How to End a One-Sided Love — Episode 20
(20/110)
Once I headed into town, I was soon consumed by a huge dilemma.
What on earth should I feed my senior?
No—more fundamentally, is it even appropriate to feed them something from a place like this? It’s not that I’m trying to look down on our territory, but my senior is, after all, the son of a ducal house in the capital.
From what I saw during meals, they didn’t seem to be particularly picky about food…
Alright, I’ll just let them choose.
“What would you like to eat, senior?”
I asked, pointing at the rows of street stalls lined up. My pocket money felt reassuringly sufficient.
“Oh, you know cotton candy.”
When my senior casually pointed toward a cotton candy stall, I immediately reached for my wallet.
“I’ll buy it for you. Please wait here.”
“No, it’s fine.”
As we both took out our wallets and started insisting back and forth, it seemed like this would never end, so I made a suggestion.
“Then shall we each buy one?”
I firmly stopped them from insisting on buying mine as well, and took a large pink cotton candy into my hands.
“Thank you.”
“Enjoy your meal, young lady.”
The stall owner, who had been flustered at the gold coin my senior handed over, rummaged through his pouch and returned a handful of silver coins as change.
It was only natural—currency of that size rarely circulated at small stalls like this. Somehow, it felt a little amusing.
Watching my senior receive the cotton candy while holding a handful of silver coins in one hand, I took a satisfied bite of mine.
So this was an option too.
I licked around my sticky lips, then glanced sideways.
My senior was tentatively licking at the cotton candy with their red tongue. For some reason, the sight felt… oddly suggestive. …Focus.
Shaking my head to clear my thoughts, I stole another glance at them.
Do they not know how to eat cotton candy? Then why did they choose this?
Still, cotton candy does look pretty. Fluffy, pink…
As I looked down at the pink, cloud-like mass, it somehow reminded me of Senior Flora’s hair.
“You can just tear it apart with your hands and eat it.”
I chuckled lightly and tore off a chunk of cotton candy, popping it into my mouth.
Hearing my words, my senior carefully tore off a small piece.
Just as they were about to chew, it seemed to melt away immediately, making them pause. Their golden eyes wavered.
Aww, cute.
“……”
Soft tufts of cotton candy clung to their pale fingertips like fluff.
As they brought their fingers toward their mouth, I was about to say they could just lick it off—when suddenly my senior leaned toward me.
In an instant, a sweet scent washed over me.
“It’s good.”
They murmured while lightly licking their fingertip clean.
I nodded awkwardly, avoiding their gaze.
Come to think of it… did my senior even like sweets?
I tilted my head, recalling the peppermint candy that had disappeared into Dora’s mouth.
“Would you like to sit?”
Since my senior was eating a bit slowly, I pointed to a nearby bench.
Maybe I should have eaten later? But there wasn’t much else to do besides eating.
My senior nodded while continuing to tear and eat their cotton candy.
Their cotton candy seemed to disappear much more slowly than mine. I sneaked glances and deliberately ate mine more slowly as well.
In that way, we gradually finished our cotton candy at a leisurely pace.
Thinking about it, even when it wasn’t market day, coming into town mostly meant eating.
So what kind of confidence did I have bringing my senior out like this?
“Would you like to go to a bookstore?”
As we walked halfway through town and spotted a familiar bookstore, I impulsively asked.
It was one of the few places I frequented that would also be appropriate to visit with my senior. After all, they loved books enough to practically live in our estate’s library.
“Sounds good.”
As expected, my senior nodded.
I opened the bookstore door and greeted the owner.
“Long time no see, grandpa.”
“Used books are over there.”
The old man, glancing at my face, pointed toward a corner of the shop.
I slightly bowed my head and made my way to the used books section.
“Is he your grandfather?”
My senior, who had followed me, asked in a low voice.
“Hmm? No. Just someone I know.”
I replied with a light laugh.
“……It’s a bit awkward to ask this,”
my senior hesitated while looking down at me before speaking.
“Where is your mother?”
“She passed away when I was two.”
I answered casually, still browsing the books.
My senior immediately stiffened, then spoke in a small voice.
“I’m sorry.”
“It’s alright.”
I barely remembered my mother. I was just a baby who couldn’t even speak when she was alive. The only thing I recall is that my father cried a lot.
I don’t even remember her face clearly—only seeing her portrait hanging at home and thinking, so that’s what she looked like.
To be honest, I’ve never once felt her absence while living with my father.
Would that make me seem a bit unfilial if I said it like that?
I let out a small chuckle to myself and turned a page.
“I don’t think there are any secondhand magic books. Shall we check over there?”
As I said that, my senior, who had been reading a novel, hurriedly put the book down.
