29. Worth Spending On
“We’re here. You’ve had enough fresh air, so stay home and behave for a while.”
“You’re not coming in?”
“Why does a woman living alone keep trying to bring a man into her home? That’s a bad habit.”
What nonsense.
He barged in first thing in the morning and even had breakfast like it was his own house.
I was so dumbfounded I walked right through the front gate without a second thought.
“Take care.”
“Wow, cold. Aren’t you supposed to offer at least three times out of politeness?”
He cheekily blocked the gate with his arm and asked.
“Were you hoping I’d stop you?”
“Maybe… halfway?”
“What kind of answer is that? Either yes or no, what’s ‘halfway’ supposed to mean?”
“I mean I have things to do, but if you stop me, I might consider staying a bit longer.”
“Take care.”
I immediately gave my farewell and pushed the gate.
As it slid along its track, Leon was reluctantly pushed back. As soon as the gate clicked shut, I securely fastened the lock.
I glanced at him, who was laughing softly, and smirked mischievously myself.
“Get some rest.”
Leon’s farewell came from behind, and I waved without turning around.
But as soon as I got inside, I dashed to the window and peeked out.
Leon looked around cautiously for a while before finally leaving.
“He’s still worried, huh.”
Seriously, I can’t figure him out.
He says he’s busy but visits often enough to be annoying, pressures Joshua into treating me for free, cooks, tends the garden, even accompanies me on outings—all while complaining about being busy.
It’s too much to be just kindness, isn’t it?
“Right, it’s too much. Anyone would say so.”
Then why is his affection level only 8%?
“This is hard.”
One guy puts in all the effort but suddenly his affection level drops without reason, another I didn’t even want has a high level, and another acts completely caring but the number won’t rise at all.
The world—especially people’s hearts—never go the way you want. I really don’t get it.
Feeling like a tiny boat lost in the middle of the ocean, I pulled the curtain shut on the window I had been gazing out of.
“Didn’t I tell you not to wander around alone?”
“…Leon.”
On my way home, I had stopped by the general store to buy a scarf when I ran into Leon right in front of it.
He didn’t even greet me before scolding, but more than that, I was curious why he was in front of a shop where women were the main customers.
“Are you following me?”
“Hm?”
“It’s strange. Running into you here. You keep showing up. It’s weird.”
“What’s weird about it? If I have business here, I can come.”
“What would you buy here? There’s nothing useful for you in this place.”
“It’s not for me, but… wait. What’s this?”
Leon stared at me, clicked his tongue shortly, then covered his mouth and let out a low chuckle.
“Oh, so you think I’m into you?”
“It’s weird, isn’t it? Bumping into you like this, you dropping by unannounced all the time. I can’t help but think…”
“Who argues in front of someone else’s shop? Oh my, welcome!”
The store’s door opened, and the owner greeted Leon with delight.
“I’ve been wondering when you’d come to pick it up.”
Oh no. No way.
Leon turned to me with a playful grin, and my face turned red with embarrassment.
So embarrassing.
I wished I could sink into the ground, but that wasn’t possible.
Trying to flee the scene, I turned quickly and started walking away.
Then I heard heavy footsteps following behind.
“Let’s go together.”
“No.”
“What if I do this?”
Leon handed me a pretty box with a ribbon on it.
I caught it reflexively, staring at him in confusion.
“What is this?”
“A gift.”
“Out of nowhere?”
“That’s how it’s surprising. And that makes it more joyful.”
I wasn’t sure if it made me happy, but it definitely surprised me.
I blinked, unsure what to say.
“It’s a scarf. You keep wearing the same one.”
“…”
“I wasn’t sure which one was best, so I got a few different ones. Hopefully one of them suits your taste.”
“…”
“So, can we walk together now?”
“Is this a bribe?”
“A bribe? I should be the one getting bribed. I’ve been your conversation partner, patrolled the area, and helped with physical tasks.”
…He’s got a point.
I reluctantly slowed down my pace.
Leon, who had been following behind, quickly caught up and walked beside me.
Normally, he walks so briskly it’s hard to keep up, but today his steps were more relaxed, almost as if he was matching mine.
“Thanks, but next time, don’t go overboard. One is enough. Why waste your hard-earned money like this? Use it for yourself or on something worth it.”
“That’s why I spent it on you.”
“…”
Seriously, don’t say things like that with that annoyingly charming smile. It’s misleading.
I don’t need any more awkward misunderstandings.
Today, even his silver padlock necklace that usually gives off no light at all seemed especially irritating.
Let’s stop this. There’s no point clinging to a hopeless affection score.
“By the way. Did you notice anything strange around the house lately?”
“Nope.”
“You’re sure?”
“Why? Did something bother you?”
“Hmm.”
I hesitated a bit before replying.
I’m not usually the type with sharp instincts, but lately, I’ve been unusually sensitive.
And not in a good way.
It always starts with a creepy chill, like my hair standing on end.
Then it feels like sound and motion slow down and gradually disappear.
It’s different from fear, or watching a horror movie, or even sleep paralysis.
“Lately, I’ve been feeling strange.”
“How?”
“Something eerie, like someone’s watching me. I’m not sure if it’s because of the bad experience I had recently, but…”
Still, the sudden chills or the sense of being watched didn’t feel like just emotional trauma.
I instinctively touched the scarf wrapped around my neck.
“You should’ve told me earlier.”
Leon opened the gate with a serious expression.
He seemed more familiar with the latch than me—as if he’d done it many times.
“Looks like I’ll have to visit more often.”
“…”
“See? I’m the one who should be getting the bribe.”
With that mischievous grin of his, Leon gently pushed me inside by both shoulders.
Pretending to resist, I let him guide me in and glanced back—he smiled innocently.
“Ah.”
There it was again.
That sudden chill, the creepy feeling.
But this time, my sense was off.
As I paused while reaching for my keys, Leon leaned closer.
“What’s wrong?”
“Ah, it’s nothing.”
I quickly opened the front door.
Thankfully, I didn’t feel anything weird inside the house.
With Leon right next to me, I let out an unconscious sigh of relief.
“You go in first.”
“Huh?”
“I’ll check the surroundings just in case before I come in.”
“You’ll come back, right?”
As he turned away, I tugged the hem of his jacket and asked.
He looked down at me for a moment and nodded.
“Of course.”
I watched him cross the garden.
What if he runs into something—or someone—dangerous?
He’s not even carrying his sword.
“Siena.”
Our eyes met.
He waved coolly, his sharp eyes curving into a smile.
“Don’t worry. Just wait inside.”
“…”
Instead of replying, I awkwardly raised my hand and quickly shut the door.
“This is bad.”
I feel safe when he’s here, and even more so when he promises to return.
Leaning on him like this isn’t a good sign.
Especially not with someone like Leon.
He’s kind, sure—but not necessarily trustworthy. And even though he’s jobless now, he’s the type to leave without a word if a new job comes up.
“No, this won’t do. My life’s on the line here. I can’t afford distractions.”
Then again, just because he’s the male lead doesn’t mean he has to be the love interest.
He could just be… a guy friend.
A male friend.
Anyway, his affection score isn’t going up, and even if he’s annoying, he’s fun and even dependable.
“Yeah, a friend would be better.”
Everything that had felt vague now seemed clearer, and my mind felt a bit lighter.
Even though something still felt a little off in the back of my mind, I tried my best to ignore it.
