Looking slightly displeased, Maricle-sama adjusted his glasses before he went to stand between me and Ars-sama. But, Ars-samaâs 100 watt smiles didnât even falter for a bit.
âIntimidate?! How outrageous! Youâre so amazing. Youâre able to break the curse that even Sheila, the saint, couldnât do!â
âN-No⊠I mean⊠Thatâs⊠It was thanks to Maricle-samaâs help⊠If it were me alone⊠I⊠I couldnât achieve such a feat all by myselfâŠâ
âHahahahahaha! You donât have to be so tense. But still, Iâm really gladâŠ!â
Gassshiiiii!! Gyuuuuuuuu!!!
Overwhelmed with emotions, Ars-sama hugged Maricle-sama tightly. Ars-samaâs voice even creaked a little.
Maricle-samaâs hair was glimmering like a jewel so in my eyes it looked like the face on money was hugging a diamondâŠ.. It felt like my wallet was being blessed just by witnessing this scene unfolding before meâŠ
âI mean⊠At that time, you got hit by that curse because you were shielding me from it, right? Because of that⊠Iâve been doing my own research on curses⊠So I could help you in one way or anotherâŠâ
âI appreciate the thought. In the first place, a simple and straightforward person like you is simply unsuitable to break theăcurseă.â
âYeah⊠Youâre right⊠Yeah, thatâs right! This is so you! Youâve finally completely, wholly, perfectly, returned! Iâm so glad! Iâm so glad!!â
With an audible pat, Ars-sama repeatedly patted Maricle-samaâs face, trying to check on Maricle-sama.
I had heard about their relationship beforehand back in the carriage, Maricle-sama said that the person we were about to meet was ămy best friend that Iâve known since I was little that I canât get rid ofăbut I never wouldâve guessed Maricle-samaâs childhood friend would be renowned the face on money himselfâŠ!
Moreover, with a slightly annoyed look on his face, Maricle-sama was trying to struggle free from Ars-samaâs excessive skinship. Ars-sama turned out to be a very high-spirited person.
âŠ.. Maybe I shouldnât be thinking about stuff like this butâŠ. When I look at them acting like this, somehow Iâm reminded of that middle-aged fisherman and a cat whoâs already used to humans. An image of that uncle petting a very annoyed looking cat flashed through my mindâŠ
Nevertheless, I guess Ars-sama and Maricle-sama must be very close. As soon as we entered the room, Maricle-sama immediately relaxed his posture. Without any hesitation, Maricle-sama sat down on the sofa like he was in the comfort of his own house. They then started to converse with each other while laughing merrily.
âNow then, Miltia⊠Come sit next to me.â
âYes!â
ââŠ. Fufufu~ The two of you are so close. It makes me happy to see how close you two are.â
UuuhâŠ.. S-So embarrassing⊠Do I look that excited just by sitting next to Maricle-sama?â
âArs, stop teasing us.â
âSorry, sorry. But⊠Maricle, how did you break that infuriating curse?â
âYes, yes. I know youâre curious about it. ActuallyâŠ.â
And then, Maricle-sama told Ars-sama the matter about that curse and the way to break it.
âŠâŠ Hm⊠B-ButâŠ.That⊠Things like âan angel has descended upon meâ and âthe incarnation of Goddess of Wisdom, who bears the idea of reversalâ and âa strong and tenacious person who defeats the sea demon like theyâre nothingâ and âthe owner of Godâs hand, who created a dish to break the curseâ and so on⊠Those things⊠C-Could it be all those things are referring to me?!
I-Isnât Maricle-sama is exaggerting all those parts a little bit too much?!
And why is Maricle-sama talking about that poor manâs soup he likes the best, the one made from the shell of shrimp and crabs, like theyâre some sort ofăelixiră, the legendary panacea?!
AaaahhhhhhhhhhhâŠ.. Iâm sure my face must be burning from embarrassment!!!
ââŠ.. And thatâs how it went.â
âI see! âŠ. Thatâs why no matter how hard she tried, Sheila still couldnât break it even though sheâs a ăsaintăâŠ. â
Ars-sama said while scratching his head, looking a little bashful.