Scorn. It's a feeling that I'm very much aware of. And I don't just mean by feeling it myself. Though I would admit to directing my scorn at someone that very much deserves it, it's a recent development when you look at my life.

No, I'm aware of scorn because I've been the target of it since I was a child.

People hate those who are different. Especially in modern Japan, the nail that sticks out gets hammered down. Otakus and other weirdos are only really apparent in certain ages. At some point, society itself deems them too much, and they're forced to adapt.

That's how you usually get a lot of out-there light novels, manga and anime. Thirty-something year olds wishing to relive their glory days of being an edgy chuunibyou. Sad, but ultimately, it's their choice, and I could respect that.

Not that I'd want to be anywhere near someone like Zaimokuza for any extended period of time, but respect is still respect.

But what if what was wrong with you was something you couldn't change? A physical deformity that was so inherent, so ingrained in your family genes, that trying to hide it only brought more attention to it?

For some, that would be being too tall. Japanese culture and having tall genes got along like water and oil. With my home's strict adherence to conformation, being literally tall enough to see above everyone in your class could be a daunting prospect.

Thankfully, I was just average height. Not that it spared me any of the taunts that came my way.

After all, I still had my fish eyes. Eyes that I knew unnerved a lot of people during my childhood. Unfortunately, all Hikigaya males were cursed with these eyes. My father has them, and his father, and his father's father.

Because of my eyes, my childhood was nothing more than a series of 'how to make fun of Hikigerma's eyes without the teacher hearing' moments.

Children were cruel, but I at least understood, albeit later than I would have hoped, why they hated me. They hated that I was different. Hated that I didn't subscribe to what they thought was normal.

I could live with that. Knowing why they thought so, knowing of their adherence to societal norms, eased me, even if it was slight. That there was a reason that they hated me was more important than anything else. Otherwise, I would have thought myself to be a sociopath, or someone who couldn't understand human emotions.

That's why, I couldn't help but recognize the loathing scorn that the blue haired maid was throwing at Natsuki.

Oh sure, she wasn't doing anything overt, but the intensity that I could see her direct at him was different than when she looked at me. It was like she was trying to cow him for some reason. Not that I knew what that reason was. Even her sister was looking at her with a raised eyebrow.

It certainly didn't help when I was smack dab in the middle of this shitshow. Literally, since Natsuki had decided to sit next to me, placing myself in between him and the maid.

Just what the hell could Natsuki have done in the span of time that they'd met that attracted that much hate?

A while after we were shown our rooms, we were directed into the dining room. It was what you'd expect from a rich noble like Mathers. Fine silverware was set up next to the plates. The plates themselves were inlined with smatterings of gold.

All of it was a gesture of how high the master of this household was. When you deal with politics, it's important that you show off with the little things. Things that only the most adept at the game would notice.

While I wouldn't call myself the best player, I knew my way around it regardless. Comes with the package of being a blacksmith who'd dealt with more than one rich snob, really. I made a note to try and not dirty anything that wasn't my own utensils.

The cloth that draped the table was likely worth more than what I make in a year, and I really didn't want to be paying for it if Mathers decided me spilling a crumb on it was offensive.

That said, I doubt this was all set up just to impress me. No, if I were to think about it, it was likely to impress the candidate. A soft show of power, or maybe even a 'welcome home' after the events in the capital.

Or maybe it was to intimidate Natsuki. He had to know who I was by now, the efforts of both Hoshin and Karsten being public and all. I'd doubt that a man that had the foresight to transfer out his staff before the selection wouldn't look into his rivals.

Therefore, if he wanted to intimidate someone, it was likely someone who he wasn't familiar with. Ergo, Natsuki.

Regardless, no matter how much Mathers could put into a good showing like this, none of it mattered. Neither Emilia nor Natsuki paid any attention to any of it, too engrossed in whatever conversation they were having.

I was half tempted to slap Natsuki on the head. I needed this meeting to go well, more so than any business deal I've had up until this point.

I've poured a lot of money into searching for a lead on dimensional magic, and all of them have fallen short. The only places I've yet to scour through were the personal libraries of some very influential people, Mathers included.

I wasn't going to let someone being ignorant about politics ruin this for me, dammit!

"Really?" Emilia asked with a curious look on her face, "I've never heard of such a thing. Your home must be reaaallly different than Lugunica."

"You bet!" Natsuki gave a cheesy thumbs up, an action that was foreign to Emilia, and the entirety of this world's population, if the confusion was evident. Natsuki didn't seem to notice, "Tell you what, once we meet with Roswaal, I'll teach you some radio calisthenics!"

I could practically hear the tightening of the maids' fists as we heard Natsuki talk. Even I was appalled at the sheer gall that the kid had. I know that the concept of nobility died out a long time ago in our world, but not in this one.

Respect was everything when it came to nobles, and Natsuki had inadvertently spoken like he and Mathers were equal.

