Andrea was looking at me with his eyes wide open, as if someone had hit him on the head, or as if he had seen a ghost. The expression on his face was different compared to the notification that his favorability had increased. Though it was hard to notice immediately, the emotion on his face was surprising... it was fear. As he stared at me with piercing eyes and mumbled something with his lips, I couldn't help but feel scared as well
"What's wrong? Did a wasp land on you?"
I raised my hand to my face and felt around my forehead and cheeks. It was the number one thing you should never do if a real wasp sits on you, but I was also out of my mind because I was embarrassed.
"Why, why are you looking at me like that?"
Finally, when I spoke, Andrea slowly blinked his eyes. His pinkish irises trembled slightly before settling back in place.
"...The scarf slipped down, so I saw your face."
Andrea said.
Only then could I understand the reason for Andrea's favorability. He must have fallen for me momentarily because my face was revealed. This idiot... Last time, when I crossed arms with Andrea, there was also a moment when his favorability increased. Maybe it's similar to that. But what's there to be afraid of? Did you feel afraid that you would develop a crush on me without realizing it?
It's complicated.
As soon as I had that thought, the system window popped up.
[Favorability is the same liking for everyone! Captivate the male protagonist's body and mind using any means possible ^_^b]
I pulled the scarf up to just below my eyes and muttered curses silently. Captivate? No way. I would never go all the way with a male lead here.
...Well, I had a wet dream, though.
...I also masturbated.
Anyway, as long as nothing happens between the person involved, it's okay.
...At least for now.
"Ugh, let's hurry."
I said as my face flushed for no reason, and so I spoke in a sharp tone. Andrea followed me, his horse's hooves clattering leisurely from behind.
The city we entered, Warton, was very lively. The villages I've visited before were vibrant and busy, but the feeling from a city was different. The wide paved streets were constantly filled with carriages, and the shopping district was glamorous and sophisticated. Pedestrians were dressed deliberately and looked carefully designed.
I absentmindedly stared at the rich dresses of the two women walking in front of me, swaying like cakes. I could probably hide inside those. While thinking about that, Andrea suddenly spoke into my ear.
"Do you like the lady in front of us?"
"Oh! W-What are you talking about?"
"It's rude to stare too much."
Indeed, the two women in front of me had noticed and were giggling and whispering to each other. Feeling awkward, I nodded my head in greeting, and they laughed even louder. Andrea flashed them a bright smile and then grabbed my arm, leading me down a different path.
It wasn't until we were some distance away that Andrea let go of my arm.
"In the past, just by looking at that face, people would line up regardless whether they were a woman or a man but now it's different. You're wearing a hat and a scarf. It looks very suspicious."
Andrea said, tapping the brim of my straw hat. I nervously adjusted my hat and responded.
"I didn't stare. It's not like they know it's me?"
"The real Narcissus used to be like that. You... are different , but keep in mind, staring at someone here has a seductive meaning."
I only looked because the skirt was the size of a balloon. I wanted to make that excuse, but it seemed too lame, so I just kept my mouth shut and nodded.
"There's a teleportation magic circle in this city. We're going there now."
"And we'll arrive by using that?"
"Yeah, it'll take another half a day. Get on."
Andrea gestured towards the horse with his eyes.
"But now, you're not scared of horses anymore, are you?"
"I-I wasn't really scared before! It's just that I haven't ridden one, so it felt unfamiliar!"
Making a loud noise unnecessarily, Andrea closed his eyes and smiled.
"Really? My bad, I misspoke. It's not that it's scary, it's just unfamiliar. Sorry."
I was treated like a little child. I grimaced and walked with long strides. Andrea, from behind, let out a surprised sound and matched his pace with mine.
"But why can't Del ride a horse? It seems like you've never ridden one."
"In the world I come from, we don't ride horses."
"Really? That's strange. So, what do you ride?"
"It's a car... um, it's like a carriage that moves on its own without horses. It's a machine that people can operate."
"I can't imagine that. Is it like magic?"
