Pretending to Be Human Is Exhausting Again Today - Chapter 146

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

Pretending to Be Human: Episode 146
Of course, Jeina would never have joined our table. No restaurant would surrender our seating to others, no matter how full they claimed to be.
So it was only natural that I felt irritated by Asmo-rina’s coercive demand.
“Your table has extra space. We just need to use what’s left. Don’t you understand?”
“It’s you who doesn’t understand. This seat is one I paid fair price for. If you want it, bow your head first.”
Asmo-rina frowned at Jeina’s aggressive tone, placed her hand on the chair, and leaned forward.
“Making such a fuss over one seat. So if I bow and beg, you’ll give it up?”
“No, I’ll refuse. We’re in the middle of an important conversation.”
“See? You never intended to agree from the start.”
Asmo-rina snorted as if she’d expected this.
“Your type is so predictable. You never wanted to share a table with commoners anyway, and you’re just using rudeness as an excuse to refuse.”
It seemed Asmo-rina’s real frustration stemmed from Jeina’s attitude—demanding a submissive posture while having no intention of granting the request anyway.
“Dressing up in a gown at such a shabby tea shop, flaunting your nobility… Do you really find it that entertaining watching how commoners live?”
‘Why does she talk like that?’
I couldn’t hide my bewilderment at such a remarkably human tone coming from Asmo-rina, who used to look down on humans.
She was not the type to speak with such worldly sophistication. She’d sooner throw a punch.
‘What kind of upbringing did she receive to… wait, I taught her that.’
As I struggled to organize my confused thoughts, I noticed Jeina looking at me.
Seeing me tremble slightly, she clenched her fists and glared at Asmo-rina.
“I don’t need to report my schedule to you. I have no intention of giving up this seat, so leave.”
“Hey, who do you think you’re—”
Just then, a young girl who was with Asmo-rina’s group hurried over.
“Let’s just go, Rina. We’re being a bother!”
‘Rina?’
I couldn’t believe that a human girl was someone Asmo-rina had permitted to use her name. When I called her that, she’d blush and curse, “Only sometimes!” But now…
I felt oddly defeated.
Unlike when she was with me, Asmo-rina’s expression remained unchanged as she answered the girl.
“Wait, Lua. This is already the fifth restaurant. There’s nowhere else left to go. Besides, you’ve been walking for three hours.”
“Then we could go to one of the restaurants on the Main Street.”
“Did you see the prices there? They’re completely out of your budget. This is the last cheap place around!”
Actually, this was a tea shop, not a restaurant, and rather than cheap, it was a place favored by Monos residents. The shopping district on the Main Street was for tourists, so naturally expensive… but what caught my attention was something else.
‘Rina is showing consideration for a human!’
She who casually insulted her subordinates and regarded human lives as less than insects was now advocating for the girl called Lua.
If Gregory had witnessed this scene, I could guarantee he would have stood there slack-jawed in shock.
Of course, I was equally astounded, unable to regain my composure.
Then Lua sighed and spoke.
“No matter what, I don’t want to disturb others. I appreciate you thinking of me, but let’s go.”
“…Tsk.”
Asmo-rina clicked her tongue briefly, then released the chair and stepped back. She seemed ready to leave.
‘Good heavens, she can even restrain her anger?’
Good heavens.
It was like watching a beast that ate only meat suddenly chewing on a cucumber.
‘Could it be illusion magic? Or perhaps this child Lua possesses hypnotic abilities like Baban Si… No, that can’t be.’
The stronger one’s mana and soul, the less susceptible they are to such crude tricks.
That was Asmo-rina’s genuine emotion.
‘What on earth could this child be hiding?’
My curiosity about Lua grew with each passing moment. How had she accomplished what I myself could not?
So without thinking, I reached out and stopped them from leaving.
“Wait.”
“…?”
Apparently not expecting me to call out to them, Jeina looked at me with questioning eyes.
“We’ll be getting up soon anyway, so you’re welcome to sit.”
“Really?”
Lua, who had secretly hoped for this invitation, approached with a bright face, her eyes gleaming.
And fearing I might refuse again, she grasped my hand and spoke.
“You really mean it? My legs have been absolutely killing me!”
“…Yes.”
