Plin Ch 2.16

He was a man who was generally unpredictable, but who would have thought that every time they met, he would make Plin’s hair stand on end without fail.

“Let’s have a contract relationship for just three months.”

This was what he heard as soon as he delivered the morning drink to the executive director. Plin was so taken aback that he almost dropped his precious basket. With wide eyes, he carefully placed the basket safely on the floor.

“The pressure from my family to have an arranged marriage is too severe. It’s the duty of a noble family’s heir.”

Hugo stood in front of the large window, looking out with a forlorn expression. His hands were thrust into his pants pockets, and his slanted figure cast a long shadow behind him.

“My father is on his sickbed, and he’s not getting any better. He wants to see his child marry into a respectable family before he closes his eyes, but I’ve run out of excuses.”

After finishing his leisurely enjoyment of the outside view, he turned around. He took a few steps closer and sat on the desk, casting a glance at the frozen Plin. He seemed to be asking for his opinion. Plin had a lot he wanted to say since a while ago. He took a deep breath first.

“With me? A contract, relationship? Why me? I’m a man, and a fox, so different from a dragon.”

“You don’t have to worry about being harmed by my family because of the difference in our status. It’s the ‘first’ time I’m bringing someone home. They’ll probably welcome anyone, whether it’s a commoner, a man, or a fox.”

He emphasized the word ‘first’.

Interspecies relationships weren’t taboo, but they were rare. It was because their habits and cultures were very different, rather than their appearance. The curious fox tribe had a somewhat higher rate of interspecies relationships, but even they usually associated with similar species, such as cats or canids like wolves. Interspecies relationships were said to be fraught with trouble even when dating someone from a closely related genus.

“Still…”

“I told you I like you. You made quite a first impression too.”

He recalled Plin’s first impression. The unforgettable, intense impression of him in the stairwell, touching himself inside his pants and sucking on his wet fingers. As he was choosing his words, Plin’s neck turned red.

“Executive Director, I…”

“I’m not doing this because you’re a white fox. I’m not a child, I don’t have any fantasies about white foxes anymore.”

He stated it as a fact, but it was hard to take his words at face value since he had already crossed several irreversible rivers.

He cleared his throat.

“…I’m in love with you. I want to get to know you. Since I’m going to introduce you to my father as someone I love, I want to show him the person I’m in love with.”

Hugo covered his face with his hands, as if embarrassed by his own words. His face was completely hidden under his large hands. At that moment, he looked like a sixteen-year-old boy trying to calm his flushed face in front of a confession.

“I understand your situation, Executive Director…”

“You have a lot of debt, don’t you? Should I pay it off for you?”

When he was with him, there were thunder and lightning in the sky. This time, it was a bolt from the blue. He casually dropped a bombshell on Plin, yet he was so brazen. Plin sighed and shook his head.

“…..”

“Why? You’re tempted, but you don’t like it?”

“Why do you keep using money, to… I can pay it off if I work hard.”

“I don’t have any intention of paying it all off either. You’re good at running away, so why would I trust you?”

“It’s just, I don’t have the time to be in a relationship with anyone right now.”

Plin hurriedly made an indirect statement. It was the most traditional and considerate, yet firm, way of expressing a refusal. Plin clasped his hands together. He wanted to appear earnest. He also politely lowered his ears.

“Time?”

Hugo asked back as if he couldn’t relate the words ‘time’ and ‘don’t have’.

“Yes. Emotionally, and…”

“I’ll make time for you. Ah, I’m surprised that I’ve never met someone who doesn’t have time.”

Hugo smiled innocently, like a model in a beer commercial.

“But I can refuse, so why do I feel like I’m being pressured?”

“…..”

The executive director’s emerald eyes instantly narrowed and turned yellow. He momentarily lost his words, his narrow pupils flashing. He opened and closed his mouth as if he were trying to say something, then not, then say it again, looking like he was in shock.

“W-Why? Did I say something wrong?”

“Do you believe in some strange religion?”

The executive director retorted in a firm tone. His facial expression didn’t change, and he didn’t even blink, only moving his lips, which was bizarre.

“N-No, I don’t.”

Soon, a barrage of questions poured out as if he were attending a hearing.

“Do you like money?”

“Yes…”

“What’s your eyesight?”

“20/20 in both eyes.”

Even though he was intimidated, the fox answered sincerely. He felt like his head would be struck by lightning if he didn’t answer properly.

