Judging you as pitiful because you don’t know love chapter 143

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“I don’t want to be apart from you. Ever. I want to stay by your side, always.”

His strong arms wrapped around me in return.

It felt like a promise, a vow that he’d stay with me forever.

My heart pounded.

Being in Batista’s arms felt like safety.

So warm, so comforting—I wanted to lean on him without shame.

I rested in his embrace, letting out the words still trapped inside me.

“I like you so much… You’re the kindest person in the world. I really like you.”

“…”

Ah.

Wait a second.

‘What the hell did I just say?’

Suddenly, my mind snapped back to reality.

Batista’s hug may have been sweet, but that didn’t mean I could just throw rational thought out the window!

Okay, let’s think this through—calmly.

I only said I like him, right? I didn’t say I love him, right?

‘Whew! Thank god!’

Then technically, I could pass that off as something friends say in an emotional moment.

That wasn’t a confession, right?

But hugging him tight and saying “I like you” while buried in his chest… kind of felt like a confession.

I had to find a way to smooth this over.

Slowly, I started to pull away from Batista’s arms.

But he didn’t let go.

Ugh, this frustrating strength gap.

I couldn’t break free unless Batista let me.

I could try something underhanded—maybe a distraction tactic—but who’d pull a stunt like that in this kind of moment?

Would he let go if I asked?

Before I could even say anything, his face came closer instead.

That handsome face, just inches away.

My heart nearly exploded.

His lavender hair brushed against my cheek, and the light contact sent shivers down my spine.

“Uh, hey? Batista?”

Any closer and our lips might actually touch.

Why?

Why was this happening?

If this keeps up, I might just give in and kiss him!

“…That ‘I like you’ from earlier—what kind of ‘like’ was that?”

…What?

Goosebumps spread across my skin.

Batista’s face was still faintly red, but I didn’t have time to find that cute—my brain had stopped working.

Wait, he knows?

Is he asking because he knows I like him?

How?

Was it that obvious?

Or… had he known before?

No, that couldn’t be it.

If he knew someone like me liked him, he’d be disgusted—he wouldn’t have stuck around.

He must’ve just gotten suspicious because I said it too emotionally.

If I just dodge this well, I can play it off.

We just made up—I don’t want to ruin it now because I couldn’t keep my feelings in check.

I turned my head, avoiding his gaze.

If I looked into his eyes, I’d end up telling him everything.

But it was no use—Batista gently grabbed my chin and turned my face toward his.

His other arm still wrapped tight around my waist.

There was nowhere to escape.

“Tell me properly. I want a real answer.”

Ah.

That voice… so sincere.

An unexpectedly intense voice crashed over me.

I stared into Batista’s eyes, completely entranced.

I had tried to avoid them, those gray eyes—but now they were staring straight at me.

Usually cold, emotionless gray eyes.

Eyes that looked down on everyone who dared approach with a chilliness that never warmed.

And yet, in a way that overshadowed every other memory I had of him… Batista was looking at me with such tenderness.

A gaze so desperate that no one could deny it—he was waiting for my answer.

These weren’t the eyes of someone hoping to be rejected.

There’s no way I could pretend not to understand after seeing that look.

And so, I had no choice but to face what I’d been avoiding.

No—there was nothing to “realize” at this point.

I just had to accept it.

The conclusion I’d thought of so many times and forced myself to deny.

‘He… likes me.’

Batista likes me.

Not in a way that could be brushed off as friendship or camaraderie.

It wasn’t some shallow feeling I could play dumb about.

Just by meeting his eyes, I was forced to accept the weight of his feelings.

That’s how much he liked me.

‘…What do I do? I feel so guilty.’

I kept denying the possibility.

I ignored Batista’s sincerity, convinced there was no way.

Even though I knew he treated me differently, I never tried to look deeper.

I thought someone like me, who’s useless in battles against the demons and completely unfit to stand beside a hero, had no right to be the one he truly loved.

Looking back, that was such arrogance on my part.

Who did I think I was… to decide who Batista’s feelings should be directed at?

Not only did I fail to respect them, I didn’t even trust him—and forced myself to look away.

All this time, Batista had been showing me how serious he was.

“Say it.”

He urged me.

His voice, unusually anxious, pressed me for an answer.

The situation was so overwhelming that my mind went blank.

My body heated up, and my cheeks flushed.

My thoughts were a mess, all jumbled and chaotic.

But I had to get it together.

If I was sorry—then I shouldn’t repeat the same mistake.

I shouldn’t lie to Batista, who was asking for the truth.

That was the only way to atone for how thoughtlessly I’d made him yearn.

I had to answer “properly,” just like he asked.

I had to be honest, with all my heart.

“I… I want to be the most… special person to you.”

I wanted to say it clearly, but it wasn’t easy.

My heart was racing, my throat tight.

I could barely get the words out, stammering.

I felt like my chest was going to explode.

“More than that…”

“I want to be the only one who holds you like this.”

Embarrassed, I squeezed my eyes shut.

Batista gently brushed his rough fingers along my lashes, and I slowly opened them again.

The way he looked down at me was so, so kind.

His eyes were full of affection.

The final wall I’d been clinging to came crashing down.

“…Go out with me.”

Batista smiled.

It was a soft expression I never imagined he could make.

The way his smile spread across his lips warmed my heart.

I knew exactly what that smile meant.

It was a yes.

“Making me wait this long… really?”

Even his chiding voice was gentle.

From the way he said he’d been waiting, he must’ve known I liked him too, all along.

Was it that obvious?

He must’ve been so frustrated watching me stubbornly erase any possibility of love.

I wanted to finally tell him how sorry I was.

That I was sorry for making him wait…

Batista tilted his head.

I held my breath and fell silent.

The already small distance between us disappeared.

Our lips touched. The soft sensation sent a jolt through my tense nerves.

This was the kiss I had wanted for so long—ever since that hazy moonlit night.

There was no post-battle adrenaline now, no romantic moonlight, just an old inn room… and that was more than enough.

As long as Batista was here.

His lips trembled slightly against mine.

It was just a simple kiss, our lips barely touching, but I already felt lightheaded.

I’d never felt anything like this before.

Batista always gave me new experiences.

Even a small touch thrilled me, his warmth calmed me.

And that’s why—I loved it.

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