# 64
Helmut
Episode 64
“They told me not to pretend to know.”
Helmut asked Area why she pretended not to know.
“So you were trying to sell me out?”
‘I heard you.’
Helmut responded with silence. Because it was true that I was trying to sell it. He spoke after a short interval.
“It’s because of you.”
“Are you saying I told them to catch you and interrogate you about your relationship with me? “If you had entrusted me with tutoring, you should have known this would happen.”
‘How do I know that?’
I thought so, but even if I knew, there was no other option.
“Why couldn’t you just shake it off and keep doing that? “Actually, didn’t it feel good to be surrounded by women?”
As Alea asked sarcastically, her black eyes focused on him.
“Do I look in a good mood?”
The voice became slightly sharper.
“…no.”
But strangely, those words seemed to ease Area’s mood. The always sharp expression became slightly looser and the lips became slightly curved. I happened to get involved, but since it’s over, it’s okay to say goodbye and turn around. But Area didn’t do that.
“What are you doing here?”
Over the course of fifteen days, Area learned about Helmut’s behavior patterns. I’m not in a position to say anything, but he really is an extremely boring guy. If you don’t eat, sleep or study, you practice. Just because the exam was over, I wouldn’t have laid down on the bed and slept or met someone.
‘It looks like you don’t have any friends.’
Those who hold secrets are inherently like that. He could guess because he was in the same situation. Helmut’s mouth opened.
“To choose a birthday present.”
“Someone’s?”
“Mine. “It’s my birthday today.”
“Oh, me again.”
Area raised her eyes in surprise and asked again.
“It’s your birthday?”
Helmut nodded. Even though the birthday is set as of today.
“How long will Instructor Ethan, your guardian, choose a gift?”
“that’s right.”
‘It’s your birthday.’
Area’s mind was spinning in confusion. Actually, it doesn’t matter whether it’s his birthday or not. But when I suddenly heard that story here, I felt like I should say something, but I didn’t know what to say. Helmut turned around first.
“Then I’ll be alone.”
My time was wasted by strange women for no reason. I was planning to take a quick look around the shopping district. However, Area inadvertently reached out and grabbed him. No, I tried to catch it. Helmut instinctively caught the hand touching his shoulder and looked back at Area with pitch-black eyes.
“why.”
“To be sensitive. “Let me go.”
As Helmut let go of his hand, Area clicked her tongue, frowned, and turned her wrist. I didn’t hold it hard enough to cause pain, but I couldn’t move. I feel like I’ve been overpowered. And Helmut was looking at his palm, becoming more confident in his guess.
‘As expected of a skeleton.’
A wrist so thin that it fits perfectly into the palm of your hand. The skin on my palm was soft. So much so that it can be compared to silk or white bread. For some reason, one side of my chest felt tingly.
‘Where does it hurt?’
Helmut unconsciously touched the area near his heart. Area asked.
“I am hungry. “Have you eaten?”
“ate.”
“…what about snacks?”
“I didn’t eat that.”
Ethan Kudrow, like an aristocrat, enjoyed tea time with a light snack shortly after the meal. Although he was a prosecutor, he was a middle-aged man with classy hobbies rather than being rough. That is why the rooms of his mansion and academy are decorated in an old-fashioned way.
But to Helmut, drinking tea shortly after finishing a meal somehow felt like a waste of time. It’s like sharing a meal in two meals. Why should I do that? It’s simple once you eat it. Helmut, who thought so, had never enjoyed such things. Area said patronizingly.
“Good. Then follow me. “I’ll buy it for you.”
He must have experienced something unpleasant on his birthday because of his followers. I think he can make up for it with this. Area concluded. Putting aside the fact that I’m the type of person who doesn’t really care about such things.
“let’s go.”
Area immediately led Helmut. Helmut shook his head. If you think about it, it seems like all you need to do is follow Area and have him find suitable items. Because he had been in Baden for a long time.
***
They were soon sitting across from each other in a cafe. It was a luxurious and expensive cafe, even though the seats were separated by partitions. I glanced at the menu and saw that the price was ten times that of a normal restaurant. Seeing the menu selections seem familiar, Area seems to visit this place often. Helmut realized it too late.
‘He is rich.’
no wonder. Otherwise, I would not have been willing to return the 50,000 marks. The place was quiet and the partitions hid them from other guests. Area, which has a very eye-catching appearance and a strong following, is a preferred location.
Helmut didn’t realize it, but on the way, attention was focused not only on Area but also on him. With his hair done and neatly dressed, he looked like a son of some noble family. A well-trained body, tall stature, and elegantly white skin. He is a handsome boy with an aristocratic and sharp look. Only Area’s followers, who seem to be obsessed with something, are unable to see him properly.
“What are you going to eat?”
“I’m not sure.”
Helmut was worried as he looked at the menu with flashy pictures of food. It was an unusual place. As I came in, I noticed that all the customers were either women or men and women. So these people, who appear to be only two men, are a unique case.
“Then I will roughly order it.”
Area rang the bell on the table, and a waiter came running.
“Oh my, Area. It’s been a long time since you visited us. “Is this your first time here with someone?”
With a charming smile on his face, the waiter looked at Helmut and Area in turn.
“Oh, you made good friends by hanging out with similar people. “How can two such handsome people be together?”
