Our Fair is open for Business (2)

Oppa turned around a few times and smiled awkwardly.

It feels weird going away. Will you really be okay without me?

Yes, dont worry. We have enough people.

Managing the booth was something the club members should do in the first place, and we were receiving help from the three countries thanks to Oppa. With that in mind, I waved and saw him off, and he eventually headed for another booth.

Nevertheless, he kept looking back, so I stood still until I couldnt see him anymore. It was only then that Oppa hastened his pace as if fleeing. It was somewhat cute. He might get angry if I said it in front of him, though.

In the end, he didnt answer.

I couldnt help but smile bitterly while thinking about the iron wall-like oppa.

Ive told oppa numerous times that I wanted to help him and that he could rely on me if something happened. Each time, he would give me a different answer, but never once did he say yes.

I wondered if it was because I didnt seem helpful or if it was because I was incompetent. Even though it was somewhat disheartening, I didnt take it to heart too much. Oppa was much more capable and remarkable than me. I didnt know it the first time I saw him, but after hearing he was an Executive Manager, I became really surprised.

Thats why Ive been silently waiting for oppa to reply to me. I thought that insisting on it could be taken as if I were looking down on him, but after seeing how he looked yesterday, I couldnt stand still and do nothing about it.

Oppa

With a worried heart, I called out to oppa, who was no longer visible. The Oppa I saw yesterday seemed precarious as if he could explode at any moment or collapse if someone touched him.

He didnt show it on the outside. Oppa was someone who always looked calm, after all. Even if he was deteriorating inside, no one would notice because he never expressed it outwardly. If I hadnt had the experience of seeing someone like oppa before, I wouldnt have noticed.

Thats why the cookies I gave oppa yesterday were especially sweet. Although he ate everything well, I wanted to give him the best ones.

However, it was a mistake not to properly check the ingredients that were always used in the booth. Only this morning did I realize that sugar and salt had been swapped while I was moving around in a hurry. It was unfortunate that such an unfunny mistake happened to occur yesterday.

Even if oppa ate everything well, it was a different issue to tell him that it was sweet and hand him a lump of salt. I thought he might get angry or at least say that it was too salty with a smile.

Yes, they were delicious.

Oppas reaction was totally unexpected. Because he hadnt said anything, I asked him. But he replied as if there would be nothing wrong with it. But theres no way thats the case

Hyung always ate everything well. The chef always used to say that cooking for hyung was the most comfortable.

I remembered what Id heard from Erich. However, this wasnt just about eating everything well. Although I wanted to ask him for further details, Erich had just started to get close with oppa. I didnt want to make him worry.

Oppa.

Are you really okay?

I was afraid that oppa would not be able to hold on and collapse, and that he would disappear without anyone noticing.

* * *

I thought Id make Louise cry if I pushed things further. However, I couldnt find many things to do.

What should I do?

One could enjoy things if there were something to do. The only relaxing time Id spent in this world was the first year after I was transmigrated. After that, everything was a mess. Even though Louise said that I should take a break, I had no idea what to do.

I thought about whether I should use the 1st Manager as a guide but soon cast it aside. In the first place, I didnt know where she was. Besides, I didnt want to bother her with dealing with a higher-up even while she went around to play.

Ive been through that, so I knew how that felt. During the first vacations Id gotten after becoming the Executive Manager, I met the Minister. Because neither of us had anything to do, we ended up hanging around together. I didnt want the 1st Manager to go through such a horrible thing like the one I went through.

Since I was too bored, I was thinking of meeting the 4th Manager a little earlier, but I ended up seeing familiar, red hair from a distance.

Marghetta?

I saw Marghetta walking around and inspecting the booths with her traditional red fan covering her mouth. Now that I think about it, shed said that one of the duties of the Student Council was to check if the fair was going well.

I didnt have any place to go, and if I were going to receive peoples attention anyways, Id rather be with Marghetta. Because on the outside, it would look like the Student Councils vice president was hanging with the Prosecutor for business purposes.

Mar.

As I walked to her and called her out, she turned around.

Oh, Sir Carl. I didnt think Id see you here.

A smile appeared on her face. She probably wasnt expecting to see me in a place like this. After all, Marghetta knew that I had to stay in the booth because of orders.

Moreover, Marghetta promised not to visit Louise, so she hadnt visited our clubs booth.

Are you very busy?

Not really. Ive done this last year as well, so Im used to it.

