Chapter 74
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 74
Chapter Title: Epilogue - Sera (1)
"Haa... huu..."
Hot sweat trickled down over skin flushed red from exertion. Each time a thick droplet rolled down his spine, the young man let out a ragged breath as he gripped the sturdy tree branch and pulled himself up. Once, twice, three times. He'd lost count of the repetitions long ago, pushing his body relentlessly without pause.
"Huu... huu..."
Even as the blinding sunlight stabbed at his skin like it was jealous of his unyielding effort, he paid it no mind and kept moving. What could drive an ordinary country boy like him to train so fiercely? Perhaps it was the sense of accomplishment. The results were showing day by day on his increasingly solid frame.
But that alone couldn't explain why the rock tied to his leg was growing exponentially heavier.
If it was just about building his body, there was no need for such grueling self-torment. If it was to test his limits, stopping at a reasonable point wouldn't draw any criticism. He was just a simple village youth, after all—not some capital knight or a hero risen from rags.
Yet the stone strapped to his leg kept getting heavier, soon reaching a size that could only be described as a boulder or rock.
"Haa... haa..."
Before long, it might even grow too heavy for that ancient tree, over five hundred years old, to bear. Whether he knew that fate or not, he raced here in the chilly dew of dawn and trained until the sun climbed high overhead. Or, to be precise, until the voice of a certain girl searching for him rang out.
"Luca!"
"...!"
Today's call came a bit early, startling Luca so much that he scrambled down from the tree. He hurriedly tidied up the site like someone caught red-handed, then struggled to shove his arms into his sweat-soaked clothes. Of course, those drenched limbs weren't going in easily. Still, he stubbornly hid his honed physique beneath his rustic garb.
By then, the girl who'd called his name had approached to a distance where she could see him.
But even upon spotting the one she'd been seeking, she didn't rush over. Instead, she hid behind the tree, waiting until he finished dressing. A faint shadow crossed her face as she watched, but it wasn't anything too serious. Once he'd managed to get his clothes on somewhat properly, she sauntered out with feigned casualness.
"I've heard rumors lately about a lonely guy doing unspeakable things to a tree. Guess it's true, huh?"
"Uh... what? What'd you say?"
Luca, still fumbling with his shirt buttons, caught his breath and awkwardly turned his head. His breathing remained rough, his body drenched in sweat. Trying to play innocent despite the obvious evidence, Eli squinted one eye and pouted.
"And of all people, it's someone I know. Were you that lonely, Luca?"
"Haha... huu... what're you talking about this time."
"Why play dumb like that? It just makes you look more suspicious. Shirt half-off, breathing all weird and heavy. Sweating buckets. Only one thing comes to mind, right?"
"Haha..."
Luca let out a hollow laugh at Eli's signature teasing. He shook the sweat-matted hair from his face and replied.
"No idea what you're on about. What scenario did you imagine?"
"You don't even know? Still such a kid. No point explaining to a boy who hasn't even hit puberty."
"Nah, what I'm curious about is how far you went with it. Up to the naked guy approaching the tree? Or stripping his pants and fooling around? Hmm... or do you picture me naked every time you see me?"
"Oho. You've gotten... pretty good at clapping back."
She tried to stay composed, but Eli's cheeks began to flush. Maybe now she was starting to notice the see-through parts of his shirt clinging from the sweat. But she quickly shook her head with a sigh.
"Whatever. Just button up properly."
"I did button it properly."
"What're you saying? You messed up from the first one. Come here."
"No, I can do it myself..."
Before Luca could stop her, Eli strode up and grabbed the first button. Then she yanked it right off.
"Oops, my bad."
"Hey!"
The button popped off with a snap, revealing a glimpse of skin beneath. Luca instinctively covered his chest. Eli burst into giggles and teased.
"Oho, mister. You've got some solid goods under there. Been working out lately?"
"Hey... what the hell are you doing? You can't even sew right..."
"Doesn't matter. Fix your own shirt. Don't worry, I'll get the next one right... oh no!"
"W-wait! Hey!"
The second button tore off with a click, causing his shirt to flap open. Luca twisted away in embarrassment, but Eli clung on stubbornly, bumping her head against his chest. She shrugged and dropped the button to the ground.
"Guess mister took the joke too far. Sigh. Truth is, this guy isn't into muscles anyway. Where'd our cute little Luca go?"
"Haa... fine. You win, you win. Just stop..."
"Huh? What'd you say?"
"Ah! Hey!"
The third button popped off too. Clearly playful intent again.
"Haha..."
But Eli's laughter faded quickly, replaced by tense breathing. Luca noticed and smirked.
"What, getting nervous now?"
"Mm..."
Eli just bit her lip, unable to come up with a retort. The first two could pass as jokes, but the third changed things. Only one button left after that—beyond the realm of play.
Luca burst out laughing at Eli's strawberry-red face. He exhaled lightly and asked.
"What're you thinking right now?"
"...Wanna strip you."
"Here?"
"Who knows."
"At home, then."
"Think so?"
Amid their casual banter, Eli looked up. Holding his collar kept them close, but a small gap remained. The gap that only something beyond friendship could fill. Of course, that boundary still lingered faintly. But it always crumbled in an instant.
"Yeah."
With a deep breath, Luca murmured and stepped closer. He gently stroked Eli's jet-black hair. The friend's boundary shattered easily, invaded by the lover's domain. One, two times like this, and it'd vanish without a trace. They'd become inseparable. That's why this moment was so precious to them.
And watching it, I felt a thorn pierce my heart with distant pain. I turned away.
And ran off without a sound.
"..."
I stifled my breath, moved as quietly as possible, and fled the scene. It was only natural. The moment their boundary fell, a barrier rose against outsiders. As their friend, I couldn't cross it.
"...Ah."
Yeah. It's only natural. I'm just a friend, after all.
Friend.
Those two words stabbed my chest especially hard.
I couldn't understand why I felt this way. Why my heart ached so much, why something inside me exploded unbearably every time I saw their happy faces.
Because of those unknown feelings, I couldn't even say "congratulations on the marriage" today. I just ran away.
...
No.
Actually, I know exactly what my heart feels.
I even knew this future was coming.
But it arrived faster than I expected.
Maybe it started the day that knight came to our village. She shouted for the hero of prophecy, calling for Luca, but he never showed—even after sunset. Eli too. They vanished like they'd never been there.
At first, I was terrified. What if something happened to them? They were the most precious people in my world, so I spent days wandering the forest searching. The villagers did too, but the chief and Granny Emil stayed calm. "They'll be back soon," they said casually, even whispering to me that they'd return shortly.
A few days later, they did return. Specifically, they came to me. They told me what happened. And that they'd marry soon.
Thinking back still makes my mind go blank. It was worse then. I couldn't say a word.
Of course, I knew what I should say. Congratulations. But those three syllables wouldn't leave my mouth. No words would come.
So what did I do?
...
Ran away.
Couldn't even explain why. Just ran. Like an idiot. Like a fool. Like a naive child.
Just like I always did.