I'm in Otome World, Really?

Chapter 22 - A Secluded Village (part 6)

"What? A group of people with a woman as the leader were the one who killed those humans?"

My hand stopped moving from twisting the doorknob as soon as I heard a familiar voice coming from behind the door, more precisely the hallway. This floor was very quiet right now and I assumed they were standing quite closely to my room so I could hear them.

I swallowed my saliva, thinking whether I had to eavesdrop or not, then I decided to just listen to them. Silently, I pressed my ear on the door to listen to their conversation more clearly.

"Mr. Fierry, you should lower your voice. She might hear you."

'She? Did he mean me? Too bad I clearly hear you two.'

"You are right." Nicho finally lowered his voice but still I could hear him a bit. "We will talk about this later."

My heart almost stopped when I heard footsteps coming closer. Panic, I walked farther from the door so at least it didn't seem like I hear their conversation.

Whoever standing in front of the door now was knocking the door.

"Luna. This is me. Open the door."

"Y-Yes!"

I pretended to run toward the door again and quickly opened the door.

When I spotted Nicho and the earth man in front of the door, I gave them a big fake smile which seemed almost brighten their vision and exclaimed, "Oh! Nicho and the earth man are here!"

Nicho and the earth man stepped backwards while giving me a strange look as I tilted my head in confusion, keeping my fake smile.

"Why are you looking at me like that?"

Nicho raised an eyebrow. "You are being scary. Drop that smile. It gives me goosebump."

I immediately dropped my smile.

"What? You said yesterday that 'you are glad to be able to see my smile'."

He rolled his eyes. "Not that kind of smile which is 'too bright and fake so it's creepy'."

He didn't say anything afterwards and entered the room as if he was the one who owned the room. Oh, I knew he always entered my room casually like that in our house, but still--

I let out a sigh. 'Whatever.'

I closed the door and was about to turn around and follow Nicho, but was shocked because the earth man was still standing in front of me.

Giving me a smile, he bowed slightly and pulled his hood, finally revealed his entire face.

The man was a young adult in his twenties, who had spiky short blonde hair and a sincere smile which showed his white teeth. He looked like a cheerful person despite his formal self when he was with Nicho. I didn't really expect he was that kind of person at first...

"I haven't told you my name, right, Miss Horie? My name is Lanh. I am Mr. Fierry's partner in this mission," he continued.

I blinked once and quickly replied, "Right... Nice to meet you." Then I gave him a nervous smile, since I hadn't really talked to him alone without Nicho.

'I feel... a bit awkward.' I glanced at him whose smile was still plastered on his face. 'I'm a little bad with this kind of cheerful person and... he looks like someone who can be funny when chatting with his friends. But, seeing he is quite serious and formal when working, seems like he won't show those fun behaviors of him when he is in a serious situation.'