I Became a Foreign Worker Loved by Transcendents

I was a bit concerned, but ultimately, Airi had given her permission.

Feeling that it was okay to follow my heart, I relaxed and headed towards the meeting place.

Merilyn, who was waiting for me there, dressed the same as before.

“You’ve arrived, Hyo-sung.”

“Sorry, it took me some time.”

“No, it’s okay. I can wait a bit, especially since it’s been a long time.”

Merilyn said this, scanning me over.

As she did so, the smile on her lips became more pronounced.

“You’ve changed your outfit from earlier… Hehe, maybe it’s because Hyo-sung is wearing it, but what you have on now looks great~”

Feeling a bit embarrassed by her words, she looked down at her own body, draped in a black cloak, and began to express regret.

“Meanwhile, I didn’t think to change… Maybe I should have changed into something nicer?”

“No, it’s fine. After all, we’re just meeting for a casual meal today.”

“A casual meal? Don’t tell me you plan to end today’s meeting with just that?”

“Yes?”

“Well, since we’ve met after a long time, I want to spend more meaningful time together to celebrate our reunion. For example…”

Merilyn trailed off, then leaned in closer to my ear.

Feeling embarrassed by her subsequent whispering, I blurted out my confusion towards her unwittingly.

“…Merilyn.”

I had momentarily forgotten.

She was someone who actively joked about such things.

“Hehe, it’s just a joke~”

Even if it was a joke, such a frivolous one didn’t look too good.

Unsure about voicing my displeasure, I suppressed my words, and she, turning her back to me, began to lead the way down the street.

“Well, no use in dawdling, let’s have a meal first… Do you have any place in mind to recommend, Hyo-sung?”

“Is it okay for me to decide?”

“Ironically, I’m not from the empire. I’m used to visiting unfamiliar places, but I’m still not well-versed in the local geography since the last time I was here, I only stopped by briefly.”

Indeed, even a frequent traveler couldn’t know everything about a newly visited place.

So, thinking it was best for me to lead today, I began to follow her, eyeing a familiar signboard in the distance.

“There’s a decent restaurant nearby. It’s a bit pricey, but I can afford it.”

“Oh my~ Hyo-sung, are you treating me to the meal?”

“Of course, I should treat you since it’s been a long time. Merilyn, you’ll surely be satisfied, just like Airi was when we went last time.”

‘It may be expensive, but it’s worth it.’

As I smiled, imagining Merilyn’s happy face, I noticed her suddenly stop in her tracks on the street.

“With Airi…”

“…Merilyn?”

“Who is Airi?”

“Ah, well, that’s…”

My response trailed off abruptly.

Seeing the coldness on her face as she turned to me, I almost felt as if my heart had stopped.

No, not stopped, but it had slowed down.

For that brief moment, the look in her eyes was indelibly etched into my vision.

“Hyo-sung.”

But even that brief silence seemed to bother her.

She spoke to me again as time flowed on.

“Who is Airi?”

At her repeated question, I finally regained my composure.

Feeling a chill of unknown origin, I replied with difficulty to her question.

“She’s… well… a house guest.”

I didn’t know why.

Perhaps it was the best answer I could give in this situation.

“A house guest, so she’s staying at your place?”

“Yes, that’s right, but…”

Why?

Why was Merilyn looking at me like that, and why was I tensing up just from our eye contact?

Did I unwittingly step on a landmine?

“Hmm, is that so?”

Merilyn spoke thoughtfully, making me feel even more uneasy.

Then she averted her gaze from me, drawing a smile on her lips.

“Well, that could be.”

Her voice was light, contrasting with her previous coldness.

There was no trace of her usual playfulness or coquettishness.

As if, for that moment, she had become someone else.

“Merilyn? What did you just say…?”

“Ah!”

Just as I was worried about that point, Merilyn eagerly approached.

I was startled by her sudden action, but by then, Merilyn was already clinging to my arm.

“Hehe, shall we go right away?”

“M-Merilyn, suddenly linking arms like this…!”

“What’s the matter? It’s okay since we haven’t met for a long time, right?”

Saying that, Merilyn leaned her head against my arm.

I felt her softness pressing against me from various points, but I pretended it was fine and started moving again.

“Yes, then… Let’s go.”

“Hehe, thank you~”

Merilyn, walking with me and expressing her small gratitude, seemed to have lost her previous severity, as if it were all a lie.

As if that feeling itself were an illusion.

As if emphasizing something wordlessly.

No, it wasn’t just my imagination.

Even though I didn’t have much experience with women, I wasn’t so oblivious as to not understand what Merilyn felt for me.

Especially since she left and returned even after leaving such a letter.

Wouldn’t it be strange to think she had no feelings for me?

“The name of this restaurant is ‘Storm of Time and Space.’ Quite unique, isn’t it?”

“Ahaha, yes. It’s a very unusual name.”

As much as I pondered this, sitting across from her in the restaurant, I couldn’t help but feel complicated watching her smile so freely.

Once, upon receiving her letter, I had dreamed of a special relationship with her, but now I was sorting out my feelings for her and contemplating new connections.

Yes, there had been a commotion before I met Merilyn, so I had to be cautious about this aspect.

Her previous gaze was enough to raise such an alarm.

“Um, just having a meal might be a bit plain… Shall we order some drinks too?”

As I was collecting my thoughts, Merilyn quietly asked while looking at the menu.

Regaining my composure and looking into her eyes, I could see her smiling, unaware of my inner turmoil.

“Drinks, you mean?”

“Today is a day to celebrate our reunion. I think it would be nice to commemorate it with a drink.”

