STM 27

I guess you can’t know someone by just looking at part of them.

“What? A friend? You say Lu has a friend?”

I asked, startled by the words that made me doubt my ears. Before me was Solongo, who had come to tell me that Lu’s friend was visiting.

She must be busy assisting Doctor Kim, but after finding out my identity, she took care of even the smallest things for me.

“Yes, there is. The visitor, Ma Hoiga, is a Lu’s classmate, and he’s so sociable that he’s friends with just about everyone. He’s one of the very few people who considers Lu a friend.”

To supplement Solongo’s explanation, Mo immediately displayed a notice.

Ma Hoiga – The third son of the Ma family, one of the five major merchant families on the continent.

Due to his family tradition of valuing information and human relationships and his innate curiosity, he gets along well with Adeye Lu, whom everyone avoids.

[Lu didn’t block Hoiga’s advances because he found his appearance to be reassuringly unimpressive.] Thanks to this, he was able to mainly get information about social circles through Hoiga.

To think that they could remain friends because the guy’s appearance is so unimpressive that it was reassuring. That was nonsense.

But something stood out in Hoiga’s description. A personality that couldn’t contain its curiosity? I immediately asked Solongo.

“Is Hoiga a bit of a talker?”

“Yes. Quite a bit. It’s no exaggeration to say that all the gossip in high society starts with Hoiga.”

Aha. As I found it amusing, Solongo’s eyes became serious.

“So, l’d like you to postpone meeting Hoiga. He may seem like a casual talker, but he’s actually a member of the Ma Trading Company, known for cunning.”

“You said the Ma Trading Company was as big as Adeye?”

“Yes, it used to be the richest before Adeye. Now it’s fallen to second place.”

“Then they hate us?”

“That’s true. But now, they recognize the insurmountable gap in skill, and are emulating Adeye’s internal operations. Even so, they will always be second place.”

I realized something as I watched Solongo’s laughter: Adeye’s enemies are everywhere.

“There’s no way such a cunning member of the Ma family would have maintained a relationship with Lu without purpose. He’s also known for his keen eye for detail, as well as his curiosity. If there’s anything suspicious about Lu’s changes, he’ll immediately notice.”

“That’s why we have to meet even more often. If Hoiga just understands my changes and moves on, it’s over, right?”

Even though I said that, he knew Lu well, so I figured I couldn’t fool him right away. Surprisingly, however, things worked out easily.

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“Lu! Are you okay? I heard you were sick.”

As soon as I entered the reception room where the guests were waiting, someone called my name loudly.

I stopped walking and looked at the person quickly approaching me. He was of average height and had a face that was reassuring to Lu. He was rather handsome, but the problem was his appearance.

His long bangs hung like a curtain, obscuring one eye. It was like watching a classic romance manga. And no matter how much he moved, the hair didn’t budge.

… … Hardened with cement?

In contrast to his hair, which was still, everything below his neck was chaotic.

The frills on his shirt were quite excessive. It almost seemed like a human cheerleading talisman, with the sleeves, collar, and hem all covered in dazzling frills and lace. Furthermore, there was something that made his outfit stand out even more.

Tight pants. No, can you even call those pants? They’re stockings.

I swallowed my shock and raised my eyes, then belatedly noticed the brooch on his chest.

No, how many are there in total?

At first glance, there were well over ten. And that wasn’t all. Everything from head to toe was dazzling. In short, it was a fashion statement that demonstrated the true meaning of money.

Even though I knew it was rude, I couldn’t help but scan him from head to toe. Then, I heard an unexpected response.

“Huh? I heard you’d changed, but that’s not true. You’re still just as interested in my jewelry.”

Hoiga laughed, puffing out his chest and showing off his jewelry. His frills swayed dazzlingly with his movements. But I wasn’t swayed by the intoxicating frills or his commotion.

It’s a fake laugh, but he laughs so well that it looks real?

Yes, his laughter was exaggerated, like watching a play.

Moreover, he was scrutinizing me, his hands moving in a scurrying manner. If I hadn’t asked Solongo in advance and relied solely on Lu’s memory, I would have relaxed and responded. I quickly asked Mo.

‘Have Lu ever bought any jewelry from Hoiga?’

[He bought some every time they met.]

This bastard, Lu, is not only a pervert, he’s also a pushover.

“Lu, are you okay?”

Hoiga called me over, wondering if I was being too quiet. I shook my head slowly. “Yeah, I just need to fool this guy. I can do it.” I took a deep breath and scraped together my meager acting skills.

“It’s not okay. It’s not okay at all.”

“Why? What’s going on?”

“Haa, even when I look at your jewels, I don’t feel like wanting them at all.” I covered my face, pretending to put my hand on my forehead. I almost died because of a monster, jewels don’t catch my eyes anymore.”

