Chapter 2

In the quiet of everyday life, there’s a hidden world of power struggles.

Maybe it’s a wild daydream that crosses everyone’s mind at least once.

I figure it’s fantasized about as much as the thought of terrorists suddenly showing up at school.

And unfortunately, there are indeed evil organizations pulling off schemes in the shadows in this world, but it’s a story that doesn’t really concern me, unfortunately.

The guy handed over to the knight’s bloodline and the police mentioned something about me, but expecting me to act all knightly when I’ve got no trace of it, or to dive into what a fallen family was doing decades ago, seems pretty tough.

Anyway…

Honestly, for the past few years, I’ve kind of envied the honorable folks who’ve been protecting people as knights.

Putting aside the responsibilities that come with it, the social status that role holds is, honestly, something to be envious of.

Because…

“I-I’m sorry. This time it’s all on me for not double-checking…”

I bow my head and apologize.

Meanwhile, the chubby boss, without even bothering to look at me, props his chin on his hand and lets out a bored yawn.

“Hey, Lux, how many times have you made this kind of mistake? I’m being easy on you ’cause I’m nice, but in other companies, you’d be canned right away, you know?”

By the way, the ‘confirmation mistake’ refers to the fact that I went ahead with discussions with our client without the boss’s say-so, and then brought back the job.

If the deal went down without a hitch, I figured it’d be cool, but turns out, it didn’t sit right with folks socially.

It’s easy to say in hindsight that the company might’ve benefited, and well, I get why I got chewed out.

But I tried to get a hold of my boss multiple times, and it was the boss who wouldn’t give me the time of day.

Sure, the boss, who seemed to be slacking off somewhere all the while, shares some of the blame too ━ as if.

If I really said something like that, I’d probably get fired on the spot.

By the way, the company I work for deals with ordinary electronic components.

In other words, I’m just your average salaryman.

Is this the descendant of someone who was once a knight?

Unfortunately, even knights have to go with the flow of the times.

As a result, being unreasonably scolded by my boss feels incredibly sad.

“Haaah.”

After being severely lectured by my boss and finally released, I sneakily let out a sigh of relief in the building’s break room.

As I unwind, I catch faint giggles drifting from somewhere nearby.

Glancing up, I spot a female colleague.

Fleur-san, with a bashful smile on her face, meets my gaze.

“Back to the scolding routine today, huh?”

“…It’s all just part of the job.”

“Why not push back a little?”

“Then the conversation would drag on even longer, wouldn’t it?”

Fleur-san, in the same career stage as me, is also a single mom.

Simultaneously, she’s a widow.

Despite her youthful appearance, she’s apparently on the younger side for a mom of one, age-wise.

It’s probably best not to pry into her past too much.

For now, we’re just coworkers and friends, nothing more.

“Lux-kun, you’re such a straight shooter. Even if you got a little upset, you wouldn’t land in hot water, you know?”

“I’m just a serious fool. Not much of a people person, and not great at bending rules. See, I can only really shoot the breeze with someone like you, Fleur-san.”

“Oh, you shouldn’t toss words like that around to the ladies so casually! Some might get the wrong idea, you know?”

“I’m picky about who I open up to, you know. And Fleur-san, being the no-nonsense type, probably won’t give me the time of day anyway, right?”

I shrug, feeling a bit at a loss.

After our chat, I feel a little lighter, muttering, “Alright,” before making my way back to the office.

“Looks like it’s gonna be a late one tonight!”

“Let’s both try our hardest to steer clear of overtime as much as we can.”

◆◆◆◆

Fleur Knight lost her husband 10 years ago, not long after their son Kevin was born, and she couldn’t show him his father.

She’s the youngest daughter of the Knight family, descendants of a noble bloodline.

For Fleur, her husband’s presence meant everything.

Their time together was short, both in duration and moments shared, but his presence shaped her into who she is now.

So, yes.

She’s always loved him━

That’s how she feels.

”……”

The city, lit up by neon lights at night.

The oddly deserted streets, seemingly well-lit yet devoid of people.

Walking beside her is Lux, her colleague.

Their silence hangs between them.

It feels awkward somehow.

Originally, he told her it was unsafe to walk alone in the city at night, which is why they’re walking home together like this, but lately, she’s been relying on him more.

Because she’s scared, because she’s worried.

(Is that really it?)

Yes, it is.

It’s true. She’s made up her mind to love only her late husband, so she doesn’t harbor any special feelings for other men. It’s been a decade since his passing, and whenever she feels lonely…

A glaring light.

“…Huh?”

She realizes it’s the truck’s headlights only after being pulled into a hug by Lux.

(Uh, ah)

Her cheeks flush.

And then, as he unexpectedly lifts her, she finally recognizes the shift in her own heart.

(Silly me.)

He’s saying something, but she can’t make it out.

…Before she knows it, she’s arrived home, and her son Kevin is holding her hand.

“What’s wrong, Mom? Are you feeling sick?”

“Oh, um… No, I’m fine.”

She shakes her head, then tells her son that she has work tomorrow too, before heading back to her room.

…A photo frame with a picture of her and her late husband.

Feeling guilty, she knocks it over to keep it out of sight.

She collapses onto the bed, and then..

“Uh, ah…ah…”

◆◆◆

And then, destiny starts to creak ever so slightly.

“Did the attempt to assassinate the descendant of the Knight family fail?”

The fate of someone who was supposed to perish originally.

“Hmm?”

Originally, the protagonist in the story loses his mother and resents the world.

The man who altered those circumstances is simply now…

“I can’t even drink alcohol…”

He grimaced at the unpleasant taste of cheap non-alcoholic beer.