Chapter 848: A Favor Owed, A Headache Earned ( 848 )

Javier let out a long, exaggerated sigh.

"Ugh! I hate this. That subtle way you keep acting all shy and mysterious... just spit it out already. Stop fidgeting, it doesn’t suit you."

Kliatana glared at him, cheeks puffed, arms crossed again in protest.

"Hmph!"

"Alright, alright..." Javier waved lazily. "You said it’s my brother... but which one?"

Kliatana looked away, face red. "The calm and silent one... I don’t know his name."

"Oh?" Javier raised a brow. "You mean Heres?"

Her eyes lit up like fireworks. "His name is Heres?"

"Yeah. That’s him. So? You like him?" Javier crossed his arms, smirking. "Just go confess. Walk up, face him with courage, and say you love him."

Kliatana flinched, her mouth open in shock.

Then.

Her hand flew up and grabbed Javier’s hair.

"Oi! Let go!!" he yelped, stumbling forward. "You’re pulling my hair out! I’ll go bald in the middle, you crazy girl!!"

She finally released him with a huff.

Javier rubbed the sore spot furiously. "If i lost a few strands of my beautiful, shining hair, You’ll pay for this...!!"

Kliatana ignored his drama and crossed her legs as she sat back down on the fountain.

"I don’t want to be like a well seeking a bucket," she muttered, looking annoyed.

"Heeeh~?" Javier leaned just out of reach, a teasing grin spreading. "You? Saying that? Of all girls?"

She reached for his hair again.

Javier instantly stepped back, laughing. "Nope! Not this time, Bratty! Keep those claws away from my scalp!"

Kliatana turned to face him, still seated on the fountain, her eyes sharp.

"You’re going to help me."

"Huh?" Javier blinked. "No way. I’m not some cupid flying around with little wings and a diaper, shooting heart-shaped arrows." He flapped his arms and mimicked flying with a dramatic pout. "Pew pew~ love arrow~ fall in love now~ bleh."

"You owe me your life!" she snapped, jabbing a finger at him.

Javier stuck his pinky in his ear, looked around, then casually flicked whatever imaginary dust he found. "Still not my damn job. Just confess to him directly. Done."

Kliatana puffed her cheeks. "Ugh! I’m asking you because you’re a genius, right?!"

"Yeah, yeah," Javier muttered, rolling his shoulders. "A genius in crafting, magic, and making money, not in setting up love affairs for bratty tomboys!"

But before he could dodge, her hand reached up and yanked his ear.

"Eeekkk!!"

"Just do something!" she shouted. "Arrange something subtle! Make it natural! If you can do that, I’ll consider your debt repaid!"

"Ugh!!" Javier groaned, rubbing his ear furiously. "I hate this bratty, rowdy girl! First you twist my gut, now my ear. What’s next? You gonna take my eyebrows too?!"

Kliatana just crossed her arms again and huffed.

That’s when a warm, gentle voice chimed in.

"Young master~"

Javier turned, flinched.

Liana was standing there, hands folded in front of her, smiling sweetly. Her eyes sparkled with a dangerous sparkle.

"We shouldn’t let a poor girl struggle all by herself... right?" she said softly, her tone innocent, but her meaning clear.

Javier blinked.

"Oi... that tone. That smile. You’re hinting something, aren’t you?"

Liana tilted her head, her smile not fading.

"She’s your friend, isn’t she?"

Kliatana’s eyes lit up. "Yes! I’m his friend!"

Javier groaned.

"Ugh... don’t just butt in when I’m about to escape..."

Liana stepped closer, her voice was cheerful.

"You always say friends should help each other. Especially when it’s a matter of the heart~"

Javier clicked his tongue and crossed his arms. "Fine, fine. But I’m telling you now. Heres is impossible to read. You know that. He’s like a rock."

Liana nodded softly.

"Yes. But maybe he just hasn’t met someone who can reach him yet."

Javier sighed again.

"I still think this is a terrible idea... but whatever."

He stretched his arms lazily.

"I’ll see what I can do. For now, I’ll think of a way to help you."

He glanced at Kliatana.

"But let’s be clear. I’m not helping because you asked."

He jerked a thumb toward Liana.

"I’m helping because she asked."

Kliatana smirked and flipped her hair, sitting up straighter like she’d just won a silent battle.

"I don’t care. Just let me know when you figure something out."

Javier yawned, dug a pinky into his ear.

"Simple. I’ll just walk up to Heres and say, ’Hey, that brat likes you.’ Done. End of Chapter."

Liana had already clamped her fingers onto his side, her sweet smile glowing.

"Gaaah!!!"

Then Kliatana joined in, grabbing his ear sharply.

"Don’t make it sound like I’m desperate!!" she snapped.

Javier grinned through the pain, flinching.

"But you do look desperate. OW, OW, OW!!"

Liana, still smiling sweetly, kept her pinch perfectly in place.

"Young master~ using that kind of blunt approach won’t work. You should create a situation where Heres can naturally open up... a subtle plan that gives her a real chance."

Javier glanced sideways with a sly grin, still wincing from the pain.

"I don’t know how~" he said, his voice playful as he shot a teasing look at Kliatana.

Kliatana glared right back, her cheeks puffing slightly in irritation, while Liana’s smile faded into a serious stare.

Javier winced again, squirming under their combined grip.

"Eeekkk!!! Fine, fine! I get it! Let go already!"

Kliatana finally released him with an exaggerated sigh, brushing her hands as though she’d just touched something unpleasant.

"Just don’t make me look pathetic, alright? I’m still a proper girl."

"Proper?" Javier muttered under his breath. "More like tomboy, feisty, loud, wild~"

Pinch.

"Again?!"

Liana leaned in, eyes calm yet warning.

"Young master~ words like that aren’t kind to say to a lady."

Javier groaned dramatically.

"Okay, okay! You win! I’ll come up with something subtle, elegant, romantic. Full of rainbows and butterflies!"

He threw his hands into the air and puffed his cheeks, fluttering around with exaggerated grace.

"Ohhh~ Heres~ notice her feelings~" he cooed in an overly sweet tone, twirling once before pretending to float.

Then, grabbing an imaginary bow, he drew it back with grand flair, lips pursed into a ridiculous kissy face.

"Fly, my arrow of love! Pierce the heart of that stoic rock and make him fall hopelessly for this rough, bratty tomboy!"

Kliatana threw a pebble at him.

"Ops! Hey! You want help or not?!" Javier ducked, laughing.

Kliatana huffed, arms crossed, glaring murderously.

Liana just giggled softly.

"I’m looking forward to seeing what you come up with, young master~"

( End Of Chapter )