This Time, I Am A Mob's Potions Teacher Who Has Become Engaged To The Mastermind Of The Otome Game - 8

The date with Noel arrived without a hitch.

Well, at least until the actual day arrived.

“Oh no…”

Something ominous happened first thing in the morning, making me anxious about the day ahead.
My beloved hair clip broke. Without it, I can’t wear my usual hairstyle, which means no one will recognize me.

“Hey, little lady! Master’s waiting, so get a move on!”
“That’s easy for you to say. With my hair like this, Noel won’t recognize me. I have to do something.”

As I tried to fix it with magic, Jill smacked it away with his front paw.
What the hell, you little rascal?

“Stop dawdling! Let’s go!”
“You demon! You monster!”

Thanks to this tiny demon of mine, I had to head out with my hair down.

◇

Just like Jill said, Noel was already at the meeting spot.
Even from afar, I could tell it was him.

He stood out because people were walking around him in a weirdly wide arc, avoiding him like he had an aura or something.

Today, he wore a chocolate-colored vest and slacks over a shirt, giving off a more relaxed vibe than usual.
But that relaxed look only made his natural allure even more potent, drawing stares from everyone around.

“Whoa…”

I even caught a woman who made eye contact with him sway on her feet, clearly dazed.
Noel let out a sigh that looked thoroughly gloomy.

That little gesture, of course, only managed to capture even more hearts around him. The man is a walking hazard.

“Sorry to keep you waiting.”

I figured he wouldn’t recognize me, but I called out anyway.
To my surprise, my voice came out pathetically lacking in confidence.

“Leti…cia?”

Contrary to my expectations, he noticed me right away—but the moment our eyes met, he froze.

“My hair clip broke. I guess I really should tie my hair up after all, huh?”

Under his stare, I started to wonder if having my hair down just really doesn’t suit me.
It’s been so long since I’ve worn it this way in public, I just can’t settle down.

Maybe I should buy a new hair clip and put my hair up again.

“No, you look lovely as you are.”

He said that smoothly, probably just out of polite upbringing.
Still, I figured going back to my usual tied-up style was the safe bet.

“W-Well then, shall we go like this?”

Honestly, I really wanted to buy a hair clip, but I was too preoccupied with the upcoming event.
So I just went along with what he said.

“Where are we going?”
“Um… the bookstore, I guess.”

Sara is supposed to get hit on by some guys on the street outside the bookstore.
My plan is to lie in wait inside the shop and witness the scene unfold.

“This sounds more like shopping than a date.”
“Where would you choose then?”
“Where do you think I’d choose?”

Ugh, a counter-question.
You were always doing this in the game too, weren’t you?

“I won’t know unless you tell me.”
“I want to know how my fiancée sees me.”

He said it with a sly grin. Honestly, he embodies the word “enchanting.”
No matter what expression he wears, this future final boss is absurdly gorgeous.

“Eep.”

Looking around, I saw that all the women on the street were openly staring at him.
There was a bubble of space around us—it was unsettling.

He sticks out like a sore thumb, and as someone who lived a quiet, background existence for over twenty years, this kind of attention is not my comfort zone.

I almost feel bad for Noel, having to live like this all the time.

Noel Fabius, the dark mastermind.

With a face that draws people in and gentlemanly behavior to match.
But in the game, beneath that smile, he hid how much he despised those around him, secretly plotting behind the scenes.

What could he be thinking now, walking beside me like this?
Even if I asked, he probably wouldn’t tell the truth.

“Leticia, what kind of books do you read?”

While I scanned the spines of books in the store, he moved right behind me, practically breathing down my neck.

“Herb encyclopedias, the monthly Magician’s Medicine Box, and Yumeru’s papers.”
“Wow, all herb-related.”
“Herbs are deep. You can’t study them half-heartedly.”

As we chatted, I peeked out the window. No sign of Sara yet.

I was fidgety, wondering when the event would start.

“So, herbs over romance, huh?”
“I read romance novels too, you know?”
“Oh?”

Crap. I totally said too much.

The radiant, sparkling smile Noel gave me sent a chill down my spine.

“What have you read lately?”

And what exactly are you going to do with that information, huh?
There’s no way I’m telling you.

It’s one thing to tell a friend, but a suspicious guy—who’s also a possible villain—I’m not handing over my romantic reading preferences like a weakness!

“You wouldn’t find it interesting anyway.”
“How do you know until I try?”

Nice try. Not falling for it.

I ignored him and kept scanning the shelves. Then I heard a familiar voice from outside.

“That’s enough! Pestering women like this is disgraceful!”

Peeking out the window in disbelief, I saw Isabel and Sara being hassled by a couple of guys.

Isabel had stepped in front of Sara protectively and was glaring at the men.
She looked like a knight shielding a princess.

Could it be… Isabel’s going to steal this event from Cesar?

“A pick-up attempt. I’ll go drive them off.”
“Wait! Let’s just observe for now.”
“Observe? What if they do something?”

He’s right, but still. If we step in now, the Cesar event will be ruined for sure!

“I-If we get involved, we’ll take away the students’ chance to help each other, right?”

Even I thought it was a lousy excuse.

Noel frowned, clearly unconvinced—but he still followed my suggestion and stayed hidden in the shop with me, watching over the girls.

Though I said all that to Noel, watching the guy ignore Isabel’s words and keep harassing them was really testing my patience.
I wanted to storm out there and lay the guy flat myself.

Come on, Cesar—show up already!
If not, this meddling auntie is about to intervene!