“What’s your IQ?”

“In the triple digits.”

“Sorry to pry, but I have one last question.”

Hugo took a couple of deep breaths and then asked the last question resolutely. There was a slight tremor in his voice.

“Do you… dislike introverts?”

“Not particularly…”

He let out a short breath that he had been holding. It was a sigh of relief. He relaxed his hardened expression, smiled an uncharacteristic smile, and then got up from the desk. He approached and took Plin’s hand.

“You were just surprised because it was so sudden, right? If you think about it carefully—”

“Executive Director. Of course, you’re handsome and rich, but…”

As soon as Plin tried to express his intention to refuse again using a cushioning phrase, he closed his eyes tightly and said as if chewing the words.

“I’ll find Andrea for you.”

“W-What?”

He let go of Plin’s hand as if brushing it off, and turned around.

“I did some research to confirm his identity. I’ll find him for you, is that it?”

“…..”

In fact, Plin had already found Andrea. It was just that his safety was in Ethan’s hands. Plin couldn’t find the words for a while. He didn’t know how to make sure Andrea would be safe, whether getting Hugo’s help would be more helpful, or if it would make things worse by upsetting Ethan. Everything was confusing.

“Why are you acting like this because of Andrea? Is he your ex-boyfriend or something?”

He rolled his tongue in his cheek. His gaze was as fierce as ever. It was the look of someone who had his eye on his prey.

“…He’s my lost younger brother.”

“Ah. Really…? A snake, I heard?”

“I found him on the street. So he’s my younger brother.”

Plin answered firmly without hesitation.

“Ah, right, of course. If you found him, even if you’re not blood-related, you’re still siblings. Even Ethan and I are brothers, and if you found him on the street, that’s a very deep connection. It would be a serious case of incest if you two were dating.”

Hugo, who had somehow become happy, babbled on, and the fox picked up the basket he had put down.

“I’ll think about your offer.”

“See you at the evening delivery. Give me your answer then.”

“That’s too soon.”

“I’m not used to waiting long. It’s not like I’m just going to find Andrea and that’s it.”

“…Then I’ll see you later.”

The fox, with a complicated mind, left the office. Thibeau, who had been secretly listening to <Hugo’s courtship 2> from outside, entered the office naturally when the door opened. He glanced at the fox’s not-so-bright face and was momentarily puzzled.

“A successor who is weary of the pressure of an arranged marriage proposes a contract relationship, it was quite plausible.”

“It’s true that Father is sick.”

“It’s also true that you’ll be welcomed whomever you bring, Master.”

Whoever loved Hugo, the family would welcome them with open arms. It was an internal rule to not actively discourage any romantic relationship, as long as they were happy. Doing so would only cause guilt and resentment.

“Right. 90 percent of it is true.”

“What are you going to do after three months?”

“The fox will be begging me, please don’t abandon me. Then I’ll just go along with it.”

The fox seemed to be half won over, but Hugo’s expression wasn’t entirely bright.

To him, the ‘Andrea’ card was the last resort. He had other options as compensation for the contract relationship, starting with ‘debt relief’, ‘a mansion in the center of Middle Forest’, ‘establishing a Love Love Drink cafe on the first floor of The Scope building’, and ‘promoting the Love Love Drink patent’, but he instinctively knew during the conversation. That level wouldn’t be enough to persuade the fox. It was fortunate that Andrea was Plin’s brother.

“By all means, be careful. I can’t object because I can’t think of any other way, but I don’t know what kind of deal Mr. Plin made with Sir Ethan.”

It was a valid point. However, if he were to carry out Ethan’s instructions, it would be more advantageous for him to be his lover, so he couldn’t understand why he refused.

Unless he was feeling guilty about getting closer because he was in love with him? Hugo tapped the desk with his fingertips and fell into thought.

“I have a question.”

“Yes, Master.”

“Am I that handsome?”

“…Yes. You are very handsome.”

Thibeau answered, forcing his mouth to open.

“I know, right? I know too, but I guess I got used to it because I see it in the mirror every day. It feels new for no reason.”

Hugo murmured, “When you get used to it, you tend to become complacent,” with a handsome face.

In his mind, the fox’s lips, which had babbled, ‘Executive Director. Of course, you’re handsome and rich, but,’ and his voice remained as lingering images, floating around.

***