* * *
‘But…! This was probably a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!’
I couldn’t just let this go.
Do you know how rare a chance like this is?!
Of course, to anyone who didn’t understand the situation, calling this “a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity” would probably sound ridiculous.
No way I could say that out loud.
“I’m not angry, I just… wanted you to understand that it’s only natural for me to be curious. I’ve asked you so many times to just tell me why, but you never said anything…”
I cautiously watched his reaction.
Fortunately—if you could call it that—at least he hadn’t caught me meeting with Gaspar.
So I could still explain myself.
“I wasn’t actually planning to meet him just because you told me not to! I was just doing some research, asking people what kind of person he is! If you don’t believe me, you can check with the vendors.”
Of course, I was planning to meet him eventually.
But for now, all I’d done was ask a few questions, so I could say that with confidence.
Batista’s gaze flickered toward the market vendors, who were still trembling from his sheer presence.
Then, without warning, he kicked the boulder beside me.
CRACK!
The massive rock shattered into pieces, crumbling into a pile of rubble.
It happened so fast I didn’t even have time to scream.
Wait—was he planning to do that to me?!
Was he going to destroy me so thoroughly that Raul Florenti would cease to exist?!
“…You too.”
I-I-I beg for my life.
“You too, don’t tell me anything.”
…Huh?
Wait. That wasn’t a death threat?
Oh. Right.
Of course Batista wouldn’t do that.
He’s a hero, after all.
More importantly—
“Me? I what?”
For some reason, Batista’s overwhelming aura had faded a little, making it easier to breathe.
Or rather…
‘Does he seem… hurt?’
Ugh.
This is worse than when he’s angry.
If he’s upset, that means I hurt his feelings.
I made the hero sad.
How could a guy like me do something so awful?!
I wasn’t even sure if I was reading him right, but I was already overwhelmed with guilt.
But I couldn’t apologize without knowing what I’d done wrong.
“What did I do? What didn’t I tell you?”
I know it objectively.
I’m incredibly weak when it comes to Batista.
He’s the person I respect the most in this world, after all.
Earlier, I could have insisted that I just wanted to walk alone, but I didn’t.
There were practical reasons, sure, but a big part of it was that I simply didn’t want to lie.
If it’s something Batista wants, I usually can’t refuse.
If it’s within my power, I want to do everything for him.
Digging into Gaspar isn’t about my preferences; it’s something I have to do because of a duty that ranks above them.
So if it’s just a few words, I’d say them as much as he wants.
Then why is he acting like this?
I really had nothing in mind, but Batista seemed convinced that I was hiding something.
His expression grew even darker.
“You really think I wouldn’t know you’re keeping a secret?”
Uh-oh.
Is he upset because I didn’t tell him I’ve regressed?
No way!
How would he even know?
That can’t be it.
In an era where divine miracles have become rare, the idea of regression is unthinkable.
If not that… does he still believe I have an incurable disease?
And now he’s upset because I didn’t tell him the truth, so he’s withholding information about our teacher in return?
If that’s the case, Vasco won’t get away with this when I go back.
“I’m not terminally ill.”
“……”
Was that the wrong thing to say?
Still, thanks to that nonsense, I at least proved that I genuinely had no idea what he was talking about.
Batista sighed.
“I told you, I’ll only overlook a lie once.”
He’ll… overlook a lie only once?
Did he say that?
I think I heard something like that before… Ah!
‘This is the only time I’ll let it slide.’
He said that on our way to the temple.
I remember it clearly.
It was a day worth remembering—because that was the day Batista, of all people, said we had “grown closer.”
The reason I didn’t recall it immediately was because, in my mind, the matter had already been settled.
‘I thought I handled it well!’
But I didn’t, not at all!
Judging by the situation, Batista never believed me when I said there was nothing to hide.
Then what about when I asked if he forgave me?
‘So he meant he’d only let it slide this once because I lied to cover things up?!’
Ugh, my conscience hurts.
“Uh, yeah… That’s right.”
Couldn’t he have made that clearer?!
If he thought we were misunderstanding each other, he should have explained it!
I was the only one thinking I got away with it!
That’s what I wanted to say, but since I was the one at fault, I couldn’t exactly raise my voice.
Instead, I just gave him an awkward smile.
“Sorry… for lying.”
Batista didn’t say it was okay.
“If you tell me first,”
Instead, his voice was serious.
“I’ll tell you too.”
It was a heavy, solemn tone.
And yet, to me, it sounded unbelievably sweet.
It softened the walls I had built around my secret, the one I had been desperately keeping to myself.
‘Should I just tell him?’
It’s embarrassing to say out loud, but the truth is, regression is too big of a secret for someone as pathetic as me to bear alone.
Knowing what dangers lie ahead and keeping it all to myself—it was more painful than I had imagined.
Honestly, I wanted to say it and feel relieved.
I wanted to share this burden with someone.
I kept my mouth shut only because I knew no one would believe me.
But maybe it was time.
We were truly close now.
Maybe Batista would believe me.
If he did, maybe he’d even tell me he’d talk to our teacher again.
My heart pounded, caught between excitement and fear.
‘Am I being too optimistic?’
Batista already knows I lied once.
And now, if I tell him something this unbelievable, wouldn’t he think I’m just trying to deceive him again?
But still…
“Do you not want to?”
Batista asked.
“Why?”
Because… I’m afraid you won’t believe me.
I’m afraid you’ll never say, ‘I trust you’ again.
I’m afraid you’ll look at me with cold eyes, just like in my dreams, and ask, ‘how could I trust you?’
Should I ask first?
Should I ask if he’ll believe whatever I say?
That if he promises to trust me, I’ll tell him?
But what if Batista gets genuinely angry and thinks I’m just messing with him?
Then what would a verbal promise even mean?
But.
Even so.
That tiny glimmer of hope, like a faint star in the darkness, flickered in my heart.
A buried expectation began to rise.
Should I tell him?
Should I?
Should I just say it?
Right now…
“Bati?”
A familiar head of golden hair came into view.
A man who, as if it were the most natural thing in the world, called Batista ‘Bati.’
Batista’s expression turned rigid as he slowly turned around.
* * *
I love it thank youuuuuuuuuuu
Waiting for the next chapterrrrrrrr