Chapter 315
Chapter 315
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 315
Chapter Title: Everything Falls into Place
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***
‘Since when…?’
That was the first thought that crossed my mind the moment I saw Millia.
How long had Millia been watching Luna and me?
And from near the park, not far from the café...
With a swift turn.
As Millia suddenly turned, as if avoiding my gaze, and disappeared back into the park, my mind went completely blank.
"...Luna."
"Yes?"
"Let's call it a day. We can talk again later."
"Alright. But just tell me one thing. How did you manage to get Lord Ariya's mana infused into—"
"Sorry. I'll explain the details properly next time."
Even as I spoke absentmindedly, my instincts seemed to be taking over.
‘This isn't good.’
A powerful feeling that this was truly not good seized my heart.
"...Han Cheon-seong?"
"I'll pay on my way out."
"No, you don't have to do that..."
I ignored Luna's words and hastily got to my feet.
*Jingle!*
As soon as I paid at the counter, I left the café. Then, I headed for the park where Millia had hidden herself moments ago.
*Thud, thud...!*
My pace quickened until I was practically running, moving swiftly toward my destination.
‘I have to talk to Millia.’
I wasn't sure.
But it felt like something I had to do.
And though I didn't know how long she'd been watching, there was a very high chance that Millia had seen Luna and me holding hands.
And that weighed heavily on my mind.
"..."
Biting my lip, I couldn't shake the thought that Millia must have misunderstood.
*Thud!*
As I entered the park, I urgently turned my head, searching for Millia.
"...She's not here?"
I muttered blankly, my brow furrowing.
Even I didn't quite understand why my heart had become so anxious.
‘Even if I find Millia, what should I say?’
Even if I tell her that Luna and I holding hands was a misunderstanding, what comes next...?
*Thud!*
Lost in thought, I walked quickly through the park, scanning my surroundings.
Amidst the green foliage, I saw a few students sitting on park benches. I kept searching among them, repeating Millia's distinctive features in my mind—short black hair.
Without realizing it, I ran a hand over my face.
"Haa..."
As I tried to catch my slightly ragged breath, the image flickered before my eyes.
Millia's face just before she hid from me—her deeply shocked expression and trembling eyes—came to mind with unnerving clarity.
*Thud.*
...As I walked on blankly, I suddenly understood.
It was her expression that was bothering me.
I also naturally realized why I was so concerned about Millia misunderstanding things between Luna and me.
"It can't be... right."
I muttered, almost in disbelief, but my heart sank.
There was a reason I had never considered before.
*Thump.*
I stopped in my tracks... and my vision blurred.
"..."
*Slide.*
As I numbly sat down on a nearby bench, my heart wavered violently.
‘I wish my thoughts right now were all just a delusion...’
Would that make me feel a little more at ease?
I couldn't even tell anymore.
I was so confused that I couldn't even tell if I wanted my now-complete theory to be true or not.
‘If Millia's feelings were deeply hurt by what happened with Luna at the end of yesterday's spar, then it all makes sense.’
Why the gentle Millia had become so upset, why she'd had such a major conflict with Luna when it was so out of character for her, and why Millia had left us with a cold reply today...
And finally, why she had looked so shocked just a moment ago.
All the things I couldn't understand before, when considered one by one, now fit together perfectly.
"Things that had no context whatsoever..."
They were all falling into place.
All because of a single assumption.
"Millia... me..."
I spoke blankly, unable to bring myself to say the rest.
My heart only grew more complicated.
I really... couldn't tell.
Since when it started, and whether Millia truly felt that way—I wanted to confirm it right away.
Only then did I feel like I could properly resolve this situation.
But then, various thoughts took hold of me.
‘Am I allowed to do that?’
I already had several women I could call my lovers.
I had their permission, and our relationships were intertwined. They were all incredible women, and I believed that if I were to embrace them all, I would have to strive even harder.
I had to become someone worthy of them.
"..."
I blankly raised my head and looked at the red sky as the sun began to set.
And I still had plans for today. My training with Kalli...
The time for that appointment was fast approaching.
So even if I found Millia now, what could I possibly say to her?
‘If she really does have feelings for me, just as I suspect...’
Could I reciprocate those feelings right now? No, I couldn't even imagine Millia accepting someone like me.
It felt like I would just be hurting her deeply.
"Ha..."
As I thought about it, a hollow laugh escaped me.
The desire to find Millia and my confusion were so mixed up that I couldn't make any decision.
All I could do was sit on the park bench and let all sorts of thoughts run through my head.
"..."
From the first moment I saw Millia, I felt she was my ideal type.
I couldn't deny that I had a strong liking for her, and even when we actually talked and spent time together, I was never disappointed or felt anything similar.
She was truly the woman I had dreamed of as my ideal.
That's why I was sometimes a bit more flustered or awkward when dealing with Millia.
To the point where I wanted to show her a better side of myself, to make a good impression.
"Haa..."
I let out a deep sigh and blankly covered my face with my hands. Amidst my various thoughts, I became aware of my current feelings.
It was blatant greed, and desire.
A selfish heart.
Last week, when I faced the apostle, I had thought about death. I was prepared to die with Karite, and I had even experienced a sensation close to it.
And after surviving that near-death experience, my values changed significantly.
...If I was going to die so meaninglessly, I should have just acted as my heart desired.
Instead of being caught up in my own confusion, it would have been better to try and treat them better.
"..."
Once I thought that, funnily enough, the answer became clear.
‘I have to face her head-on.’
Even I didn't know what the right answer was.
Simply rejecting Millia or turning away from her because of my current situation didn't feel like the right answer either.
My heart wouldn't let me do that. So... I decided I had to face her as I am now.
I had to confirm whether she truly had feelings for me, and only then could I decide on my answer.
That had to be the top priority.
Because then, my answer would be decided very simply.
*Rustle.*
As soon as I got up from the bench, I started walking quickly.
*Step. Step...*
With an even more urgent pace, my eyes scanned every corner of the park more meticulously.
‘Maybe...’
Millia, who had disappeared into the park avoiding my gaze, might have gone straight to the dormitory. But I wanted to look for her a little longer.
And if possible, right now. I wanted to confirm her feelings properly.
Was it a miracle that my wish came true?
*Thud.*
I stopped walking and instinctively turned my head toward a thicket of bushes.
"...Millia?"
I found Millia in a completely unexpected place.
She was cleverly hidden among the various plants in the park; I had almost walked right past her.
"..."
Looking at Millia, who lifted her bowed head to stare at me blankly, I suddenly felt a great sense of certainty in my heart.
There was no strength in Millia's eyes. And though she looked at me and tried to force an awkward smile, it was so faint it seemed like it would disappear at any moment.
She looked so unstable.
"Han Cheon-seong..."
"Why on earth... are you over there?"
"It's... nothing."
*Pat. Pat.*
As Millia brushed off her skirt and stood up from the bushes, I spoke carefully.
"Millia. Just for a moment... can you talk with me for just a little while?"
"Why should I?"
Millia's voice as she replied to me was chillingly cold.
So much so that it was clear she was outright rejecting my words and actions rather than entertaining them.
Even so, I had to tell her.
"I have something to say to you right now. And something I want to confirm with you."
"..."
At my words, Millia stared at me, her eyes so cold it was as if she were a different person from the one I knew.
...But her coldness only gave my thoughts, my assumptions, an even greater sense of certainty.
That's why I had to approach her.
"It's a very important conversation. I really hope you'll make time for it."
If I didn't stop Millia now, I felt I would surely regret it deeply.