“This guy is a swordsman. “Why don’t you stop talking nonsense and take orders?”
Area responded as if she was used to it, pointing to the menu and placing an order. I wasn’t ordering just one or two. The waiter smiled and took the order before disappearing. And soon a plentiful meal was set before them.
“It’s service!”
The waiter disappeared, leaving behind a plate with two pieces of crepe cake on it. Helmut took a sip of the brightly colored juice mixed with two fruits. It was not too sweet, refreshing and tasted good. Scondos served on the side. While Helmut was eating a scone with plenty of strawberry jam, Area was eating the spinach frittata and crepes that came with a hamburger as if he were obsessed.
Helmut also knew something about Area. Area ate only one meal a day. The reason was that it was a hassle to prepare and eat each meal at the academy, and there was no need to spend a lot of time getting nutrition to survive. He was a guy with a better side than Helmut. Area asked only after she had filled her stomach.
“How about food?”
“delicious.”
It was my first time eating scones. The warmly baked scones were crispy and savory. Topped with strawberry jam made in-house at this restaurant, the sour taste melted on my tongue. The food I ate here looked different and different from what I usually ate, but one thing was true: it was delicious. The price was so expensive that even Helmut, who didn’t care much about money, would hesitate to come again.
“of course.”
Area continued speaking with a triumphant look on her face.
“More than that, it’s more surprising that you were born on January 1st.”
“You weren’t born today.”
“then?”
What does it mean that you weren’t born on your birthday? punning? As Alea’s eyebrows wrinkled, Helmut added an explanation.
“I didn’t know my birthday, so today is my birthday.”
“Ah yes.”
Alea, uncharacteristically, tried to find something to say. It’s not just that he’s eccentric, but he’s so unique that it’s not enough to say he’s weird and strange. Moreover, the past seems to be unusual. You don’t even know your own birthday. I know that you were raised by your grandfather, but even if your parents are dead, wouldn’t you still know the date you were born?
“Anyway, congratulations.”
In the end, Area decided to just congratulate him. I’ve never said it out loud before, so it sounded awkward even to my ears. Helmut thought for a moment about what he was celebrating, but soon realized that it was a birthday greeting.
“Ah, thank you.”
An awkward silence fell. Helmut, suddenly curious, asked.
“Why are you buying it for me?”
“It’s your birthday.”
“It’s my birthday, why are you here?”
A former tutor who told me not to even pretend to know. Ethan Kudrow was in the name of guardianship, but Area spoke as if she wanted to break off the relationship, and they had no relationship at all. If I had to express it, I couldn’t even call it a friend, but an ‘acquaintance’. Area had difficulty finding the answer.
“…I guess you wanted to do that.”
Area, hit by a whim, became confused. Why did you bring him here to be with you? It was something that even he couldn’t explain. I think my mind was a bit clouded by hunger.
At that time, someone came towards them. Since my attention was drawn from the moment I walked in, approaching now still gave me time to eat. I heard the sound of a dress skimming the floor. Light steps. It’s a woman. A girl too.
“Hey, Area. Hello, how are you?”
Is it Area again this time? Helmut finished eating his scone and did not pay attention to it. I thought it was a voice I heard somewhere.
“who?”
The other person’s eyes widened as if they were surprised by that cold response.
“Oh my, Area! This is Xenia! “Zeringen, who came to Baden with us not long ago…”
Only then did Helmut raise his head. It was a name he knew. Xenia didn’t seem to recognize him. Because Helmut was in disguise at that time. But it didn’t matter whether I wore a disguise or not. She was staring at Area as if she were fascinated, with no regard for Helmut’s existence.
“Ah yes.”
Alea blatantly showed that she had finally remembered something. Actually, I knew who it was. No matter how much you don’t care, there’s no way you’ll forget it in such a short period of time.
“I was upset because I couldn’t contact you for a while, but I’m happy to see you like this!”
Xenia approached, her cheeks blushing shyly. Alea’s expression became cold.
“Excuse me, but for what purpose?”
The reason Area is coming out kindly is because he joined Zehringen’s group and came to Baden comfortably. Although he is famous for his foul temper as well as his beautiful appearance, he is more or less harsh depending on the person he is dealing with.
“I just happened to see you and wanted to say hello. “Can I sit down?”
I think he rejected it because he had a fiancée, but Xenia seemed to have burned that fact out of her mind. Area stood up from her seat in front of her, who was actively trying to put her butt on the seat next to her. There was some food left, but my appetite was completely gone.
“No, I’m just busy.”
Area, who slightly lowered her head, immediately turned her back and moved her feet. Everyone looked like they were avoiding the place. Xenia’s smile disappeared and her face turned white. Area stood tall.
“What are you doing?”
That means follow along. Helmut, who poured the remaining juice in his mouth, also stood up. As I left Xenia with tears in my eyes and went to the entrance of the store, Area came over after paying.
“I heard it’s going to be a bother if you come out like this.”
Area clicked her tongue and grumbled. He was putting back on his hood, which he had briefly lowered while eating. A dark green hood was pulled over his head, covering all his shiny silver hair, but it didn’t seem to be very effective.
People’s attention was already focused on Area, who had just left the store. Rather than saying that I saw Area, a more appropriate response would have been to say that my eyes were automatically drawn to him the moment he appeared. It was natural yet strange.
