238: You get annoyed when you can’t tell what someone’s thinking, right?

Turns out, I was about to climb into bed when I found a half-naked girl already lying there.

“Huh!? E-eh!? What the hell is this!?”

I jump back out of the bed. The blanket flies off, and her shape becomes clear.

Dark navy hair, messy and wild, snoring like *nngogogogogo*. Wearing only pants.

No, wait—her top’s lifted, but she’s still got a tank top on.

Her bangs are heavy, hiding most of her face.

And she’s a terrible sleeper.

Lucky for me, thanks to her tank top being pushed up and the way her hand’s positioned, nothing important is showing. Nothing’s showing, okay! Important point, so I said it twice!

Thin as a rail, hard to guess her age. You could call her scrawny.

About my age? Or maybe just a bit younger?

Maybe some orphan wandered in by accident?

I stood there, utterly lost.

◆

Eva Casper let out a long, heavy sigh.

"Huh. What am I even doing here?"

I’d thought I’d check how I was feeling, but ended up just wandering around the village stalls.

Someone barges into my assigned room without so much as a knock.

Only one person’d do that without a second thought—my sister, Camille. Marilyn’s right behind her.

"Knock, Camille."

"Anyway, any progress?"

"Progress...?"

Guess Camille saw right through me.

"It’s not that."

"But you’re still thinking about it."

She didn’t say who. That’s sister-level subtlety. Then she should know I’m the one shaken up.

"Just strolled around buying snacks with everyone, that’s all."

"Was it fun?"

"Well, I mean…"

Not because I was with that dense idiot, exactly. More that I’d been enjoying the festival with friends.

"Sis. You don’t realize it."

"What? What don’t I realize?"

"Fun with a man around. That’s the thing."

"Oh."

I’d never even liked men being near me before. Only now, after she pointed it out, did I notice.

"U-um, even with Raidock-sama there, I could’ve had just as much fun."

"So Craft’s getting there too."

"Ugh…"

She hit the sore spot. I gave up. Let out another deep sigh.

"Ugh. Why do I have to suffer like this?"

"You’re the one who won’t clarify things."

"Ugh…"

"Craft’s a good catch."

"Well, I suppose that’s true."

"You’re just setting your standards too high."

"Huh?"

I suppose you’re right, Raidock—but that simpleton’s different, aren’t they?

“Top young alchemist. Disciple of that Jabir. Key to securing the great marsh. Shadow hero in the Imperial Defense War. Want me to go on?”

“Yeah… listing it all like that makes it impressive. But that’s just a clueless, weak-willed simpleton who doesn’t get women. Inexperienced. Lacks caution.”

Camille tilted her head slightly.

“That’s seeing Craft for who they really are. Ever met someone like that before? You’d do better if you were a little more honest with yourself.”

“……”

I couldn’t think of a reply. But…

“Just give me a little more time. I don’t even understand my own feelings yet.”

“That’s fine. But—too many rivals problem.”

“That’s….”

“Well, he’s a simpleton. Should be fine.”

I was left speechless. Seriously, what kind of simpleton just asks someone out on a date and then vanishes like that? What’s he even thinking?

If he actually liked me, he could’ve at least made a real effort! I’d have responded, even just a little!

Ugh! Why do I have to be the one getting annoyed like this?!

Just as my worries started turning to anger, Marilyn—silent and smiling until now—spoke up.

"Jitarou doesn’t even register in your eyes, huh~?"

Y-yeah, that’s exactly how it is.

Just as my energy drained, there was a knock at the door. Ryuuko’s voice came from the other side.

"Excuse me for disturbing you. May I speak with you for a moment?"

"Ah, yes, please come in."

Ryuuko entered, crisp and upright in her maid’s uniform.

"Is something wrong?"

"Out of caution, I went to check on Lady Javil—but the barrier only covers one room."

"Eh?"

I thought it was covering both shacks. A regrettable mistake. I’m heading to the master’s shack now. Just thought I’d let you know, for safety’s sake.

I assumed we couldn’t sense it because it was Javil’s barrier.

Same here. Though I can’t sense magic at all, really.

Something’s off. A terrible gut feeling. Maybe it’s that magician’s sixth sense.

I’m coming along to check it out.

Understood.

Marilyn gave a light wave of her hand. I felt a jab of jealousy at how her chest bounced.

We’ll stay behind, then. Watching the fort.

Hmph.

The two of them stayed behind.

As Ryuuko and I walked down the hall, we were spotted by Maina, brushing her teeth at the sink. Persia stood right beside her.

Where are you going?

Master’s room.

Heh! I’m coming too!

“Huh? I’m just going to check on things…?”

“Let’s go!”

She’d probably follow no matter what, so better to just take her along and leave Ryuuko behind, then come back together.

“Got it. But we’ll be right back, okay?”

“…Mm.”

Good. She agreed.

Hearing our commotion, Nobuna and Chiyome, along with Leifan, came out into the hallway.

Nobuna tilted her head.

“What’s up?”

“The boys’ barracks are outside the barrier’s range. Ryuuko’s moving over there anyway, so I thought I’d check on it just to be safe.”

“Huh? We’ll stay behind, so tell us if anything comes up.”

“Yes.”

“Ugh… I’ve got a bad feeling about this. I’m coming too!”

Looks like Leifan’s coming along too.

She probably figured Craft was up to something, just like I did. Guess that’s the kind of sixth sense women have, huh?

Something’s off in my chest.

So, me, Ryuuko, Maina, Persia, and Leifan shuffled over to the men's barracks.

Ryuuko moved without hesitation to the bedroom closest to us. Right—she’s also Craft’s familiar, so she knows where the enemy is.

Maybe she wasn’t panicking because she knew Craft, her master, wasn’t in danger.

Lord Bairoroad knocks on the door.

"Master. I’d like to speak with you for a moment. May I come in?"

The reply that came back to that was.

“Huh?!”

was.

We just stared at each other, silent.

I shoved past Ryuuko and burst into the room—there lay Craft, bare-assed, and a woman sprawled on the bed in a state that was anything but dignified.

Seemed the mage’s gut feeling had been spot on.

…Still, couldn’t we have done this without the whole *this*?

Comic version of *Kubi Alchemy* Vol. 6 hits shelves November 7th—