She was quite an uninhibited child. I was momentarily taken aback, but I nodded while gauging Asmo-rina’s reaction.
Asmo-rina was observing me with a furrowed brow.
Fortunately, since she couldn’t sense any mana, her gaze held no killing intent.
Then Jeina pinched my thigh and spoke.
“What’s wrong with you? I went through all that trouble to help.”
“There’s something I need to understand. Just bear with me a moment.”
“Hmm….”
Jeina regarded me with suspicion, then crossed her arms and stepped back as if to say I should do as I pleased.
In the meantime, Lua quickly claimed a seat and gestured toward Asmo-rina.
“Sister, sit down too! You were considerate to us!”
“…Hmph.”
The old Asmo-rina would never have complied with such a situation. She would have bristled, demanding what right this child had to show her consideration.
But this time, she silently took her seat.
My chest tightened unexpectedly.
Jeina muttered in disbelief.
“…You know you’re acting really strange today, right?”
Unable to answer such a question, I deliberately ignored it and whispered to her.
“Jeina, could you handle the conversation for me?”
“You want me to talk to that savage?”
“Just keep the mood light. But ask her this one question. It’s….”
Fearing Asmo-rina might overhear, I conveyed my request briefly. Jeina looked reluctant but nodded, saying she understood.
“Well, looks like the seating arrangement worked out! What will you guests like to order?”
Just then, the Shop Owner, unaware of the situation, approached and asked Lua and Asmo-rina for their orders.
Lua briefly scanned the menu before letting out a thoughtful hum.
“It’s affordable, but… two sandwiches might be the limit for us.”
“I won’t eat anything, so just order for yourself.”
“Come on, you skipped meals today too. We should share.”
‘Unbelievable—Asmo-rina is actually willing to share a meal.’
My fists clenched without my realizing it.
Jeina, who had been sending warning glances to ease up, sighed in resignation.
“…Go ahead and order. I’ll cover the bill for this table.”
“Pardon? Why would you do that?”
“It’s not an ideal situation, but since my companions invited you to join us, I should at least take responsibility for that.”
Allowing them to share a table hardly qualified as an invitation, but that’s how Jeina—unfamiliar with common folk customs—apparently interpreted it.
Lua tilted her head and glanced in my direction.
“Is the other lady okay with this? We’d be happy to eat for free.”
“…Yes, don’t hesitate. We spoke out of line as well.”
“I think it was actually Asmo-rina who was rude… but anyway! Thank you so much for treating us!”
Lua bowed respectfully. For her age, she carried herself with maturity and had a pleasant demeanor. Was that what had won Asmo-rina’s favor?
Lua began ordering without further hesitation.
“Then two sandwiches and a cup of milk, and…”
Before long, food was placed before Lua and Asmo-rina.
Lua began eating her sandwich with obvious delight, while Asmo-rina sipped her coffee with a somewhat uncomfortable expression.
Then she glanced at me and asked.
“So, what’s your real purpose?”
“What?”
“You must have had a reason for suddenly changing your mind. Surely you didn’t just let us sit here out of pity?”
She looked ready to flip the table over if I admitted it was pity that made me allow it.
‘No. Given how her personality has changed, she might be angry but might not actually act on it.’
I felt a temptation to test just how far her patience extended, but that would cross a line.
I suppressed the impulse and instead gently tugged at Jeina’s collar—a signal for her to come up with a plausible excuse.
My capable sister, fortunately, understood the signal.
“…Sigh. Earlier, you asked why people like us would come to a cheap tea shop like this?”
“I don’t think you put it quite that harshly…”
Lua tried to interject, but seeing Jeina’s sharp gaze, she refocused on her sandwich.
“We’re investigating the Monos Direct Territory. We’re looking into not just the residents’ lives, but also the tourists who visit. You two just happened to arrive during our investigation.”
“So you’re curious about us as travelers. But it didn’t seem like your companions were whispering about that.”
The conversation between Jeina and me had been brief. Anyone could see it was hastily improvised.
Yet Jeina lifted her head without hesitation.
“We’re the kind of companions who understand each other’s thoughts without needing to speak.”
“…”
Everyone, myself included, fell silent.

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