79: The Villainess Blows a Whistle
After that, I went around the school festival with Eivind. It was fun!
There was nothing special to talk about, but it was enjoyable nonetheless!
Really, it’s always like this with Eivind… It’s kind of annoying.
[I think Anita is the one who’ll be having trouble.]
Then, in the evening, as I promised with Anita, I went to the cafeteria, where we were supposed to meet. Anita was already waiting there. As soon as she saw me, her face turned grim. It was unbefitting of a lady.
“You… really enjoyed the school festival, didn’t you.”
“Pubi—? Pupupubipubbii? (You think so? I thought I was just doing like usual?)”
Since it was a festival, we tried shooting games, ring toss, and quiz competitions. We also ate at various stalls, participated in practical experience classes for children… and just played around for about four hours.
Well, as a result, I had a mask on my head, round glasses with a nose over my eyes, a long whistle around my mouth, a yo-yo water balloon in one hand, and super curled hair. It was undeniable, my appearance was a bit amusing.
Anita then let out a big sigh and shrugged her shoulders, saying, “It’s fine.”
“I feel silly for being so nervous. Let’s go.”
And so, Anita took me to the cafeteria.
The cafeteria was also open to the public for the school festival, so there seemed to be more vases decorating the place than usual. Nevertheless, it was a place that I frequented. Away in one of the more seclude seats, a vibrant blond gentleman and lady were waiting.
Without needing to ask about their beautiful looks or refinement, they were Anita’s parents. They became wide-eyed the moment they saw me and they asked Anita,
“Anita, who’s that person…?”
“I feel like I made a mistake with my choice, too.”
Hey, Anita?
If you’re still feeling harsh, why’d you bring me for?
But when Anita gestured to the seat beside her with, “Won’t you sit?” I blew my whistle, “Pui—” and sat down.
Anita bowed to her parents with a serious look on her face.
“I’m glad you came. I’d like to postpone my marriage to him!”
“Just a moment, Anita. Isn’t that different from what we discussed?”
The lady spoke softly, but her eyes, behind the fan, were sharp.
Anita didn’t back down, but she held her breath.
“It’s not different. I won’t go to the Royal Institute of Magic to achieve my dream of becoming a great magician. Instead, I want to use the magical knowledge I’ve acquired at this school to start a specialized business. Through it, I intend to interact with various ladies and expand my network, which would also benefit our family, wouldn’t it?”
After explaining this, Anita handed her a pamphlet.
It seemed to be a pamphlet from a cosmetics development manufacturer. The company name was… the brand that Anita often used.
I see, she’s been a regular customer from the start, so she intends to use that connection to negotiate for employment.
Anita, you’re amazing! You’re doing great!
“I’ve already arranged an interview. But I need my parents’ signatures on the documents required for the interview.”
Anita bowed deeply.
“I’ll get married, but we’re both still young. There’s no need to have children right away. Once it’s time to have children, I’ve conveyed that I will properly take a leave of absence.”
Again, Anita is amazing.
Looks like she wasn’t just doing what she wanted, but also fulfilling her responsibilities as well. I had nothing but respect for her. When I was 18, I was only interested in research and the interests in front of me.
“So please, please sign this document. I’d also like you to help me explain the situation to the other party!”
Simple and earnest.
Looking at Anita’ profile as she bowed her head seriously, all I could do was make a small, “Pubi—” with my whistle.
She’d been so depressed not too long ago.
It hadn’t even been a week since then. But she’d made up her mind, made the arrangements herself, and tried to convince her parents. Anita’s parents were no fools. They seemed to have been in frequent contact with her even after her job training internship. As such, they should’ve known how hard she worked during that such period of short time.
Because they were Anita’s parents… they’d know. Even if it wasn’t in line with their wish, they’d know she wasn’t saying it for fun.
“But, for a daughter of the Helge family, working as a sales representative—”
“Come now, dear. It’s fine.”
With those words, Anita’s father took the documents from her and began to sign them with a pen he had taken out of his chest pocket.
“Dear husband!?”
“Sales of cosmetics means visiting renown families. I don’t believe there’d be a better place for Anita to make use of her sociability.” He finished signing in an instant with the words, “I believe this will do.”
Anita’s eyes widened. Perhaps she herself hadn’t expected the negotiations to go so smoothly.
Her father, on the other hand, grinned slightly.
“Honestly, I was more afraid when she told us she wanted to work at the Royal Institute of Magic. In there, you could be drafted to serve as a military force during emergencies. But cosmetics development should be safe, right? The development of medicines and cosmetics using magic is a business that will grow in the future. Having my daughter take part in it is certainly not a bad option for our family.”
Her father remained calm all the way through.
“But, Anita, do you understand? You can only focus on your work when you’re in your in teenage years. Once you turn 20, you have to get married properly. On top of that, balancing your work life alongside your duties as a wife won’t be easy. Are you prepared for that?”
However, his question was so direct that there was no room for misunderstanding.
“Of course, I’m prepared!”
Anita said decisively, looking somewhat happy.
Seeing her daughter like that, her mother bit her lip… but it seemed that her father would support her.
“Is Mother also in agreement?”
“…Would any parent want to see her daughter suffer needlessly?”
“Yes, Anita and I both understand your love for her.”
Then, her father put his arm around her shoulder. Such a beautiful love.
Ah, I was shown a wonderful sight.
This—this is it! this is exactly what I want to see from a husband and wife! And from parents and their child!
As expected of Anita. Thank you for showing me such a wonderful thing!
I was so moved that I blew my whistle, “Pupi—” again, and the mother looked at me with a very awkward expression.
“And, who’s this young lady?”
“Oh, I brought her here for a totally different reason.”
Wait a second?
I thought she brought me here because she didn’t have the courage to convince her parents by herself! In fact, I was ready to hold Anita’s hand under the table this entire time!
“PUPI—!”
“How long are you going to keep that whistle in your mouth?”
Then, she forcefully ripped the whistle out of my mouth.
In the process, she took my glasses off my nose, which hurt a bit.
While I was frowning, Anita puffed her chest in relief.
“Let me introduce you, this is my best friend!”
“Eh? That’s it?”
When I couldn’t help but ask, she turned red and pouted.
“Is there a problem with wanting to introduce my best friend to my parents?”
Oh, come on. Seriously?
My friend was just too adorable today.
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