Volume 7 Chapter 4-2 Not Just at School, But Tons of Problems in My Private Life Too
On top of the hill stood a secret studio, hidden from the world.
Only those with an invitation could set foot inside.
Here, everything was made to order──a workshop dedicated to perfect, one-of-a-kind creations.
The idea that only a chosen few even knew this place existed?
That secrecy just made it even more valuable.
And the designer who gave this place its worth... that was Madame herself.
Nobody else could match her.
"Come on, you know what that old hag's like, don't you? If she end up as the main attraction, she'll go all out, just for you. She can't help herself."
Keith blinked, clearly thrown off by those words.
Madame had been waiting for Keith for so long.
Of course she'd pour her heart into any job to help the family he owed so much to... but still──
"That's not──"
Keith lowered his voice, glancing around nervously.
Randy just let out a heavy sigh.
"You can't deny it. I'm right, aren't I? Old hag."
With that smug look, Randy called out toward the door.
The door creaked open.
Madame appeared, her expression twisting as she strode into the room. "Call me a lady, brat."
"Oops, sorry about that... lady?"
Randy made a show of it, and Madame just shot him a withering look.
She shook her head and sat down on the sofa right in front of him.
"Honestly, I agree with Keith. I've got a bit of a name for myself. Putting me out there isn't a bad idea, is it?"
Madame leaned back and crossed her arms.
Randy snorted, telling Keith not to spout nonsense, then motioned for him to sit beside Madame.
Keith hesitated.
Sitting down with the mistress of the house right there... it didn't feel right, but Randy insisted, saying it was fine to relax for now.
At last, Keith gave in and sat down on the sofa.
Randy nodded, satisfied, and flashed a big grin.
"Just remember──this is my kindness, got it?"
Grinning, Randy leaned forward, practically peering at Madame and Keith.
He was so close, elbows on his knees, his face nearly halfway across the table.
"I'm only doing this so you old farts can take it easy together someday. That's all."
Randy flashed a wicked smile, but pulled away before Madame could smack him.
She clearly hated the whole "old farts" line. Her mouth twisted with annoyance.
"Ugh, you never know when to shut up, do you, brat?"
"Sorry, I'm tough in a verbal fight too."
Randy let out a raspy laugh.
He pulled his mug close, downed the whole thing in one go, then his face snapped sharp.
"But you know, I meant what I said before. Both of you, you've waited, swallowed a lot, for ages. From here on, how about actually feeling each other's company for once?"
Randy sprawled back on the sofa again.
He said, that way even the designs would probably look better, and grinned.
That blunt honesty hit hard.
Madame and Keith both turned to stare, frozen.
A flicker of embarrassment crept up, and their eyes dropped to the floor.
"Look at you──old man, old lady, acting shy. You're not teenagers."
Randy flashed that same wicked grin. Madame muttered, "This brat..." then raised her face, clenching a fist.
"So, no more shoving the old lady up front. Keith, you'll have all the free time you want once you retire anyway."
Madame let out a resigned nod at Randy's words. "Fine, I get it."
If Keith retired, the two of them really would have more time to slow down together.
That much was true.
"So, do you even have any leads?"
"Nope. Not a clue."
"And my retirement... there's nobody to take over, is there?"
"Not a one."
Randy shrugged his shoulders. Madame just gave him a look──half exasperated, half worried. "You sure this'll be okay...?"
"It's fine. Men can do anything for the woman they love."
Randy declared it like fact, then tossed Keith a teasing grin. "Right?"
"Not sure what you mean."
"Like, maybe taking out an assassin in a blink?"
Randy gave another cackle.
Keith and Madame both looked away, thinking back to that time.
"Anyway, leave the town's PR to me. You two take it easy."
Randy stood up from the couch.
Keith called out to him.
"Leaving my retirement aside... we really do need someone new to step up."
Keith said it, slow and thoughtful. Randy gave a nod. "Yeah, yeah. I know."
The awkward topic of Keith's successor only came up because Randy mentioned retirement.
Truth was, not just in Victor's mansion, not anywhere in the whole territory, was there anyone fit to take Keith's place.
"A real talent, huh..."
"Aren't you surrounded by people at the academy?"
"The academy..."
Randy muttered, trying to recall the people around him.
The only one who came to mind was Cory, but Cory had a merchant guild back home, and with Annabelle in the picture, he wouldn't leave the capital.
Wayne was an exception, and former prince Julius was out of the question.
At the academy, supposed to be filled with the best talent in the old kingdom, Randy couldn't find a single reason to be excited.
It was just that he hadn't interacted with anyone, but in a way, this was also an opportunity.
Now that the kingdom had become an imperial autonomous region, there might be talented individuals looking for employment.
Keith seemed to have read Randy's thoughts and smiled slyly as he spoke up.
"It's not about dropping out, you know."
Once again, it felt like a nail had been driven in.
Randy finally realized that Keith's earlier comment was his way of showing kindness, wanting to keep Randy at the academy.
"Heh heh. I'll do my best."
With Keith's encouragement, Randy put on a faint smile and left the room.
Unaware that the next day, he would receive the shocking news from Lucius that he might be expelled.
Please bookmark this series and rate ☆☆☆☆☆ on here!