Becoming the Guide of the Mysophobic Villain? Absolutely Not! - Chapter 198
Like an ostrich burying its head in the sand to avoid a predator, I wanted to avoid reality rather than face it head-on.
But I didn’t expect Daniel to go this far.
The incident took place at the Esper-Guide joint training center.
Since Espers and Guides often act together in the field, joint training sessions are held. Among these is a sort of… s*x education.
The training room had about ten desks lined up in a row, with two chairs facing each other at each desk. The Guide sits in one chair, and the Espers line up on the other side.
When it’s their turn, the Espers sit opposite the Guide for a set period to receive guiding. The instructors oversee the Guides and Espers, coaching them on ‘proper guiding etiquette’.
It’s a class teaching the manners that Espers and Guides should observe before making physical contact.
This class proudly ranked number one in my ‘easy classes’ ranking.
Isn’t there a risk in touching an Esper?
I was worried at first too, but I soon realized those concerns were unfounded.
While the purpose of the class was guiding etiquette, the reason Espers participated was different: to receive extra guiding outside their regular sessions.
I’ve participated in this class three times so far, and no Esper has ever lined up in front of my desk. Since I’m known as an imprinted Guide, guiding was impossible anyway.
So during this class, I would always daydream and laze around, earning an easy 300 Berks.
I had no doubt today’s class would be the same.
But as I was scribbling on a blank sheet of paper to kill time, a long shadow fell over my head.
Curious, I looked up and…
“Ah…”
Daniel was standing in front of me.
Seeing me showing clear signs of dislike, Daniel’s face hardened.
Ignoring him, I rubbed my face dry. Nothing in my life seemed to go as planned.
Then, I heard whispering.
“Daniel is…”
“Why with her…?”
I turned my head towards the sound and met the eyes of two female Guides in the distance. They quickly shut their mouths.
I understood. I resigned myself to it.
It was obvious how my situation looked to the other Guides.
The angelic Daniel is paying attention to the shunned Rose!
…They have no idea how I feel. And they probably don’t want to know.
“Miss Rose, I’d like to talk.”
“…Hah.”
“I’m not trying to bother you…”
“People can hear us. Sit down and be quiet.”
When I growled menacingly through clenched teeth, Daniel flinched. After hesitating for a moment, he finally sat down in front of me.
Even after sitting down facing Daniel, I kept avoiding his gaze.
Just as Daniel, who had been silent for a while, was about to speak cautiously…
“Everyone, please roll up your sleeves. If you’re wearing gloves, please remove them.”
The instructor spoke loudly.
“The most basic posture for receiving guiding is holding hands. Remember, no matter how much the Esper wants it, more intimate contact should not be forced unless the Guide allows it.”
No matter what the instructor was saying, Daniel couldn’t focus. Even with a hazy look, it was clear he was anxious and desperate to talk to me.
“Didn’t you hear? Take off your gloves and roll up your sleeves.”
“…What?”
“If you’re not going to do it, then leave.”
I continued to speak to him coldly.
Daniel hesitated for a moment, fiddling with the buttons on his sleeves with his gloved hands.
I knew well that even that simple act required a lot of courage from him. Claude didn’t have severe mysophobia for no reason.
Those gloves and sleeves were the minimal protection to prevent the horrible pain from touching a Guide.
But soon, as if making up his mind, Daniel unbuttoned his sleeves with trembling hands.
“Uh… Miss Rose, I’m not sure I can keep it together in front of others…”
“…”
“So, if we just pretend to hold hands…”
Daniel fidgeted like a nervous groom on his wedding night. Anyone would think I was about to devour him.
I clicked my tongue and then suddenly grabbed Daniel’s hand and yanked it towards me.
