Chapter 36 Part5 (2/2)
”Lee s.h.i.+n Woo, I know that you're worried about me. Thank you. However, you don't need to be worried about me.”
”If you can keep yourself together with that, then... I have nothing more to say. However, as I said before, it'd be a waste to ostracize them completely. There should be nothing wrong with us working together. This is just me prioritizing things. Who we have to be wary of, who we reject, and who we have to take down. You don't disagree with me, do you?”
”...No. It frustrates me, but you're right. Let's take our time to think about that subject. I'd like it if you didn't deepen your relations.h.i.+p with them too quickly, but... if there's something to be gained from them, then I'll be counting on you. You should be able to make contact with them, as you haven't been so deeply affected by this world.”
”Of course. I'll take care of it.”
It seemed as though she was satisfied with his response, but her feelings didn't show on her face. Then, she picked up the kettle and asked Lee s.h.i.+n Woo.
”Would you like another cup?”
”Yes please.”
”...You know, you two.”
Once they were done conversing so seriously and the mood had become more relaxed like before, Lloyd spoke again without reading the mood.
”You guys are a good match.”
”Excuse me!?”
”What!?”
”Pfft!?”
Retadane was surprisingly anxious. Lee s.h.i.+n Woo was the same. Wait a sec, how the h.e.l.l did this conversation go from her emotional problems to relations.h.i.+ps!? Just how bad was he at reading the mood!? He supposed it made sense coming from him, as he was stupid enough to mistake Prince's gender!
”Kehek, what the h.e.l.l are you talking about...?”
”But, Prince. It's not so surprising, is it? Heroes are people too, so they should be able to fall in love as well.”
”...That's rich coming from you.”
”Well, I... I'm not really interested and it's not like anyone likes me.”
Once the conversation turned around on him, he became hesitant, which was pathetic. Erian and Prince looked at Lloyd coldly, as if their eyes were near absolute zero. However, Lloyd shook his head and said strongly.
”You just said it yourself Retadane. That there's nothing to be happy about or lean on. ...But if you fall in love, then both of those issues are solved, right?”
”I don't think this is the time to engage in such trivial emotions.”
”It's not trivial. It's the feeling that leads to birth, and it's a natural phenomenon. What makes a human being, human is their feelings. You're keeping yourself together through your hatred for the undead, or in other words, your feelings.”
Lee s.h.i.+n Woo was moved, as Lloyd spoke like such a typical hero. Wait, when he thought about it, this wasn't the time to be doing this. Retadane refuted Lloyd in Lee s.h.i.+n Woo's stead.
”...Even so, why are you bringing this up now?”
”I don't think I've ever seen you talk to anyone for so long, but you go on and on with Lee s.h.i.+n Woo. You were trying to hide it, but you've been smiling here and there whenever Lee s.h.i.+n Woo is talking... It seems like you guys really understand each other.”
”That's... I suppose you're right.”
”Wait, hold up! So you want our junior to just accept all that c.r.a.p Retadane is saying?”
”If I was smiling, then it's because Lee s.h.i.+n Woo is someone who can appreciate tea.”
”In other words, you're interested.”
”...”
Retadane kept her mouth shut. She had given up on convincing Lloyd. Lee s.h.i.+n Woo wanted to say 'worry about yourself', but... in order to maintain some sort of dignity for the both of them, he just lightly replied.
”Love can't be coerced, Senior Lloyd. You realize it on your own.”
”...I just thought you guys looked good together.”
”Haha, you should only say that kind of thing to people who are in love.”
Just to be clear, Lee s.h.i.+n Woo wasn't capable of love. Because he couldn't feel it. If he went into specifics, then he'd be miserable, as he'd recall everything he lacked. Lloyd seemed regretful, as he shrugged his shoulders, and Retadane calmed down as well. And for some reason, Prince nodded her head exaggeratingly.
”That's obvious. Don't stick our junior with that old bag.”
”...Prince Altania?”
”Eek!?”
However, Lloyd's words weren't meaningless. The once gloomy and heavy mood had become a bit lighter, and all the heroes began to smile a little. Lee s.h.i.+n Woo watched the group of heroes, who had become more energized than before, but then... Kratia came behind him and whispered so that only he could hear her.
”s.h.i.+n Woo, you won't be able to avoid it forever.”
”Hey, stop with the sudden foreshadowing.”
”I hope you can break through that illusion of yours as soon as possible.”
Kratia said and smiled subtly. And in return, Lee s.h.i.+n Woo hit her forehead.
The heroes' repose continued for a little while longer.
</chapter>
<script>