Chapter 32: Dinner (End)

Chapter 32: Dinner (End)

Is there anyone you have a crush on?

It was a cruel question to hear from a guy you like but can't confess because he already has a lover.

Luss, Vienna, and Lily were in the same situation.

Even if they wanted to tell Starchis that they liked him, he already had a girlfriend, so telling him could become awkward or even make Starchis avoid them.

In the end, the three of them couldn't speak.

When no one answered right away, Starchis pointed to Lily in front of him. He did so to prevent the conversation from going back to Elza.

"Noona, do you have anyone you like?"

Upon hearing these words, Lily remembered a situation from a few weeks ago.

-"Lily Noona, do you like me?"

Her hand - resting on her thigh - tensed. She regretted not giving a proper answer at that time.

However, Lily was already tired of regret, so she responded somewhat indifferently this time.

"...No, I don't."

She had no intention of correcting her lie, nor did she have the intention to say that she liked someone.

Even if she thought as optimistically as she could and said she liked someone, Starchis would never imagine she was talking about him, especially when she had clearly denied him just a few days ago. Lilly didnt want to take the risk in order to just provoke some jealousy without knowing what kind of price she would have to pay for it. So, Lily just passed the question without any fuss.

"Luss, what about you?"

"... You're asking everyone here?"

"What's wrong with that? Since we've brought up the topic anyway."

Luss glanced at Vienna and Lily, checking their reaction.

Luss wondered why wasn't anyone stopping him from asking such questions and consequently preventing them from telling lies like this. Didnt their heart shatter on speaking such a lie?

Although Lily had already answered, Luss still wanted someone to help her out.

But as no one spoke, the atmosphere became ambiguous, and Luss had to force a word out.

"...Yes."

She finally spoke the deeply buried truth. She couldn't even meet Starchis's eyes.

"What? You do?"

Starchis was the most surprised.

He had always thought that he was Luss only male friend.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"You didn't tell us either. Luss probably met someone secretly too."

Vienna replied instead.

Luss glared at her.

The person Luss said she liked was, of course, Starchis, but because of Viennas answer, it became the nuance that she liked someone other than Starchis.

Of course, if she was asked who he was specifically, she was going to be evasive, but still

An unnecessary remark was added, making Starchis reach the wrong conclusion.

"...Really? Alright. I guess it might happen like that."

Starchis thought it was only in his imagination that he had such a sudden meeting, but it was strange that the same thing happened with even Luss, whom he had known for six years.

Well, if the same thing happened with Luss, wouldn't the vague lie now start appearing more realistic?

What is he like?

Starchis asked with a mouthful of food.

Uh?

Tell me his name or something like that. I told you everything too.

"Well...um, never mind. I don't want to say."

"Hey, Luss. You're being too secretive."

"I don't know."

You wont tell me even though its been a six-year-long friendship?

Luss lowered her head, seemingly unwilling to say anything more, and focused on her food.

Then just tell me why you like that person.

Luss - who had lowered her head - glanced back at Starchis, her ears - hidden by her long black hair - turned red, unnoticed by anyone.

"...dependable."

She spoke in a small voice.

Starchis found her shy response fascinating. He looked at Vienna and Lilys reaction, wondering if they noticed it,

They both seemed completely unfazed though.

Starchis wondered if he was the only one surprised.

He wanted to tease Luss, but seeing that no one else reacted, he decided not to.

"What about you, Vienna?"

He asked the last member.

Vienna shook her head with a "hmph" and turned it away.

Starchis took it as a refusal to answer.

"Everyone else already talked about it, but what about-"

-I have. And better than you. Vienna couldn't hold back her emotions and blurted out.

It was because she was mad at Starchis and she also wanted to provoke jealousy. And as the question was cruel to her, she also wanted to say something rude to him too.

Lily, who had experienced firsthand how big the price of lying was, closed her eyes tightly.

Of course, it might be a lie that could pass off easily, but it wasnt a good scene to gloat about even if a rival drowned in a mud swamp because of such a mistake.

"You have someone you like?"

Yes. More dependable than you, more cool than you, and Nicer than you. In fact Youre no match.

She answered like a rapid-fire cannon, but after blurting out those words, instead of satisfaction, Vienna was only left with an uneasy feeling.

Starchis wondered why she was acting like this.

"Suddenly, why are you comparing him with me, Vienna?"

