Everyone but Me Is a Spy - Chapter 51

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 51
“Uncle, Aunt……. Grandmother, why did you……?”
Nina turned to look at her family, still reeling from the shock.
But they seemed confused as well.
As they had always said, her grandmother Rikita was remarkably taciturn, and she appeared to be learning about the Explosive Material in this room for the first time just now.
Yet apart from the magnitude of the shock, it was difficult to guess what Rikita had been trying to say.
‘If I watch a few more Films in order, would I be able to understand?’
Seeing Nina’s gaze turn toward the Film shelf, the fake family members widened their eyes and sent a silent signal to the Magical Artifact specialist.
Joel, catching on, reduced the Mana Stone output from the Projector.
“Since it hasn’t been used in so long, it seems we’d need to charge the Mana Stone for a night…… or perhaps several days to view the other images.”
“Ah……. I see.”
Nina accepted Joel’s lie without suspicion, but she couldn’t help her spirits sinking at the disappointment.
‘I thought I’d finally be able to learn about Grandmother. Why she left me at the orphanage. Why she tried to kill me…….’
As Nina relived the situation from moments before and her eyes began to glisten with tears, Joel changed his words as if enchanted.
“Actually, looking at it again, I think one night should be enough to complete the charge. I’ll come back tomorrow to check.”
At Joel’s unrehearsed remark, the Spy Organization members glared at him.
‘This bastard again!’
“Is that really true, Joel?”
A tear that had been brimming in Nina’s eyes fell with a soft patter.
Despite his trembling eyes, Joel nodded with a resolute expression.
“I’ll make sure it’s working tomorrow, without fail. Please don’t worry.”
“Thank you. And I’m sorry for making you hear such sudden news. I’ve put you through something strange.”
“I told you before. I want to know everything about you, Nina.”
“I won’t listen to that.”
Excy frowned and covered his ears, but he couldn’t stop Joel’s mouth.
“I was sincere. Yes, researching you is important, but understanding you more deeply is equally important for the depth of that research.”
“Joel…….”
Moved, Nina cupped her cheeks, then felt a sudden gratitude that she hadn’t opened the other Films right now.
She was already so shocked and unsettled by just the first Film alone—she couldn’t possibly show any further loss of composure, no matter how much of a neighbor he was.
He was such a kind neighbor that she hadn’t let it show, but surely he must have been quite taken aback.
With Joel beside her, it would be wrong to tear through the Films one after another right this instant.
‘My own heart won’t stop pounding either. I need time for me, and for my family, to calm our minds—even just one night.’
Grandmother had naturally taken her place within the living radius of the family and their neighbor Joel.
But to think that this same grandmother was actually someone capable of putting her granddaughter’s life in danger…… what greater shock could there possibly be for the family and Joel?
Even as Nina was busy trying to soothe her still-racing heart, Joel carefully removed the Film from the Projector and handed it to her.
“It would be best to put the Film back on the shelf.”
“Oh. Thank you, Joel. Without you, I wouldn’t have been able to see the Film this quickly.”
“You’re too kind.”
Nina smiled wryly and inserted the Film back into the shelf.
He must have been quite shaken, yet he simply continued to quietly check the Mana Stone section of the Projector again and again—which made her feel admiration, regret, and gratitude all at once.
‘Until I see more Films, there’s nothing more I can know anyway. For now, until tomorrow comes…… I won’t think deeply while Joel is right in front of me.’
After steeling herself and clearing her mind that way, she realized something felt missing.
The companion who had traveled with her to the Townhouse was nowhere to be seen.
“But where is Guguoo? We came together, didn’t we?”
At Nina’s words, Joel also looked around and answered naturally.
“I believe he’s been captivated by something shiny. He has the hobby of exploring inside buildings and chasing after sparkly things.”
“So Guguoo has refined tastes.”
Nina nodded and subtly glanced at the expressions of the family members who had watched the footage with her.
Still complex and ambiguous expressions, as expected. They seemed almost angry.
Perhaps feeling Nina’s worried gaze, Chayson spoke first.
“We always knew Aunt had many secrets, but I never imagined she’d set such a terrible trap for her own blood.”
“Right. And the footage is so like her too. Still full of mysteries. Hardly anything makes sense, only shocking news. An explosive trap, no less. Terrifying, just terrifying.”
“I’m afraid to watch the other Films. Nina, you don’t have to see them. An explosion? It’s too frightening.”
At Excy’s words, Nina’s eyebrows drooped with regret.
“The word ‘explosion’ alone was enough to make standing difficult? We’ll be opening more Films tomorrow, but I think it would be better if you didn’t watch. We don’t know what’s in them.”
“No. My curiosity and resolve are perfectly intact. I am courageous. Excluding me would be a threat to family harmony.”
Excy answered urgently, waving his hand, and wonder bloomed across Nina’s face.
“You’re worried about what kind of footage I might see alone, aren’t you? You’re always so kind. Your weakness is absolutely not a flaw…….”
“I’m not weak. I am…… I am strong……!”
Before Excy’s aggrieved murmur could finish, Juger Number 4 knocked on the door.
“A visitor has arrived. Shall I bring them to you?”
“A visitor? How unexpected.”
Nina and her makeshift family hurried to the Lobby, wiping away tears and hastily composing themselves at the sudden arrival of this guest.
Among them, it was Joel whose expression shifted most visibly the moment he caught sight of who had come.
“Forgive the intrusion. I was told that young master Joel was staying here.”
No wonder—the visitor who had come to Nina’s Townhouse was none other than Joel’s personal physician.
“Last time, circumstances were rather hectic, and I’m afraid I didn’t introduce myself properly. I am Ryan Melbursa, young master Joel’s physician.”
Impeccably dressed in formal attire, Ryan handed Nina a lavish Bouquet.
“Oh my, how lovely. Is this for me?”
“Of course. It wouldn’t do to arrive empty-handed when one hasn’t been invited, after all.”
“How wonderfully kind of you. I’ve never received flowers before. My heart has been so unsettled lately, but holding these—their fragrance is so fresh, and they’re so bright—it makes me feel almost happy just standing here.”
Nina cradled the Bouquet against her chest, burying her face in it. The crisp, gentle scent seemed to soothe her troubled heart, if only a little.
In contrast, Joel and his makeshift family grew distinctly uncomfortable and tense.
“Ryan, was it? What brings you here? Now is not a convenient time.”
Despite Chayson’s sharp questioning, Ryan maintained his soft smile without wavering.
“It appears that Miss Nina of this household has become a dear friend to young master Joel, and I came to express my gratitude. I thought it would be even better if I could take him with me on the way back.”
“…?”
Joel couldn’t begin to fathom why Ryan was here at all.
He’d been going on about taking a few days’ rest once his assignment targeting that violinist in the Adjacent City was done—and now here he was, showing up with flowers in hand.
The talk of thanking Nina surely wasn’t sincere, and whatever his real purpose was, it certainly had nothing to do with this nonsense about “taking him along.”
“In that case, I shall return with young master Joel this evening. As his physician, it is my Duty to oversee his outings.”
“…??”
Yet Ryan genuinely seemed intent on offering his gratitude to Nina through the Bouquet and then simply departing with Joel.
“Oh—Joel, would it be all right if I didn’t walk you back?”
At Nina’s concerned words, Ryan smiled reassuringly.
“There’s no need to worry. I shall look after him.”
And with that, before Joel could even protest, Ryan hoisted him up and vanished with him.
Joel’s quiet, burning gaze seemed as though it could bore straight through Ryan’s temple.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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