—But man, anyway you said my reputation would be ruined if I lived in your house.
Violet assured shyly.
—Is that ruined reputation the same as this!?
No, Violet!
—Ah, yes, man!
—From this moment on you can live in this house!
You don't need to move your luggage!
Violet's eyes widened.
Soon, joy spread all over his face.
Only then did Cyril realize that he had done what he had to do in his entire life.
He didn't care if Goddamn Godfrey sued him or threatened him.
He also had contacts to solve it.
Plus, Violet had just turned eighteen.
He remembered the feeling of the baby in his arms.
Then, as now, he had to protect his niece.
—Is it really okay?
The truth is that I had nowhere to go tonight, but still...
—Accept quickly before I change my mind.
—Yes, thanks, man!
Violet said quickly.
—Oh, what a shame.
We would have been good roommates and friends, right?
Cyril's face scrunched up for a moment.
—Since that is the case, you, who I don't know if you are a classmate or an aspiring roommate, can go.
Cyril said.
Ash smiled slightly.
Seeing that expression, Cyril felt a little cheated.
It was a baseless hunch.
—Uncle, I'm going to say goodbye to Ash...
—It's not necessary.
Cyril took Violet into the house and closed the door.
Even as the door closed, Ash continued to look at Violet.
──── ∗ ⋅◈⋅ ∗ ────
Did it work?
Violet thought.
Cyril stood with his arms crossed, looking at her.
—Dude, can I really live here?
—I already told you yes.
It felt like a dream came true.
Violet's heart was pounding.
—But why did you leave home suddenly?
—Ah, some things happened.
Violet looked away.
"Did Godfrey hit you?"
—This time I avoided it.
Cyril's face turned cold.
—Actually, I twisted his arm...
And I also threw him to the ground.
Violet added shyly.
-…Well done.
Cyril said.
-That?
—You were right to leave home.
You can't live a day with a guy who raises his hand.
-Thank you.
Cyril remained silent.
The atmosphere became uncomfortable again.
—I have prepared your room on the second floor.
—Do I have my own room?
On the second floor?
And not in the basement… or the attic?
—This house only has two floors, so there is only an attic upstairs and there is only a basement in the basement.
-It's true.
You are right, the rooms are usually on the second floor.
Violet said hurriedly.
Will there be a bed in the room?
If it's a normal room, I won't have to hold my breath to avoid bumping my head when I get up or make noise.
I wanted to go see the room right away.
But Violet stopped suddenly.
—The stairs to the second floor are over there.
And our housekeeper… Violet?
—Sorry, man!
Just a moment!
Violet bowed, opened the door, and hurried out.
──── ∗ ⋅◈⋅ ∗ ────
—Ash!
Violet ran, breathless.
Bycolin Street was close to the center, so there were a lot of people.
Did I see it wrong?
He thought he saw Ash's shiny silver hair in the crowd.
But Ash was nowhere to be found.
—Who are you looking for?
Just when she was about to give up and turn around, Violet was shocked.
Somehow, Ash was standing behind her.
Turning around so quickly, the distance between her and Ash became very short.
At this moment, a sound was heard.
Tilón, tilón.
The tinkling sound echoed in his ears again.
Does it appear to me at a time like this?
It didn't really have a set moment.
Anyway, the vision of the future had begun.
«—Ash, you fought that man three times, you got a victory, a loss and a draw.
—That damned, that unfortunate man!
No matter how much you slander him, there is no end.
The people of the world, unlike me, praise and praise him non-stop.
How cursed is he who walks the path of bright light!
—How was it at the academy?
Surely you two went to the academy together.
The girl was scribbling something in the book she was holding.
He was writing down Violet's words.
—From then on, that guy was already clever.
He made fun of everyone.
He hid his great status.
"He posed as a commoner at the academy and chose and kidnapped talents one by one, as he pleased."
The illusion ended.
Violet looked at Ash in horror.
Who are you really?
A man who will be my rival and the enemy of my future self, the archenemy?
Since I had no intention of becoming a villain in this life, there would be no reason for me to be Ash's rival.
No, there shouldn't be.
Therefore, he had to build a friendly relationship with him.
—Violet?
Ash asked kindly.
—I wanted to say something.
Thank you and I'm sorry.
—Thank you for what and sorry for what?
—…First, I'm sorry for distrusting you before.
And thank you.
Thanks to you, tonight I won't have to sleep on the street, but at my uncle's house.
You really know how to manipulate situations to your liking.
I think it's an admirable skill.
Ash looked at her in surprise.
Then, his eyes curved into a smile, as if he found it amusing.
—…Normally people get scared or hate me when I manipulate situations to my liking.
—But you seem to me like someone who walks the path of bright light.
Someone who will one day receive everyone's respect.
—….
—I trust you, Ash Defendeil.
If you offer me your help, I will gladly accept it.
And I will never forget your kindness.
The aftermath of the festival was felt even in this place, a little far from the center of the square.
That night, the tents were decorated with a variety of lights.
People passed around them, avoiding touching them.
Ash's expression slowly softened.
It was an expression I had never seen on him: kind and calm.
—On what basis do you trust me?
Violet was quiet for a moment.
If she told them the vision of the future, they would take her for a madwoman...
—You are very different from the other people I have had in my life.
—You said the people in your life were crap.
—That's why I know it well.
I'm used to bad people.
That's why I find you strange and fascinating.
You're probably a good person.
Ash paused for a moment.
He took a step closer to Violet, as if he were examining her.
—See, Violet.
You really are difficult to understand.
—A while ago you said it was easy.
Now I'm difficult again?
—You often say unexpected things.
And so….
—….
-Not bad.
I like it quite a bit.
Ash stroked Violet's hair gently, ever so lightly.
Violet's cheeks flushed.
—I'll look for you when I'm ready to really help you.
I will contact you.
—…Okay, the address of my uncle's house is….
—I already know.
—Sure… eh, okay.
Violet nodded.
──── ∗ ⋅◈⋅ ∗ ────
Violet entered the house silently.
The living room and entrance were quiet.
Where is Uncle Cyril?
Violet cautiously walked up the stairs as she walked through the house.
The stairs and hallway were carpeted, so they didn't make any noise.
Violet stopped.
From the last room in the hallway, loud voices could be heard.
He concentrated to listen and heard something like this:
—I told you to mix more pink!
Go get more pink right now!
—Girls like lace curtains.
In addition, this room is decorated to tastes that are very popular among girls.
—She is not a child, she is an eighteen-year-old adult according to the law of the Empire.
—You called her a girl a moment ago.
Anyway, my homework is perfect.
This room does not need more decoration.
Violet was stunned.
He moved closer to listen a little more, and at that moment, a loud squeak was heard on the wooden floor.
There seemed to be a loose board.
…To be continued