~Chapter 85~
“Open your eyes and look at me.”
Yushen scrunched his face tightly, shaking his head quickly, as if showing he would never open his eyes.
“You fool, I’m wearing clothes! Relax and open your eyes!”
I saw his eyelids twitch, and slowly, Yushen groaned and opened them.
Since I had closed my jacket over him to respect his shyness, there was nothing to worry about.
Feeling embarrassed, Yushen bit his lips and avoided my gaze.
I lightly slapped his arm to signal “do it properly” and checked his body carefully, wondering if I’d missed any injuries.
Even though Yushen crossed his arms to cover himself, I didn’t see any new wounds.
“Hm… nothing wrong on the upper body except your back.”
“Yes, I’m fine.”
“But why is your temperature high? Could it be…?”
My eyes unconsciously drifted downward, below his waist.
Yushen quickly twisted his body to the side.
…What was that just now?
“Hah!”
I couldn’t help but laugh. It was awkward and uncomfortable.
I wasn’t looking for anything strange! I just thought there might be injuries on his lower body since the upper body seemed fine…
From experience, it’s better to clear up misunderstandings before they get bigger.
I tried to explain… but Yushen had completely turned his back to me.
“…What are you?”
“…Don’t look.”
“What? I just—”
“Let’s get up. You might have injuries too, so let’s go to the infirmary together.”
Yushen ignored me, holding his shirt in his hand, and slowly walked toward the open space where the door should have been.
Watching him walk away, I suddenly felt frustrated.
“He misunderstood me all by himself! Even when I try to help, he acts like it’s a big deal!”
Of course, Yushen hadn’t asked for my help, but I worried.
Knowing his personality, he would hide problems and try to solve them alone.
I quickly stood up and ran to him, grabbing his arm firmly.
“I was just worried about you.”
“…Huh?”
“Even if you’re annoying, I got hurt trying to save you. That’s why I worried. I didn’t have any strange thoughts!”
Yushen blinked rapidly, as if he didn’t understand.
When I tightened my grip on his arm, he furrowed his brows and nodded.
“…Alright, I understand.”
That answer didn’t feel satisfying. He seemed to pretend to believe me, but not fully trust me.
“So don’t make unnecessary misunderstandings. If there’s one, clear it up.”
“….”
“Hmm?”
“….”
“Yushen, I said understand!”
“Understanding doesn’t mean I change the truth.”
Yushen was as stubborn as I was.
Finally, frustrated, I shook him left and right.
“I said cancel that thought!”
Yes, it was childish, but I admitted it—I acted like a child.
Normally, he would’ve yielded easily, but today he didn’t.
We argued back and forth for quite a while.
I decided it was time for the last resort.
Thump!
“Cancel that statement!”
I cornered Yushen and threatened him, even if he could easily handle me.
I held him with my arms against the wall and glared fiercely.
He was big, so from behind, I might have looked funny.
“….”
…Or maybe even from the front?
Yushen, who had been responding sharply before, suddenly said nothing.
He bit his lower lip, and his eyes darted around, unsure.
I also became speechless. But then…
I realized something.
We were extremely close, almost touching.
The subtle change in the atmosphere, Yushen’s embarrassed silence—it all made sense.
‘This looks like I’m trying to cause this situation!’
My heart pounded violently, like after extreme exercise.
I shivered from heat and embarrassment, struggling to breathe. It felt like standing under the hot summer sun.
I quickly stepped back.
“Don’t go.”
Yushen gently held my wrists, stopping me.
I could have freed myself, but I couldn’t.
‘…This is dangerous.’
The longer our gazes met, the louder my instincts screamed. My heart pounded in my ears.
I got the signal to run—but I didn’t want to.
Honestly, in this awkward adult situation, there’s only one kind of conversation.
I had a rough idea what Yushen was about to say.
‘Idelia was right… Yushen likes me!’
A few days ago, Idelia had said Yushen liked me. I had laughed it off, but now it felt heavy.
My heart raced, and I couldn’t meet his serious gaze properly.
I lowered my head, feeling his gaze pressing against me.
He slowly let go of my hands.
‘Is it over?’
I felt a fleeting disappointment. Was this going to end without anything happening?
Then his hand brushed my cheek softly, like a white veil. I flinched at the unfamiliar touch.
“Uh… I…”
“Letitia.”
His husky voice raised my anticipation.
He didn’t stop there. His right hand held my jaw, lifting my head, and his thumb stroked my lips.
‘There…’
It reminded me of the day we first met, though the situation was different.
In his dark purple eyes, I saw my own flushed face and… the affection and desire he felt for me.
“I like you.”
My breath caught.
“Now I know you’re not a witch, but even if you were, it wouldn’t matter.”
“You… being you, is the source of my love.”
Ah.
The immature, fresh feelings were enough to overwhelm me.
I closed my eyes. I wasn’t ready to face his gaze or handle the weight of his feelings.
After calming my racing heart, I opened my eyes slowly and saw tears in his loving gaze.
I instinctively reached out, but realized my mistake.
“Ah…”
Yushen pressed his cheek to my hand first, letting a tear wet my palm.
Damn it, I’d given him a chance without intending to.
As I tried to pull away, he placed his hand over mine.
“I know you don’t like me.”
“….”
“I won’t ask you to accept my feelings.”
“….”
“Just don’t push me away.”
I couldn’t say yes or no.
I didn’t dislike Yushen.
I did have feelings for him… but I couldn’t let hope mislead me.
I lowered my head, refusing him silently.
“Letitia…”
His pained voice crushed my palm. I had to stay firm.
Time here is short. Less than a year left.
I freed my hand and stepped back, signaling him not to come closer.
I tried to look strong and calm.
“…Sorry.”
“….”
“I… can’t accept your feelings…”
I couldn’t say it out loud. My lips wouldn’t move.
In the end, I left Yushen standing there alone, without finishing the sentence.
