Chapter 60

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 60

Chapter Title: The Maid Left Alone (4)

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He answered nonchalantly.

“I’ve used it plenty of times.”

“You’ve done stuff like this a lot?”

“Only occasionally, when someone introduces me.”

“That’s unexpected.”

“I hear that all the time.”

The pen moved in his hand, producing a pleasant scratching sound. It really looked like he’d written a lot before; his movements were so practiced. As I quietly watched, he glanced at me.

“Why.”

“No, you can read, too, huh.”

“Of course.”

“Then why not do something besides manual labor? Like a desk job.”

“Who’d hire someone like me for that? They’d pick someone more skilled and educated. They say even the same handwriting looks better from a smarter person.”

Those regrettable words flowed out so flatly. Even he seemed unbothered as he said them. But the meaning behind them wasn’t light at all. If anything, that casual tone seemed to reveal all the discrimination he’d faced up until now.

Status made all the difference, and the discrimination was just as severe. For someone whose status was unclear, it hit even harder.

Lives that nobody cared if they ended. Hadn’t I felt that in my bones?

Knowing that, I couldn’t bring myself to say more. As I fell silent, he didn’t speak either. The scratching of the pen filled the room again. But the brief silence grew heavier and more awkward than before. In the end, I broke it.

“What do you like so much about Alicia?”

“Her name’s Alicia?”

“...You asked me to introduce you without even knowing her name.”

“Ha, I’ve never even talked to her once.”

A sigh slipped out at his stammering. Any seriousness I’d mustered felt pointless. At my reaction, he snapped.

“I, I might not know it!”

“Yeah, yeah. So why do you like her?”

He calmed his anger at my question and blushed. I grimaced like I’d seen something I shouldn’t have. Ignoring me, he shyly replied.

“She’s pretty.”

A blunt answer, but not incomprehensible.

She was blood, but Alicia’s looks were truly flawless. Beautiful was the perfect word. Groomed her whole life, no wonder.

Of course, Alicia knew her strengths well. That’s why she coyly lured men and reveled in confessions.

But Alicia had zero interest in him. Absolutely none. His doomed future was truly pitiful.

“Just because she’s pretty?”

“Not just pretty—she’s stunning. Fell for her at first sight. So pretty just standing there. Exactly my ideal woman. When our eyes met and she smiled... it felt amazing.”

Seeing his ecstatic smile as he reminisced about their first encounter left me baffled. He went on and on, but it all came down to her looks. He was head over heels. I scratched my nape roughly and shook my head.

“You haven’t even exchanged a word with her.”

“Still... Haven’t you ever felt your heart race just looking? No talking needed.”

He asked suddenly. I nearly shot back no, but the newspaper from earlier flashed through my mind. The perfectly matched pair, smiling so tenderly.

That calm gaze he’d once turned on me resurfaced unbidden. Our trivial chats across from each other, my stiff awkwardness, him beaming at me. That unfamiliar smile.

“Hey, hey. What’s wrong with you?”

A hand waved before my eyes. The tender smile vanished, replaced by his wide-eyed stare. Seeing his concerned face snapped me back. I let out a hollow laugh. Long-buried memories sometimes surged up vividly like this.

I shouldn’t. It’s that newspaper’s fault. Shouldn’t have looked.

I smiled bitterly and buried my face in the paper. He kept peering at me. I shoved my face deeper to dodge his gaze. My eyes blurred; the writing swam. No way I’d let him see my obvious weird face. Long bangs came in handy.

“Hey, you okay?”

“No.”

“What?”

“I said no. Never. Not once.”

“...”

“And give up on Alicia. You two don’t match.”

I always said it, but it was advice for his sake. Muttering that, I wrapped up the talk. Face still planted in the paper, I focused on copying. Pressing the nib hard made loud scratches.

“But when did you learn to read?”

“Long time ago.”

“Long ago—how long?”

“...”

The silence was a clear warning: don’t pry. No answer, and his gaze prickled the back of my head. I figured he’d gripe about being ignored, but he stayed quiet.

Days here flew by. I pocketed today’s pay. Copying paid decently.

