642,
With a heavy heart, Cyclone returned to the ground floor.
The exchange was far less crowded now. A week ago, it had been packed with people; these days, only a few regulars remained.
But no one could be blamed. After something so huge had happened, it was only natural for business to slow down for a while.
Luckily, Cyclone’s family had never needed to worry about money. The money Cyclone had pocketed before was already enough to last a lifetime.
In the office behind the scenes, Cyclone closed the curtains, then turned to look at today’s guest.
“Tsk, tsk, tsk! Honestly, I’m here, and you couldn’t even give me a national-level welcome~?”
“How much longer?”
Cyclone ignored her and went straight to the one thing she cared about.
The little girl before her—Eumerika, one of the former Four Saints—was displeased at being ignored.
“Hmph! It’ll be ready this Sunday~”
Though she looked like a little girl, Cyclone already knew her true age. She was actually ten years older than Cyclone.
Eumerika: a genuine, legal loli.
“Sunday? Good.”
“How is that good?! I can’t wait to cut loose right now!”
“N-no. Not here.”
“Tch!”
The incident with the King of Twilight had left Eumerika severely injured.
The surgery had gone very well, but Eumerika’s lower abdomen still couldn’t take much movement.
Because of that, Eumerika couldn’t laugh too hard or walk around.
But Eumerika was impulsive by nature. How could she possibly stay cooped up in bed for long?
So the Leader found Eumerika a wheelchair, allowing the former Four Saints’ little girl to get around.
And with Eumerika in a wheelchair, climbing stairs was out of the question.
That was why Cyclone had received this distinguished guest at the office instead of at home.
“Once Sunday’s over, you can give me that national-level welcome~”
Cyclone lightly teased her, and Eumerika nodded in agreement.
They each took a sip of tea. After setting down their cups, they sat in silence.
“……”
When Cyclone didn’t say anything, Eumerika spoke up.
“So… what are you going to do after this?”
Cyclone couldn’t answer that.
From Cyclone’s point of view, there was no “after this.”
As long as Elyse remained asleep, Cyclone wouldn’t think about what came next.
“What about you?”
Rather than answer Eumerika’s question, Cyclone turned it back on her.
“M-me? What would I even do… I mean…”
“When are you planning to confess to the Leader?”
Eumerika had been about to take a sip of tea to calm herself down, but Cyclone’s question made her spray it right out of her mouth.
Seeing that, Cyclone calmly said,
“If you like someone, you should tell them.”
“W-w-well…”
Eumerika’s eyes darted around. She never would’ve guessed Cyclone would bring up something like that.
“Y-you… Oh, right! I almost forgot! You shameless womanizer! Everyone else sticks to one person for life, but you’ve got one foot in five boats!”
“……”
Eumerika tried to hit back and change the subject.
But Cyclone set down her teacup and sighed again.
“What’s wrong? Jealous because my wives and I are so happy together?”
“I-I’m not jealous!”
“Don’t underestimate men, you know~ When a man gets strong, his sword can take on ten at once~”
“Tch… Wasn’t this person supposed to be feeling down?”
Eumerika cursed Cyclone under her breath, her face turning red.
“Was it love at first sight with the Leader?”
Out of nowhere, Cyclone steered the conversation right back to Eumerika’s love life.
Even worse, Eumerika’s face turned bright red. Cyclone had hit the mark.
This time, Eumerika didn’t deny it with a flustered huff. Instead, she murmured,
“I-is that so wrong…?”
Cyclone froze for a moment at Eumerika’s question.
After thinking it over, Cyclone gave a quiet laugh.
“W-what’s so funny…?”
“I’m not laughing at you. I’m just laughing at myself…”
Then Eumerika, her face still red, lifted her head and looked at Cyclone.
“Do you want to hear about the day I fell for the Leader…?”
“No.”
Cyclone flatly rejected her, leaving Eumerika silent for a moment.
“You little—! I’m telling you anyway!”
