Chapter 86 …………………………………..
“First of all, if there are too many people around, it’s hard to tell whose sneeze powder reacted!”
“Mm.”
“Also… if another emotion gets stronger, the effect of the sneeze powder disappears.”
“Ohh.”
“Above all, the sneezing doesn’t stop, so people keep seeing me as the patient. Naturally, it also makes it hard to keep talking because of the coughing.”
“Oh?”
At my last words, Kyle’s dad’s silver-gray eyes lit up as he spoke.
“Normally, it wouldn’t be that bad, though?”
“Huh?”
I tilted my head.
It wouldn’t normally make me sneeze that much?
‘Now that I think about it, that might be true.’
In the original story, whenever Mom and Dad sneezed once, they’d immediately go, “Alright, let’s get ready.”
…Huh?
“Do you still have some powder left?”
Kyle’s dad soon removed my hand from his cheek and asked.
I, lost in thought, nodded.
“Yes, just a moment!”
I had anticipated this and carefully kept some aside.
It was actually a remnant from when I had tried to sprinkle it on Mom and Dad but failed.
I took a small vial from a pocket deep inside my clothes and handed it to Kyle’s dad.
“Here it is.”
“Let’s see…”
Kyle’s dad set me down and poured the sneeze powder onto his palm, studying it carefully.
I swallowed nervously.
Somehow, I felt like a chef having my food judged by a Michelin three-star chef…
“From what I can see, the mixture looks perfect.”
Soon after, Dad murmured as he manipulated the powder in his hand.
He could tell just from the texture whether the mixture was correct.
Kyle’s dad really isn’t normal…
“No matter how I look at it, it doesn’t seem much different from what I made.”
He tilted his head and shook the powder from his palm.
“Maybe you’re just more sensitive to this powder than others.”
“Sensitive?”
“Yes, maybe the ingredients just don’t suit your body. But in any case, there’s nothing wrong with the powder itself.”
After speaking, Kyle’s dad smiled proudly and added,
“You really are my daughter.”
“Hehe!”
I grinned brightly and scratched the back of my head.
Yay! I got recognized by a chef!
“Anyway, so…”
While I silently cheered inside, Kyle’s dad spoke again.
“Why did you suddenly bring up the sneeze powder?”
“Oh, right.”
I snapped back to reality and cleared my throat.
“As I said earlier, it’s really uncomfortable for me. So… um…”
“So…?”
“Could you make something new that has the same effect as this but without any side effects?”
I twisted my body and pleaded as innocently as I could.
Kyle’s dad blinked a few times and replied indifferently,
“Well, it’s not difficult.”
“Wow!”
“But before that…”
This time, his gaze was sharp as he looked at me and asked,
“What do you intend to use it for?”
I flinched, feeling guilty.
Whether or not I answered, Kyle’s dad didn’t seem to be expecting one.
“You said you already used the sneeze powder. Thinking about where you could have used it and your actions since then…”
He started drawing conclusions on his own.
“Ah.”
He murmured quietly and twitched his eyebrows.
“So it’s for the same reason again.”
I’m not entirely sure what he meant, but… actually, I think I do.
Being looked at like that is a little scary.
“Just a simple suspicion?”
Kyle’s dad fixed his gaze on me, tugging one side of his mouth into a smile.
“Or are you preparing in advance because you know something?”
I hesitated, then spoke honestly.
“Um, both…?”
It felt like something might happen, but I didn’t know exactly what, so I was roughly preparing.
“You still can’t tell me the truth, can you?”
“Mmm…”
I thought so.
I slumped my shoulders in disappointment, eyes cast to the floor.
At the same time, Kyle’s dad ruffled my hair roughly and said kindly,
“Still, it’s better than nothing that you’re telling me this much.”
I quietly lifted my head and looked at him.
“Yuria didn’t tell me anything at all and just ran around alone causing chaos.”
Dad looked at me with his usual defiant smile.
“Rather than struggling alone, it’s much better to at least inform someone like this.”
“I agree.”
Derick’s dad nodded lightly in agreement.
I was overwhelmed with emotion, looking at them with sparkling eyes.
The Kyle × Cici × Derick trio…!
Cross!
“Alright, I have a rough idea of how to make it.”
Finally, Kyle’s dad cracked his knuckles and licked his lips.
I brightened my eyes at the sight.
‘Oh, that’s a habit I only saw in the original story!’
A habit that comes out when you genuinely want to make something!
“Sit tight, I’ll make it soon.”
Kyle’s dad said confidently and looked at Fer this time.
“You, go outside.”
“Dad!”
I thought everything was fine!
I immediately glanced at Fer.
He said nothing and just smiled quietly.
‘He’s holding back.’
Anyone could tell from that expression.
He’s really trying…
“Don’t push it too far!”
This is my chance to step up.
I placed my hands on my waist and scolded Dad.
“Fer is helping me! And it’s the same this time!”
“…Same this time? So he’s helped you before too?”
“Uh-oh.”
I think I just said something wrong.
“You two… have known each other from before?”
Kyle’s silver eyes darkened as he alternated his gaze between me and Fer.
“No? No, we just met today.”
“You know your eyes are looking to the right, right?”
He gave a terrifying smile and spoke deliberately, word by word.
“That’s how a child’s eyes move when they lie.”
What a sharp person.
“What does it matter if we met today or not!”
I gave up on explaining and shouted.
Anyway, it’s too late now!
“Anyway, Fer is my friend, so if you keep being mean to him…”
I glared at Dad and shouted again.
“If you mess up here in the future, I won’t call you for help!”
At the same time, Fer widened his eyes and looked at me.
That expression must mean: Did she just threaten him?
‘I know, it’s childish.’
But Fer…
I know Kyle’s dad well.
He would definitely—
“…Are you serious right now?”
Yeah, that’s probably how it went.
I exhaled sharply, seeing Kyle’s dad stunned.
He blinked a few times, still dazed.
“Y-you mean you’d rather be with this guy you just met than your dad who raised you?”
He covered his mouth in disbelief.
He seems even more shocked than I thought.
‘But I can’t back down now.’
If I don’t act tough here, Kyle’s dad will continue being mean to Fer.
I steeled myself and spoke.
“If you keep being mean to Fer like this…”
At the same time, Kyle’s dad’s eyes darkened, looking like he was in despair beyond shock.
“…I, I really—”
He grabbed the collar near his chest and muttered hesitantly,
“I’m really hurt…”
