Villain Ch 260. Bad Blood
Lost in his thoughts, Greg couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy and envy gnawing at his heart. His eyes involuntarily drifted toward Yora, the girl who had captured his heart. He had developed a crush on her ever since he saw her the first time, and joining the guild had only fueled his feelings for her.
He couldn't deny the impact she had on his decision to join, even though the past tournament and the bad blood between him and Allen had also played a significant role in his choice. Mac's leadership skills and Yora's presence had been the determining factors that sealed the deal.
Greg understood that he shouldn't let his jealousy get the best of him. After all, it was Yora who made the choice about with whom she wanted to be with. He couldn't blame her for her decision, nor should he let his envy cloud his judgment. Yet, he couldn't help but draw parallels between this situation and a past encounter that still lingered in his memory.
It happened several years ago when Greg, Player_Eater, Allen, and Yora had met up in the real world. At that time, Allen had made a lot of romantic gestures towards Yora, igniting a spark of envy within both Greg and Player_Eater. Now, history seemed to repeat itself, albeit in a different context.
Indeed, Greg couldn't entirely blame Allen for his craving for romantic and intimate gestures. He knew that Allen's desire for it stemmed from his troubled family background. But, Greg couldn't help but feel overshadowed by Allen's larger-than-life presence. It seemed that no matter where they went or what they did, Allen managed to steal the spotlight, leaving Greg and the others as mere side characters in his grand narrative. It was a constant source of frustration and disappointment for Greg.
As the silence lingered between Greg and Yora, Greg's mind raced with thoughts and emotions. He stole a quick glance at Yora, her face wearing an expression of unease after her earlier comment. He couldn't help but wonder if the voice they had heard truly belonged to someone else, someone who merely had a similar voice to Yora's.
After all, the tea shop was crowded, and it was not uncommon for people's voices to blend together in such a bustling environment. Perhaps, just perhaps, Mac had orchestrated this situation to give Greg a chance to talk to Yora privately. It seemed like the perfect opportunity, and Greg knew deep down that he couldn't let it slip away.
He cleared his throat, trying to sound casual and relaxed. "Erm, you know I was surprised when Mac said that you're playing games now," Greg broke the silence between them, attempting to keep his voice steady despite the nervous flutter in his stomach.
Yora looked at him, a hint of amusement dancing in her eyes. "Well, I want to try to get out of my comfort zone and explore something new. And I found VRGames to be quite intriguing," she admitted, her voice soft and gentle. A shy smile played on her lips, and Greg couldn't help but feel his heart skip a beat at the sight.
"I see," Greg replied, trying to play it cool and nodding repeatedly as if he knew exactly what she meant. In truth, he was just trying not to stare too long into those beautiful eyes of hers. It reminded him of what Mac had told him earlier about Yora taking up gaming as a way to cope with her past relationship. He couldn't help but feel sorry for her, knowing how painful breakups could be.
"Mac told me about your bad breakup," Greg continued. "I feel sorry about that."
Yora gave him a dry smile, her eyes clouded with a mix of regret and self-blame. "It doesn't matter now. It was my fault, really. I guess I misjudged the other person and ended up leaving Allen for him. Looking back, it feels so stupid," she admitted, her voice tinged with remorse.
Greg could sense the weight of her words, the burden of her past choices. He knew how easy it was to blame oneself and carry the regret of a failed relationship. "Hey, don't be too hard on yourself," he reassured her, reaching out to gently touch her hand. "We all make mistakes. It's a part of being human. What matters now is that you learn from it and grow."
Yora sighed, a mix of gratitude and resignation in her expression. "Yeah, you're right," she replied, her voice filled with acceptance.
Greg paused for a moment, gathering his thoughts before deciding to take a small leap of faith. "So... if I may ask, what was it about that guy that caught your attention?" he inquired, genuinely curious about Yora's preferences and what had made her leave Allen. He hoped that by understanding her better, he could perhaps find a way to connect with her on a deeper level.
Yora raised an eyebrow, surprised by the question. "You mean my ex?" she clarified, seeking confirmation.
Greg nodded, his gaze fixed on her. He was certain that the person who had made Yora leave Allen must have possessed some special qualities that had captured her heart.
Yora hummed thoughtfully, trying to delve into her memories of David. But what stood out the most was how rude and overbearing he could be. "I guess he managed to grab my attention somehow. He gave off this vibe of being strong and a bit cold," she explained, not entirely sure of her feelings at that time.
Greg raised an eyebrow playfully. "Ah, so you like the strong and silent type," he concluded, trying to make light of the situation.
"Isn't that what every woman likes?" Yora retorted, giving him a playful nudge. "But seriously, it's not just about being strong. It's also about being dependable and having a certain aura of confidence."
Greg nodded, taking mental notes of her preferences. "Well, I can see why you were attracted to Allen too," Greg muttered in a low voice, unable to hide his displeasure. He knew that Allen had a certain charm, both in the game and the real world. In the game, he projected an image of strength and bravery, while in reality, he was warm and kind-hearted, especially when he was with Yora.
Yora raised an eyebrow, surprised by Greg's statement. "Allen? Strong?" she said with a hint of disbelief. "I never really got that impression from him. He always seemed so gentle and caring whenever he's around me. His image is far from my ex."
"Believe me, that guy showed a different side when he was with you," Greg sneered, his voice dripping with bitterness. Deep down, he knew that Allen just didn't want to make Yora worry and always tried to give her the best of him.
Yora furrowed her brow in confusion. "Did he do something bad?" she asked, feeling a pang of guilt for not knowing all there was to know about Allen, despite having lived together in the past. She wondered if she had taken his love for granted and only seen him through a narrow lens.
Greg hesitated for a moment, considering his words carefully. "No, it's not that he did something specifically bad," he explained, his tone softening.
'It's just that... he seemed to thrive on being the center of attention, both in the real world and in the game. And, well, it bothered me.' He really wanted to say that but he decided to hold it.
Yora looked down, her mind drifting back to the happy moments she had shared with Allen. She couldn't deny that he had always been loving and caring towards her.
Just as she was lost in her thoughts, the mysterious voice echoed once again. "I'm hoping you could help me get over it, Greg," the woman's voice pleaded, its similarity to Yora's own voice.