[Thwack! Thwack! Thwack!]

[Thwack! Thwack! Thwack!]

Night fell, and strange sounds echoed from a damp, shadowy alley.

A little boy passing by let go of his mother’s hand and pointed toward the noise.

"Mom, weird sounds in the alley—just like the ones you and Dad made in your room that night!"

"Hush! Kids shouldn’t hear that!"

The mother stuffed bread into his mouth, covered his ears, and hurried him away.

Honestly, this helped me too. Lorian, Beren, and I weren’t exactly fit to be seen right now.

[Thwack! Thwack! Thwack!]

I lifted my foot and stomped down on the man beneath me again.

"What’s wrong? You agreed to 500 punches to go. Giving up after just over a hundred?"

"You never said 500 punches! Oww, oww—it’s breaking, it’s breaking…"

The last one rolled away groaning, joining his companions already sprawled in disarray.

…

Luring these would-be kidnappers of Beren with a bit of fan service, then "cooking" them properly in a deserted spot—that was the silent plan Lorian and I made with a glance.

For me, a few guys with only basic skills were easy. My only worry was my dress riding up…

While I gave each their "fan service," Lorian finished her part too.

"Found it, Brother Arisa. They’re noble private soldiers. From the crest, it’s the same family we handled days ago."

Lorian wiped her hands with a handkerchief. "This time… Grandpa won’t spare them again…"

Nobles enjoy privileges but bear greater responsibilities.

One misstep from their heirs might be forgiven, but revenge kidnapping? Targeting an Elf with immunity?

This punishment would be far harsher. No need for me to play hero anymore.

"Well then, guests—that’s all. I avoided bones, so rest two or three days and you’ll be fine."

I sighed, loosened my slightly steaming collar, and took off my coat.

The night air chilled, and Lorian snuggled close, "warming up" while sniffing my scent like a cat.

But soon after leaving the alley, I noticed Beren trailing behind looked odd.

Scared? Still in shock? I admit my moves were flashy, my dress fluttered—but it was just basic martial arts.

If this Elf saw me sparring with my old man, she’d call it "immortals clashing."

I slowed, turning to wait for the silent Elf.

"Teacher, no cheers needed—but that shocked face insults me a little."

"W-what! You… you…"

Beren stared in disbelief, emotions beyond surprise swirling in her eyes.

"Why so… strong? Those humans looked like trained soldiers!"

"Hey—I’m the Hero’s son. Losing to foot soldiers? I’d have wasted my whole life."

What eyes has this Elf been using to see me?

Wait—what does she even think a Hero is? Sure, he’s a flirt, but useless? Never.

Lorian pouted too.

"Now you see, Teacher Beren? Brother Arisa always held back. If he wanted to take advantage, you’d have been had hundreds of times. Stop making things hard for him."

I wouldn’t! Who’d want to… with an Elf like Beren…

Hmm…

Before, I’d say that instantly. But this time, I hesitated.

In the dark, Beren’s gaze burned into me, her body trembling slightly with tension and fear. Her brow wasn’t furrowed anymore—just an ordinary, timid Elf now.

No no no… That night counting ceiling spots, I vowed to confess after Lorian’s approval!

After a long pause, Beren shuddered.

"Huh… Anyway, Teacher Beren, let’s get you home first."

I sighed, released Lorian’s hand, and offered my coat.

But I’d underestimated this "Discipline Elder."

Prone to wild fantasies, "honest" body, IQ crashing in love…

She claims to hate humans, yet she’s kinder than stubborn Elf elders. She rages at us but forces herself to protect us as "duty."

Beren might be smarter than I thought.

Her hand didn’t take the coat—it grabbed my hair.

I don’t grow long hair like Furide. My black wig was my disguise’s only weakness!

I moved to stop her—too late.

[Snap!]

The wig clip broke. My black wig lay silent in Beren’s grasp.

"Brother Arisa!"

"It’s fine! Don’t panic…"

I held Lorian back—she gets "excited" when surprises hit me.

Beren’s decisive move meant she was certain. Denial was pointless.

"Ripping off disguises so roughly, Beren—you’re brutal."

I sighed, shifting subtly. My cross-dressing reason wasn’t a joke; I might need to restrain her.

"When did you realize I was that caring butler?"

"You’re too alike… Your scent, past and today’s events, how you fought… Everything matches."

Beren staggered back.

Normally, emotional shocks just lowered her IQ. This time was worse.

As an Elf, she disliked humans—me.

Now she knew the guy she hated had disguised himself, even made her confess…

No one stays rational here. Her emotions could only lead to one conclusion.

"Why deceive me…"

"I didn’t, Beren!"

That night, "Alisha Da" rejected her to avoid betraying an Elf’s pure feelings. I needed time.

If I wanted to deceive her, I might have seized the moment then…

No. I could never be that scum.

And I don’t dislike this Elf.

"Just never found the right time… I planned to tell Lorian first, then confess, but today—"

I tried explaining, but the shattered Elf heard nothing.

"I… I get it! You two planned this—using my weakness to threaten me while softening me up that way…"

Hey, Lorian’s not involved—

"You humans are all liars! Heartbreakers! Bastards!!"

Beren hurled the wig at me, sobbed, and fled.

…

Maybe accepting Beren’s confession that night as "Alisha Da" would’ve been better?

The thought flickered—then died.

No. Dad would knock my head off. Even my stepmom would scold me fiercely.

Building on deception with her pure feelings? Too scummy.

"Brother Arisa…"

Lorian poked my waist, displeased.

"Huh… Y-yeah, I’ll explain back home, okay?"

"Not that, playboy."

She puffed her cheeks but pushed me away.

"I’m upset, but I won’t be a woman you dislike."

"Chase her if you want. That Elf runs like a fox. Sigh…"