Chapter 102
Kirine stared blankly at Ares, unable to believe what she had just asked.
“Was I crying?”
“Yes.”
“No, I wasn’t.”
Ares turned his head forward with an expression that suggested he’d heard something absurd. Between his averted gaze and slightly bloodshot eyes, it was obvious to anyone that he had been crying. But whether from denial or embarrassment, Ares strongly refuted it.
Concerned that something might be wrong, Kirine carefully observed his complexion before quietly leaning against his shoulder. She felt that even if she asked, he wouldn’t answer, and she didn’t want to force a response.
“It’s been a while since we’ve spent time together like this.”
Right now, she just wanted to tell him how happy she was to be with him. Fortunately, her feelings seemed to reach him, as Ares’s gloomy expression began to soften slightly.
“Yeah. Well, someone’s been spending all their time with other men.”
“I said I was sorry about that.”
“If you’re really sorry, you should stick around more.”
“Honestly…”
Though she clicked her tongue, Kirine snuggled closer to Ares’s side and burst out laughing. Though she hadn’t been feeling well until just moments ago, being together with him seemed to make things gradually better.
***
Unfortunately, Ares’s condition showed no signs of improvement after that. Just when they thought he was getting better, his lack of focus during training led to an accident where he broke his arm.
Upon hearing the news, Kirine wanted to rush to his side immediately, but ongoing research prevented her from going to see him. When she finally managed to visit Ares after holding back for so long, she fell silent at the sight of his bandaged arm.
Sensing her barely contained anger, Ares immediately apologized when he saw her.
“I’m sorry.”
“…”
“It’s nothing. Getting injured during training happens sometimes…”
“Would you say the same thing if I got hurt?”
“I’m sorry.”
“…”
As he hung his head under her fierce gaze, Reilly, who had followed Kirine, clicked her tongue while looking at Ares with disdain.
“Seriously. Getting injured like an idiot during training.”
“Reilly.”
When Kirine gave her a reproachful look, Reilly jutted out her lips sulkily.
“Well, I’m not wrong.”
After glaring at Reilly, who continued making snide remarks, Kirine let out a shallow sigh and said to Ares, “You should be more careful.”
Even though he knew perfectly well that lack of concentration during training could lead to injury, why had he let himself get distracted like this?
Finally, Kirine voiced what she had been holding back.
“Has something been bothering you lately?”
“No, nothing.”
“…”
Though Ares shook his head, insisting there was nothing wrong, Kirine didn’t believe him at all.
“What is it? Tell me.”
At first, she had wanted to wait until Ares was ready to talk about it himself. But things were different now that he had gotten himself hurt like this.
“Ares Arensis.”
When she called his name softly, Ares seemed to realize the gravity of the situation. He glanced nervously at Kirine before lowering his head.
“I don’t want to talk about it.”
“…”
At those words, Kirine fell silent. She couldn’t even judge what to say next.
Finally, with a bitter smile, Kirine left first. Though Ares called after her, she didn’t look back.
Just as she was about to close the infirmary door, someone rushed out.
It was Reilly.
“Kirine.”
“I’m sorry, but I need to go.”
“Wait.”
As Kirine stared straight ahead without looking at her, Reilly grabbed her wrist as if asking her to look her way.
“Are you leaving because you’re angry?”
“…”
At the careful question, Kirine let out a cold sigh.
“I’m not angry.”
“Then?”
“I’m hurt.”
Only as she said those words did Kirine realize that what she felt wasn’t anger but disappointment.
Why couldn’t he talk to her, of all people? She wanted to comfort him even a little, so why wouldn’t he give her that chance?
These thoughts tormented Kirine, one after another. At the same time, she wondered if she hadn’t earned enough of his trust, berating herself.
“I know this might sound selfish, but try to understand.”
“But…!”
“You did the same thing.”
“What?”
As Kirine blinked in confusion at the unexpected words, Reilly rolled her eyes as if troubled before letting out a heavy sigh.
“You also have things you don’t tell Ares.”
“That’s…”
Though she tried to argue, Reilly wasn’t finished.
“Ares was really worried about you too.”
“Ares was? Why?”
When Kirine asked quickly, surprised by this revelation, Reilly clicked her tongue.
“You’ve been depressed lately.”
“But I never showed it in front of Ares.”
She had never let it show. The main reason she had hidden it was because she didn’t want Ares to worry.
But to think Ares had known anyway.
As Kirine looked at her in confusion, Reilly responded with an exasperated, sigh-laden voice.
“Did you really think Ares wouldn’t notice?”
“…”
“That guy is more sensitive and perceptive than you think.”
Though he pretended not to care about people on the surface, he read others’ moods and emotions more sharply than anyone.
“Haah… I didn’t want to have to say this…”
Uncomfortable watching their relationship become strained, Reilly revealed a bit of the dark story she had kept buried in her heart.
“When Ares was young… something bad happened to him.”
“What happened?”
“That’s not really for me to say…”
Feeling it was something he should tell her himself, she couldn’t reveal everything.
All she could say right now was this:
“So I hope you can understand.”
“…”
“Wait until he’s ready to talk about it.”
Though she knew this would sound frustrating to Kirine, there was nothing else she could do right now.
After quietly listening to Reilly’s words, Kirine lowered her gaze with an unreadable expression before nodding.
“Alright. If you’re asking me to wait, I’ll wait.”
“I’m sorry.”
“You have nothing to be sorry for, unni.”
“Thanks for saying that. But…”
“…?”
When Reilly’s expression suddenly hardened, Kirine began to feel tense.
As she grew anxious, wondering what serious thing Reilly was going to say—
“Could you call me ‘unni’ just one more time?”
“…”
Seeing Reilly’s eyes sparkling with desperate hope, Kirine couldn’t hide her exasperation.
“No.”
In that moment, she thought how very much like Ares’s sister Reilly was.
***
After that, Kirine continued visiting Ares’s hospital room to maintain their relationship.
Fortunately, Ares’s recovery speed was practically monstrous, to the point where his bandages could be removed by next week.
However, the awkward atmosphere between them didn’t dissipate so quickly.
Sometimes she felt the urge to grab him by the collar and demand to know what was wrong.
Nevertheless, Kirine barely managed to hold herself back while monitoring Ares’s condition.
Then one day.
“Kirine.”
When she looked up at the calm voice calling her name, she saw Ares slowly turning his head from the window to face her directly.
“What is it?”
“…”
Sensing something was off, Kirine silently sat and waited.
Until Ares was ready to talk.
Despite the long silence, Kirine didn’t rush him once, just watching Ares.
At that moment, Ares slowly opened his mouth.
“There’s someone I’ve been looking for…”
nvmix1
Here we go