𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐚 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐬𝐦𝐚𝐧
“. . . . . .Is this a date?”
“Uh, well, something like that.”
ㅤ
Whether her high spirits were dampened by being handed a complete set of equipment for the date, or she was too embarrassed to say it to an acquaintance’s face, Stella responded with a much more hesitant tone than when she had confidently told the grocer Uncle.
Still, there was a hint of joy in her voice.
Rest’s face looked like he had just bitten into something bitter.
Stella, you’re quite the sinful woman.
ㅤ
“Stella, go change quickly. In the meantime, Rest and I will have a man-to-man talk.”
“Ah, okay. Understood.”
ㅤ
As soon as she was sent off, Stella ran to change her clothes.
She’ll be back soon.
But until then, it’s just Rest and me.
ㅤ
“So, do you have anything you want to say?”
“. . . . . .You’re loved by Stella-san, aren’t you? I’m quite envious.”
“Yes, I am a fortunate man.”
ㅤ
Lately, Stella’s advances have been pretty blatant.
I’m not so dense as to think that she doesn’t like me romantically, especially considering her current behavior.
ㅤ
“Yet, you’re not dating her.”
“. . . . . .Who told you that?”
“I accidentally overheard a conversation between Rin-san and Ernesta-sama when they came to the barracks.”
“Those two. . . . . .!”
ㅤ
Just how much do they want to stir the pot?!
Still, the resulting uptick in Stella’s forwardness is something that I’m more than half pleased about, so I can’t just angrily confront them about it.
Doing so would also cause problems for Stella.
More importantly, if I were to directly confront those two, I can only see a future where they counterattack and mock me.
Damn it.
How annoying.
ㅤ
“So, you’re not going to confess?”
“Not now, not yet.”
“Why? You love Stella-san, don’t you?”
“Yes, I do.”
ㅤ
For the first time, I openly declared that “I love Stella.”
Not with a smirking face like Mom or some duo, but with sincerity to a romantic rival who was questioning me seriously.
ㅤ
Yes, let’s admit it.
I love Stella.
Not in a platonic way, but romantically, as one man to one woman.
I may have only realized it after reuniting with her as an adult, but I’ve probably loved her deep down for a long time.
Otherwise, I couldn’t have pushed myself so hard to get where I am now.
ㅤ
Honestly, what triggered it?
I don’t think there was any dramatic catalyst.
Rather, I just felt calm when she was around.
She’s been with me since birth, and that was the norm.
Arguing over trivial matters was fun.
Finding happiness in sharing simple joys.
It’s something I truly understand because I’ve lost it once, almost irretrievably.
Those days were invaluable and irreplaceable.
ㅤ
I want to reclaim those days.
In a world where the Demon King is gone, in a world where there’s no need to fight, I want the everyday life where I can laugh with Stella again.
I want to keep living those days forever.
Until the day we both reach a ripe old age, together.
ㅤ
Simply put, I want to be with Stella for the rest of my life.
I want to make Stella happy.
For the sake of the her that I couldn’t save in the previous world.
And if possible, I want to be the one to share that happiness with her up close.
No matter how I rationalize it, these feelings are nothing but love.
So, I will no longer deny these feelings.
ㅤ
“But I can’t express these feelings yet.”
“. . . . . .Why.”
“Even now, I’m so happy I could drown in it. Before defeating the Demon King, I can’t afford to wallow in happiness.”
ㅤ
I’m afraid of that.
After completing my training journey and defeating one of the Four Heavenly Kings standing next to Stella, I earned the right to do so.
As a result, I now have both the leisure in my heart and the situation to go on a date during our shopping trips.
While that itself is a joyous thing, I fear that I might just fall into decadence due to having the luxury to focus on romance.
ㅤ
I’m a man too.
It’s only natural that I have desires to do this and that with the woman I like.
If I’m not careful, I might go too far.
Don’t underestimate the longing of a virgin who has been harboring his first love for decades, even counting my previous world.
The worst-case scenario is that the hero gets pregnant and has to leave the battlefield, resulting in the end of humanity—no laughing matter.
ㅤ
Even without that, if I let myself get too caught up in romance, my training time will decrease, and my skills will rust.
This date is still okay because it has the pretext of shopping, but if we start dating and keep repeating these normal, enjoyable, and happy dates, we will definitely become weaker.
Especially since my Ultimate Killing Sword relies on finesse in the art of combat.
I must constantly sharpen it and maintain that sense, or there’s no way I can face the remaining Four Heavenly Kings and the Demon King.
Until I defeat all of my enemies, I have no choice but to run at full speed.
ㅤ
“I want to make her happy. I’m committed to doing so for the rest of her life.
That’s why now is the time for restraint.
It’s a time when I have to run straight ahead without looking back.
I intend to express these feelings only after defeating the Demon King, ending the war, and securing a peaceful era where everyday happiness is prioritized.”
ㅤ
As if to reaffirm my determination, I spoke with strong resolve.
I will definitely seize such a future.
While harboring these absolute feelings in my heart.
ㅤ
“Guess I can’t compete after all.”
ㅤ
Hearing my words, Rest murmured in a small voice, as if fading away.
His face looked as though he might cry.
His expression was filled with strain.
ㅤ
“The right to stand beside Stella-san should belong to a strong person like you.
I’d be totally inadequate.
. . . . . .I’ll be going now. Allan-san, please be happy with Stella-san.”
ㅤ
Rest looked exceptionally frail as he said this.
Not just the typical heartbreak, but something more.
. . . . . .Come to think of it, he had looked gloomy since we first met yesterday.
I thought it might have been because he got scolded by Ruberto-san, or because he acted recklessly and almost died, but maybe he has other troubles too.
ㅤ
“Wait.”
ㅤ
As I thought about this, I threw something at Rest, who was about to leave.
Rest turned around reflexively and caught what I had thrown.
It was the wooden sword that Stella had left behind because it was in her way while she was changing.
ㅤ
“We’ve met for a reason. Stay for a while.”
ㅤ
Saying that, I aimed my wooden sword at a bewildered Rest.
Translator’s Blog
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