Reiru looked up in surprise when he was approached by a colleague.
Even though he had managed to come to town with everyone, he found himself thinking about Gio whenever he let his mind wander.
Advertisements
“No, I couldn’t really decide… choosing a present is really difficult.”
“I think the hero would be happy with anything as long as you gave it to him, Reiru.”
The plan for today was just to go shopping with Uruka. However the number of people increased under the pretense of the outing being a farewell party for Reiru, and they all decided to have lunch in town.
In the end, all Reiru bought that day was a lace ribbon.
Advertisements
It was a gift for the little girl from the inn to wear in her hair when she went to the theater. With the help of his colleagues’ opinions, he chose what he thought she would like.
Reiru intended to go back after going to the inn with his colleagues and giving the ribbon to the little girl, but on the way back, one of his colleagues shouted, “Eh?” with a loud voice.
“Hey, isn’t that the hero?”
“Yeah, that’s right. Wow, he’s got a very beautiful woman with him.”
“Seriously. Reiru, is she someone you know?”
The voices of his colleagues fell on Reiru’s deaf ears.
Gio was right across the street.
He was walking alongside a beautiful woman with vibrant red hair.
Reiru thought they looked very friendly, like lovers. He also thought they were well-matched.
Gio said something to the woman, and the woman replied with an elegant nod.
Then she extended one hand, and Gio dropped a kiss on the back of her hand.
It was like Reiru was watching a play on stage, and he couldn’t take his eyes off them.
Advertisements
Even though Reiru was so moved by the scene where the hero kissed the princess’s hand when he watched the play with the little girl.
Even though he wholeheartedly supported Gio’s love back then.
Even though Gio no longer holds me in his arms to sleep…
Selfish thoughts that made no sense multiplied and occupied Reiru’s mind.
Reiru felt like he needed to regain his composure, but he couldn’t breathe properly and it was suffocating.
Perhaps Reiru’s gaze was felt; Gio noticed him and their eyes met.
“Ah, the hero is coming this way.”
Advertisements
“Wai— Reiru?!”
A colleague raised his voice in surprise.
Reiru reflexively started running.
Reriu’s heart ached as if it were being squeezed, but he ran desperately.
He didn’t want to face Gio right now.
If he were to face any expression other than that captivating smile right now…
Reiru felt like his heart was going to crumble to pieces.
For the first time, Reiru felt afraid of Gio.
Gio was now the only person who could hurt Reiru more than anyone else.
Reiru had to run—run and escape somewhere no matter what.
“Reiru!”
He heard Gio’s voice behind him and still Reiru did not stop.
Advertisements
Reiru didn’t want to talk about anything now that he wasn’t calm; he had no idea what he might say.
“Hey! What’s wrong!?”
Reiru had always been confident in his ability to run away, but he couldn’t shake Gio at all.
He was indeed the hero. Nevertheless Reiru couldn’t let him catch up with him.
Reiru’s lungs were screaming and his legs were about to collapse.
“Rei, wait!!”
Gio’s figure loomed right behind him, and Reiru unconsciously clutched the pendant bouncing on his chest.
All of a sudden, a flash of blinding light enveloped Reiru’s body, instantly erasing him from sight.
The scene left passersby in an uproar, wondering what had happened, and Gio staring dumbfounded at the space from where Reiru had vanished.
TN: The next update will be in September as I have been depressed lately and in a slump. In the mean time, you can check out my other project, I Reincarnated and Became Friends With the Black Lion Prince! I’ll Make Him Change His Unhealthy Eating Habits So I Won’t Get Eaten by Him. I also started a new project a while ago which I finished synopsis only. I have posted it on my patreon. They are both fluffy love stories. Enjoy reading.