The Reason I Keep Avoiding My Childhood Friend - Chapter 200

Uncle, you made things uncomfortable. Before I could express my gratitude, Kir interjected.

“No need.”

My head instinctively turned towards him.

“I’m the one wearing the clothes, why are you the one deciding if it’s needed or not?”

I wasn’t particularly fussy about my appearance, so wearing the same outfit for a day or two didn’t bother me. However, Kir’s presumption didn’t sit well with me. Who decided he could determine whether I should wear the same clothes for two days in a row?

Though I had no intention of asking the coachman to fetch my clothes, Kir’s dismissal annoyed me. As I glared at him in displeasure, Kir’s hand came over to soothe my furrowed brow.

“I’ve prepared some of your clothes at the mansion.”

I was speechless.

“My clothes? When?”

“After I arrived in the empire.”

His nonchalant response left me at a loss for words. Why would he prepare my clothes without me around? I had so many things I wanted to say, but there were too many to organize where to start.

The coachman seemed puzzled too. I decided to send him off before diving deeper into this conversation.

“If that’s the case, I guess I won’t be needing clothes. Just inform the professor I’ll be staying out tonight.”

“…Understood.”

With a lingering sense of unease, the coachman agreed and departed. I naturally moved towards the carriage Kir had arrived in. He had already opened the door and extended his hand towards me.

This is it! Isn’t this that moment!

If this had been me a few days ago, I might have passed by, clueless and asking, ‘What’s all this about?’ But I was no longer that person. I had since become a refined adult, having been escorted by Adrian.

Ha, I won’t act naive! I’m someone with experience!

I moved my fingers elegantly and placed my hand on top of Kir’s palm. Then, like a lady well-accustomed to such events, I gracefully climbed into the carriage.

Sitting down and leaning back, I bit my lip to stop it from curling into a grin. It wasn’t a monumental achievement, but to put it briefly, I felt ecstatic. Perhaps it was because it wasn’t something I’m used to, but every time I was escorted, it thrilled me.

But I resisted showing my excitement over such a small gesture. So I simply dangled my feet instead. Soon after, Kir climbed in, and the carriage started moving.

Kir too must have become accustomed to escorting by this age. Last time we met, he had effortlessly lifted me. Even though I knew this, realizing his unfamiliarity from time to time brought a fresh sense of excitement. Did he take lessons in manners?

Thinking back, Kir had become much more friendly since we met. I thought he’d live life forever prickly, but has he grown into a reasonable adult? I can hardly imagine him interacting with ladies.

And why did he come today, anyway?

“Today…”

I tried to ask what brought him here, but the words retreated as Kir propped his chin and watched me calmly. The memory of ‘that’ moment resurfaced. Kir’s gaze made my cheeks tingle again, as if ‘that’ touch lingered on my skin. Why didn’t I immediately think of it upon seeing Kir?

It was uncomfortable. That’s why I avoided Kir. Well, not exactly avoided, but I didn’t make an effort to meet. Even when Kir asked if I had time, I made excuses of being busy. I declined even his request to drop by the mansion briefly.

I thought it might be awkward to meet, so I decided to wait until things felt a bit more comfortable. Kir, who was quick to notice, probably realized I was avoiding him. Everything seemed fine until I remembered that day, and now I felt odd.

As if the touch remained on my right cheek, I habitually rubbed it with my palm.

Kir watched me with an unfazed expression. It seemed like I was the only one conscious of that insignificant incident… I had to muster all my strength not to tell him to look away. Certainly, as I’ve aged, I find I can’t speak as recklessly as before.

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