Oddly, unlike what Vienna feared, Starchis asked in a frank tone.

There was no malice. There was also no sense of discomfort or anything like that, but his tone was not like usual either.

Previously, she had tried not to acknowledge Starchiss lover somehow, either in denial or in anger, but now she thought she should just let things flow a bit.

Reacting to everything was too stressful and exhausting, so she thought she would not even try to do so.

What had been hardest for Vienna was the feeling of being deprived every time Starchis had a new experience with Elza. But now, she acknowledged that it was natural.

And she prepared herself to endure many more heartaches.

Vienna knew that she would never love anyone other than Starchis. And since she would love him for the rest of her life, she decided to quietly wait until he broke up with Elza.

Maybe they would never break up. Even then, Vienna had decided to wait. She was accustomed to patience. After all, she was a saintess.

But still.

There was a reason why she had come out of the inn alone with Starchis even though she'd decided to wait.

It was because if she was going to wait for a long time after today, wouldnt it be okay to leave good memories for the last time?

Its like one last big breath before diving into deep water.

Vienna looked up at Starchis and pondered what she should say to achieve her goal.

Starchis also waited patiently for her to speak first.

"....Starchis that"

Tell me, Vienna.

Actually, I am scared.

Vienna wasn't talking about the dungeon. She was afraid of how long she would have to wait for Starchis to break up with Elza, or what she would do if they didn't break up.

But Starchis took it as a fear of the dungeon.

He thought it was possible since Vienna was quite delicate.

"So, Starchis. I have no right to wish and there's no reason to grant it, but could you do me one favor?"

"What is it?"

"It's nothing special. I'm just scared."

Then, taking a deep breath, she said,

"Hug me tightly... So tight that it breaks me."

Hundreds of questions and thousands of things to say swirled around in Starchis' mind, but he couldn't say anything.

How hard it must be

He wondered how hard it must have been to say something like this.

And how earnestly she needed a hug that she even brought him to a place where they were alone.

Starchis couldnt come up with an excuse like he cant do it because his girlfriend doesn't like it.

Because Elza was not real.

When he weighed sticking to a lie versus appeasing a struggling party member, the answer came easily.

Starchis opened his arms wide.

And as soon as he opened his arms, Vienna hugged him.

Starchis also held her tightly in his arms, thinking it was a cheap price if her fear went away with something like this.

And he thought his decision was even more correct when Vienna shed tears in his embrace.

Vienna prayed silently with tears in her eyes.

You need to break up quickly, Starchis. Ill have a hard time waiting.

****

After the two of them left, Luss and Lily had a conversation.

What do you think Vienna wants to say, Luss?

I dont know.

Once Starchis was gone, the atmosphere sank even further.

"... Making choices is merciless. To end up like this because of one mistake."

Luss nodded in agreement with Lily's muttered words. She also thought the same.

"Did you see him trying to introduce me to someone?"

"I did."

Lily laughed bitterly. "Oh, Starchis. How happy you looked when you asked me to be someone elses?"

Luss couldnt answer.

Every word Lily said pierced her heart.

"Luss, I've made a decision."

"..?"

I just Ill just wait for Starchis.

"What?"

Lily looked at her.

"I'm not the only one thinking this. Vienna probably feels the same way too."

"W-what do you mean wait?"

"I'll wait until he breaks up with that woman, Elza. He's so happy with her. Is it right to ruin their relationship like that?"

Although her rival was taking a step back, Luss heart felt uncomfortable.

She felt as if she would have to take a step back as well.

"I won't wait," Luss declared. But Lily just sighed and laughed.

Hearing her own laugh that sounded hopeless, Lily felt herself becoming more and more crazy.

"Even if you don't wait, what will you do?"

Lily got up from her seat and lay on Starchis' bed.

His scent filled the air. She didnt even think to hide it from Luss and took a deep breath.

"Will you confess your feelings? Will you seduce him with your body? Will you badmouth Elza? There's nothing you can do, is there?"

"..."

"I don't know if anything could be done right now. So, I'll just keep waiting, no matter how long it takes," Lily said, closing her eyes while still laying on the bed.

Meanwhile, Luss said again as if casting a spell on herself.

I I wont give up.

Lily looked at her with burning-red eyes and replied.

Dont misunderstand, Luss; I didnt give up either. But just Im going to use my power later- at the right time... Right now Im a little tired.

End of Chapter

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