I Picked up a Corrupted Heroine (The Secret Boss), and When I Spoiled Her, She Became Uncontrollably Affectionate With Me - Chapter 10

Chapter 10: The Witch of the End Wants to Go on a Business Trip Together.

“Good morning, Asta. Nice weather again today, huh?”

The next morning, Ria was up early for once.

“That’s rare. Usually the morning after we sleep together, you’re still clinging to my back and won’t get up for a while…”

“I-I do get up properly sometimes…! I’m not a kid, you know.”

“…? I think you are a kid though?”

“Ugh… y-yeah, that’s true…”

Ria trailed off, looking like it was hard to say. Maybe she wanted me to treat her like an adult.

I get it. That kind of age, huh.

“Asta? What’s with that warm look in your eyes…!”

“Nah? It’s nothing?”

“Come on…!”

Ria puffed up in annoyance. Even that looked pretty childish…

“A-anyway, let’s eat breakfast early!”

“Sure, sure.”

Annoyed Ria disappeared deeper into the kitchen.

Watching her act like that, I couldn’t help smiling softly to myself.

“…Why does it bother me so much after someone says they like another person…”

In the back of the kitchen, Ria whispered quietly.

――◇――◇――◇――

“Good morning, Vice Guild Master!”

“Hey, Sia. Morning.”

I was working at the guild for a while when Sia showed up for her shift.

“Let’s do our best with work again today!”

“Yeah. Thanks to you yesterday, I actually got home early for the first time in a while. Really helped me out.”

“Hehe, glad to hear that.”

“Seriously, I can’t thank you enough. Ria’s mood was good too because of it… ah.”

Crap. I accidentally said Ria’s name…!

“Ria?”

Sia tilted her head, looking curious.

“Uh… actually, I’m taking care of a relative’s kid for a bit. It might get messy if other people find out, so I’d like you to keep it a secret.”

“Of course…! But I’d love to hear more about Ria!”

Sia leaned over the desk, eyes full of interest as she closed the distance.

“Well… no one’s around, so I guess it’s fine.”

“Yay…! So, Vice Guild Master, what do you think of Ria?”

“Huh?”

I was surprised because I expected questions like ‘How old is Ria?’ or ‘What kind of kid is she?’

“W-well… Ria’s about ten years old, so I see her kinda like a daughter… someone I need to protect…”

“…Huh, like a daughter.”

Her tone clearly sounded bored.

Hey, the other person’s a kid around ten years old!?

What exactly were you expecting…?

Then Sia took a deep breath like she was steeling herself—

“—Then, if seven-years-from-now Ria showed up, could you marry her?”

“Huh?”

That question was way too unexpected.

“W-why seven years later…?”

“That’s… just a feeling. More importantly, what do you think? Vice Guild Master!”

Sia stared at me with eyes full of hope.

“…Well, seven-years-from-now Ria would probably be really beautiful, and she’s good at cooking and caring for others, so she’d make a great wife…”

“~~~!? H-hmm? Then—”

“—But I couldn’t marry her.”

“Eh…”

Sia’s face froze.

“It’s not that Ria’s bad or anything. She’d be the best wife, but—I already have someone in my heart.”

“…I see… So you mean you wouldn’t date anyone except that person?”

“Pretty much. I know it’s stupid… but I’ve been hung up on her for a long time. It’s a love that can never happen, so I should just give up already…”

I gazed out the window, lost in thought.

I wonder what Saint Alicia is doing right now.

Is she all lovey-dovey with the protagonist?

If so… that’s good.

Well, it stings a little though.

“…I see. You’re really… devoted, huh.”

“Yeah, maybe. …Hey, Sia?”

When I looked back at her, she was biting her lower lip with tears in her eyes.

“Ah, no, this is… j-just some dust in my eye…! I’ll go wash it out.”

Sia quietly stood up, turned her back, and headed to the washroom.

…Did I hurt her?

If Sia actually had feelings for me… then I did something bad.

I let out a small sigh full of self-hate.

――◇――◇――◇――

“—A business trip!?”

After lunch break.

I heard the unexpected words from Mina and my eyes widened.

“The Guild Master said he wants to ask the Vice Guild Master… Details you’ll probably get if you talk to him directly…”

“Yeah… it’s definitely just the Guild Master being lazy about it.”

“Ahaha… Tough being Vice Guild Master, huh…”

Mina gave me a pitying look.

“But the Guild Master said he wants you and one other person to go on the trip together.”

“Oh… is that so.”

I shifted my gaze to Mina.

“No way, count me out? This is me saying please don’t invite me. I don’t want to be away from my husband.”

“Figures… Sigh… Then I’ll just drag along whoever looks free…”

When I looked around the guild, everyone suddenly turned their eyes away.

Hey, don’t leave me alone…!

Right as I gave up and thought I’d go by myself—

“—Then I want to go together…!”

The one who spoke was the girl sitting next to me.

It was Sia.

She looked straight at me with a gaze full of resolve.

“S-Sia…? Is that okay?”

“Yes! I want to know what a business trip is like… and if it’s with you, Vice Guild Master, I think it’d be nice…”

“Whoa, that’s nice to hear. But… you sure? It’s work, so it’ll be pretty tough.”

“I’m fine! I have the motivation!”

Sia answered full of energy.

“Alright, I’ll count on you then…! Having someone quick and excellent at work like you come along is a huge help. Looking forward to it.”

“Yes! Please take care of me!”

And so, Sia and I ended up going on the business trip together.

By the way, I later heard from the Guild Master that the destination was the port city—’Kairos’.

It was the stage for the next event in the game.