Chapter 54
Chapter 54
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 54
Chapter Title: Arien's Heart
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A little while later, in the early dawn light where the full moon shone brightly.
Arien and I left the dormitory, heading toward our meeting spot.
Thud, thud.
In the silence broken only by our footsteps, Arien seemed oddly out of sorts, idly kicking at the pebbles by the roadside.
Even as he did, his face would twist into a strange frown one moment, only to soften into a faint smile the next.
As if to say the situation felt awkward... but not entirely unpleasant.
No words passed between us, yet I could tell just by watching his expressions.
"Huu...! Dawn is always so quiet and nice. Don't you think?"
"..."
Arien glanced at me upon hearing my words before quickly looking away again.
He seemed like she wanted to say something, his lips twitching... but in the end, nothing came out.
'...He's anxious, huh.'
I watched him, feeling a pang of pity at the same time.
Anxiety.
As much as I hated to put it into words myself... Arien seemed gripped by the fear that he might drift away from me.
From the moment we first met until now.
I had always been the one to approach him first, unfazed by his sharp tongue.
Because I knew better than anyone that it was all to protect his own wounds.
They say eyes don't lie.
Behind Arien's harsh words, his eyes always carried an inexplicable sadness.
"...So, Arien. Made any friends yet?"
"......"
Even now, no reply came, but a subtle tremor flickered in his gaze.
His face scrunched up as if lost in thought, his breaths coming a bit ragged.
He tried not to show it, but his expression betrayed everything.
Arien Cravel
◆ Title:Hero
◆ [He feels intense guilt and anxiety toward himself for deceiving you.]
The translucent window floating before me.
Displayed the cruel truth as plainly and indifferently as stating the obvious.
"D-don't use that eye..."
The words he mustered up the courage to say, as if desperate to hide his secret.
As expected of the Hero—he must have sensed me reading his mind through Heightened Senses.
Though he had no counter like the headmaster did.
Her steady steps had come to a halt. Arien stared at me with trembling eyes.
'Deceiving... me.'
All the negative emotions he felt right now.
Seemed to stem from that very fact of "deceiving" me.
...So what if he was?
Did he really think I'd come to hate him over something like that?
What hurt more was that he even thought that in the first place.
"Don't worry, Arien."
"..."
Of course, at first, I hadn't planned to deny that I'd approached the Hero Arien for help.
But for some reason, you—who should be this world's protagonist—were despised by everyone.
Seeing your wings, meant to soar high, clipped and fallen to the ground.
It filled me with an unbearable disgust.
'...Even if your appearance changes, that heart of yours hasn't.'
Even as Arien pushed away and severed bonds.
I knew his fundamental nature—that heart that loved everyone—remained unchanged.
Tremble, tremble...
Even now, he trembled at what might come from my mouth.
That very sight proved Arien wasn't just the Hero. He was merely a young boy burdened with far too heavy a responsibility.
No matter how much of a Hero he was, saving everyone and sharing hope.
I knew better than anyone he was an idiot who couldn't even make a single friend.
...No, it wasn't that he couldn't.
The reason he cut off every approaching bond was surely to avoid harming those who got close to him.
"I don't know what you're worried about... but really, you don't need to."
"You don't even know...!"
"Still, if you're that worried, trust me instead of yourself. Trust Rowen, who'll understand whatever truth Arien might be hiding."
I didn't know what secret Arien was keeping.
Heck, I had secrets of my own I couldn't share.
So wasn't it fine for Arien to have one too?
Above all, I trusted the Hero, this world's protagonist. No—my friend, Arien.
"And Arien, you've been agonizing over it but deep down, you think you have to tell me eventually, right?"
"Th-that's..."
"So don't worry so much. The Arien I know always puts others before himself."
Arien's face crumbled uncontrollably, revealing his tangled emotions.
Anxiety and guilt. And deep down, a hidden flicker of hope.
His eyes, gazing desperately at me, held the question: Is that really okay?
"Until the day you tell me yourself, I won't ask a thing. Even if I figure it out first. I'll pretend not to know and treat you normally. If you're still scared to say it even after time passes, you don't have to at all."
"..."
"No matter what anyone says, no matter what secret you're hiding. The fact that you're my precious friend won't change."
My grand plan to make this world happy naturally included Arien.
By his side, crushed under everyone's expectations and slowly wearing down.
If I could just be the friend who lightened that burden with a joke or two.
It didn't matter what secret he held or how people looked at him.
Thud, thud.
Thanks to the resuming sound of footsteps.
Arien and I had arrived at the park, our meeting spot.
"Ahaha, did I talk too much? Guys usually don't say more than two words to each other. Hope I didn't make you uncomfortable again."
"..."
"Anyway, just so you know. Don't keep agonizing alone. We've got so many days ahead. Can't start like this."
Thud.
I plopped down on the park bench, flashing a smile to lighten the heavy mood.
As if responding, Arien—who'd been standing a bit away—slowly drew closer.
Thud, thud.
Eyes that wouldn't stop trembling, a face strangely flushed.
Arien, now right before me, finally parted his silent lips.
"...Thanks."
"Hm? Didn't quite catch that."
"Thanks...!"
"Hmm, think I heard it that time... but not sure."
"...I said thanks!"
"Ahaha, no problem."
Thanks to Arien, who was as fun to tease as ever today.
Waiting for Lea and Estelle wouldn't be boring.
"Ahaha, Rowen! Sorry if we kept you wai—ting...?"
Lea arrived at the meeting spot late with Estelle in tow.
And witnessed a scene she couldn't believe even with her own eyes.
Or rather, her nose.
Rowen chatting away with his usual charming smile was fine enough.
But the person beside him, gazing at Rowen with a strangely dreamy expression? That was the problem.
'That kid looks like Arien, but...'
The student who'd briefly visited the infirmary last time before hurrying off.
But she distinctly remembered Arien was a guy...
"So, I unleashed that slash during midterms, right?"
"What kind of nonsense is that..."
"No, really! Can't show you proof, though..."
"...Fine, I'll believe you. We're 'friends,' after all. Right?"
Forget his androgynous charm and the pretty face that caught the eye at first glance.
The nose-stinging, bittersweet yet sweet scent wafting between them.
Was shattering every bit of Lea's common sense.
'R-Rowen...! It's not just girls you're charming!? Even guys too!?'
His appeal seemed boundless, enchanting not just women but men as well.
Of course, it hadn't gone further—just a subtle aura.
But the obsession, satisfaction, and faint affection emanating from it were enough to startle Lea.
"Th-that's my spot..."
Meanwhile, Estelle—who claimed the title of Rowen's closest 'friend'—could only stomp her feet and stare at him.
And that odd vibe from Arien's gaze.
Lea's instincts warned her a new rival might have appeared.
"Ah, ahaha... No way, right...?"
This wasn't some novel.
There couldn't be a twist where the Hero was secretly a girl, not a guy.
And so, Lea ignored her gut telling her to watch out for Arien above all others.
She simply approached Rowen, who smiled warmly at her.