CH 27

Elusiana stood in front of the mansion and watched anxiously. The thin raindrops began to get thicker and were pouring steadily before she knew it.

“If it rains, you should think about coming back quickly. Where and what are you doing at this time?”

The muddy water dripped unsightly on her feet as she stomped while holding onto an umbrella. Her worn-out shoes were soaked with rainwater. But her mind was full of worries about Astein.

“You should have at least brought an umbrella with you. What if you catch a cold?”

Astein usually noticed when it would be raining. If it was from his prediction and had been accurate, she would have admired him, saying that he was a prophet. But it came from his instinctive fear.

It was like a soundless howl, the piercing longing of the lost calf. The instinct of a weak child who had no choice but to hate rainy days terribly.

On rainy days, Astein became hostile, as if he was going to cut anyone, and was alert like a violent beast. She still remembered vividly. The small body in her arms, trembling like a frightened beast. Each time she stroked that small back and repeated it like a spell.

It’s okay.

It’s okay.

It’s okay.

I’m going to protect you.

Protect you.

Protect you.

Just like that. I don’t have to do that anymore though.

As much as his body had grown, Astein’s mind had grown too. He didn’t cry anymore even though it rained. But just because he didn’t cry didn’t mean his fear was gone. It was just that he had become very good at hiding his feelings.

Elusiana chewed her lips, staring bitterly at the streetlight dimmed by the rain.

“Where are you, As? Come back quickly.”

It was then. At the end of the gaze, she could see a faint human figure. Elusiana, who was unsure, narrowed her eyes. Then she saw a clearer shape.

As! It was him. Elusiana, convinced by the man’s identity, rushed out at once. Because of that, the umbrella she was holding swayed uncontrollably, but she didn’t care.

“As!”

Dadadada! Elusiana, who narrowed the distance instantly, stopped in front of him. As expected, Astein was all wet in the rain. She bit her lips in anger.

You stupid idiot! When it is raining, you should avoid the rain. Why are you showering in it?

Whether he knew Elusiana’s heart or not, Astein smiled faintly at her and grabbed the umbrella she was holding.

“Why are you out here, Lusi?”

The umbrella stretched toward her and only covered his half-wet shoulder. Astein continued, carefully clinging to her side.

“Although it’s spring, it’s still chilly. You will catch a cold.”

“…”

“Look, your dress is all wet. Aren’t you cold?”

His eyes were full of anxiety. At his affectionate gaze, Elusiana was moved to tears.

“Who’s… worried about who?”

“Who? Lusi, it’s you.”

Astein, who answered as if she was asking the obvious, smiled. The raindrops dripping on the soaked hair made him look pitiful. Even at this moment, his unparalleled beauty aroused pity. That was why she couldn’t even get angry.

Huu. Elusiana sighed low, reached out, and ran her hand through Astein’s wet hair.

“You should have bought an umbrella.”

Deflecting Elusiana’s hand, Astein said, “Only this much is okay. More than that—”

Elusiana, who was about to retort, ‘What’s okay?’ suddenly flinched at something.

“…what is this?”

“Gift.”

Elusiana lost her words for a moment at the insignificant answer. No, she might have been more embarrassed because the gift was so unexpected.

“These are… lisianthuses.”

She didn’t know that Astein had tilted the umbrella toward her a little more or that half of his shoulders were fully exposed and soaked in the rain.

Astein held the gift and waved his hand cautiously. “Hurry up and pick it up.”

The bouquet, which was submerged in the dark, shook and scattered a subtle scent. Elusiana reached out her hand unconsciously and paused.

She had been with him for ten years. But he had never given her flowers as a gift. It’s not even my birthday, or at least a day with special meaning— Wait, no way…! Her suspicious eyes were directed at Astein.

“…why are you giving me these all of a sudden?”

“It’s your favorite flower. I couldn’t just pass by it when I thought of you”

Eluciana’s scarlet eyes, stained with bewilderment, trembled slightly. For a moment, his words which were like confession,  Windy Hill came to her mind.

“I like you. Elusiana Loti Waieos. You.”

