Chapter 101
Chapter 101
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 101
Chapter Title: Confession
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5 years.
A long time.
In that span, the girl had become a woman.
The once youthful Lily, full of innocent charm, now exuded a subtle allure that replaced her cuteness.
She had barely reached his chest before,
but now, if she stood on her tiptoes, her eyes seemed almost level with Crow's.
"Oppa."
"Ah, Lily."
Only after things had changed could he finally see certain truths.
His own prince, who had always seemed perfect, wasn't as strong as he'd thought.
"Why are you crying?"
"...You saw?"
Crow was the Hero Association's fixer.
The hero who stepped in only when something had been overlooked,
or when a more definitive resolution was needed.
"Sorry. I showed you an ugly side. Just forget it, okay?"
Yet this man thrashed about, desperate to save even one more soul.
Whenever he finished a mission and was left alone, he would invariably wash his face repeatedly.
The location didn't matter. He had to splash cold water on his cheeks and lips, soaked in sweat and blood.
"Oppa."
Lily approached cautiously and hugged him quietly from behind.
Unlike before, her embrace carried a mature air, blending a woman's softness and warmth.
"It's okay."
"..."
Justice's warning echoed in his ears.
Crow had truly devoted himself to Lily as if she were his own little sister or daughter.
"Enough. Let's go. Thanks."
What Lily felt for Crow was a love that was
a bit stickier and more tender than ordinary [love].
From the struggling Crow, who tried so hard to act strong, Lily even felt pity—an emotion no sister could have for her brother.
"Don't thank me. I'm always on your side, Oppa."
Lily loved Crow.
Only him,
for the rest of her life.
"You today, why are you so... Hnng...!"
Even those moments when he carved out time alone,
avoided Lily's gaze,
and sought comfort from Justice.
Crow couldn't help recalling Lily's warmth.
The inexplicable thrill that set his body aflame...
"Haah...! Ah, ugh..."
As Justice reached her peak, her moans etched into his ears, Crow panted heavily. His sweat-drenched body collapsed atop her in exhaustion.
"Crow, what's wrong...?"
"...It's nothing."
Their relationship could never progress further.
Justice never crossed that line with Crow.
"..."
She was a hero for the masses.
A woman like the Hero Association's banner, standing before everyone to proclaim hope and justice.
She wanted that herself,
and desired [her own] positive influence to change the world.
"Um, Justice?"
That was why she hesitated.
Crow was a notable hero in his own right, but his cleanup work always had its dark side.
"How about we just get married?"
"What?"
If those truths ever came to light,
Justice's position could be jeopardized.
They were jobs Crow had taken on himself from the start,
but sharing that burden required immense resolve.
"...What's going on? Tell me. Why say something like that all of a sudden?"
"I don't know."
Even knowing she'd refuse,
Crow asked Justice how she felt.
"I just thought... it might be nice..."
"..."
An ambiguous relationship.
Yet a desire to need each other.
Contradictory pursuits of benefit
and longing for the other.
"No. Forget it. Pretend I didn't say anything."
"You can't just say it and then tell me to forget. You're acting really weird right now, you know?"
Faint lingering affections that wouldn't sever
and insatiable greed that couldn't be erased.
In the midst of it, Justice chose her dreams,
and Crow had no real choices left.
"You know now's not the time. This is just the beginning. People still need us."
"Yeah, I know."
That was why he felt so confused.
"I know..."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Back at their shared living space,
Justice had her own room,
while Lily and Crow shared one.
About four years ago.
Lily had nightmares when sleeping alone, so someone had to share her bed.
Justice's arms didn't help much. But nestled against Crow, she slept soundly, leaving the siblings no choice but to share a room.
For Crow, it wasn't difficult. He never lusted after Lily.
So they lived like true siblings, sharing a room and showing even their flaws openly—like irreplaceable family.
"Oppa and Unnie are coming back together today."
"...We ran into each other on the way."
Crow didn't see Lily as a woman. He thought she no longer saw him as a man either.
Of course, Lily had blushed furiously at first, making a fuss, but now she was calm and nonchalant about it.
So it wasn't unreasonable for him to misunderstand.
Over those five years,
Lily had become the kind, supportive little sister just for Crow.
And more than that.
A kind sister,
an amazing hero,
and a perfect confidante.
"It's been a while since we're all together. Want to have a drink?"
"You've got a year left to wait."
"Can't I have just a little if it's from Oppa or Unnie?"
"I'll buy you some next year. Not a drop until the dirt's on my eyes."
Close siblings.
That was supposed to be their endgame.
"Oh, is Unnie going to bed?"
"Yeah. I'm beat. I'll wash up first."
"Then let's get ready for bed too."
Crow could never love Lily.
Not this girl six or seven years younger,
whom he'd raised, seeing even her ugliest sides.
The monster that once snarled while breaking his arms was now becoming a proper human. That alone satisfied Crow.
"...Yeah."
Yet that night, Lily
whispered quietly to Crow.
"Oppa, you asleep?"
Her breath touched his back.
With Lily grown now, Crow slept on a blanket spread on the floor instead of the bed.
Lily slipped under it and lay beside him.
