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Chapter 162
“Are you really not going to regret this?”
“Arel, are you unsure of yourself?”
With all our past experiences, did I really look confident? I recalled the countless times I had failed and warned them.
“Huh, I definitely tried to stop you.”
I activated the affection scanner while looking at the two pairs of bright, clear eyes.
Weeeing—
[Me → Other]
[♥ 36 Friendship]
“…?”
I opened my eyes wide at the surprisingly high number.
“Ooooh!”
Ciel’s eyes sparkled.
“Me too, me too!”
“Yeah.”
Noel got the same result—also 36.
‘Why… is it so high?’
I had expected a minimum of minus and a maximum around 10, so I was flustered by this unexpected success.
Ciel’s eyes glittered.
“Is this high?”
“Yeah, mmm.”
It wasn’t high for ordinary people, but for me, it was.
“Yay!”
“Yahoo!”
The twins high-fived each other.
Such funny kids.
“See? This is our friendship.”
“Even Arel had to admit it.”
“We should show it off.”
“Where should we show it off?”
“Daddy, right?”
I laughed at the twins’ silliness, but suddenly, a feeling of emptiness crept over me.
What is it? Why does it feel empty?
“Ah.”
By now, I felt the absence of someone who would normally barge in, get jealous (?), and try to tear us apart.
Looking around, I found the person I was looking for alone in a corner of the room.
Beep—
“Yes.”
A beautiful crying bird and a stunningly handsome boy that could have come straight out of a myth.
The scene looked like it could be painted as a sacred artwork, and I found myself blinking in awe.
Fesion playing with the divine beast I had given him for my birthday.
‘…So pretty.’
Was I always this weak against beauty?
I could confidently say I had grown immune to dad’s face attacks, yet my noisy heart betrayed me when it came to Fesion.
It really was nice.
It still felt strange and unfamiliar that I, who had preferred being alone, now wanted to be with someone.
But you wouldn’t leave me alone.
I didn’t know where this unwavering trust came from that composed me, but I smiled, recalling the starry night sky and the parallel world that felt like salvation.
Then, as if receiving all the light in the world, Fesion at the window turned his head.
Our eyes met suddenly.
“Arel.”
The moment he saw me, his eyes curved softly, sparkling even brighter. His entire being radiated kindness and affection, and my expression softened unconsciously.
I had only thought “I like him,” but the feeling was much more profound than that.
Maybe because I had never liked someone this much, it felt tingling and soft inside.
“Shion, what are you doing alone?”
“This guy called me.”
Beep!
The little divine beast, shaped like a sparrow, fluttered around us. It was flying so energetically it almost looked exhausting.
“Arel, did you give this one a name?”
“Hmm. Not yet?”
The divine beast’s black eyes met mine.
Beeeep—
“It looks upset.”
“Is that how it shows it’s upset?”
“The divine beast must have a name.”
“Who says?”
“There’s someone, a self-proclaimed divine beast expert.”
“…?”
Fesion smiled slyly, dodging the question. Even though it was an obvious refusal, his soft smile made me not feel the need to press further.
Hmm, how should I respond?
Am I blinded by affection?
I suddenly thought that even without the powers of the Alermann royal family, Fesion could easily win everyone’s love.
Who wouldn’t like this guy?
Vrrrrr—
The ether in my arms squawked as if annoyed by my affection, but I ignored it.
What a ridiculous inanimate thing.
“Then I’ll name him ‘On.’”
“On?”
It was derived from Fesion’s name, but he seemed clueless, tilting his head.
‘He really is strange.’
At another time, he would have noticed immediately and been thrilled. Seeing him like this worried me.
When did it start? Since I returned from Locke Castle?
I had thought Fesion seemed unusually down and sullen…
Even now, he was. He smiled, but his expression quickly darkened.
‘Is something really wrong?’
Before, I hadn’t pursued it, fearing I’d make things worse, but now I felt I couldn’t leave it be.
“Shion, are you hurt?”
“No.”
“Then why do you seem so drained?”
Fesion blinked slowly.
His beautiful eye shape framed by delicate lashes fluttered.
His slightly dazed eyes met mine.
“Do you care about me?”
“Of course I care.”
“Really?”
“Why? Do I seem like I’m lying?”
Fesion pondered and nodded briefly.
“You say you don’t want to be alone, that you want to be with me, but you keep being with other people.”
Caught off guard, I momentarily went speechless.
Did I say that? I couldn’t remember.
I recalled saying something like that in the palace’s parallel world and laughed quietly to myself.
Ah, right. I did say that.
So many things had happened that it felt like a distant memory. I had grown stronger, hardened. Wow, now that I think about it… yes.
“So… that upset you?”
Fesion pouted and nodded, as if whining.
He looked so troubled, his voice lacking confidence, clearly worried alone.
I recalled the day Fesion had come to the library.
Even then, he had looked like this.
Seeing such a lively, sunny Fesion appear so vulnerable only to me… I didn’t know what to do.
I felt it was because of me, that it was my fault, that I was the problem.
But strangely, I wasn’t anxious.
Perhaps it was because I trusted him now.
“You…”
I held the crying bird in my hand and carefully began.
“It’s because you were here.”
“Me?”
I thought back to long-past times, like a distant memory.
The days when I built walls and burrowed alone.
The childcare group, Mehen, Dad.
Now many people were by my side, but tracing back, it all started with Fesion.
He had broadened my world and helped me face and rise above the past I had wanted to forget.
“You were there for me.”
This persistent, bothersome guy had pulled me out of my desire to die quietly, made me smile, and wished for my happiness.
“It’s all thanks to you.”
Fesion’s expression softened, then pouted again.
“But why do you keep playing with other kids?”
“Playing together is more fun.”
“…That’s true.”
I stifled a laugh at Fesion’s reluctant acknowledgment.
“You don’t like it?”
“I don’t dislike it.”
His face brightened, then dimmed again.
“Why?”
“You get hurt too easily.”
“Me?”
“I can train a little and easily become strong, stay healthy no matter what I do, but why is this so hard for you?”
Is this deception?
“I don’t know what else I should do here.”
Fesion groaned and struggled.
He seemed frustrated that he wanted to help but couldn’t.
Ah, really.
So cute.
“Wait, stop there.”
Just as I tried to console Fesion, Dad suddenly appeared between us, narrowing his eyes.
“What are you doing in the sacred reception room?”
“Nothing.”
“You were holding onto each other.”
“Just holding hands?”
“Ahem.”
Behind Dad, I saw the twins sticking out their tongues.
Ah, so they had brought Dad. I laughed at Dad’s cautious stance toward Fesion.
“Arel! Harun, do this too!”
“Show us your affection levels!”
The twins dragged Harun over, and I glared at them briefly, but it didn’t bother me.
Oh no, now they all seem cute.
“Alright, let’s do it.”
Harun looked reluctant.
[Me → Other]
[♥ 44 Trust/Friendship]
“…?”
“?”
“?”
The twins broke down at the unexpectedly high number.
“Are we… lower than Harun?”
Leaving the twins in shock, I turned to Fesion.
“Shion, do you want to try this too?”
Fesion glared at the affection scanner with a reluctant expression.
What’s bothering him?
“Try it, Dad wants to know.”
“Huh?”
“Maybe around 30?”
“?”
“Don’t tell me I’d lose to a kid.”
Dad pressed me with baseless confidence.
“Quickly, my daughter.”
“I’ll do it.”
Fesion nodded.
A bright light enveloped us.
And then…
[Me → Other]
[♥ 71 Trust/Affection]
“….”
“….”
“….”
A brief, breathless silence fell.a