Still, it must be tiring to do it alone. Do you need another person to help?

In response to those words, Marghetta tilted her head and answered in a voice mixed with laughter.

I dont hang out with just anyone. Maybe if it were Sir Carl, it would be fine.

Thats great. If Mars okay with it, Id like to accompany you.

What?

Marghettas face turned red, and the fan that had been covering her mouth rose up to just below her eyes. However, because the fan covered her lower face, Marghettas eyes, which were trembling, became even more noticeable.

I felt this from time to time, but she was too soft, considering that she was the daughter of the Iron-blooded Duke. No, or maybe I just didnt know because I hadnt met his other descendants.

* * *

One of the tasks was to check the progress of the fair. Compared to the booths spread throughout the Academy, the Student Council had fewer members, so it was inevitable that I had to wander around alone.

How boring.

I entered the Student Council to meet Carl. Thats why I just focused on working. But this year, Carl came to the Academy, so I couldnt help but be more motivated. But still, the biggest reason why I worked hard was that I couldnt do things half-heartedly as a member of the Valenti family.

Mar.

While trying to suppress my annoyance, I heard a familiar voice from behind.

Oh, Sir Carl. I didnt think Id see you here.

Carl, its Carls voice. As I quickly turned around, I saw Carl standing behind me. Im glad that Im covering my mouth.

He almost saw me smiling embarrassingly.

To be honest, I didnt expect to meet Carl during the fair. Carl was an advisor to a peculiar club consisting of unique members, so he couldnt leave the booth. I also had no intention of going to where Lady Louise was, so I thought that it would be a boring fair. However, I ended up meeting Carl.

As expected, were destined for each other.

No matter how much I thought it would be impossible to meet, we ended up encountering each other. How romantic is that?

I was starting to feel good. Since Id met Carl, I wanted to talk for as long as possible. But, he probably has many things to do, so dragging him around would be bothersome to him. Lets be satisfied with this today.

I was planning to be satisfied with that much, but

Thats great. If Mars okay with it, Id like to accompany you.

What?

My face hardened at Carls unexpected words.

With me?

Me? And Carl? Together? Wasnt he busy? Had Carl ever asked me beforehand?

Because I was starting to blush, I covered my face with the fan. No, I cant show him such a face.

D-Date Date! A date with Carl!

It was the first time. It was the first time that Carl asked to accompany me. Not only that, but it was my first time going on a date with someone. A year ago, Carl was so busy that we only had tea together. I didnt even dream of going out with him.

Its destiny!

Its destiny. As expected, Carl is already in my hands. To think that the cold Carl would ask me for a date first. Its as if he were already mine, in a sense!

Mar?

Oops.

My brain had melted down because of happiness, so I hadnt answered him. No, lets not rush things. Didnt I say that Id tease him a bit? I shouldnt easily accept it here.

Yes, okay. Lets hang out together.

Still, wouldnt it be okay to accept it today? Carl must have gathered the courage to ask for a date. If I show a rejecting attitude, Carl would get hurt.

Yes, thats why I accepted it. Really.

* * *

Fortunately, Marghetta allowed me to accompany her. I was worried because it wasnt a budget-related task, and I didnt have any reason to help with a simple situation check. Still, Im grateful that she accepted my offer.

To be honest, even if we go together, there wasnt much to do. Marghetta would go around the booths and I would tag along, enjoying the sights. However, it was a bit disheartening to see the club leaders of the booths trembling and greeting us.

I was short-sighted.

Marghetta, the daughter of the Duke, was already overwhelming. But now, the Prosecutors Executive Manager was walking beside her? It was a direct mental attack. I felt embarrassed that I wasnt able to foresee such a reaction. Even if I was absent-minded, bothering the kids felt bad.

Thanks to Sir Carl, things ended quickly. Thank you.

Dont worry about it.

But still, I was able to burn some time.

Mar, could we go together again tomorrow?

I felt like Louise wouldnt leave me alone at the booth anymore. Shell probably try to release me again tomorrow, so I needed to decide where to go in advance.

Marghetta slightly nodded in response to my suggestion, but she couldnt hide her blushing ears.

Thanks, Mar.

And Im sorry.

I inwardly apologized to Marghetta, a sorry she wouldnt hear. She was probably having a hard time after getting involved with someone like me.

I wasnt in a good state of mind, and it wasnt right to cause harm to someone innocent. I try to push the thought away, clenching my teeth and pretending not to know.

Im really sorry.