Yumi entered the room, mumbling as she removed her outerwear and school uniform.
“Huh, I wonder if everything will really be okay…”
Although Luke had said he was fine, she couldn’t help but worry that he was being pressured too much by his parents.
The atmosphere hadn’t felt very warm when she had glanced in earlier.
Still, they weren’t villains by any means, so it shouldn’t be a big deal. However, isn’t it a bit irresponsible to throw a guest into such an awkward atmosphere?
Once she finished changing and tidying the room, Yumi opened the door.
“Hey… Luke, I was waiting…”
– Bang –
“Oh my, really? You’ve always been interested in stone crafting?”
“Hmm, I suppose it’s a field that’s hard for most kids to find interest in…”
“Of course, I want to become a grand mage. It’s only natural to be interested in stone crafting. Modern magic techniques are inherently linked to stone crafting, making it a crucial skill.”
“Ha ha! That’s right, you’re absolutely right!”
In a completely unexpected situation, Yumi stood by the door for a moment, lost for words.
What’s with this cheerful atmosphere?
Just a few minutes ago, the vibe had seemed very awkward and unfamiliar…?
Now, it was loud and lively, with laughter blooming in the living room alongside Luke.
As she observed her parents enjoying a pleasant conversation with Luke, her mother, Yorvmuute, spotted Yumi standing there at the doorway and spoke up.
“Oh, Yumi. Why are you standing there in a daze?”
“Snap out of it and come sit next to your friend!”
Homiru bellowed out a hearty laugh.
To that, Yumi could only give a sheepish chuckle, “Ahaha…”
What in the world happened in that short amount of time?
—-
Yumi’s parents were not overly fond of Luke.
It seemed that Luke looked too different from the Yumi they knew, and they had never heard anything about her having a friend like him before.
Homiru wasn’t a fool either.
There had been circumstances in the past where Yumi frequently lost her cell phone or asked for more money than usual.
Moreover, recently, there was a feeling that Yumi was hiding something from them.
The fact that she suddenly brought someone home without any prior notice raised several red flags.
They couldn’t help but suspect that he might be the one who had been bullying her.
After all, he definitely looked like he could be someone who got along well with others at first glance.
Certainly, while his clothes and demeanor were neat, there was something about him.
Girls who pretend to be nice but go behind the scenes to do what they want create that kind of impression.
Additionally, he had a rather cute appearance, which made it seem unlikely that he excelled in his studies.
It seemed he managed to get into Tigr Academy thanks to his parents, but just getting admitted to the academy doesn’t mean everything is over, right?
Moreover, he had a name that didn’t fit him, sounding unrefined, plus there was that inscrutable smile of his, nothing about him was unnoticeable.
Therefore, even though Luke seemed unusually knowledgeable about being first in class and even though Homiru had found the conversation somewhat enjoyable, he still didn’t quite take a liking to the boy.
Isn’t it something anyone can say?
It wouldn’t be easy to change Homiru’s stubborn initial impression with just a few words.
However, he couldn’t help but respond to what Luke had said.
“Really? You actually met Yumi during the Tigr Academy festival and helped her out?”
Homiru stroked his beard, displaying a look of surprise.
This was during a conversation about how Yumi had managed to meet him in the first place.
“Yes, it’s just that Yumi is a bit cute, so it seems like there are some kids who annoy her. I gave them a good scolding so they wouldn’t bother her again.”
While he had judged that bringing up how his daughter had been seriously bullied in front of her parents was inappropriate and had downplayed the situation, the choice of the word “annoy” wasn’t too far off.
Indeed, Yumi would have felt at least some annoyance from that bullying.
Moreover, without needing to inform her parents, it was unlikely that the kid would dare to lay a hand on Yumi again.
After all, a third party was set to protect her at the academy.
However, Homiru, who found it hard to believe such words, looked suspiciously at Luke and asked,
“Hmm, did you say that yourself?”
To which Luke smiled brightly and raised his fist.
“Yes, I’m stronger than I look. I can handle a guy annoying me without any problem.”
“Huh—.”
It was hard for Homiru to understand how someone with such seemingly delicate wrists could say such a thing, and he didn’t take his suspicious gaze off Luke.
