Chapter 159 Hiiro's Image Improvement Committee 'II'
"But... it's a tricky problem, isn't it? I understand why my foolish brother and Lord Shidou feel helpless."
"Even you think it's that bad, Deputy Commander?"
Being serious and being responsible are different, but they can coexist.
Rather than showing any more shame, it seems Leiva decided to take this seriously.
Reluctantly, the talented woman settled down.
Maybe it was the shift in her attitude toward facing the problem.
She quenched her thirst with lemonade and adjusted her monocle with a click.
Just that made the peaceful afternoon feel strangely tense.
"Rumors often can't be controlled by personal will alone."
"Yeah... guess that makes sense."
"Well, honestly, I'd prefer to say this isn't my problem. But your bloody nickname raises questions about the knight order's ethics. It could even bring shame to Captain Leonhardt. Lately, knights have been causing a lot of trouble with their misdeeds."
"I don't care what it takes, just don't lump me in with those corrupt bastards. I ain't like 'em."
"I see. But probably, your own past actions are part of the cause too. Like your time at Valkyrie Academy."
"...You know about that?"
"Yes, I did some research. It seems you had a bad reputation back then, and people hold grudges. Those who remember that time probably don't like seeing you rise. Though, it seems a lot of it is just simple jealousy."
"So they're the ones fanning the flames behind my name?"
"That aspect likely plays a role. Of course, rumors often grow out of touch with reality. Looking at how far-fetched many of the bad claims are, it likely doesn't take many to exaggerate them."
The woman in the deputy commander position was not to be underestimated.
Hiiro widened his eyes in admiration at Leiva, who offered a persuasive analysis from limited information.
For her, it was nothing, but maybe because she reacted so childishly despite her looks.
As Leiva fiddled with her dark-tipped hair, looking slightly embarrassed, she cleared her throat.
"In that regard, your problem is relatively minor, I would say. There are many in the world who try to make smoke where there's no fire."
"Weirdly... that actually makes me feel a bit better."
"Jealousy and envy are nothing new among neighbors... There are so many women who, even without real skill, try to pull me down just to flirt with Sir Leonhardt. Truly, it's a problem that needs quick fixing."
"Wait—I swear I saw a spark just now. Where there was supposed to be just smoke. Am I losin' it?"
"......It's just your imagination."
Hearing Hiiro's sharp comment, Leiva subtly looked away, feeling a bit awkward.
But her earlier words revealed raw possessiveness.
Seeing her obsession, similar to how Quollio acts when she's not watching, Hiiro decided it was best not to poke the bear.
"I get it, changing my image is gonna be a slog... but is there really nothin' I can do?"
"No way. I have a plan."
"!"
Though she showed a hint of being somewhat serious, Leiva's cleverness still shone through.
With her monocle shining as she revealed her secret plan, Hiiro's eyes sparkled with anticipation.
"If you want to fight against bad reputation, just show them your good side. Basically, Hiiro Merifar, you should present yourself to others as a gentleman kind to women and children."
"Wait. Me? A gentleman?"
"About that, isn't the Reginleif squad on a 3-day break right now?"
"Yeah, we just wrapped a ton of missions. Finally got a break."
"I see. That's perfect, then. Your turn."
"...Huh? Me?"
To control evil with good.
Leiva's plan was straightforward.
But it was also clever.
Honestly, Hiiro looks like a thug, with his appearance and behavior, far from being a gentleman.
If he's going to advertise himself as such, he needs to think of ways to do it properly.
"Tomorrow at noon, Hiiro Merifar and Shurareze Midgard will carry out an operation."
"An op?!"
"Yes. The name is..."
With a deep breath,
Leiva declared the name of the operation all at once.
"'Operation: Escorted Shurareze in public to improve Hiiro Merifar's image big plan'!!"
"........!!!"
That's literally it.
There's no twist in the naming.
Other customers who had been secretly listening were shocked, too.
Isn't it just a normal date?
Normally, they'd point that out.
But Hiiro clearly seemed excited.
After all, it was a plan made by Quollio's sister.
He didn't doubt that there was some brilliant strategy behind it.
"I will arrange the escort details. It's a must that Shurareze participates. Make sure to involve her in the operation."
"Hehe, leave it to me! I'll get her on board even if I gotta beg on all fours!"
"I'm counting on you."
Looking at the super motivated Hiiro, Leiva smiled brightly.
Of course, the fool didn't notice the dark scheme behind the beautiful smile of the brilliant girl.
(Yes, I will help solve the problem. But at the same time, if I can advance this kid's relationship with Shurareze... Hehe.)
A cunning fox working hard to secure her spot next to someone.
She has that side to her, too.
(Wait... this is the Deputy Commander? Is this country seriously okay...?)
The serious but egotistical brilliant girl's scheme made the beast quietly ponder the future of the country.
* * *
The next day, in the main street of Asgardam.
The brilliant girl, who had planned the escort for Hiiro the day before, was hiding in the shadows, watching the operation unfold while hiding her face behind a magazine.
(Now, it's almost time.)
Surprisingly, Leiva was a little excited.
It's a wicked plan, you see.
But it's not a cruel scheme to hurt others.
Depending on how you look at it, it's just a small prank.
For a serious deputy commander, a prank like this is something they've done since they were a child.
And maybe, just maybe, I was a little excited about it.
"...Hey, you, are you really staying like that?"
'Yep.'
"Hehe, it's so soft and cute, Hiiro."
'Yeah, I know, right?'
It seems the people she has been waiting for arrived right on time.
Leiva quietly lifts her face from the magazine as she recognizes the familiar voices coming closer.
(Hmm, it seems they've arrived. Eshurareze is here too... Huh? Lyam Neshana? Why is she here...──huh? What?)
And then, she saw the sight that burst into her view.
Leiva's mind went completely blank, dyed pure white.
"...Fuh?!"
The cool beauty of the Knight Order's pride made her let out a totally uncharacteristic, clumsy sound for the first time in her life.
The man who pulled off such a feat, eager and loud about it, was dressed in a bizarre "costume."
Clearly, something strange was going on.
'Kuhuhu... gonna wipe out all that crap people been sayin' 'bout me with this! My totally adorable... Puffy form!'
"Yes! Fluffy Puffy!"
"...I want to go home."
What was there was some kind of fluffy purple cloud with little limbs──something like a fuzzy creature X.
Weird.
When did Hiiro Merifar turn into some unknown creature like that?
She doesn't know.
She can't possibly understand.
So confused by the mystery, Leiva's sharp mind briefly malfunctioned, and she just stood there, frozen.
──Dear Sir Leonhardt, with all due respect,
I don't know what to do anymore.
Please help!
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