After finishing dinner and lying on my bed, I was sending messages to those I had their numbers to let them know I was safe when suddenly, I received a notification stating that money had been deposited into my account.
“… Wait, how many zeros are there? One, two, three, four… Whoa, who on earth is sending me this much money?”
Upon checking, I discovered that a significant sum of money had been deposited under the pretext of compensation from the Dolos Family, who had suspected me of being a defector and interrogated me directly.
To be honest, I didn’t feel completely innocent, but there was no way to compensate for something like this with money! Yet, this was way too much cash to just yell, “Thanks for the money!”
Staring at the numbers on my account, I calculated and concluded that it was sufficient.
With this amount, I could finally do what I had only been thinking about.
However, since it wasn’t something I could just do on a whim, I was just about to make a call for permission when someone naturally opened the door and walked in.
There was only one person who would come to my room like this.
Sure enough, it was Sylvia.
“Ah, Miss Scarlet! You’re awake! How are you feeling? Is your body okay?”
Having just returned from her schedule, Sylvia looked a bit tired, but when she realized I was up, her eyes widened, and she asked about my well-being.
I grabbed my mobile phone and put on a casual face, trying to act normal as I replied to her.
“Yes, I think I’m okay.”
“Really? Phew, that’s a relief. I was really worried. What if you had some kind of abnormality? Did you read the note I left? I hope I didn’t overstep.”
“No, you didn’t. Thanks to you, I could rest comfortably. I appreciate your concern.”
Sylvia smiled slightly at my words and moved closer to where I was lying, sitting right next to me.
She gazed at me for a moment before gently taking my hand.
At that moment, a tear ran down from Sylvia’s eye that was looking at me.
Seeing her suddenly cry, I was taken aback and shouted.
“Wh-What…?! Sylvia, why are you suddenly like this?! Are you hurt?!”
“… No, no, I’m fine. It’s just that seeing Miss Scarlet safe made me feel relieved all of a sudden…”
Her blue eyes, shimmering with moisture, reflected my image.
With a quivering voice, she spoke to me.
“… I’m really glad you’re safe. I thought I wouldn’t be able to talk to you again like this…”
I realized I had worried her.
That thought made my heart heavy.
Seeing her like this made me realize how significant my existence had become to her.
I had been feeling this more and more lately.
Whenever I got close to someone, it ultimately only seemed to make that person sadder in the end.
So I had thought I should push her away, but seeing her cry made my heart weaken against my will.
I subtly pulled Sylvia into my embrace and hugged her head.
Then, Sylvia seemed to be overwhelmed with even more emotions as she cried out in my arms.
“Sniff, I’m sorry. I promised I would definitely help Miss Scarlet if she needed me, but when you were captured by the witch, I couldn’t do anything. I’m really, really sorry…”
Even though it was a promise she made almost unilaterally, seeing her feel responsible for not keeping it made me feel bittersweet.
Sylvia was that kind of child.
She wasn’t one to easily open her heart to others, but once she did, she wanted to do everything she could for that person.
Knowing that this was how it would be, I had tried my best to avoid getting closer to her…
As I thought about this, I gently patted Sylvia’s back and spoke.
“Don’t feel sorry about that, Sylvia. It was unavoidable in that situation.”
“… Still, I feel sorry.”
“You did your best to help me in your own way, though, right? If you hadn’t been there during the interrogation, it would have definitely been a big mess. Thank you for helping me and believing in me.”
As I said that, Sylvia cautiously lifted her head from my embrace and looked up at me, asking carefully.
“… Did I help Miss Scarlet?”
“Of course.”
“… Then, please pat my head.”
Sylvia said that, slightly blushing.
When I stroked her head as she desired, she seemed to calm down a bit and let out a giggle.
After stroking her hair momentarily, I tried to pull her away from my embrace, but for some reason, Sylvia tightened her hold on me and wouldn’t let go.
Curious about her behavior, I looked at her as she muttered in a small voice like she was throwing a tantrum.
“… If you want to let go, please make one promise with me.”
“… What promise?”
“… Promise me you won’t say sorry and try to leave all alone ever again. I don’t want that. I don’t want to be unable to see Miss Scarlet, so please promise me you won’t do that…”
Her trembling voice while clinging to me sent a chill down my spine.
I felt anxiety at the thought of what would happen if something similar occurred again.
I could only imagine how shocked she must have been at that time.
Even though I returned safely, this was how it felt; what would’ve happened if something had gone wrong?
She probably would have gone through a lot of pain and cried endlessly.
That image hurt my heart.
I wanted to comfort her, but I couldn’t make that promise.
I was well-aware of my own condition first and foremost.
Instead of the words she wanted to hear, I posed another question.
“… Sylvia. Do you still want to be friends with me?”
“… Yes. Miss Scarlet is my precious, precious person.”
Sylvia nodded as if it were obvious.
Hearing her response, I opened my mouth again.
“… I feel the same way. I’ve always wanted to be friends with you. You’re that important to me too.”
“… Then…”
I could see expectations gleaming in Sylvia’s eyes.
However, what I was about to say was different from what she had probably anticipated, so I forced a bitter smile and spoke.
“Therefore, I can’t be friends with you, Sylvia. No, I shouldn’t be.”
Her eyes trembled in confusion at the incomprehensible words.
It hurt my heart, but I continued speaking, believing it was necessary for both her and me.
“As you know, I’m not an ordinary person. I’ll definitely end up causing trouble for the people around me again, just like this time. I felt that painfully this time. As much as I value you, I don’t want to be a burden to you. I don’t want to owe anyone anymore.”
“I…! I don’t care about that! Don’t think of it as a burden! It’s not a burden at all! I’m helping you because I want to help you, Miss Scarlet! I’m doing it because I like you! So don’t worry about that!”
“Because you’re that kind of person, I think I have to be even more cautious. You’re someone who goes above and beyond once you see anyone as a friend. I also have a tendency to unintentionally rely on my friends, even if I don’t want to be in debt. If things carry on this way, I’ll unknowingly end up putting a heavy burden on you. I don’t want that. So, Sylvia…”
I spoke the resolve I had come to earlier to Sylvia, who looked at me as if she couldn’t understand.
“I want to leave this mansion.”
*
I spent quite a while trying to calm Sylvia, who was clinging to me and crying.
Even after explaining thoroughly, it seemed Sylvia couldn’t accept that I was leaving the mansion.
So the next morning, after soothing her several times as she sulked, I had no choice but to pack light and practically run out of the mansion.
In fact, there were several reasons apart from the ones I explained to Sylvia.
But I couldn’t tell her everything.
How could I?
You’re so kind and so fragile that I can’t relax around you.
Moreover, there are too many people living in this mansion.
So, once I left the mansion, I decided to find a new place to live.
A place with hardly anyone living in it.
Moreover, I needed a place where I could feel somewhat at ease.
*
How long has it been?
To be able to rest so leisurely.
Although my body had been completely healed by the indomitable Holy Sword, Yoon Si-woo was sitting at home in a daze, having been forced into leave without being allowed to return to the base.
He had already trained with Lucy while he was asleep, so now that he was awake, there was nothing in particular to do.
While pondering what to do during this relative long leave, the ringing of a phone suddenly interrupted his thoughts, prompting him to grab his mobile phone and bring it to his ear.
[Yoon Si-woo. It’s Scarlet. Is it a good time for you now?]
He was startled by the unexpected voice and exclaimed.
“Ah?! Uh, yeah! Totally okay! What’s up?”
[Can I live with you guys?]
In an instant, the phone slipped from Yoon Si-woo’s hands.
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