Sensing this, Luke offered,
“How about you test it out?”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean I’m surprisingly strong.”
Luke leaned on the table, preparing for an arm-wrestling position.
“Now, now, what do I look like to arm wrestle with a little girl…?”
“But you don’t believe me as it is, do you?”
Luke was aware of how suspicious the Dwarves were as a race.
They were unwavering in their beliefs, never trusting rumors and only accepting what they had seen with their own eyes as truth.
In other words, showing something once is often more important than a hundred carefully selected statements.
This element bore some similarities to that of mages.
However, because of that, they were also more straightforward.
Luke casually flexed his fingers, revealing his competitive spirit as he smiled gently.
“I never tell lies.”
In truth, adults rarely extend an honest arm-wrestling challenge just by making an offer.
But Dwarves were different.
Their pride is considerably strong.
“Hmm—. Alright!”
Sure enough, Homiru uncrossed his arms and sat down on the opposite side of the table, extending his hand.
“I guess it’s tiring to keep doubting. Let’s give it a shot.”
“Dear! This is absurd, really!”
Although his wife shouted in disbelief from the side, she also didn’t seem particularly keen on stopping him.
Well, being a Dwarf herself, she likely shared a similar perspective.
So perhaps both disliked frauds or liars in that regard.
Luke, chuckling lightly, opened his mouth.
“There’s no need to hold back. You can use your right hand.”
“What do you mean?”
“Because you’re right-handed, right?”
At that, Homiru’s eyes widened slightly as if feeling a bit embarrassed.
“How did you know that?”
“I could tell by how you crossed your arms. Right-handed people usually cross their arms with their right hand on top.”
If you observe someone closely, you can learn more than you’d expect.
Whether they are right or left-handed, where they usually feel pain, their personality traits, or their hobbies.
Even what they are thinking can often show in subtle ways.
Homiru lowered his head slightly at Luke’s words.
Indeed, he was a perceptive child.
Continuing to speak, he didn’t seem empty-headed at all…
He then chuckled lightly, speaking up.
“Ha ha, I guess I’ve had a pretty skewed view of you.”
Homiru accepted Luke’s proposition and changed his stance to use his right hand.
“Alright, let’s have a proper match. No holding back!”
“Sounds good.”
Luke smiled back at him, following the plan.
In fact, there was a reason why Luke proposed arm-wrestling.
Among the Dwarves, a handshake is a kind of oath shared only with those they trust deeply.
Though the cultural significance has faded somewhat over time, the act of shaking hands likely still carries a psychological weight that significantly enhances trust.
Moreover, they are a simple and combative race.
They open their hearts quickly to those they have fought alongside.
Though they can’t head out to the battlefield risking their lives as in the past, an arm-wrestling match might just be a similar experience.
Well, even if that wasn’t the case, it’s a fact that this could prove that his words weren’t false.
After all, there’s nothing to lose, right?
– Thud –
With that, Homiru and Luke’s hands clasped together.
—–
“Ah ha ha! You’re really strong! You weren’t lying!”
Homiru laughed heartily, nodding his head.
“Well, in the end, I did win, but you’re really strong for a girl.”
“Right?”
In truth, Luke never intended to win from the start.
He had no desire to provoke the Dwarf’s competitive spirit in any way.
They put up a little struggle, but he ultimately let himself lose.
If he genuinely lost an arm wrestling match to a girl, some people might take offense depending on how they took it, right?
There was no reason to create unnecessary trouble.
Well, with this, it should be evident enough that a normal male wouldn’t have a hard time winning against him.
“Do you train regularly?”
“Yes, the world is harsh, so I believe I should have enough strength to protect myself.”
“That’s a great mindset. With such strength, you wouldn’t be easily swayed by most men.”
“Thank you.”
Then, a moment later, Homiru cleared his throat and spoke up.
“So, about that talk we were having about being first in class.”
“Yes?”
Oh no, did he say something wrong about the topic of being first in class earlier?
If so, that could be a bit damaging.
Curiously tilting his head, Luke expressed his confusion, and Homiru made an innocent suggestion.
“Shall we talk a little more?”
“…Of course!”
Luke smiled again, thinking to himself.
‘It feels like my trust has really increased.’
