I’m Not Doing This With A Friend

"My father's upper management became difficult, so the family situation became a little more troublesome."

"Oh…"

Hans' expression, which seemed to be smiling, became a little solemn.

This was a problem he couldn't help with. Except for the clumsy consolation.

"When it comes to business, it goes well and sometimes bad. It's because of the recession, but it'll get better soon."

"…Yes. I hope so."

The conversation with Hans was cut off, and I quietly opened the book.

When I was wondering if I should move and change seats even now in the awkward atmosphere.

I could hear other children chattering from the classroom.

"Haha! What if your armpits are flooded?"

"Everyone, shut up. When you wore gray last time, I saw that only your armpits were dark."

"What? Do you have any evidence? Do you? Rather than that, you even squatted to dry your armpits secretly? Fuhaha!"

The kid who was being teased blushed and listened to his friend, and eventually threw up the writing instrument he was holding and shouted.

"I wish your parents a long life, you bastard!"

"Ha, are you done talking? Your mother told you to stay healthy and live a long life!"

…I was surprised because I thought it was harsh, but after listening carefully, it was a blessing.

While watching their warm fight, an idea flashed through my mind.

Why didn't I think of that? I have a recipe to could make a fortune.

The hyperhidrosis treatment that I gave to Kun.

In other words, a sweat suppressant!

Leen quickly turned her head and tapped Hans.

"Hans."

"Huh…?"

"Could you possibly distribute some of the medicines I developed?"

At the sudden question, he scratched his chin for a moment and thought about something, then frowned and looked sorry.

"I can tell you about the distribution, but I can't pay much attention to it because the situation at the management isn't good right now. It's like a promotion or an advance investment payment. It's unclear whether it will sell well…"

Leen smiled bitterly.

"It's sold unconditionally. Instead, if my development works well, give me a lower fee."

"It's sold unconditionally?"

"Since it's a handmade product, I can't supply a lot. So, sell each bottle as expensive as possible."

"What are you talking about?"

As Hans tilted his head to ask me why I was so confident, potato girl stood in front. It was a pretty solid expression.

"What's the matter, potato girl?"

It's been about a month since I handed the medicine, and all the side effects must have been cured.

Every time I took a major class, I was sure that it was the conclusion while checking the condition of potato-girl.

"Sorry."

Yes?

At her unexpected apology, I glanced at her.

Potato girl continued to talk again with a tearful face.

"I've ridiculed you about Carson before. I was mad at you for trying to help me. I'm really sorry. And… thank you."

Ahh…

Even if I try to hate potato-girl, can I really hate her? I shrugged and said jokingly.

"Are you going to buy me something delicious?"

Then, potato-girl nodded.

"If you don't mind eating with me."

Come to think of it, that's a little…

It's not that I hate her, but because I had to set aside time to sleep or study herbal medicine to go out to eat.

Otherwise, eating together with Carson was difficult because he said, ‘This won't be the last time.'

Let's see. What excuse will work?

"Oh. Come to think of it, I'm fine, but it might be a little difficult because there are people who'll be jealous."

"Huh?"

"I'm sorry, I'll correct what I said. But I'll still accept your heart."

I glanced over at her face. Her skin was as smooth as before.

"I'm glad you're all better."

"Leen…"

Whether it was because of the words that I only accepted her heart or that I was glad that everything was well, she stared at me with slightly moistened eyes.

Ugh, that kind of look is burdensome. I shook my other hand that wasn't holding my chin.

"I'm fine with your apology, so go back to your seat now. The class will start soon."

However, potato-girl didn't return to her seat and munched her lips as if she had something more to say in front of me.

"Do you have anything else to say?"

"Leen."

"Yes…"

After hesitating for a while, she carefully spoke off.

"I'm planning to start a club next year. Can you join me?""

"I like my club right now."

No other club could be this sweet.

"Really?" Potato girl looked sullen.

Then, not long after, her eyes widened again with anticipation and asked.

“Then, it's okay if I start a club?”

I raised an eyebrow as if she were talking about something I couldn't understand.

"Why are you asking me that? It's up to you to create a club."

Potato girl's expression brightened at once.

"Thank you!"

I felt a sense of uneasiness at that bright smile.

‘No way.'

You're not going to make my fan club, are you?

Wait, who would join a club like that? Even though potato-girl was like that, the only person who likes me crazily is Carson.

