, claimed to be a true fan of Claude…?
Irene, clearly stunned, let out a hollow laugh.
“Are you joking?”
“But Miss Rose was clearly an ordinary office worker…”
“She recently took the guiding test and was re-registered as a Guide. F-Class.”
“…”
Daniel looked as if he was hearing this for the first time.
I hadn’t explicitly told Daniel that I became a Guide. But I thought there was no need to tell him, because how could he not know!
I glanced at Daniel cautiously.
“…Are you surprised? It was such big news that I assumed you knew.”
“I…”
Daniel opened his mouth as if to say something, but then closed it tightly.
His face turned pale, as if he had seen a ghost. He clenched his fists so tightly that the veins stood out prominently on the backs of his hands.
Irene clicked her tongue openly as she watched Daniel. She seemed to find it pathetic that Daniel was the only one unaware of such common knowledge.
Then she lost interest and resumed her elegant meal, looking almost relieved.
On the other hand, I couldn’t remain as composed as Irene.
I hadn’t realized that the fact I became a Guide would shock him so much.
Because of his allergy, he couldn’t even be near Guides. He was isolated at the Center and bullied by Espers. I knew Daniel was isolated, but I didn’t realize he was this out of touch with what was happening at the Center.
Even though it wasn’t my fault, I felt like I had made a huge mistake.
The table, surrounded by three people with different emotions, fell into silence.
Then…
“…I need to leave.”
“Pardon?”
“Please finish your meal.”
Suddenly, Daniel stood up abruptly and left.
“No way…”
“…I’m sorry, Miss Rose.”
Daniel muttered quietly, avoiding my surprised gaze. I was too stunned to respond.
He turned and walked away quickly.
“…What a strange guy.”
Irene scoffed.
…The first meeting between the male and female leads was far different from what I had expected. In many ways.
* * *
Why?
Why was Daniel so shocked to find out that I was a Guide?
If it were anyone else, maybe, but this was Daniel. Daniel, who was always kind and polite to even the most powerless ordinary people.
Yet, he couldn’t manage his expression and left the meal in the middle so abruptly.
No matter how much I thought about it, there was only one possible reason: guiding allergy.
Claude had suffered from a guiding allergy for a long time, making him reflexively hostile and uneasy just by being near a Guide. Circumstances suggested Daniel might have the same issue.
…Did he suddenly dislike me because of that?
But even if he made contact with me, nothing he feared would happen. I couldn’t guide through simple touch.
If I explained that I was actually bonded and therefore touching me wouldn’t cause him any pain… would he understand?
