Chapter 7: Investigation (…Why Am I Being Treated Like a Suspicious Character?!)
Miller had upgraded his life motto:
"If one main character appears, stay calm."
"If two appear, be careful."
"If three appear… prepare your will."
And right now?
All three were active.
"…I'm in danger," he whispered.
The Calm Before the Next Disaster
The garden was quiet again.
Too quiet.
Miller sat on a bench, staring at nothing.
"Okay," he muttered, counting on his fingers.
"Ana—attached."
"Cloe—interested."
"Victor—suspicious."
He dropped his hand.
"…Why does this feel like a boss raid?"
Target Locked
Footsteps approached.
Miller didn't even need to turn around.
"…Victor."
"Good. You noticed."
Miller sighed.
Of course he did.
The Investigation Begins
Victor sat beside him.
Not too close.
Not too far.
Perfect distance.
Suspiciously perfect.
"…You wanted to talk," Miller said.
"Yes."
Pause.
"…So talk?"
Victor looked at him calmly.
"I'll be direct."
I don't like where this is going.
"…You should stop."
Miller blinked.
"…Stop what?"
"Whatever you're doing to her."
Excuse Me, What?!
"I'm not doing anything!" Miller said immediately.
Victor didn't react.
"…That's the problem."
"…What?"
"She's changed," Victor continued. "And the only variable… is you."
Miller stared at him.
"…You make it sound like I'm a villain."
Victor held his gaze.
"…Aren't you?"
CRITICAL HIT.
Miller's Internal Breakdown
He's not wrong.
But also—don't say it out loud?!
"…I'm trying not to be," Miller said honestly.
Victor paused.
That answer—
Was unexpected.
A Different Kind of Response
"…Explain," Victor said.
Miller leaned back.
"…You wouldn't believe me."
"Try me."
"…If I say I'm trying to prevent a bad future where everything goes wrong, including me getting locked in a room—"
Victor blinked.
"…What?"
"…See? You don't believe me."
Victor's Conclusion
"…You're strange."
"Thank you."
"But…" Victor continued, "you're not lying."
Miller froze.
"…Wait, what?"
Victor's gaze sharpened.
"I don't know what you're hiding," he said, "but your actions don't match your reputation."
Reputation Damage: 100%
"…Yeah, about that," Miller coughed. "Old me had… issues."
Victor didn't respond immediately.
Then—
"…If you hurt her, I will step in."
Miller nodded.
"…That's fair."
Unexpected Alliance(?)
A brief silence.
Then Miller asked:
"…Can I ask you something?"
"Yes."
"…Why do you care about her?"
Victor paused.
A rare pause.
"…I don't know," he admitted.
"That's not very main character of you."
"…Main character?"
"Nothing."
Victor's Confusion Grows
He speaks strangely.
Acts differently.
But…
Victor glanced toward the mansion.
Where Ana was.
"…She chose him."
That fact—
Didn't sit right.
Meanwhile… The Observer
From a distance—
Ana watched.
Again.
Always watching.
Her gaze was fixed on one thing:
Miller.
Talking.
With Victor.
Emotion Rising
Her fingers tightened slightly.
"…They're talking for a long time."
A servant nearby flinched.
"…Miss?"
Ana didn't look away.
"…He said he would stay by my side."
Her voice was still soft.
Still calm.
But—
Something underneath was shifting.
Back to the Bench
Victor stood up.
"This conversation isn't over."
Miller sighed.
"…I figured."
Victor looked down at him.
"…I'll be watching you."
"…That makes two of you."
Victor frowned slightly.
"…Two?"
"…Never mind."
Exit: Suspicious Male Lead
Victor left.
Miller leaned back.
"…I survived again."
Pause.
"…Barely."
Immediate Danger Appears
"Who were you talking about?"
Miller froze.
OH NO.
He turned slowly.
"…Ana."
She stood there.
Quiet.
Close.
Too close.
Interrogation Mode: Gentle Version
"…You've been spending a lot of time with him," she said.
Miller raised his hands slightly.
"It's not like that."
"…Then what is it like?"
WHY DOES THIS SOUND LIKE A RELATIONSHIP ARGUMENT.
Careful Answer Required
"He approached me," Miller said. "I didn't seek him out."
Ana stared at him.
"…And?"
"And I just answered his questions."
"…You didn't enjoy it?"
THIS IS A TRAP. THIS IS A VERY OBVIOUS TRAP.
"…No," Miller said firmly.
Direct Effect
Ana's expression softened.
Just slightly.
"…I see."
Closer Than Before
She stepped forward.
Closing the distance completely.
"…Then don't talk to him too much."
Miller blinked.
"…Okay."
SURVIVAL FIRST.
But…
Ana looked at him.
"…You agreed very quickly."
"…Should I not have?"
"…No."
Pause.
"…It's good."
Miller's Brain: Not Processing
Why does agreeing feel like I signed something irreversible again.
Symbolic Reminder
Ana's gaze dropped to his wrist.
The watch.
"…You're wearing it."
"Of course," Miller said. "I said I would."
"…Good."
Her fingers lightly touched it.
Brief.
But intentional.
Narration (Control, Piece by Piece)
Not force.
Not commands.
Just small requests.
Small agreements.
Small confirmations.
And slowly—
Miller's world began to narrow.
Not visibly.
Not suddenly.
But undeniably.
Final Scene: Three Perspectives
Miller (confused):
"I think I'm doing everything right…"
Ana (quietly):
"He listens to me."
Victor (watching from afar):
"…This isn't normal."