A moment later.
“Uh, um…”
I looked around with a blank expression, observing the villains scattered around like trash.
“Ugh…”
“Uuugh…”
“Ah, oof…”
They were all covered in dust, groaning in pain, but not a single one had any broken bones or injuries—just screaming.
What is this, how did this happen?
Even after seeing it, I couldn’t believe it. I stood frozen for a moment.
“Are you okay?”
“…Ah.”
At the voice of the culprit behind this, I quickly snapped out of it and thanked her.
“Thank you. Thanks to you… I’m safe now.”
Even as I said it, I wasn’t sure if it was the right thing to say, but if I had to thank her for something, that was it. So I bowed my head deeply.
“Hehe, no problem! I just called for help! It was all this person here!”
“This… person…?”
The woman giggled and shook her head, pointing at the one she referred to as “this person.”
Clank, clank!
“Ah, it’s a common occurrence, but they’re asking if you’re surprised!”
“…Did this person say that?”
“Yep?”
…Anyone could see it wasn’t human.
Clank.
Even if it walked on two legs and had a human-like proportion, that thing wasn’t human.
Something resembling a person.
“They’re greeting you now! Shouldn’t you respond?”
“…Thank you. So… should I call you Guardian Soldier?”
I awkwardly shook its hand and examined its appearance.
To put it simply, it was a card soldier.
A square, box-like body shaped like a card, with thin, long limbs in contrast.
The face was completely covered by a visor helmet and mask.
And the A-Heart symbol written all over its body.
Clank, clank.
“Oh my, they’re being humble. They say they didn’t do much.”
“…It was still you who helped, right?”
“Eh, me? Even if Guardian Soldier is being humble, you can’t just treat them like leftovers~”
Clank, clank.
“See? Even Guardian Soldier feels a bit sad if you say that.”
“…I’m sorry.”
Just to be clear, that thing is a doll and can’t talk.
It doesn’t move autonomously or have emotions.
If its owner is nearby, it might act like it’s doing something, but…
Clank, clank.
“Huh? You’ll forgive me? You’re glad you saved such a fresh couple? Kyaa! What are you saying, we’re not like that yet!”
Clank, clank.
“We look good together? You even want to officiate our wedding…! This is a bit sudden…! Kyaa! I don’t know~!”
Slap, slap!
The woman let out a short scream, then giggled and smacked the card soldier’s back.
Every time her hand hit, the card soldier wobbled as if about to fall.
‘…What’s with her?’
I watched the absurd spectacle with a dumbfounded expression.
I already knew she didn’t reveal her face as a precaution.
But if that was the case, she could’ve just not used her abilities from the start?
‘Well, she’s still not revealing her abilities now.’
Clank.
“What’s that? …Pfft, who makes jokes like that!”
Clank-clank-clank!
Seeing her put on this show, it’s clear she didn’t want to fully reveal her abilities.
She probably just wanted to deal with the situation quickly, so she used her abilities.
But why?
I recalled the situation before she used her abilities (summoning the Guardian Soldier).
‘…If I clean this up, will you stay?’
‘…Huh?’
‘Okay, got it.’
…Was it because of me?
“……”
I glanced at her.
“Clank, clank! Ahahaha…!!”
When our eyes met, she quickly turned her head and continued playing with the doll.
‘…It’s definitely because of me.’
Judging by what she said to me, she at least has some goodwill toward me.
The moment I said I was leaving, she used her abilities.
‘…If you’re going to hide your identity, just suggest we run away together…’
Maybe it’s because I lack romantic experience, or maybe it’s because she’s the host of the party and feels responsible…
Anyway.
It wasn’t a bad situation.
For this party, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say I came here just to meet her.
For some reason, just the fact that she has goodwill toward me is already a win.
Especially considering the rudeness I’ll show later.
“Clank, clank, clank…!!”
But then, another dilemma arose.
‘Should I say it or not?’
