* * *
I picked up another letter and unfolded it.
‘There’s nothing interesting about my past. I’m not good at telling stories the way you are, so I thought it’d just kill the mood if I talked about it. That’s why I didn’t want to.’
Honestly, I never expected Batista to be good at cheerful storytelling anyway!
Just answering me is enough! I can carry the conversation if I need to!
But the fact that he thought about this is so precious!
[Also, since you tend to care about the people around me, I figured you’d take an interest in Gaspar, which made me even less inclined to bring him up.
And sure enough, the moment you heard about him, you were desperate to know more. I even tried seducing you to distract you, but that didn’t work either.]
…Huh?
“W-Wait, that was to distract me?”
No wonder he told me to strip so randomly!
And he never brought it up again afterward either!
I totally thought it was because he enjoyed sleeping with me… but now I find out he just did it to throw me off?!
Because he knew I’d be all giddy and curious?!
Oh my god, this is so embarrassing!
“S-So it wasn’t because you liked me or anything…”
I buried my face in the letter.
I couldn’t look Batista in the eye anymore.
Realizing I was the only one feeling all excited and happy after that night—there’s no greater shame.
“…I never said I didn’t like it.”
“Huh?”
“Why would I do it again if I hated it?”
Wait—so it was both?
Like, distract me and enjoy the sex?
“B-But you never said anything about it!”
He didn’t say things like “it was good” or “I want to do it again.”
Not a single word.
So I thought I was the only one who kept overthinking it.
“You never asked.”
“……”
For someone like Batista to write me a letter just to say something on his own—this is seriously a huge deal.
Alright, let’s keep reading.
“But things turned out this way, so I have no choice but to say it. I’ll start from the temple days you were curious about. Since it’s my first time writing something like this, just bear with me if it’s weird.”
So shameless… But that’s exactly what makes him so Batista—it’s kind of cute.
[I have no memory of my parents. Since my earliest memories, I was already living in the temple.
There were a lot of kids my age at the temple, but I never really got along with anyone. I didn’t even know how to approach people or talk to them in a friendly way.
The timid ones said my stare was scary. The cocky ones tried to mess with me but ran off after seeing how strong I was. Everyone had their reasons to avoid me, and I never saw any reason to go out of my way to approach them.]
So the great Hero’s pride was no joke even as a kid.
Instead of making the first move, he just chose to be alone?
As someone who loves being around people, I could never.
Even if you’re the type who’s fine being alone, there’s a big difference between being alone by choice and having no one to be with.
He must’ve been so lonely.
Completely, painfully alone…
I suddenly wanted to just pull Batista into a hug.
But I didn’t have the guts, so I just glanced at him.
“I didn’t realize it back then, but I think I was lonely.”
Okay nope, I can’t hold back anymore!
He hugged me whenever he felt like it, so me hugging him just once shouldn’t be that weird, right?
He’s not gonna figure out my feelings just from that!
“You had it rough!”
In the end, I couldn’t resist the urge to comfort the younger Batista.
I threw my arms around him where he sat on the bed.
He flinched—his big frame jolted a little—but he didn’t push me away.
He quietly let me hold him.
He’s adorable…
So warm and soft, I want to stay like this. I want to lean on him.
I’m older, so maybe I can get away with giving my cute little bro a kiss on the forehead as praise—wait, what the hell am I thinking?
No way.
Of course not.
My selfish little thoughts were creeping in, so I quickly let go.
“Hah.”
But he pulled me back in.
The moment I let go, Batista grabbed my arms and pulled me into his chest.
Wait, what?
So it’s okay for you to hug me, but I’m not allowed to stop?
You’re saying you get to decide that? Is that it?
“Uh, hey?”
“Is there a problem?”
Yes! Yes, there is!
I like you!
Being this close to you makes my heart pound like crazy!
My pulse is going wild, thudding so loud it’s echoing in my ears.
“…It’s hard to read like this, you know?”
I couldn’t say I liked him, so I tried to point out the “problem” in another way.
There’s no way I can read a letter when I’m being hugged like this!
Batista was silent for a moment, then he turned me around in his arms.
I ended up with his arms wrapped around me from behind.
Technically, my hands were now free, so I could keep reading the letter.
But!
Still!
He was holding me around the waist from behind, resting his chin on my shoulder.
His long, wavy purple hair kept tickling my neck and shoulders.
I could feel the heat of his body pressed up against mine, every part of him.
How am I supposed to focus in this situation, when it’s the guy I like holding me like this!?
“Keep reading.”
God… I’m going to explode.
I forced myself to concentrate and practically buried my face in the letter.
I don’t feel anything.
Nothing at all!
The arms around me, the warm breath on my skin—it’s all just a hallucination because I missed Batista too much.
…Right?
“So when he picked me as his apprentice, I was happy.”
Grrrgh!!
“I should’ve been the one to pick you!”
Not that bastard! Me!
I should’ve been the one to shower you with praise!
That thought made me so mad I started thinking ridiculous things.
We’re only a year apart, so back when I was eighteen, it would’ve been impossible for me to go find him.
But imagining little Batista, unable to fit in and clinging to that one act of recognition from Gaspar… it’s heartbreaking.
And now I kind of want to murder Gaspar.
The letter, already crumpled, got even more wrinkled from my grip.
Behind me, Batista let out a soft chuckle.
Hearing him happy does make me happy too, but his laughter—his breath warm on my ear, his body shaking against mine—it was way too vivid.
I couldn’t stop shivering.
I don’t think I can survive this…
I might accidentally give myself away in a really embarrassing way.
Please, let me go.
“I-I’m… ticklish.”
“Endure it.”
“Yes, sir.”
…Wait. No. I should’ve pushed back just now!
What the hell is “Yes, sir”?
Am I just super easy when it comes to Batista!?
In any case, he had no intention of letting me go.
I guess it really did shake him when I, who used to follow him around like a puppy ready to give up every last part of myself, suddenly got angry and left.
Given how his social life was, that reaction actually makes sense.
Huh… maybe this was my fault.
I startled the Hero, after all.
* * *
