How to Steal the Protagonist's Women

Just like last week, Sonya gestured for me to come over from a spot slightly away from the school.

Where Sonya was calling me, a carriage was waiting.

A four-seater carriage, painted black with gold trim, stood there.

Even from a distance, Sonya was wearing a dress so beautiful it seemed to shimmer.

If the dress she wore last time was both practical and dignified, this one was purely extravagant, with no regard for comfort whatsoever.

As soon as I arrived, Sonya glanced me over, closed her eyes, shook her head, and said.

"This won't do. Let's go buy some clothes first."

"...Is it that bad?"

"I was going to buy you some last time, but you distracted me, so I couldn't."

"Huh? Wasn't it the other way around?"

"Oh my! Hehe..."

After boarding the carriage, we exchanged jokes and arrived at a place with a magnificent building.

A three-story stone structure, the entire building was dedicated to a clothing store.

It was the kind of place I never thought I'd have any connection to in my life.

From Sonya's actions, it was clear she was planning to give me another gift.

'This place looks really expensive.'

[Given that Sonya Friedrich is quite wealthy, I don't think you need to worry too much.]

Being a part-time professor probably doesn't pay that well.

Unless, of course, it's at the Stura Magic School.

Just being affiliated with that school brings immense prestige.

Surely, the salary isn't small, and on top of that, her husband is already a wealthy merchant.

She probably never felt any financial lack.

Sonya naturally entered the store and tapped my shoulder, saying.

"Alright, let's head to the third floor."

"Um... Professor, isn't this place a bit too much...?"

"Ugh!"

"Ouch!"

Suddenly, Sonya grabbed my nose and started twisting it.

There was no real force behind her fingers, but the numbness was unavoidable.

After twisting my nose around, she let go and gently cupped it, saying.

"When you're a student, just act like one. Being a bit immature is part of your charm. Got it?"

"Ugh... Yes."

Sonya gently touched my nose, then grabbed my arm and dragged me to the third floor.

Clothes far more extravagant than those on the lower floors were neatly displayed.

After agonizing for dozens of minutes and dressing me up in dozens of outfits like a Barbie doll, she finally settled on one.

A white shirt with a musical score-like pattern, a white neck scarf, and a brown silk coat.

The coat, reminiscent of an unbuttoned tuxedo, was so flashy it immediately drew everyone's attention.

It really didn't suit me.

"Since we have a lunch appointment today, I'll just buy you one set for now. We'll come back later."@@novelbin@@

"Um..."

I tried to act like it was no big deal, but Sonya crossed her arms and glared at me with a forced stern expression.

"Hmph!?"

"Yes..."

It wasn't threatening at all.

Just cute.

After buying my clothes, Sonya took me to the next location.

This time, it was a hair salon.

'...I think I'm already exhausted.'

[Since you're meeting someone, she probably wants you to look presentable.]

It felt a bit excessive just for meeting a student.

For the first time in my life, I got a full-blown hairstyle.

I usually just went to the local salon for a quick cut and the right part...

As I sat there, listlessly staring at the mirror, I saw Sonya gazing at me from behind.

"...From now on, come to school with this hairstyle."

"Does it suit me?"

"It's perfect."

Even though it would probably revert to normal after a day, I didn't say anything.

Sonya observed my hairstyle with a satisfied expression.

After leaving the salon, we finally headed to the meeting place.

"Don't feel too pressured. My husband has always admired Stura. He'll probably like you."

"...Will it be okay?"

"Hehe, don't worry. If I sensed anything off, I wouldn't have let you meet him in the first place."

I trusted Sonya, but I couldn't help feeling anxious.

If caught, I could face social annihilation.

And the mission to woo Luna would fail.

Not even a month into the mission, and ten million Enels would vanish into thin air.

Finally, we arrived at the meeting place.

It was on a completely different level from the restaurant Sonya had taken me to last time.

If that place was moderately upscale, this was a high-end restaurant.

The building, reminiscent of a small palace, was so lavish that you'd think you'd have to pay just to look at it.

This was definitely not a place to show up in the same clothes as before.

'Ugh, I feel so out of place.'

[Since you're not from this world, it's not a big deal. This place is just a mission location, nothing more, nothing less.]

'Not from this world? I'm not a ghost or anything...'

Suddenly, I'm being treated like a wandering spirit.

As soon as Sonya and I arrived at the iron gate of the building, a man who appeared to be the manager, around his 40s, and two men in their 30s on either side walked over gracefully.

The manager bowed to Sonya and welcomed her in a low voice.

"Thank you for visiting, Madam Sonya Friedrich."

"Thank you for welcoming us. Please guide us."

"Of course. This way, please."

As soon as the manager turned around, the two men on either side moved behind us and began following us like servants.

We walked through a long corridor towards the entrance.

The corridor, lined with plaster pillars on both sides, was further enhanced by a red carpet, giving a sense of grand hospitality.

Finally arriving at the building, a white main gate greeted us.

The large white gate was carved with several peacocks in flight.

The outward-opening gate made it seem like the peacocks were vividly flying away.