Should I act like I know her identity now…?
“Ahaha! Isn’t this fun, Guardian Soldier?”
Clank-clank-clank!
Should I really ruin her efforts to stay hidden?
My already worn-out conscience felt like it was forming a perfect circle.
‘Even though I publicly humiliated Phantom Luna and Ice Queen, this feels a bit…’
…And honestly, even though I enjoyed it, I feel like this is going too far.
Of course, if someone else did this, I’d have Narin stuff them in the Maker Gallery, but she’s an important figure who could help my plans.
‘Even if I use this as leverage, if her mouth is physically sealed, it’s sealed. She won’t just obey me out of fear.’
If I push too hard and build up dislike points, it’ll be a disaster.
But if I consider that she might feel a bit embarrassed, I could just say what I need to say and be done with it…
‘What should I do…’
Should I tell her I know and erase all her efforts and this absurd show?
Or should I just play along and go with the RP (role-playing)…?
Clank, clank.
The weak clanking sounds somehow felt like they were respecting my choice.
*
“Now that the trash is taken care of, you’re not leaving, right?”
“…That’s right.”
In conclusion, I decided to protect her dignity.
‘Yeah, what’s the point of shaming someone?’
Even though I’ve already brought two heroes to the brink of social humiliation, I decided to let it go.
The party still had plenty of time left.
I could finish what I had in mind and still have time to talk.
Clank!
“Ah, Guardian Soldier says they’re leaving now!”
“Thank you so much, Guardian Soldier.”
Clank, clank-clank!
Somehow, following her lead, I sent the ‘Guardian Soldier’… the doll, away, and the two of us were left alone.
“……”
A brief silence followed.
Compared to the iron-faced doll play from earlier, the woman now looked like a virgin who’d never properly talked to the opposite sex.
…Considering her age, that would be a real problem. Anyway.
“…Now that I think about it, we haven’t properly introduced ourselves.”
“Y-yeah.”
Since it was awkward to just stand there, I decided to take the lead.
“Nice to meet you. I’m a high-ranking executive of Eclipse, an A-class villain, Maker.”
I slightly bent my waist, hid my left hand behind my back, and smiled as I offered my right hand.
The woman looked at me with trembling eyes for a moment, then took my hand.
“I’m… just call me Heart. My villain organization and rank are too weak to mention… haha.”
At least put some effort into your alias, Heart? What kind of name is Heart?
It’s not like you’re pretending to be someone else with a dot on your face…
“Heart, huh? That’s a pretty name that matches your beautiful earrings.”
At this point, it’s almost like I’m advertising that I know her identity, but I decided to grit my teeth and play dumb.
“And what do you mean weak? Just being invited to Black Night means your organization is impressive, right?”
“R-really…?”
“From what I know, Black Night is the only place that hosts parties to gather villains like this. This is my first time here, but I think it’s great. It’s like the host’s lovely heart is shining through, don’t you think?”
I added a bit of lip service.
With this, maybe she’ll forgive me for being rude once?
“Anyway, now that the mess is cleared, we should move somewhere else.”
“……”
“Unfortunately, this is my first time here. You seem more experienced, Heart. If it’s okay with you, could you guide me around?”
“……”
“…Heart?”
Squeeze…
Heart was still holding my hand.
It didn’t hurt, but it was scary how tight it was.
“Heart?”
“……”
“Could you let go of my hand…?”
“…I’ll do it.”
“Huh?”
“…I’ll guide you!”
She looked up at me with sparkling eyes.
Apparently, she liked what I said, as she looked visibly excited.
If she had a tail, it would probably be wagging like crazy right now.
‘…I get it, so can you let go of my hand…’
It’s not like she’s a teenage girl.
Her enthusiasm was a bit overwhelming.
“Let’s go! I know lots of pretty places!”
“Um, about my hand…”
“Let’s go!”
Ignoring my desperate plea, she tightly grabbed my hand and started running.