In addition, Carson is the head of our club, and the minimum number of club members is three.

Yeah, let's not worry.

✿

Why are there so many people visiting me today?

…I brought it all on myself.

I gently stroked Carson's head, who was half growling next to me.

I meant to calm him down. Sure enough, at the touch of my hand, he looked gentle.

After calming Carson easily, I yawned quietly and looked at the guest who came to the club room.

"Are you here because you're out of medicine?"

The other person shook his head slightly.

"No. I have brought the reward you mentioned before."

"Oh, that…"

"The medicine Leen gave. Actually, I was skeptical at first, but the effect was amazing."

He held out a pocket to my hand. Even without opening it, it's obvious that the pocket was full of gold coins.

"I requested more money from my home country. It seems it will take longer than I thought, so I'll give you what I have first. Please accept it, even if it's small."

"Isn't that all you have in your pocket?"

It exploded.

But to get money from him…

I will be distributing an antiperspirant through Hans sooner or later, and frankly, the gold coins in my pocket far exceeded the price of the antiperspirant I had envisioned.

If I had received that, I wouldn't be able to sleep properly because of my conscience being stabbed, aside from my future troubles.

"Kun… I'm sorry for the sudden change of words, but I will refuse the money you brought from your home country and the money you're giving now."

Then he spoke with a slightly sad expression.

"…Do you hate it because it's the money I'm giving you?"

"Yes. I don't need your dirty money."

I wanted to explain to him in order to avoid misunderstanding, but I didn't say those words, it was Carson who said it.

Kun glanced at him and lightly ignored him and opened his mouth.

"Then, what do you think of it, Leen?"

"As I said before, I don't need it."

Kun narrowed his brows as if he didn't understand what I said, but after a while, he realized something and spoke.

"…Ah. Does Leen want a status higher than that of Baron? But that's the title of Leen's parents, and this title goes entirely to Leen. It would be useful to call it a single win."

"It's not like that either. Maybe it's because I resemble my mom, I'm not really interested in titles. Regardless of my status, it's important to live happily doing what I want."

I glanced sideways at Carson, spitting out a mixture of half-truth words.

Live a happy life doing what I want to do. I can't do that already, can I really live a life like that?

"Hey, so when are you leaving… are you leaving?"

At Carson's words, I turned to look around.

Seeing that the atmosphere was broken, while I was immersed in thoughts, there seemed to be a bitter exchange of glances between Kun and Carson.

"I'm here to see Leen, not you." Kun answered.

"I'm not sorry, but I'm the head of the club. Our club doesn't accept outsiders. If you want to talk, get out of here."

When I heard it, I realized that what Carson said was right.

No matter how much we play every day, this is still a club room.

It wasn't a place for me to personally call someone to talk to.

"I'm sorry, Caon. I didn't think it was rude to you and Fjord."

"Huh?"

I left behind Carson, who seemed to have lost his mind for some reason, and gestured to Kun.

"Kun, let's move to another place for a while and talk. Come to think of it, I think we should talk about your treatment progress. It's a hassle to keep talking here."

"Good."

Upon hearing Kun's answer, I slowly got up from my seat.

Come to think of it, what has Fjord been doing since before, why was he so quiet?

Looking away, Fjord was calmly reading as if it had nothing to do with him no matter what we did.

Wasn't this kind of situation outrageous?

Indeed, it was his relaxed attitude of fighting against Carson every day.

…As I was thinking, I suddenly saw something stuck in his ear.

When I looked closely at what it was, it was an earplug that Fjord wore when camping with the swordsmen kids.

Magic earplugs made it easy to sleep comfortably even with the sound of snoring and grinding.

It was an item that Fjord had borrowed for several months and Carson had barely made it.

It's an item that he held in his hands for several pairs, saying he has made it for me.

…I guess it must have been really noisy.

It looked like I had to get out of here quickly.

"Let's go, Kun." Leen got up and walked to the door.

Can we take a look at it in the lounge?

I don't think it'll take long, but should we just do it in front of here?

Thinking about how to make it less bothersome, I walked through the door Kun had opened.

Carson hurriedly called out my name from behind.

"Leen!"

Looking at him with a questionable gaze, he spoke as if making excuses.

"It's okay to do it here. It's just an inspection."

However, I glanced at Fjord reading a book with earplugs on.

"Even if you say it's okay, other people might not be okay with it."

If Fjord says it's not okay, he'll growl and start a fight again.