Upon entering the building, instead of the dining area, a waiting room with a green carpet appeared.

The inside, which I expected to be quiet, was filled with loud noises as soon as the door opened.

A young man who seemed to be a guide hurriedly approached the manager and whispered something.

The manager frowned slightly, then whispered back to the man.

He turned to us and apologized.

"I apologize for the commotion. We'll guide you right away."

"It's alright."

As I followed, I turned my head to see the cause of the disturbance.

"...Huh?"

"Hm? What's wrong?"

Sonya asked me.

In my sight...

There were two men and women in extravagant attire.

Louis and Luna.

***

This place, adorned with a clever combination of gold and red, was a private room.

In a space that seemed to be around 200 pyeong (660 square meters), only five people were seated.

A rectangular dining table with a spotless white tablecloth was set, and five people were seated around it.

At the head of the table sat a dignified and handsome man in his 40s.

To the left of the head seat were Sonya and I, and to the right were Louis and Luna.

How did we end up sitting together like this, facing each other?

The day before, Luna couldn't readily answer my proposal because of her appointment with Louis.

She thought it was just a simple outing for a meal.

Louis had brought Luna here, and having a meal wasn't a problem.

The problem was that the private room Louis wanted was already fully booked.

He had insisted on getting a private room on the same day, despite it being reservation-only.

Probably because he was on a date with Luna after a long time, he did something he wouldn't normally do.

And then, when I caught sight of them, somehow we ended up sitting across from each other.

Sonya's husband was actually pleased to meet her students, and Louis and Luna caught off guard, ended up agreeing.

Louis had been fidgeting nervously since earlier.

'That guy and I are both on pins and needles. If we get caught, we're both dead.'

[I was more surprised than I expected. Sonya Fiedrich's husband is older than I thought.]

As Armonia said.

Sonya was only in her late 20s, but her husband looked to be in his early 40s.

People might think it's an odd couple, but seeing her husband in person would change their minds.

Sonya's husband had brown hair and a dignified appearance.

His attire was sophisticated, without any unnecessary flair.

For a merchant, his appearance was incredibly stylish.

'Wow, I really want to be like that when I grow older.'

He exuded an air of grace.

Breaking the silence, her husband looked at me and spoke first.

"Thank you for accepting the invitation today."

"No, thank you for inviting me to such a place."

He then spoke to Luna and Louis in a calm voice.

"And thank you both for accepting the invitation as well."

"No, thank you for inviting us to such a place."

"..."

Luna, sitting across from me, fidgeted and didn't respond.

Seeing this, Louis nudged her.

"Luna?"

"Huh? What?"

Flustered, Luna looked at Louis, who gave her a knowing look.

Sonya's husband smiled politely and said to Luna.

"Thank you for accepting the invitation."

"No, thank you for inviting us to such a place."

Luna quickly straightened her posture and spoke in a refined voice.

After exchanging greetings, the private room's door opened cautiously, and five waiters entered in a line.

Each carried a silver tray in their left hand and a towel over their right arm.

They placed the appetizers and stood behind their respective guests, waiting.

Throughout the meal, the conversation flowed actively.

Most of the conversation was led by Sonya's husband.

'...He's really a good person, isn't he?'

[Would you like to see his traits?]

'Yes, show me.'

=====

[Name: Karl Fiedrich]

[-Traits-]

[Business Acumen], [Perfect Pitch], [Intermediary], [Persuasion], [Violin Performance...]

=====

Karl Fiedrich.

Sonya's husband was a merchant who sold musical instruments.

Originally a violinist, he took over his father's musical instrument business and now manufactures and sells various instruments.

It was a well-known company, even to Louis and Luna.

They said that even the royal palace of Levin, their country, would come to place custom orders.

'Wow, he must be making a lot of money.'

[Given that he lives in such a mansion within Stura, he must have amassed considerable wealth.]

Sonya's house definitely didn't feel like an ordinary mansion.

Moreover, being able to use a private room in a palace-like restaurant like this meant it wasn't just about money.

Come to think of it, Louis must have a lot of money too, given that he could come to a place like this.

'Here, I'm the only one who's broke.'

[You have enels. Enels are far more valuable than mere metal scraps.]

'...But I don't have much of that either.'

[...]

This is when you're supposed to argue back!

Louis, after glancing at Sonya, naturally joined the conversation at some point.

Sonya, not wanting to make things awkward, also conversed with Louis as if nothing had happened.

The only one who remained quiet was Luna.

She wasn't much of a talker to begin with, but today she was especially quiet.

She didn't seem interested in joining the conversation.

She just kept avoiding my gaze.

Sonya looked at Luna and Louis and said.

"By the way, are you two out on a date today?"

"Yes."

"Yes."

Even outside of school, the two answered with such decorum.

So different from me.

Sonya turned to me and said.

"You're out on leave today, right?"

"...Yes?"

Why ask when you already know?

Sonya glanced at Luna and smiled.

"Then... how about staying at our place tonight?"

With those words, I could feel a crack forming on Luna's face.

***

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