Elusiana shut her mouth in an instant in the heat. It was just… nothing more than him reading and imitating romance novels. It couldn’t be sincere. Nevertheless, was her heart pounding like this because the gift he gave her was flowers instead of anything else?

“Lusi.”

“…Huh?”

“Are you not going to take it?”

At Astein’s question, Elusiana quietly reached out her hand.

Lisianthuses, out of season, bathed in moonlight and took on a mystical glow. Wait, lisianthus is a flower that blooms in July, right?

As Elusiana hesitated again, Astein handed the bouquet into her hand. And he made a pretty eye smile that was more affectionate than ever.

“Thank you for always waiting for me.”

Elusiana was mesmerized by the bright and dazzling smile without daring to imagine what his words meant.

* * *

Lying on the bed after taking a shower, Elusciana stared at the flowers on the table.

“White lisianthus.”

The flowers, which looked fine and neat when they were in bud, were gorgeous and elegant, like frills with fluttering petals when they were in full bloom.

Lisianthus was her favorite flower in her previous life. She saw it for the first time when she was working part-time at a wedding hall, and she wondered how roses could have such a subtle color. Later I found out that it was lisianthus.

Since its flower language was unchanging love, it was often used in the bride’s bouquet. And this flower was also the symbol of the Waieos family.

“Where did As get this?”

Lisianthus was a flower that bloomed between July and August. You could get it if you wanted, but getting it in early spring wasn’t easy. Above all, flowers that were not in season were costly products.

Elusiana, who was lying in bed, jumped up.

“It’s weird. These high-quality flowers are not handled well even in our store.”

Flowers that were out of season weren’t kept in the store unless they received a special order. Even if preserved with magic, the limit for it could only be maintained for about 2 or 3 months.

Tilting her head, Elusiana got up from the bed and made her way to the table. The lights in the room were dimly extinguished, but the white lisianthuses were still showing off their fine figure.

Elusiana, touching the lisianthuses petals with her fingertips, suddenly flinched. It was because Astein’s voice came to her mind.

“I couldn’t just pass by it when I thought of you.”

Elusiana unknowingly blocked both ears hearing a tinkling sound in her ear. Then, she took off her hand, saying, “Oh, no.”

That’s right. I’m in my room, right?  Elusiana, who tapped on her red-cooked cheek, coughed a little. It couldn’t be him, but his voice kept ringing in her ears.

“Hmmm. But where did he learn those strange words?”

Elusiana shook her head and stared at lisianthus.

“But really, why did he give me flowers?”

Once again, it couldn’t be a ‘love confession.’ It was also absurd that he had noticed these flowers by chance.

Elusiana, who had been in agony repeatedly, made an impression on the fact that she suddenly came to mind.

“Don’t tell me…!”

A little doubt that she tried to ignore.

A month ago, he went out at night frequently, and a guy who didn’t smile often talked to her in a friendly manner with a loose smile, and today— He even handed her a present. It was like.

“It’s like he’s getting ready to leave. Wait, is he leaving?… That’s right! Why did I forget this?”

Elusiana couldn’t hide her embarrassment at the fact that it came to her mind suddenly.

The coming-of-age ceremony Children in the Angel’s House usually left from there after the ceremonies. They were twenty years old at that time. However, Astein grew up in Waieos family and had been together with her for about 10 years.

A family that is more real than a real family. That was why she never thought Astein would leave.

“It’s ridiculous. What’s wrong with As? That can’t be true.”

She finally made a child who wasn’t interested in anything become like a human. It had been 10 years, but making that indifferent person laugh wasn’t easy.

It was the same for treating people. At one time, Astein divided everything into a good and bad dichotomy, so there was no middle ground. He had no flexibility, so he endured unspeakable difficulties until he realized the middle ground.

“Is he going to leave?”

Her fingertips trembled as she shook her head. However, even if she wanted to deny it, all circumstances pointed to a fact. Very unusual behavior. An overly friendly tone. And… a gift.

When a child who has been raised suddenly runs away from home one day, will his parents feel like this?

Elusiana grabbed the stem of lisianthus and bit the soft flesh inside her lips tightly. Unfilial… Astein! How could you do that?