The door opened to a sky dyed red. Staring blankly upward, he tapped my shoulder from behind.

“Hey, what’s your name?”

“Why ask.”

“We’ll see each other often now. Nice to know. I’m Johnny.”

He greeted brightly. I stared blankly at his beaming grin.

“No need.”

“What?”

“Don’t act chummy.”

Bonding was a hassle. Five years gone—no more running needed—but caution lingered. Plus, nothing good ever came from Alicia’s admirers. They pestered endlessly for intros. Better dodge trouble early.

Leaving the flustered guy behind, I turned away. The street bustled with passersby. A huge plaza just past the next building meant shops and stalls everywhere; always crowded, but evenings choked the walkways. I kept getting jostled.

People poured from the plaza right then. Pushing through the crowd, I realized I’d forgotten my bag. Lost in thought. Sighing, I turned back.

As I fought the throng again to Emily’s place, I spotted someone ahead. Two grown men in dark coats and narrow-brim hats chatted with Emily.

Emily looked annoyed dealing with them. But the men seemed dead serious.

Who? I held my breath and watched too.

Then someone tapped my shoulder. I froze solid—no scream escaped, eyes darting wildly. Who? Who?! Forcing my stiff body, I turned.

And met a surprised face staring back.

“Hey, why’re you like that?”

“...Ha. Haha.”

Tension melted away. Relief whooshed out. Johnny stood behind me.

Confirming his face eased everything.

“What’re you doing here?”

“Forgot my bag... And you—why’re you still here?”

“Was just leaving. But you! Ignored me and bolted!”

“Why yell? You’re loud.”

“What? Hey!”

He bellowed; I panicked and clamped his mouth. The men were still at Emily’s. He thrashed muffled protests. I dragged the squirming guy into the alley next door.

Safe in hiding, I let go. Johnny spat immediately. Wasn’t that rough? Absurd, but whatever—I peeked at Emily’s from behind the wall.

Johnny eyed me: what? I shushed him firmly. Still, my gaze locked on the men facing Emily.

I clammed up, so he peeked too from behind me.

“Ah, them again.”

“You know them?”

Surprised, he shot back a look like you don’t?

“You serious? Those guys recruiting people lately.”

“Recruiting?”

“Yeah. For jobs. Pretty famous now. Two dudes in dark getup, shady vibe. Spot on.”

“Famous?”

“Yep. Kinda creepy too. Conditions are hilarious.”

Johnny burst laughing, like he’d remembered. I eyed him—what?—and he continued.

“They only want pretty people.”

“What?”

“Everyone they’ve approached? Pretty women or handsome guys. Looks are the condition. Pay’s supposedly insane.”

He mentioned an acquaintance who got an offer. I checked ahead. Emily was gone—talk over? The dark men murmured to each other. Too noisy to catch words.

Only pretty or handsome? The blatant condition soured my mood. Employer’s kink? Shady job? Selling themselves? Totally plausible—they recruited door-to-door.

“Your acquaintance went with them?”

“Nah. Felt off, turned ’em down.”

Definitely weirdos. Staring harder, they suddenly turned our way. I ducked fast behind the wall. Johnny hid too, giving me a weird look.

“What’s up?”

No answer—he leaned to peek. I grabbed and shoved him the other way.

“Hey, hey, what! Why!”

“Just shut it and go. Okay?”

I shoved his back as he twisted around. Grumbling, he trudged off. I hurried, glancing back. Those men stuck in my head. No clue, but bad vibes. Steer clear of omens.

Washed up; sky pitch-black. Late—Alicia nowhere. Something happen? Alone, she’d bolt anywhere. Worry gnawed. Then those men popped up. Pretty only—did they snag her?

Ominous feeling spiked. What-ifs swelled.

Finally gearing to hunt for Alicia, the door flew open. Startled, I whirled—Alicia stormed in, huffing mad.

“So annoying!”

Bad mood on entry.

“Why so late? Something happen?”

“Ugh! Ran into crap luck on the way.”

Alicia plopped on a nearby chair, all sulky. Legs crossed, slouched crooked against the back. Her pissy vibe screamed trouble.