The Guide Played Her Role as a Stand-in a Little Too Well - Chapter 163
Honestly, I wanted to talk more with Hedonia.
Now that we had confirmed our feelings for each other, the desire to touch was strong.
As much as he wanted to touch me, I wanted to touch him too. Just holding hands made my heart feel tingly.
My toes curled, and my fingers trembled. A strange heat spread through the air, closing the distance between us.
…But our conversation ended there.
“It seems like it’s our turn now.”
Shaelock started knocking on the door from outside.
‘It’s true that I’ve been talking with Hedonia for a while now.’
I should have saved my conversation with Hedonia for last. Then we wouldn’t have been constrained by time.
Hedonia’s face was full of regret as he let go of my hand.
He leaned in close to my left ear, his lips almost touching it.
After kissing my earlobe lightly, he whispered.
“See you later.”
“…Later?”
As he pulled away, I saw his pouty face.
The slightly annoyed expression I used to see was a welcome sight.
“Did you think I’d let you go just like that today?”
Hedonia muttered, pouting, then smirked at me.
“Look forward to it.”
“…”
“There’s no need to hold back anymore.”
It was a powerful statement that made my face flush again, just when it had started to return to its normal color.
* * *
“…What on earth did Hedonia say to you?”
As soon as Hedonia left the room, Shaelock came in and asked, looking at my face with a concerned expression.
“Oh, nothing, nothing. I’m fine!”
I shook my head vigorously, not having the confidence to explain my conversation with Hedonia to Shaelock.
“Anyway… have you been well, Lady Shaelock?”
I quickly changed the subject.
Shaelock, who sat beside me with her arms crossed, made a huffing sound and asked in return.
“What do you think?”
…I asked the question, but now I’m being asked in return?
Her calm face was still hard to read.
But her unexpectedness was familiar.
‘I should just answer first.’
I observed her face carefully.
Hedonia endured without proper guiding.
I doubt Shaelock’s situation was any different.
In the novel, the position of guide for Hedonia was unique.
‘Hedonia wouldn’t have received Robert’s guiding.’
So, Shaelock likely didn’t receive Robert’s guiding either.
Since Hedonia, who was supposed to be her Guide, awakened as an Esper, it would have been even harder for her to get proper guiding.
…If she couldn’t find a suitable Guide.
I decided to confirm just this part.
“Can I ask you one thing before that?”
“What is it?”
Instead of answering her question, I asked one of my own, causing Shaelock’s eyes to sparkle.
She seemed to enjoy it.
“Did you find another guide?”
It’s not that there are no guides in this world.
But finding those who can fully guide S-class Espers is a difficult task.
Shaelock smiled and tucked her hair behind her ear at my question.
“No.”
Her answer was clear.
“There’s no one who can guide us perfectly. But… there are plenty who can guide us roughly.”
“Roughly…?”
“There are many guides now who are of a lower grade than you, Karina.”
Shaelock didn’t look in the best health. There were shadows under her tired eyes, and she seemed thinner than before.
But her face had a definite vitality.
“Karina.”
“Yes?”
“Hedonia Apharantes isn’t the only one who made an effort.”
She gently held my fingers.
But no energy was drained from me.
“I also… wanted to treat you not just as a guide, but as a person, so I tried hard.”
It seemed that not only Hedonia but also Shaelock had been making efforts to avoid draining my energy when we met.
I vividly recalled the times when Shaelock had made me faint during our first meeting.
And the guilt-ridden face she had when she had no choice but to receive guiding from me even when I was in pain.
“Is that why you haven’t been able to come see me all this time?”
It wasn’t strange, given that I had distanced myself first.
I thought she naturally distanced herself as my role of a stand-in ended.
I never doubted the sincerity she had shown me, but I assumed it was inevitable given her position.
“Yes.”
Shaelock, holding my hand, nodded and smiled.
“Because we’re friends.”
Her words made my eyes well up with tears. Perhaps my nose also turned bright red.