“Ah, well, I don’t think I can drink today.”

A disappointing answer to her anticipation.

But it was unavoidable.

Before coming here, Airi had expressed her worries about me possibly getting drunk and causing a mishap.

“Do you dislike alcohol?”

“It’s not that I dislike it, but it seems difficult to drink today.”

“…Then it can’t be helped.”

Merilyn expressed her disappointment but reluctantly accepted it.

Relieved that it passed without issue, I then placed our order with the waiter and spent time chatting with Merilyn.

Most of our conversation was about the recent updates in our lives.

I shared my accomplishments as an adventurer, and Merilyn briefly talked about her journey back to the empire after successfully resigning from her lord.

“Given the chaotic world, my return was delayed.”

Though much was left unsaid, it was clear she had endured a lot.

Her concluding remarks subtly revealed such concerns.

“…Ahaha, it’s good that you returned safely.”

“Yes, it’s a bit late, but I guess it’s time to start anew from now on.”

Her statement was laced with bright smiles and anticipation.

I couldn’t respond, only managing an ambiguous smile.

Starting anew from now…

Even though I had already sorted out my feelings for her and was moving on to new relationships…

Would she still show me the same smile if she knew my circumstances?

“Your order has arrived.”

As I was feeling anxious, luxurious dishes were gradually set on the table.

Merilyn, pausing our conversation, picked up her fork and knife, turning her attention to the food.

“Hehe, now that we’ve shared our updates, shall we start eating?”

Merilyn began cutting the well-cooked veal steak with her knife.

After meticulously cutting a piece, she picked it up with her fork and opened her mouth.

She naturally directed the fork towards my mouth, not hers.

“Here, Hyo-sung. Ahh~”

Merilyn then opened her mouth, indicating that I should follow suit.

Feeling embarrassed by her action, my gaze unconsciously began to wander around.

“Merilyn, as I mentioned before, doing this in public is a bit…”

“I don’t do this with just anyone. It’s because it’s you, Hyo-sung.”

“……”

“…We’ve just met again after so long, this much is okay, right?”

Despite my discomfort, Merilyn smiled coyly and pushed the fork towards me more assertively.

Her gestures, which were not forceful during our first meeting, now appeared more assertive.

Even after being apart for over three months, it seemed like the feelings we shared back then hadn’t faded.

“…Just for today.”

Unable to refuse such sentiment, I ate the steak, and Merilyn, watching my reaction, chuckled and picked up another piece with her fork.

“Now, Hyo-sung, one more bite… Hmph?!”

But was I going to just let this happen?

Seizing the moment she opened her mouth, I cut a piece of steak and fed her, causing her to look at me in surprise.

“After all, I brought you here. I came to treat you to this food, so it would be a problem if you didn’t eat, right?”

She chuckled and swiftly removed the fork from her mouth.

As we locked eyes, Merilyn swallowed the meat in her mouth and continued to stare at me.

“Is it good?”

“…Yes, yes.”

Maybe she didn’t expect me to be so forward?

Her voice quivered unexpectedly, and then she lowered her head and replied quietly.

“Very tasty. Maybe it’s because Hyo-sung fed it to me that it’s even more…”

Her voice seemed almost timid, yet she couldn’t hide all her emotions.

More than the fact that I ate what she offered…

The fact that I fed her seemed to be perceived as something more special.

“…I’m glad that you’re satisfied.”

Feeling satisfaction just by observing her surely meant I hadn’t completely let go of my lingering feelings for her.

Even though I couldn’t prioritize her over others, I still hoped she would be satisfied…

Regardless of how our relationship would evolve, my sincere wish was for her happiness.

“Excuse me, please.”

While we were dining intimately, a waiter interrupted me and Merilyn.

Then he placed something on our table and gestured towards a secluded corner of the restaurant.

“The gentleman over there asked me to give this to you.”

“…This?”

Turning around, I saw a middle-aged man wearing a fedora.

He brushed his long hair back, draped his coat deeply, and stood up, moving towards the restaurant’s exit.

His back felt strangely familiar… No, that couldn’t be.

Why would that vampire appear here, of all places? I laughed and opened the envelope on the table, finding two tickets and a familiar note.

[Young man, as a token of appreciation for showing me something good at my regular breakfast spot, I’ve prepared a small gift for you. I hope you and the lady have a wonderful time.]

Damn it.

Using the term ‘breakfast’ in the evening was a dead giveaway.

“Ah, haha. It seems someone has taken a liking to us.”

In that moment, I was bewildered, realizing that the vampire was really a regular here and that I had been spotted with Merilyn instead of Airi.

Trying not to show my surprise, I smiled vaguely, but Merilyn’s gaze was not on the tickets in my hand but towards the restaurant’s exit.

Her lips lost their smile, and she followed his retreating figure with her pumpkin-colored eyes, previously shown to me.

“…It seems harmless for now; shall we hold off on it?”

“Merilyn?”

“Oh, sorry. I was just concerned about the person who showed us kindness.”

Merilyn switched the mood back, chuckling softly.

It would be a lie to say I wasn’t bothered by the abrupt change in atmosphere, but for now, I chose to overlook it.

Whatever might happen later, Airi trusted that I would return safely.

“Hmm, these tickets seem to be for an opera nearby. You said you had time until the evening, right?”

“Yes, if Merilyn is okay with it, we can go together…”

Yes, since Airi gave her consent, it should be fine for now.

As long as the ‘whims of transcendent beings’ she often warned about wouldn’t occur, the foretold future should not deviate…

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