Chapter 67

Ṛеɑԁ ​ο​ṅ ΚɑțＲｅаđɩɴｇＣ​ɑ​ſҽ

Well, I guess.

When you think about it, this outcome is only natural.

The person in question is none other than Eugene. 

A model student like him wouldn’t abuse a favor to do something improper. I knew that from the start. That’s why I gave him the wish in the first place.

I had unwavering faith that Eugene wouldn’t do anything strange. Even if I encouraged him by saying I’d grant any request, I believed he’d make a modest and harmless wish—and that he did.

But still.

Maybe, deep down, I was expecting something else.

The wish voucher I handed to Eugene, under the guise of repaying a debt.

It wasn’t a joke or an empty gesture—I truly meant to grant anything he wished for.

For example,

If Eugene had asked me to do it, I would’ve done it.

If he had told me to crawl, I would’ve crawled.

If he had told me to lick his feet, I would’ve done it.

If he had commanded me to obey him for life, I would’ve gladly become his slave.

To me, the wish voucher was absolute.

It was the product of my, no, Lucia’s desires.

A yearning to be dominated. A craving to be broken.

So, yeah. Maybe I had hoped for it.

For Eugene to “use” me.

Yes, just like Frey had done to me.

Like when I became a plaything for her to vent her sadism.

I wanted to become a tool to be used as he pleased.

Even though I knew Eugene wasn’t like that, I secretly longed for it. That’s why, when he showed even a hint of hesitation, my body lit up with anticipation. 

In the end, it was just embarrassment that held him back, but somehow, it made me feel pathetic. No, it wasn’t “somehow”. I really was pathetic.

Hmph, fine. It’s not my fault. It’s entirely Eugene’s fault.

Lucia went out of her way to say, “I’ll grant anything,” and the best you can come up with is friendship? To be friends?

If nothing else, it was very Eugene-like. I can see what he meant by it. He was probably saying, “Let’s get along from now on.” After all, we aren’t exactly close.

We’re in the same class, but we’ve hardly interacted. The first real conversation we had was during the field training.

We’re acquaintances, but not close enough to be called friends.

That’s the extent of our relationship, no matter how you splice it up.

Fine.

Objectively speaking, it’s not a bad wish.

It’s something I can use to my advantage.

Getting closer to Eugene means I can take a more active role in Alice’s romantic endeavors, right?

I’ll be in a better position to push the two of them together.

And if Eugene had actually made an improper wish and I ended up getting too close to him, that could’ve been a problem too.

There’s no way I’d fall for Eugene. I’m not into loving men. I wanted to be “used” by Eugene, not share some romantic bond with him.

But what if Eugene fell for me? Just imagining it gives me a headache. 

It’s unlikely, though. In the novel, Eugene was wholly devoted to Alice. Alice has the “little sister buff”. She’s practically unbeatable. It’s like she’s already at the goal line. Just a light push would seal the deal.

So, overall, it’s a reasonable wish.

When I think about the future, it’s not a bad outcome.

…Still.

I don’t like it.

After building up so much anticipation, he just wants to be friends?

Hmph, so that’s how you want to play it?

If I’ve been wronged, I need to get even.

“Eugene.”

I stopped massaging his hand.

Letting go of Eugene’s right hand, which I had been diligently pressing, I spoke in a flat tone.

“I’m disappointed.”

At my quiet statement, Eugene’s pupils trembled violently.

They wavered like a small boat caught in a storm.

“Th-that… I-I’m sorry. Was it offensive after all? Saying something like that out of the blue….”

“Yes, it was. It was incredibly offensive.”

With every word I added, Eugene’s gaze sank lower.

His previously flushed face turned pale. His fingers fidgeted, and his shoulders drooped.

Heh, it’s too late for regrets now.

You missed your chance, Eugene.

You could’ve been my master, but you kicked the opportunity away with your own feet.

A little teasing like this is something you should understand and accept.

“……?”

But why does he look so frightened?

His breathing has gone irregular, and his expression has frozen like he’s on the verge of tears.

Huh? Was it really that shocking? My reaction?

All I did was say a few words!

Just a moment ago, his face was flushed with too much blood, and now it’s completely drained of color.

The stark contrast makes it even more noticeable. Eugene looks completely shaken.

Though I can’t see his face clearly since he’s lowered it, it’s obvious he’s in shock.

How strange. I only expected him to be a bit flustered.

This reaction is too extreme, and now it’s making me flustered.

…Did I go too far?

Is that it?

…Well, yeah. Okay, fine, I guess.

No matter how absolute a wish voucher might seem, who would actually make such an improper wish out of nowhere?

Especially when we’re not even close, just starting to get to know each other.

Making such a wish would almost certainly ruin the relationship.

Actually, Eugene’s wish was probably the right one.

Okay.

I’ll stop teasing.

So don’t make that face like you’re about to cry.

It makes me feel like I’m the one being overly mean.

“Eugene.”

I reached out and placed a hand on Eugene’s shoulder.

Then, letting go of the stern tone I’d been using, I spoke in a softer, melancholic voice.

“Aren’t we already friends?”

“…Huh?”

Eugene lifted his head.

Locking eyes with his sky-blue gaze, I put on a sullen expression.

“That’s so mean. Was I the only one who thought we were friends? You didn’t think of me as a friend, did you?”

“W-What? No, that’s not it…!”

“So to you, I’m just a classmate from the same homeroom….”

“No! I-I just wanted… to get closer to you…!”

Eugene stammered, his words all jumbled.

