The Author's POV

"W-what?"

Unknowingly Sophia's face started to become bright red.

"Hm? Are you okay?"

Noticing her slight change in demeanor, I tilted my head to the side.

There was something about her behavior.

It didn't seem like I was the only one who noticed this as Leopold worriedly placed his hand on Sophia's forehead.

"Sophia dear, are you okay?"

"S..stop."

Smacking Leopold's hand away, Sophia stuttered as she looked at me.

"It can't be...it..."

'Hold on…'

Meeting her gaze, I suddenly had a strange thought inside of my mind.

'That can't be...'

I quickly shook my head, trying to deny such a thought.

It just couldn't be…or rather, I wanted to not believe in the thought.

It was then that Sophia once again spoke up.

"Y..you're Ren Dover, right?"

As she spoke up, I managed to pick up a slight tremble in her voice.

Letting out a small sigh, I nodded my head.

'It looks like my hunch was right.'

"Yes, I am indeed him."

"Oh my god!"

Sophia's face instantly brightened up. Her face quickly snapped in Leopold's direction.

"Dad! Why didn't you tell me that he was your boss!"

"Huh?!"

Turning his head, Leopold looked at me with a look that said 'what is she on about?'

I shrugged my shoulders in response.

Although I already had an idea, I really wanted to deny it.

It was right then that Sophia suddenly lunged in my direction and grabbed both of my hands and said.

"I'm a huge fan!"

"What!?"

Finally, Leopold was able to understand what was happening. Turning his head, he looked at me with a betrayed and hurt look. His face then proceeded to contort.

'How is this my fault?"

I wanted to rebuke; however, before I even had the chance to do so, Sophia had already started speaking.

"I've watched and replayed all of your matches back at the conference, especially when you beat up that orc and that pretty boy."

A word suddenly caught my interest.

Raising my brow, I asked.

"Pretty boy?"

"Yes, yes, that Kevin guy. Although he looks pretty, he clearly was no match for you. All my friends say he's handsome, but honestly, you are way better looking. Oh, and the way you forfeited was so cool!"

For a split moment, I wanted to let her continue.

Just the fact that she was praising me over Kevin made me like her instantly.

However, knowing just how wrong the situation was, I quickly freed my hands and looked at Leopold. My hope was that he would try and stop his daughter, but...his response wasn't really what I had expected.

With his arms crossed, and with his head lowered, he nodded his head.

"…I have to agree with my daughter. You were pretty cool back there."

"Oy."

Now it was my face's turn to contort.

"What in the world is he doing? This should be the bit where you are supposed to deny!"

Leopold shook his head.

"Boss, I'm an honest man."

"Haaa…"

react, I

attention of the other people present, as I was quickly surrounded by all the idol

my god! I

"Kyyaaaa!"

"It's him!"

"I…."

the girls, I didn't know how to react as I looked in Amanda's direction in the hope of some help,

enjoying this

face seemed to say. Or at least what I assumed it

since she was currently wearing

it to her before because she simply attracted way

also why during the time the camera was pointed in our direction, no one took

she not been wearing her mask, I could've guaranteed that all attention would've been drawn to her, instead of Nola.

move because had it not been for the mask, she would've never

"Mr. Dover, Mr. Dover."

"Wow."

out of my

"Sorry."

Quickly apologizing, Sophia coughed.

reports that you were single and that

slightly, she glanced in Nola's

woman over there said that she was your daughter, but doesn't she look a little bit too old

fact that Nola is our daughter is a

finish her sentence. The moment I said those words, Sophia's face quickly brightened

"However..."

I quickly followed up by pointing

is my girlfriend

"Hiip!"

those words, I suddenly heard a

face Amanda was making. However, this was something I had to

pettiness, but because I didn't want Leopold's daughter to

using Amanda as

"Oh."

Sophia turned

her head to the side, she smiled

"Is that true?"

eyes met

and seemingly understanding each other, Amanda simply took off her mask revealing her features in front of

"Waaah! So beautiful!"

"Oh my god."

know her! She was also in the

girls from Kimbol apart from Sophia looked

gathered around her and tried to strike up a conversation

get rid of all the attention away from me, on a bad note, it seemed that Sophia had still not given up on me as

your girlfriend?" She asked

"Well, sort of."

I nodded my head.

"Sort of?"

dating not too long ago. Our relationship is quite

exactly what she was going to try

it to me, prove to me that you two are in a relationship.' And then we would

no

because I disliked

the idea that Amanda liked me became more

even if that was true, I still was unsure about my

incredibly beautiful, kind, and more than anything else a calming person to stay with, but I

that my

I needed more time

"Hmmm…"

eyes, Sophia looked at me with a skeptical look on her face. She was still unconvinced

stood up from my seat and looked

is getting sleepy. Guess it's time for us to go back. You stay and

get out of here before things became

"Sure."

Leopold nodded his head.

could turn around to the others,

"Ren, wait up."

is it?"

"Well…"

Leopold scratched the side of his cheek

cigarettes

"Nope."

before he could

going to give him his

think about spending time with

my face again, I grabbed Amanda's wrist and dragged her out

I made sure to say goodbye to

really enjoyed your performance…oh, and keep our

Clank—!

could even reply, I quickly closed

"Haaa…"

the mess, I let out a

Amanda, I bitterly

even more tiring than

"…"

met with

"Amanda?"

at Amanda and looking at her line of sight, I realized where

"Sorry." I quickly apologized.

"No, it's okay."

had her arms wrapped