Becoming the Guide of the Mysophobic Villain? Absolutely Not! - Chapter 218
“…That’s right!”
When I suddenly lifted my head and shouted, Simeyez, who was about to hug me, withdrew her arm in surprise.
Regardless, I continued to chatter.
“Lord Claude is strong! He’s the strongest in this world, there’s no way he’d get hurt by mere mutants, right?”
If he were to be easily defeated, he’d have to give up the title of the strongest.
“I’ve been worrying for nothing. I tend to overthink things, and that’s my problem.”
“Rose…”
“I should just eat.”
Claude dislikes it when I lose weight. To greet him with a plump appearance when he returns, I should at least eat well.
I picked up my spoon and began shoving food into my mouth. And then…
…Ugh.
I gagged.
“R-Rose… what’s wrong?”
“Drink some water. Slowly, don’t force it, swallow bit by bit.”
The food in my mouth felt as repulsive as chewing wet cardboard. I couldn’t swallow it.
Forcing it down with the water Epine handed me…
“…”
Tears welled up in my eyes.
In the end, with my head bowed and crying, neither Simeyez nor Epine could bring themselves to comfort me.
* * *
I lost weight.
In the past, I would have been pleased, but it was nothing to be happy about. It was because my body couldn’t accept food, and I couldn’t eat properly.
“…Rose, even if it’s hard, you need to eat well. You know that, right?”
“Yeah, you’ll get seriously ill if you keep this up. What good is it if Lord Claude returns safely, but you’re sick?”
Simeyez and Epine scolded me with concern.
I know. All I can do while waiting for him at the Center is one thing: stay healthy until he returns.
I felt powerless. Why, as his Guide, can I do nothing for him?
Can I even call myself his lover when I have to wait endlessly, not knowing if he’s safe, in danger, or injured? I’m more like a dog waiting at the door for its owner to return.
But there was nothing I could do now. So, even though it was hard, I had to force myself to eat and endure.
“Why don’t you rest at home? I’m worried you’ll collapse any minute…”
“No. If I’m alone at home, I’ll feel even more anxious… It’s better to be outside, doing something.”
“Ah, that might be the case…”
“Then don’t overdo it. If you’re having a hard time, let us know, okay?”
Epine and Simeyez repeatedly urged me. I just nodded vaguely.
I attended every class without missing a single one. It wasn’t because I was desperate to earn some extra money in this situation.
I wanted to learn more, much more than before. I wanted to become wise. So that if Claude had to go on another expedition in the future, I could help him in any way possible, no matter how small.
But I couldn’t do that.
“There’s a special guest visiting the Center today. Because of the preparations, the morning classes have been canceled. You can all rest here.”
Demona spoke awkwardly as we waited in the small auditorium for joint training.
Why won’t they let me study when I want to…?
I felt wronged, but there was nothing I could do.
In the end, the Espers and Guides started lounging around and chatting in the small auditorium.
I was about to join them… but then I stood up. I wanted to do something, anything.
I spotted Demona, who was busy working alone beyond the scattered Espers and Guides.
“…What are you doing?”
“Oh, Rose…”
Demona looked haggard, rubbing her face. The dark circles under her eyes made it obvious that she hadn’t slept properly for days.
“Are you busy?”
“Yeah, a bit… Look, I’m really swamped right now, so if you have something to say, can it wait…”
“Can I help?”
“…”
Demona looked momentarily taken aback by my question.
“Um, no. I appreciate the offer, though.”
She mumbled, refusing my offer, perhaps out of pride.
But hearing how sluggish her voice had become… I knew she wasn’t being honest.
“You look exhausted. Give me something to do. It’s better than doing nothing…”
“For real? Will you really?”
“?”
Demona’s eyes lit up as she pulled a chair next to her. She even slid a mountain of handouts in front of me.
…Well, I did offer to help.
