Chapter 10: Snow White’s Astonishment

3 WEEKS AGO 5 COMMENTS

Translated and Edited by: ynlucca.

Ooh boy, what a chapter.

After closing the door to my mansion, I let out a small exhale.

… My heart is still in a frenzy…

Far too many things happened in a short period. When that group of delinquents came up to me, I could barely think of what to do, yet… Kuzuhara-kun came dashing to save me.

We even held hands, which caught me by surprise.

And his hands were so big…

They were warm and his grip was firm. I felt secure when my hand interlocked with his. Though, even more than that, his back was broad, dependable, and secure.

Kuzuhara-kun is usually not honest, a bit quippy, and random most of the time. However, when it all goes down, you can really count on him.

I wholeheartedly believe that if I stay by his side, he’d protect me from anything.

… Maybe I can still see him.

I moved to the back hallway of my mansion and snuck a little peek out of the window.

…!

My eyes caught something egregious. Kuzuhara-kun was surrounded by that bunch of ruffians and was dragged into a back alley, where no passerby could be found near.

I kicked the floor and rushed to the only person in my family I could trust—the head butler.

“Ta… Tanaka. W-Where is Tanaka!?”

“Well, well, Miss Shirayuki. You’re in such a hurry, what’s wrong?” He responded with his usual calm tone. He wore his butler tailcoat.

“It’s really bad. Kuzuhara-kun was dragged by a bunch of delinquents and…” I explained the situation to him.

“Mr. Kuzuhara is… Oh my, that’s a serious situation indeed. I’ll go with you.”

“Tanaka, will you be fine?”

“Ho, ho, ho! I’ve been practicing Greyfinn Jiu-Jitsu for about 30 years. There is nothing to worry about.”

Tanaka is a man of many mysteries, but he isn’t the type of person to put on a show. If he says he’ll be fine, he will be fine.

That is unimportant for now. Every minute counts in this dire situation.

“This way! Follow me!”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Tanaka and I head to the alleyway where Kuzuhara-kun was dragged to.

Please, be safe…!

We ran down the road in front of the mansion and turned at the old candy store at the corner. What greeted us was an absurd sight.

“Y-You’re… Lying…”

I couldn’t believe my eyes.

“Ho, ho… Geez.”

“S**t… What’s up with that freak? Despite running from us earlier… To think he was this strong…”

Five delinquents lay collapsed on the ground, breathing heavily.

“Ho, ho! He’s done something amazing,” Tanaka didn’t seem surprised, as if he’s expected this outcome.

Then, when the delinquents recognized me, they started shaking and sobbing. 

“A-Aaaaaaargh—!”

“W-We’re sorry… We’ll n-never… Get i-involved with y-you again…”

“P-Please don’t tell that m-monster!”

After saying these things, they picked the insurance card and student handbook that lay on the roadside and fled in a panic.

“As expected of Mr. Kuzuhara. He seems to have abused their weaknesses very firmly,” Tanaka, who was a man with a mysterious and extensive background, nodded in admiration.

“What the hell are you talking about…?”

“Simple. Mr. Kuzuhara is a hard-hitter. A bunch of ruffians who pride themselves on streetfighting would never be a match for him.”

“B-But… When I was attacked in the evening, he screamed for help and ran away with me…”

“Ho, ho, ho! This is a very ‘him’ thing to do,” Tanaka smiled gently. “Mr. Kuzuhara is a resourceful person to the bone. I’m sure he prioritized your safety above anything else in that situation. ”

“… To protect me…”

The moment I understood, this warmth welled up inside my chest.

Actually, I’ve been a bit weird lately. Sometimes I feel like the innermost parts of my being begin to fizzle.

I don’t know what this feeling is, but it’s not uncomfortable.

“But, how do you know all that, Tanaka? Do you happen to be related to Kuzuhara-kun?”

“I’m sorry… I apologize, but I can’t tell you. It was a promise between men. However, I can reveal one thing to you—excessive talent can hurt people unintentionally. Even someone so modest as me has been through a lot in the past. That’s why I cannot imagine what a man so outstanding as Mr. Kuzuhara has been through, what hardships.”

The suffering of a genius… That’s something I’ll probably never understand.

“… Thank you for protecting me, Kuzuhara-kun. How could I thank you?…” I mumbled quietly.

“Hmm, I see… Well, it’s a good idea to gift inexpensive items casually, as they are vastly effective.”

“I see, gifting inexpensive items is… effective? W-Wait, Tanaka, I think you’re misunderstanding something!”

“Ho, ho, ho! I apologize for stepping out of line. Don’t listen to the ravings of an old geezer,” Tanaka smiled tenderly.

That face… I’m certain his misunderstanding hasn’t cleared up at all.

… A gift, huh… What kind of present would make him the happiest?

I don’t want to gift him something that’ll disappear quickly, like candy. I want to give him something that’ll last a long time.

Thoughts of what to give him filled my head to the brim.