Was this it? Was this why Rem hated Natsuki so much? Because the damn kid could keep his mouth shut?

Honestly, I wouldn't blame her at this point. It would just be professional courtesy.

And once again, neither of the two noticed anything wrong.

It was another few minutes of waiting and listening to Natsuki tell anecdote after anecdote of life on Earth. Of various sports, baseball and the like. Of anime. Of food, and specifically, mayonnaise.

I hated it.

I hated being reminded of something that I had once lost. I could stomach it when it came from myself, since it was a way to keep those memories of the people I…cared…about fresh in my mind. But coming from Natsuki?

When he sounded like all of what he talked about was just something that could be nothing more than a fascination? Almost to the degree of talking about the weather?

It didn't bring me anything other than bitterness. Natsuki reminded me of the exact reason why I hated protagonists in the first place. It had been less than a week since he'd been here - he admitted it himself, and the clearly plastic bag that he'd brought with him filled with chips. And yet, he was talking as if our world was in the distant past.

Thankfully, before either me or the maids strangled the kid, the door to the dining area flew open.

I'm not ashamed to say that my first thought when I saw the margrave for the first time was something along the lines of 'what a fucking weirdo'.

"I apo~logize for the wait." The margrave wore what looked like a jester outfit. And no, I wasn't saying it to make fun of his clothing via allusion. No, Mathers wore a full, purple–themed jester outfit that wouldn't be out of place in a Renaissance fair.

The only thing that made it somewhat more presentable would be the dark coat that he had on, and the walking stick he carried with him.

"I had some urge~nt matters to be taken care of."

…As far as vocal tics went, having one where you sounded like you were singing was pretty tame. At least it wasn't cat noises this time.

I wasn't quite prepared for this. I had asked around, with Argyle and with Astrea, about who Mathers was as a person. I needed to get on his good side, as regardless of my assistance against Granhiert, he was still a politician.

They told me that he was a good man, one that the stories in the capital didn't do justice. That he was one of the few nobles in the entire country that would willingly take in demihumans with no strings attached. That he defended his territory fiercely, and that he would no doubt at least hear me out on my request.

I also remember them telling me that he had some unique quirks that they wouldn't elaborate on, and that I had to see it for myself to believe.

I certainly didn't expect this.

Still, Mathers' mannerisms were of no concern to me now that I had a moment to compose myself.

"Roswaal!" Emilia smiled from her seat next to Natsuki. Similarly Natsuki gave a nod, not a hint of surprise at Mathers' appearance. If I had to guess, he'd asked the white-haired elf next to him beforehand.

"E~milia-sama,"He gave Emilia a once over before nodding in satisfaction, "It's good to see yo~u safe and sound." He then turned his attention to myself and Natsuki.

"Now, would you care to i~ntroduce your companions?"

I didn't hesitate to take this chance. I needed to solidify myself as someone capable enough to entrust access to his library. I needed to introduce myself, as letting someone else do it could be construed as a sign of weakness.

"Hachiman Hikigaya." I stood up from my seat and gave a slight bow, "I thank you for your hospitality, Margrave Mathers."

The margrave took a moment to look me in the eye. For a moment, I was worried that I would be kicked out given the intensity behind his gaze. Finally, after what seemed like a minute, he gave a nod back, a small smile on his clown-painted face, "Hachiman Hiki~gaya. I thank yo~u as well for assisting E~milia-sama."

He didn't elaborate. Nor did I ask about how he already knew. None of us here had had time to talk to him about it, and Ram and Rem had been with us the entire time. Likely, it was some form of magical communication that Mathers had to the capital. Common sense would dictate that keeping your Court Mage informed of major developments was smart.

"A~nd you would be?" Mathers looked at Natsuki, who now looked a lot more relaxed than earlier. It was a change that was startling in that I didn't notice it before. Earlier, when Rem was just staring at him while he spoke to Emilia, Natsuki had been essentially ignoring her.

At first I thought that maybe he was trying not to let it bother him, or that he didn't even notice the stare. But now, with Mathers here, I could clearly see that a hidden tension had been there this entire time. I only noticed now because he wasn't tense.

How long had he been like that? I had no idea, nor did I know why Mathers' presence would make him relax in the first place.

"Yo!" Natsuki stood from his own place, but instead of giving a light bow, he pointed his finger upward and cocked his hips sideways.

For fuck's sake. You're literally meeting one of the most important people in this entire world, and this is how you introduce yourself?!

"Subaru Natsuki, at your service!"

Forget the now ready-to-kill maids that were glaring daggers at him, I'd fucking wring his neck if I could!

A/N: Shorter chapter this time. I've been busy with finals this entire month, and it's gotten even worse the past week. It'll probably go on till the first week of June, unfortunately. If you like what I do and want to support me, check out my P-atreon at P-atreon•com(slash)Almistyor.

And a special thanks to: Oliver vazquez, brutalcrab and Tassimo. Your support is greatly appreciated.