Chapter 377 I Thought the Place That Made You Feel at Ease Would Be the Video Store

"Please wipe those tears. There's someone looking for you."

Upon hearing Wise's words, Burnice spoke from the side.

"Exactly, exactly! Ah, Wise, you're here! That's great! Would you like to try my newly mixed Nitro-Fuel? I specially made one for you!"

"Uh, sure, but maybe later. I have other things to do right now."

Wise temporarily postponed Burnice's enthusiastic invitation, mentally preparing himself.

He definitely had to drink it afterward. He couldn't let her kindness go to waste.

Of course, with some exceptions, Burnice's drinks were at least drinkable.

"Oh... It's you! My lady's partner and the video store manager from Sixth Street! Have you seen Lady Lucy? I need to find her and explain something..."

The man's face lit up with surprise when he saw Wise. He knew about the relationship between his young lady and Wise.

If Wise was here, perhaps things would go more smoothly

"I understand. However, someone is looking for you over here. Come with me first."

"Oh? Okay…"

Wise led the man in the suit to Nicole. She nodded in satisfaction when she saw the person Wise had brought to her.

"It really is you. So reliable!"

"Uh, do you two need something? If it can wait, I'd really appreciate it. I must find Lady Lucy and clear things up..."

Before the man could finish speaking, Nicole proactively interrupted him.

"Let me guess. You're the guy from Montefio. And you want to sort out that misunderstanding from last time... Right?"

"How did you know?!"

The man looked astonished, but in reality, it wasn't difficult to figure out. Anyone with a functional brain who had experienced what happened with Lucy at the Starloop back then could have figured it out.

"Wise, did you also sense it? Lucy's family talked about wanting her to bring her partner home for a visit. Of course, if I were Mr. Montefio, I'd probably have the messenger say something vague to probe what my daughter really thinks."

Nicole spoke with a knowing expression.

"If Lucy obediently returned home, or even agreed to accept the family's subsequent arrangements, that would naturally be the best outcome. Even if Lucy got angry, the blame could be shifted to the messenger by saying that he was the one who misunderstood."

When Wise heard her explanation, he let out a small sigh, marveling at such a complicated family, while the man's expression became even more shocked.

"...Miss Nicole, who in the world are you? You've never met Mr. Montefio, but you know him almost as well as I do after two decades of working for the man. I'll let you in on a secret. Sometimes, I understand why Lady Lucy wants to bail on this family..."

The man sighed after saying this.

"However, this is my job. I still need to find her, apologize for passing on the wrong message, and take a few hits from her... Then I can go home and celebrate Gilded Carrot Day with my lovely wife. Sounds nice, right? Waah..."

"What if we could clear up the misunderstanding for you?"

Nicole's sudden offer made the man freeze.

"Wh-What do you mean? Are you saying... I can just go home?"

"Don't worry. You won't get whipped. We'll also make sure Lucy doesn't take it out on her parents. But this might cost you a bit…"

Before Nicole could finish speaking, the man eagerly agreed.

"I-I'm willing! Unfortunately, I don't have any money on me… However, I brought this. I originally intended to give it to the young lady as a gift…"

After some discussion, Nicole left the specific requirements for the reward to be discussed later.

Soon afterward, the two found Lucy. Nicole explained the man's previous misunderstanding to her, but she didn't buy it.

"Hmph, that suit guy called it a misunderstanding? Classic Montefio family move. But whatever. He isn't entirely to blame. He's just an employee. That's just how my father deals with people. Whether it's rivals, friends, or family, he's all about manipulation."

She said this with clear contempt.

"If I'm being blunt... that guy's version of 'love' is nothing more than this. I'm definitely mad, but honestly, I feel kind of sorry for him."

Despite her anger, Lucy remained calm. As a daughter, she understood her father well.

Seeing this, Nicole became somewhat curious.

"Can I ask you something, Lucy? If your father didn't use this so-called misunderstanding to 'test' you, would you even consider it?"

"Consider… what?" Lucy retorted, a bit confused.

"Bringing your 'partner' home for dinner, of course~"

As Nicole spoke, her gaze fell directly on Wise beside her.

Lucy, upon hearing this, blushed and remained silent for a while before finally speaking softly.

"…I-I don't know… This kind of thing… I must consider his wishes…" she said, stealing a glance at Wise.

"I will certainly respect your choice. If you really want to go back, I will absolutely accompany you."

Wise's words made Lucy's face flush even more.

Seeing this, Nicole couldn't help but tease her.

"You're blushing so hard~ If I'd known you'd turn this red, I wouldn't have brought it up. But hey, it's nice. Having a place to call home on this crazy Gilded Carrot Day. It just feels good."

As Nicole spoke, she looked at Wise again, and the figures of her companions from the Cunning Hares also came to mind.

"Saying this to me at a time like this, you're quite asking for a beating. Though I understand what you mean."

Lucy looked at Nicole with a slightly softened expression before speaking again.

"For me, 'home' isn't the house where my family lives. It's the wilds in the Outer Ring. For you, the Cunning Hares are probably a place just like that, somewhere that always makes you feel at ease."

Hearing this, Nicole spoke.

"I thought the place that made you feel at ease would be the video store~"

"...Right back at you! Oh, and by the way, Wise is going to come to the Outer Ring to spend Gilded Carrot Day with us!"

"Huh? Is that really true, Wise? You agreed to her?"

Lucy's triumphant words made Nicole stare at Wise with a slightly displeased expression, as if to say, 'You've found a new love and forgotten the old.'

Noticing Nicole's expression, Lucy smiled.

Nicole had helped her after all, so extending an invitation seemed like the least she could do.

"Don't worry. If you're willing, we completely welcome you to bring everyone from the Cunning Hares to the Outer Ring to spend Gilded Carrot Day~"

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