See, this is why I say Eugene and Alice are a match made in heaven. Their behavior is so alike.

But while Alice’s antics are adorable, when you do it, Eugene, it’s just cringeworthy.

“Pfft, just kidding.”

When I let out a mischievous laugh, Eugene finally realized I was joking and gave a defeated look.

“Sorry. Your reaction was just too funny to pass up.”

“…No, it’s fine. Now that I think about it, you’re right. We’re, um, already friends, aren’t we?”

“Of course. What else would we be?”

“…”

Who knows what the future holds, though.

A friend could become an older sibling, and an older sibling could become a master. Life is unpredictable like that.

“Sorry, but wishes can’t be undone. Like spilled water, you can’t put it back. You asked me to be your friend, and I’ve officially granted that wish.”

Besides, even if I returned the wish slip to Eugene, he’d just waste it on something trivial.

So I’ll take the liberty of twisting the wish I already granted to suit my agenda.

“But we’re already friends, right? Then I’ll make a slight adjustment to the wish. That’s okay, right?”

“I guess that’s fine, but… what kind of adjustment?”

“Simple.”

I let go of his shoulders and instead clasped his hands.

Eugene’s palms were damp with sweat. Why is he sweating so much?

Gripping both hands firmly, I interlocked our fingers just as I did with Frey before.

Making sure they wouldn’t slip apart easily, I flashed a bright smile and declared,

“Let’s be best friends.”

“…?!”

“I’ll change it to that. Just being regular friends feels too shallow, don’t you think? We’ve saved each other’s lives once. The reason we’re both still here is because of each other. That makes us life-debt partners, doesn’t it? Ordinary friendship feels too weak for that.”

I can confidently say that Alice is already my best friend.

Even though we haven’t known each other for long, Alice likes me, and I like her too.

So much so that I’d hate to share her with Eugene.

But now, it’s Eugene’s turn to get closer to me.

I have to get to know Eugene well to meddle in their love story later, right?

It’d be irritating and rude to interfere with someone you’re not even close to.

But best friends? That’s a whole different story!

“So, what do you think? Are you just going to leave things at ‘ordinary friends’ with me?”

“…No.”

Color returned to Eugene’s face.

Steeling his trembling eyes, he tried to put on a calm front.

But his voice quivered slightly.

“I also… want to have a deeper bond with you, Lucia. More than just as ordinary friends.”

“Hehe, I’m glad. We were thinking the same thing!”

“I don’t know you very well yet. That’s why I want to get to know you better from now on.”

“Sure! I’ll tell you all about me.”

I already know Eugene inside and out. I’ve read the novel, after all.

In fact, I probably understand him better than he understands himself.

But Eugene doesn’t know me—doesn’t know Lucia.

So, I’ll take my time and show him.

Until the day when I can drop the word “protagonist” from his title entirely.

“Because we’re best friends.”

“…Yeah.”

The distance between us might still feel awkward, but for now, we’re best friends.

Because we’re going to grow closer from here on!

Eugene is the kind of guy who easily forms attachments.

The trick to getting closer to him is simple.

It’s nothing complicated. Just approach him first and treat him warmly.

Alright then.

As a celebration of our new best friendship, I’ll lend Eugene a little more help.

His face was still flushed red, as if he were deeply embarrassed.

“Eugene, could you turn around for a second?”

“Huh? Like this?”

Once I released our interlocked hands, Eugene obediently did as I said.

He turned around, his movements a bit awkward as he kicked off his shoes and sat on the mattress.

I stretched my wrists and moved behind him.

Then, without warning, I hugged him from behind.

“…?!”

Eugene let out a silent scream.

I couldn’t see his face, but I was sure he’d gasped noiselessly.

After exhaling a long, shaky breath, Eugene spoke in a trembling voice.

“Lu-Lucia?!”

“Hold still. Straighten your back. That’s it, good.”

I placed both hands on Eugene’s abdomen and gently massaged it, moving from his lower belly to his ribs.

I wanted to ask him to take off his shirt, but that would’ve been too much, so I refrained.

It should work just as well over his clothes.

“I’ll massage your stomach. Pressing here should help you feel better if you’re feeling queasy.”

Even though my chest was squished against his back and it felt slightly suffocating, I didn’t let it show.

And honestly, the plush sensation wasn’t unpleasant either.

Using firm yet gentle pressure, I kneaded his abdomen, my fingers pressing and releasing in a steady rhythm.

Feeling the texture firsthand, I couldn’t help but notice how incredible Eugene’s physique was. 

His body wasn’t just for show—it was the kind of muscle honed through real practice, meant for actual use in combat.

Lucia’s body was toned and firm as well, with no excess fat, but it couldn’t compare to Eugene’s.

For some reason, I felt a pang of defeat as a man… Oh, wait. I’m not a man right now.

“How is it? Feeling any better?”

“…”

Eugene didn’t respond verbally.

Instead, he gave a silent nod, indicating it was helping.

Well, as long as it’s working, that’s what matters.

In that case, I’ll keep massaging him until lunch break is over.

By then, he should be completely better.

 

Author Note

A/N (Author’s note):
Lucia is a bad girl!

She keeps touching Eugene’s stomach! This is sexual harassment!

How embarrassed must he have been to not be able to speak?

Eugene is really pitiful! Don’t you all think so?

Translator Note

T/N (Translator’s note):
Hmm, do people even read these? Well, I’ll know one way or another!

Type “Kill Kat!” in the comments if you see this, heh.