"It's not magic, but it might feel like that. Wouldn't you be scared the first time you ride a car too?"
As I spoke enthusiastically, Andrea nodded his head.
"So, Del, you're good at driving cars?"
"Well... "
Come to think of it, I didn't have a driver's license yet. However, I didn't want to give the impression that I couldn't handle horses or cars, so I confidently raised my chin and replied.
"Of course, I'm good at it."
"You need to see me driving. I'm the best driver in our country, no one can keep up with me, and so on..."
Since Andrea had no way of verifying, I boasted all sorts of exaggerations. Andrea looked at me with eyes filled with admiration and amazement.
"That's impressive, Del."
"Yeah. So, don't ignore the fact that horses can be a bit scary."
"Yeah, horses can be a bit intimidating."
"That's right. ...No, it's not that they're scary, it's that I'm unfamiliar with it!"
I quickly changed the topic, and Andrea laughed heartily. He pressed down on my straw hat, making it uncomfortable enough to squeeze my head. I struggled to escape from Andrea's gasp and took off the hat, and put it back on. Throughout this, Andrea's cheerful laughter continued.
***
*Uwee-eek*
*Gwee-eek*
Before I could figure out what these sounds meant, the sound of a stomach flipping over after teleporting on a magic circle without any prior preparation.
"If you had told me, I would have bought motion sickness medicine nearby."
Andrea spoke with a worried voice from the side. Until now, I had forgotten about the existence of motion sickness, thanks to Cain taking care of me. There's no one more foolish idiots. They say there is no future for those who forget history.
"Ugh..."
As I wiped my mouth with the scarf, now covered only in saliva and gastric juice, Andrea took the dirty scarf away.
"Wash your mouth with water. It will also rehydrate you too."
Andrea handed me a water bottle. I weakly took the water bottle and rinsed my mouth. After spitting out the water and raising my head, Andrea looked at me with concern.
[Andrea Sloane's favorability has increased by +2!]
What, in the middle of this?
As I frowned with tears in my eyes, Andrea bent down towards me and asked, "What's wrong? Do you feel like throwing up again?"
[Andrea Sloane's favorability has increased by +1!]
Seriously, what's going on? Is the system malfunctioning?
However, the tips of Andrea's ears were slightly red. For some reason, he was genuinely liking me right now.
I don't understand. How can I know the inner thoughts of these game-like male protagonists?
I gave up thinking and drank the remaining water from the bottle. Perhaps due to lack of strength in my hands, water trickled down my mouth and chin like a stream. I roughly wiped away the moisture with the back of my hand and handed the water bottle back to Andrea. He took the water bottle with a slightly dazed expression. Putting the water bottle inside the bag attached to the horse's saddle, he fumbled with it a couple of times, causing the horse to get irritated and shake its body in annoyance.
Come to think of it, despite the horse traveling with us through the teleportation magic circle, it didn't show any signs of dizziness. I was just the weakest one here.
"Sigh..."
"Do you want to rest a bit? Riding a horse immediately might trigger motion sickness, and your stamina seems to have dropped a lot for walking."
Andrea asked suddenly. I sat down on the roadside, feeling dizzy. My stomach had calmed down a bit, but my whole body still felt tingly. Every single cell seemed to be screaming in the aftermath of pain.
"Then, I'll sit down for a moment."
I replied tirelessly and buried my head on my knees. Andrea gently untied the strap of my hat around my neck and removed the hat. The touch of Andrea's hands felt like a fan blowing over my head. He shook the hat, fanning me with it.
He's really caring...
I can't believe you would do this to someone you don't even have a crush on.
Andrea was really a nice person (except for his job). So this feeling naturally occurred to me. I hope the warlock I'm visiting this time isn't a fraudster Then I can go home and Andrea can meet his crush. If everything goes back to normal, Andrea will be happy too. By the side of the real Narcissus.
At that time, I felt a throbbing, subtle pain deep in my chest It was very unfamiliar and strange pain.