Perhaps because he was about to lose the opportunity to sell jewels, he accepted my awkwardness without question.

“You don’t want it? You? That’s ridiculous… Ahem, Lu, you almost died because of a monster? When? Where?”

“That’s not important. After almost dying, everything suddenly changed. My greed disappeared, my sexual desire disappeared.”

“You? You’re losing your libido? Are you Lu?”

He immediately suspected it. Damn it, did I over do it? I panicked, but I had an ally. Mo immediately showed me Lu’s typical reaction.

1. Ha, of course I am! Look at my appearance! It’s a heavenly allure that every man can’t help but suck my dick!

2. Are you doubting me? (Quickly approaches and rubs Hoiga’s crotch several times.)

The ally wasn’t much help. I had no choice but to get angry and make a fuss.

“Am I Lu?! Where in the world can you find someone this damn good-looking?! All the men can’t help but fall for me!”

I glanced at him through my fingers, pretending bad acting on purpose. He nodd ed, though he looked a bit displeased.

“From what you say, it’s you.”

Phew, thank goodness…

“But why has your sexual desire disappeared?”

You just lost a client. Does that matter? A sigh escaped my lips.

“I don’t know. I’ve been feeling strange ever since I got splashed with its bodily fluids while running away from a monster. Whenever I touch someone else’s body, my skin feels itchy and uncomfortable. I guess it’s the aftereffects.”

“Is this the first time l’ve heard of such aftereffects?”

“Of course. Everyone who encountered a monster and got splashed with it’s bodily fluids would have died.”

Had I been too cold in my response? Hoiga froze in surprise. I quickly made a joke.

“You have no idea how dirty and sticky the monster’s remains were. Ughh, it wouldn’t come off my skin, like glue. And the smell…the smell was so foul I couldn’t breathe, like I’d been buried in compost.”

Hoiga was startled and took a half step back thanks to the passionate performance that made me shiver and shake my arms.

“Lu, you really have encountered a monster.”

“Of course. I almost died”

This time, I was sincere, so I was able to look him straight in the eye and sa y it. Indeed, Hoiga nodded in agreement.

“I understand why you haven’t left the mansion for weeks. And to think you’ve changed like this…”

“Because I almost died

“I never thought there would come a day when you would stay away from men…….”

“That’s what happens when you almost died.”

“You don’t even covet my jewels……”

“Because they’re tacky.”

“Huh? What?”

“I almost died, so I don’t care about trivial things anymore.”

Hoiga tilted his head, but I asked a question so as not to give him any more time to think.

“But why did you come?”

“Well, I came because I was worried about you. And actually, I have good news. Lord Gumber is finally opening his summer villa.”

His eyes sparkled as he relayed the news. What’s in that villa?

[Lord Gumber’s Summer Villa: Lord Gumber, who is only interested in appearances, married the only daughter of the nouveau riche Byaboa family nine years ago. As they say, “dogs can’t teach others how to behave,” he opens the Byaboa family’s famously beautiful summer villa to the public for a certain period of time and holds a party every year. However, two years ago, he was attacked by a lover who discovered he was dating 7 people at the same time. This unfortunate incident left Lord Gumber with both of his testicles broken, and he was so devastated that he stopped partying.

Seven percent? It was an unheard-of debauchery. Wasn’t it rather fortunate that he only lost his testicles?

I was silent for a moment to gather information, but Hoiga couldn’t wait and asked again.

“Huh? Aren’t you happy? It was your favorite summer party. Oh my… are you really Lu?”

“I’m just so happy I’m speechless.”

What a suspicious guy.

“It was closed for two years because the Lord Gumber was injured.”

“It’s time for him to overcome his fears, even though he’s still sad sometimes, remembering the loss of his testicles .”

What’s so sad about that, they are not his best friend? He just reaped what he sowed.

“It’s not like he’s going to die without them.”

“But Lord Gumber was famous for having big and heavy ones.”

For a moment, I didn’t understand. What good was something so big and heavy?

This didn’t help at all as I didn’t find the right answer.

“He was famous…?”

“Of course! There were so many people who wanted to get done from behind by Lord Gumber because his testicles would swing and smack so nicely.”

It was the dirtiest and most filthy reason in the world. I tried to suppress the urge to frown, straining my face. But the effort was in vain.

“Lu, don’t you remember? You were the one that Lord Gumber loved the most among his lovers.”

What the heck, that guy Lu was one of those seven lovers?!

“…….As you know, my libido has disappeared.”

“No matter what……”

“I almost died.”

I answered dryly and asked quickly.

“So he’s reopening the summer villa?”

“Yeah, you’re coming, right? I know go you’ve lost your libido, but honestly, I can’t imagine you not coming. That wouldn’t be Adeye Lu.”

Hoiga nodded and made it clear I’d be attending.