"No, not yet."
"I can't sleep either."
It was a restless midnight, sleep creeping in bit by bit.
His mind was heavy with worries, keeping him tossing, but now it finally seemed he'd drift off.
"Want some of the blanket?"
"No, it's fine."
Strangely, it was a hazy, drowsy night. Usually, so many worries kept sleep at bay.
Lily gently embraced him little by little,
stroked him tenderly, and spoke softly.
"Oppa, if not Unnie Justice, then am I no good?"
"...What?"
In his half-dreaming state, Crow doubted his ears and had to sit up.
"Wh-what are you saying?"
"I said, am I no good?"
"Lily, enough with the jokes. Don't say things like that..."
But even without lights, they could see clearly in the dark room.
They faced each other, more sincere than anyone. Crow especially gaped at Lily's earnest expression.
He couldn't even think to scold or get angry. Lily's serious face was pleading with him.
"Lily, you're... my little sister. Don't ever say that."
He wanted to look away. Crow lacked the confidence to meet her gaze fully.
"Oppa."
Yet Lily hugged him tightly and continued whispering her love.
"You're my Oppa too. But that doesn't change how I love you."
"That's not what I meant. Let's drop it and sleep."
"Give me a proper answer. Oppa, am I not enough for you?"
Her hand approached his chest.
"Lily...!"
For a moment, memories of Justice flashed, startling him into shoving the blanket aside.
His hazy mind left him weak, but Crow firmly rejected her.
"No. This really isn't right. Lily, you're still a minor. You get that, right...?"
"Then if I become an adult, will you accept me?"
It felt bizarre.
Maybe he should have accepted Lily's feelings flowing this way long ago.
"Listen to me, Oppa. I see you as... my precious little sister. Like blood family. No, more like a daughter..."
"No other man catches my eye but you, Oppa."
Unlike Crow's wavering gaze and voice,
Lily brimmed with unwavering conviction.
"I've liked you all this time. Oppa, you're all I have."
Mentally shaken, Crow agonized for a long while.
He had to reject this poor girl's heartfelt confession harshly.
That was an adult's duty. His conscience and sense of justice wouldn't allow him to touch a sister-like child.
"Not me. So when I grow up, will you please date me?"
But Crow couldn't refuse easily.
Strangely, the words wouldn't come. His head throbbed.
"Um, just give me... a little time to think..."
He should refuse without hesitation. He knew that.
"Oppa, come with me. Don't get hurt here anymore. You don't need to sacrifice yourself. I'll take your place. You deserve to rest happily. No one's worked as hard as you."
Lily whispered even sweeter words. He felt something in his heart shake.
"...I'll make you happy. Stay as my happy Oppa."
Her hand stroked down his nape, then slowly up.
"Stop suffering and leave with me. Retire quietly and stay by my side..."
"Retire? Retirement? What are you..."
That was Lily's one mistake.
Caring for him too much.
"...I mean, be happy with me, Oppa. Be a little more honest. If we go far away together, every day will be happiness without pain."
As the romantic confession failed to sway him, Lily's expression hardened.
Or more precisely,
it was because Crow's heart began to turn that her face stiffened.
"No. How could I possibly..."
Lily had chosen what she thought was her best shot,
but facing Crow's true feelings here tormented her deeply.
"...You're such a fool, Oppa. Suffering like this."
Ah, I see.
Oppa can't even be honest with himself.
No matter what, he won't see me as a woman. Being nice backfires.
He's bound by justice and all that. It's choking him, yet he doesn't know how to escape.
Oppa doesn't care for himself.
Then all the more,
he needs me.
*Pshhh-*
At that moment, something brushed Crow's mind.
An indescribable, eerie sensation.
Of all days, when his head was this muddled,
after fighting with Justice,
on a night haunted by victims' afterimages and festering wounds deep in his heart, soaking his pant hems.
*Chuu-*
Crow kissed Lily's lips briefly, finding her so lovable.
The moment their lips met, all anxiety vanished. His worries felt pointless.
All problems seemed solvable if he just loved Lily.
In fact, had there ever been a reason to refuse her?
The age gap wasn't that serious.
How could he reject someone as beautiful as Lily? He was lucky. Too arrogant to even consider turning her away.
He should be grateful. Better to seriously date Lily than tangle with someone like Justice.
Yeah, let's go with Lily.
Following her means no more hardships.
No more suffering. Maybe the world benefits if I step back.
Because Lily's here.
Lily can do anything...
She's that kind of...
kid...?
So I retire...?
Then the people...
"...What?"
Suddenly,
mid-kiss, Crow grimaced and pulled back.
An inexplicable unease forced him away.
"What is this? Huh?"
"...Oppa, I love you too."
Lily approached calmly, checking his state, though she seemed flustered.
"Wait, what did I just...?"
"Oppa, calm down. It's okay. I actually liked—"
"Urk...!"
His body rebelled against the sudden mental shock with dry heaves.
With those soft lips that had just kissed Lily,
Crow vomited saliva and bile, trembling violently.
"This... no way..."
Mental manipulation.
Even against that superior ability, Crow finally showed a recovery response.