Markil stared at the gray-haired man with a stiff, awkward smile.
The man burst into laughter.
"Oo yeah… I haven't even told you my name yet."
He placed a hand on his chest dramatically.
"Maren Walberd."
Who is this creepy guy…? Markil thought, eyeing him up and down. And why does his aura feel so strange?
"I'm Markil," he said cautiously. "Nice to meet you."
Maren's lips curved into a mischievous grin.
"So, Markil… come with me. Let's have some fun with the girls."
Markil's face turned bright red.
"S-Sorry, but no!"
Maren stopped walking.
His playful expression vanished for a second.
This person… Maren thought, studying Markil. I don't know why, but he feels new here. New to this world.
He turned back slowly, eyes sharp. The air around him grew heavy.
"So," Maren said in a low voice, "are you new here?"
Markil flinched.
That stare felt dangerous.
"Y-Yes, sir," he blurted out. "I'm sorry!"
The tension vanished as suddenly as it appeared.
Maren smiled again. "Relax. Then how about I teach you how to impress girls—unless you're not that kind of man?"
Markil's eyes widened.
"N-No, I don't want to—"
Maren suddenly grabbed his wrist and dragged him forward.
"I don't let my students down."
"I'M NOT YOUR STUDENT!" Markil protested, stumbling.
Who is this mental man?!
They were pulled into another room. Several girls turned toward them instantly.
"Ooo, both hotties~" one of them giggled.
Markil turned red from head to toe.
Maren only smiled confidently.
Markil yanked his hand free and bolted.
"Nope!"
They rushed out of the strip club, the door slamming behind them.
Maren bent over slightly, catching his breath.
"Oo god… you run fast…"
Markil turned back and pointed at him.
"Hey, pervert man!"
Maren straightened up, smiling.
"You're quite fast."
This guy is really funny, Maren thought.
Markil crossed his arms. "Look, I came because I sensed your aura. I was curious who could have something like that."
Maren's eyes lit up.
"Oo, so that's it! I thought you came because you wanted me to be your teacher."
He grinned. "And I was ready to teach you how to impress girls."
Markil made a horrified face.
"What?!"
Maren laughed loudly.
"Your face right now—priceless."
"Hey! Why are you laughing so much?!" Markil snapped.
Maren wiped a tear from his eye.
"Okay, okay. By the way… I'm 29."
Markil froze.
"…WHAT?!"
Everyone nearby turned to stare at them.
Maren shifted awkwardly.
"Look, you're getting attention. Let's move somewhere else."
As they walked, girls kept glancing back at Maren—and at Markil.
Maren waved casually.
"Hello, ladies."
Markil shot him a death stare.
"Watch closely," Maren whispered. "This is how you impress girls."
He stepped toward a group of girls.
"Hey… do you have a heart?"
One of them blushed. "Y-Yes… everyone does?"
Maren smirked.
"Then why are you stealing mine?"
Markil's mouth fell open.
His flirting skills suck, he thought.
The girl suddenly laughed.
"Hey… I love you!"
Maren turned proudly to Markil.
"See? That's how you do it. Now you try."
Then he turned back to the girl.
"Sorry, lady. I was just teaching my student. Would you like to try again?"
The girl's face darkened.
"You pervert!"
Markil grabbed Maren's arm.
"RUN!"
They sprinted away.
They finally stopped in front of a food stall. The smell of grilled meat filled the air.
Markil stared at the dishes.
Maren leaned on his knees, breathing heavily.
"Oo god… you suddenly—"
He noticed Markil's gaze.
So… he's hungry.
"Hey," Maren said gently. "Are you hungry?"
"N-No," Markil said quickly.
His stomach growled loudly.
Maren raised an eyebrow.
"Some sounds are coming from you."
"It's nothing!"
"…Okay, fine," Markil admitted. "I'm hungry. But I don't have money."
Maren smiled softly.
"Oo… then how about a deal?"
Markil blinked. "What kind of deal?"
"I'll teach you how to impress girls," Maren said, grinning. "And I'll give you food and shelter."
Markil stared at him.
"What? That's your loss! You're teaching me and giving me food and a place to stay. I don't even want your weird lessons!"
Maren shrugged.
"I don't care. I want to teach you."
He pointed at their hair.
"From today on, you're my student. We both have white hair—well, mine is gray, but close enough."
Markil made a weird face.
Maren burst out laughing again.
"Look at you! You're really funny. I want you as my student."
Markil sighed deeply.
I walked into a strip club… and somehow ended up with a crazy teacher.
(Chapter 40 Finished)