Betrayed, I Met The Demon Lord

Chapter 67 - The War

Before long, Van circled back and landed in front of the guild, gently lowering Anne to the dirt ground.

"There you go," he said softly, letting her stand.

"Thanks..." She glanced around, stretching her arms. "No one's here. I half-expected that annoying leech to be here with Lizzy, at least."

'Michael, huh?' Van nodded, sighing internally.

"Maybe they're inside," he replied. "Anyway, let's head in. I was on my way here too." He turned toward the guild.

"Uh..." Her murmur made him pause and glance back. "What's wrong?"

"...I only came here because Lizzy asked me to," Anne said, hesitating slightly.

"Ah, I see. If it's not urgent, don't let me keep you." He waved her off, about to continue.

"Wait," she called after him.

"...?" Van turned again.

"Do... do you have anything to do this evening?" she asked cautiously.

"I've got to pick up a house contract from someone who's supposed to stop by the guild soon, and a few other errands... for my dad," he said, scratching his head. "Why?"

"W-well... I'm kinda hungry, haha," she said awkwardly, rubbing the back of her neck. "Would you... I don't know... want to grab something to eat? I-I mean, together..."

Van turned to face her fully.

"Sorry. My day's packed, and I want to get settled into my new condo as soon as possible," he replied flatly.

"A-ah... I see... Yeah, that's cool." She tried to meet his gaze, fidgeting slightly.

'Of course... of course he avoided me.' She sighed internally. 'Here I am, complaining about Michael being clingy, but I'm doing the same thing. I barely know Van, and I'm already acting like we're close enough for a date.' She thought back to how people always mocked her behind her back for lacking charm or any seductive qualities.

"...But I could probably go out with you tomorrow," Van said, pulling her out of her thoughts.

"...W-what?" Anne's head snapped up in confusion, as if she hadn't heard him clearly.

Van repeated, "I've got a lot to do today, but tomorrow should work. Me and my dad travel light, so after we settle in, I don't see why we couldn't grab something to eat. If you're cool with that."

"W-what... I-I don't..." She murmured, taken aback by his casual attitude, her eyes widening slightly.

'D-... Did he just... say yes?' she wondered, her mouth slightly agape, unsure of how to respond as a blush crept up her cheeks.

'... Right, social anxiety,' Van noted, watching her closely.

"Ah, never mind," Van said lightly, waving her off. "I can't ask you to wait until tomorrow night without eating, right?"

She tilted her head, confused by the remark.

"Forget it. You seemed a little out of it, so I made a joke," he added with a small shrug.

Anne stood there silently, her heartbeat beginning to steady as she grasped the situation.

"...."

"...I put a lot into that joke. You're supposed to laugh now," Van said awkwardly.

A light scoff escaped her lips.

"You really suck at trying to lighten the mood, you know?" she sighed, folding her arms with a smirk.