Chapter 47: Interlude: Past Chapter 4 – A Few Reasons Why Mira Broke

Eventually, as the evening deepened, Mikami showed up at the guild as usual, carrying a bundle of medicinal herbs to turn in.

Mira, who was at the counter, turned her gaze toward him. Gone was the warm, friendly smile she’d once given him. She couldn’t even muster a fake smile anymore. Only ice-cold, emotionless eyes remained. No… perhaps she was even glaring at him.

Even the oblivious Mikami seemed to notice her blatant change in attitude.

“Huh? Mira-chan, what’s wrong? Are you… angry?”

He asked with concern, sounding confused.

In that instant, something inside Mira snapped. Her mother’s teaching—that as a guild staff member, she must never let personal feelings interfere with how she treated adventurers—had completely vanished from her mind.

“…I’m not angry at all.”

Mira spoke in a deliberately calm, businesslike tone. Yet beneath her words, unmistakable contempt seeped through.

“It’s just that I believe someone like Mikami-san continuing to hang around this guild might be causing trouble for everyone else. That’s all I’m saying.”

“Huh…?”

“Don’t you think it’s time you understood your own limitations? Isn’t someone who can’t rise above F-rank after half a year simply not cut out to be an adventurer? Or perhaps… you have some other purpose for clinging to this guild so stubbornly?”

Mikami was clearly shaken by Mira’s merciless words, his face taking on a wounded expression.

He tried to say something in response, but in the end, he could only manage a weak, pained smile. He silently placed the herbs on the counter and shuffled out of the guild with heavy, dejected steps.

As Mira watched his retreating figure, she thought, Good riddance. Now that man wouldn’t approach her anymore. He’d surely abandon his shameless scheme to use her to get close to her mother.

That’s what should have happened.

But at the same time, Mira felt an inescapable sense of guilt for doing something terrible, along with a frustration that clawed at her chest.

…I only did what was necessary. That man tried to use me to get close to Mother. So this was justified punishment… And yet… why…?

Somewhere in her heart, a small voice whispered.

Really? Is Mikami-san really that kind of person?

That awkward smile, his sincere work ethic, and the occasional kindness he showed…

Part of her couldn’t fully accept that all of it had been an act to deceive her and her mother.

What foolish delusions…! In the end, I’m still just a child, exactly as Mother said…! I have no eye for judging people, and I’m easily fooled…!

Unbearable frustration and self-loathing welled up inside her. She was still weak. Immature. That’s why she’d almost let herself be used by a man like him.

…I have to become stronger…! So I’m never used by anyone again…! Strong enough to protect Mother myself…!

She wanted to prove to someone—no, to herself—that she was no longer a child, no longer weak. That desperate impulse, almost like frantic urgency, rapidly swelled within Mira.

And perhaps that’s why.

That’s why, just a few days later, Mira would take reckless action completely unlike her usual composed self.

The next morning, Mira sat at the guild counter as usual.

However, her complexion was worse than normal, and dark circles had formed under her eyes.

She’d barely slept last night.

Though she didn’t want to admit it, the cause was clearly that man—Mikami Shuzo.

His figure at the market, walking arm-in-arm so familiarly with her mother.

And the realization of how foolish she’d been, along with intense anger toward Mikami.

These thoughts had churned endlessly in her mind, robbing her of peaceful sleep.

…Maybe I should have just asked Mother.

The thought had crossed her mind. About yesterday. About Mikami.

But she couldn’t. Doing so would only cause her mother unnecessary worry. It would prove, beyond doubt, that she was still just a child who needed her mother’s protection.

I’m… not Mother’s real child, after all…

The inferiority complex buried deep in her heart. The fact that she was an orphan. She couldn’t burden Emma any more than she already had. She couldn’t become a nuisance to her.

…I just need to forget about it quickly.

Mira told herself.

That man won’t show up at this guild anymore anyway. After seeing my attitude, he’ll surely give up. His disgusting goal will never come true now. …That’s right, he definitely won’t come back. Just like so many other adventurers, he’ll simply disappear somewhere…

While trying to convince herself of this logically, Mira’s gaze kept unconsciously drifting toward the guild entrance as she organized paperwork. Realizing she was searching for his unreliable figure, Mira mentally clicked her tongue.

It was then.

The guild door opened with a creak. And standing there was—Mikami Shuzo himself.

The moment Mira saw him, she felt her heart give a loud thump. And when she realized that emotion was unmistakably joy, she was horrified.

What…!? Why… why am I happy to see this man…!? Even though he betrayed me! Even though he tried to use me…!

Her emotions refused to be controlled, like a disobedient child.

That was unforgivable. Was she still moved by a man like this?

Completely unaware of the fierce internal struggle Mira was waging, Mikami approached the counter with his usual leisurely gait.

“Hey, Mira-chan. Morning.”

His voice, his expression—everything was exactly as it always was, as if yesterday’s harsh words had never happened at all.

(…!)

Mira clenched her teeth, desperately suppressing the emotions welling up inside her. Then she donned the perfect mask of “receptionist Mira.” She tried to respond as calmly as possible with that fake smile.

I’m not affected by you at all. I don’t feel anything for you anymore.

She wanted to show him that with her attitude.

It might have been easier if Mikami had changed, if he’d held yesterday against her, yelled at her, or made some snide remark.

Then she could have berated him without hesitation and severed their relationship completely.

But he remained exactly the same as always, simply pointing at the guild’s bulletin board and asking about requests.

“Uh, is there any job today that I could handle?”

His completely normal demeanor made Mira feel like she was a small child throwing a tantrum while he was the troubled adult forced to humor her.

Like Mikami was the mature one, and she was just an emotional child screaming nonsense…

…Don’t treat me like a child!

The emotions Mira had been suppressing finally burst forth like a broken dam.

And so, she said it.

Words of provocation completely unlike her usual composed self.