So they liked novels.
Stopping in place, I smiled slightly and pretended not to notice as I picked up another novel and leaned against the wall. It didn’t matter since I hadn’t come specifically to buy magic books anyway.
My senior, who had been standing there hesitantly, picked the novel back up.
Glancing sideways briefly, I returned my gaze to the book. The writing was engaging, making it easy to focus.
We spent about an hour in the bookstore. It seemed enjoyable for both of us.
I even found an interesting novel series and bought the entire collection. I’ll read them all over the break.
“It’s already past six.”
After finishing payment, I held a paper bag in one hand and glanced at the clock before speaking to my senior.
My senior, carefully holding a novel in one hand, took my bag from me.
“Oh, it’s fine.”
“Your arm is injured.”
“Thank you.”
I blinked awkwardly and turned my head away.
“Shall we have dinner? Eat before heading back, or go to the estate?”
“I don’t mind either way.”
I instinctively thought about tonight’s menu.
Ah… herring isn’t great.
If my senior doesn’t mind, eating out might not be a bad idea. It wouldn’t feel as awkward as I expected.
After frowning in thought, I looked up slightly.
“Then… shall we eat out?”
My senior nodded in agreement, and I started walking while asking them questions.
“Do you like meat?”
Seeing them nod, I quickened my pace.
As expected, meat is the best way to treat a guest.
I knew a restaurant. Among the places I knew, this one was the most famous and tastiest. I also happened to know the owner.
“Oh my, young lady! It’s been so long!”
“What happened to your arm? Are you injured?”
As expected, the moment we opened the door, we were greeted from all sides, leaving me momentarily overwhelmed.
“It’s been a while. I’ve been busy and couldn’t come by.”
“Oh, we all know you’ve been studying hard. Please have a seat with your companion.”
Guided by the owner, we sat at a table.
“Young lady, I heard you were part of the monster subjugation unit?”
As soon as we sat down, a staff member’s eyes sparkled as they looked at me.
I nodded awkwardly.
“Y-yes, that’s right.”
“And your arm was injured there? My goodness!”
Exclamations followed.
It made sense since I was the next lord, but whenever I came here, all the attention seemed to focus on me, which felt a bit overwhelming.
While I awkwardly rubbed my bandaged arm, the owner glanced at my senior and said,
“Oh my, aren’t you the one from the Magic Tower? A mage?”
“Right, right. I heard you went into the forest with the young lady.”
“You’ve done something good! We’ve had to go all the way around that forest all this time—it’s been such a hassle, hasn’t it?”
“And the animals have been acting aggressively too.”
The owner patted my senior on the back and laughed heartily. My senior, who had been about to drink water, jolted and almost dropped their glass.
Hey, that’s a noble from a ducal house.
“This won’t do. Hey, bring out the food. Everything on the menu.”
After telling the staff that, the owner smiled warmly.
“We won’t charge you.”
“W-what do you mean…?”
My senior tried to refuse, looking burdened.
“Thank you. We’ll enjoy the meal.”
I smiled at the owner.
She was the type to follow through. Even if I forced money on her now, she would likely send it back to the viscount’s estate tomorrow.
Hearing me, my senior quietly thanked her and took their seat.
“Enjoy your meal.”
“Thank you.”
The server placing the dishes down blushed when they saw my senior.
Yes, I understand how you feel. I get it.
I nodded with my eyes closed.
As dishes began to arrive one by one—
The owner said as if complaining,
“Thomas’s field over there was ruined because of those creatures.”
“People were too afraid to even go outside.”
Everyone in the restaurant was talking about monsters. It was the biggest topic in this usually quiet and peaceful place.
“Please tell us, young lady. How did you get rid of those terrifying things?”
“Well, my senior did most of the work. I didn’t do much.”
I laughed lightly and continued,
“I was just standing off to the side while my senior—swoosh!—took out the monster core.”
“Waaah!”
Even the older men drinking nearby had gathered closer to listen. It felt like I was narrating a story.
“So the core was taken to the Magic Tower for research.”
I finished my story and poked a potato with my fork.
“Ooooh!”
The reaction was very enthusiastic.
Glancing sideways, I saw my senior turning away shyly. A mischievous idea popped into my head.
“Alright, applause!”
“Waaah!”
A loud cheer and clapping erupted. It was so loud it felt like flowers might start flying through the air.
My senior remained silent, drinking water repeatedly.
Watching their flustered expression was rather entertaining.
I chuckled and tapped the wooden table.
My senior lifted a hand to partially cover their face.
Their ears, just visible, were red.
They really liked being praised, huh.
I never expected such a side behind their always-perfect demeanor.
I continued my meal while keeping my eyes fixed on their flushed face
