My Unrequited Love Is an Absolute Secret - Chapter 37

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 37

After dinner, I adjusted Robin’s costume carefully.
I draped the cape around his shoulders and tied the black mask behind his head, then asked him a question.
“All done. The mask isn’t too tight, is it?”
“Nope. It’s perfect.”
Robin gazed at his reflection in the mirror, admiring the cape draped over his shoulders and the mask covering his eyes with evident satisfaction.
Watching his innocent expression—as if he hadn’t been crying over Jessie just moments ago—stirred complicated emotions within me.
‘Was I like that too?’
Memories of the Homecoming Party kept surfacing unbidden.
It made sense, really. Robin now and I back then were practically identical.
Locked away in my room crying, then taking Aemerus’s hand and stepping outside, forgetting my sorrow and smiling brightly.
‘At least he’s happy now. That’s what matters.’
Recalling how Robin had been bragging about having an older brother, I couldn’t help but let out a soft laugh.
It was just as I finished tying my father’s bow tie to complete my butler costume.
Click.
Aemerus emerged from the bathroom, where he’d gone to change into his Batman outfit.
When I saw him, it took superhuman restraint to keep from whistling.
“Wow…”
His biceps and forearm muscles were starkly visible beneath the form-fitting black top.
The latex black pants suited him incredibly well too.
“You could go straight to a Batman movie shoot like that!”
At my compliment, Aemerus looked away shyly, rubbing the back of his neck.
I understood. He probably hadn’t expected to be wearing a Batman costume at his age either.
I chuckled and adjusted his clothes the same way I had with Robin.
The costume had been bought to fit Jessie’s frame, and since Aemerus had a similar build, it seemed to fit reasonably well.
“Does the outfit fit okay? Is anything uncomfortable?”
Still being polite, I asked, and Aemerus answered while tugging at his right thigh.
“It’s fine except for how tight it clings to my body.”
“Hmm. It’ll probably take about an hour to go around collecting candy. You’ll be okay with that?”
“That’s no problem.”
I nodded and placed the black mask over Aemerus’s face.
It was similar to the one Robin wore, but with pointed bat ears attached on top.
“It’s a shame to cover such a handsome face.”
The flattering words came out effortlessly.
Aemerus was willing to endure embarrassment for Robin’s sake, so offering him a compliment like this was the least I could do.
“Huh? Aemerus, are you running a fever or something?”
Noticing his reddened earlobes, I was startled and pressed my hand to my forehead.
A subtle fever warmed my skin.
“Are you feeling unwell?”
“Just hot. I’ll be fine once we’re outside.”
“Ah.”
Seeing his latex costume, I understood completely.
The moment I withdrew my hand, Robin approached and circled around him excitedly.
[You’re actually Batman…!]
[Thanks. You really do look like Robin.]
[Well, I actually am Robin, so of course.]
What kind of ridiculous conversation was this?
I laughed to myself and shook my head in disbelief.
[Let’s head out before it gets any later. Robin, did you bring the candy basket?]
[Yep!]
[Aemerus, yours is here. If any kids ask for candy, share these with them.]
As I handed over the candy basket I’d originally prepared for Jessie, Aemerus gave me a puzzled look.
[These aren’t candies?]
[Oh, they’re mini yakgwa.]
Jessie knew them well since we ate them often as snacks at my house, but Aemerus wouldn’t have known.
Realizing this, I added an explanation.
[They’re pastries made from flour dough fried in oil and glazed with honey. Want to try one? They’re delicious.]
Aemerus didn’t refuse my offer.
He unwrapped one of the individually wrapped yakgwa and took a bite, then smiled widely.
[Delicious.]
[Right?]
Yakgwa is a food that simply cannot taste bad.
Confident in my prediction, I grabbed my own basket with a satisfied air.
[Shall we go, Bruce Wayne?]
[Shh! You can’t call me by my real name.]
[Understood, Batman.]
Seeing Aemerus even more immersed in the roleplay than Robin, I giggled.
Behind me as I led the way, Aemerus and Robin walked hand in hand.
The moment we stepped outside, the cool autumn night air greeted us.
Still, the streets were crowded with children making their rounds to collect candy.
“Candy for me too!”
Robin shouted in English rather than Korean.
With a mask covering his face, his Asian features were hidden, and with Aemerus beside him, he had nothing to fear.
“Got it. Let’s start with Maji’s house and work our way around.”
“Okay!”
Just because it’s Halloween doesn’t mean you can get candy from anywhere.
It’s only possible at houses that have tacitly decorated for Halloween, and fortunately, Maji’s house—our nearest neighbor—was among them.
“Maji’s house is right next door. She’s been handing out candy on Halloween ever since I was little.”
“So your families must be close then.”
“Not really that close. More like we say hello when we pass each other on the street.”
As I explained this to Aemerus, Robin darted past me and rushed ahead.
“Robin, don’t run. You’ll hurt yourself.”
“What if the kids already took all the candy! Hurry, hurry!”
“Sigh.”
We had left pretty late.
I understood why Robin was so anxious, so I let out a long exhale.
“The butler should take his time.”
Aemerus scooped Robin up and tucked him under his arm, then took off running.
His cape fluttered behind him as Robin’s delighted laughter rang out.
Watching their retreating figures, something stirred in my chest.
Maybe it was because Robin was laughing so happily.
‘I thought today was completely ruined.’
Robin had cried all day, and our parents had grown gloomy watching him.
If Aemerus hadn’t been there, that’s exactly what would have happened.
I quickened my pace so I wouldn’t fall too far behind Aemerus.
“Hello, Maji!”
“Oh, it’s Robin. You came with Batman. Where’s your sister?”
Robin, who had been swiftly delivered to our destination, exchanged greetings with Maji.
I caught up to Aemerus, breathing heavily, and raised my hand in greeting.
“Robin doesn’t have a sister, but Batman’s butler Alfred is here. Hello.”
“Oh my, not a sister but a butler?”
At my cheeky response, Robin’s face went blank.
“I don’t have a sister?”
“You’re always looking for your brother anyway. So now you don’t have one.”
“That’s not true…”
Seeing my smiling face, Robin realized I was joking and cried out with relief.
“Trick or treat! Please give me candy.”
“Sure. Take some from here.”
“Thank you.”
I stopped Robin as he tried to stuff a fistful of candy into his basket.
“Robin, don’t take too much. You need to leave some for the other kids coming later.”
“It’s fine. Take more. I bought plenty of candy.”
Maji waved off my concern and opened a fresh bag of candy.
The quiet Batman helped transfer the new candy into the basket.
“Thanks. You’re Jessie, right?”
Maji looked up at the Batman and tilted her head.
Of course, the person who would be sticking with my brother and me was obviously Jessie, but something felt different.
“No, he’s my older brother, Aemerus.”
“Oh my! How rude of me.”
“It’s fine.”
Aemerus graciously offered the yakgwa Harry had given him to Maji.
“Please try this. Harry gave it to me, and I had it for the first time today too—it’s delicious.”
Maji recognized the yakgwa he handed her and lit up with delight.
“Ah, this is delicious. I’ve had it before when Harry’s mother shared some with me. It was so good that I even asked her where she bought it.”
Even without Jessie, the atmosphere remained warm and cheerful.
“But don’t eat too much, or you’ll gain weight.”
“You’re absolutely right.”
Harry giggled and wrapped up the conversation.
“We should head to the next house now. Thanks for the candy.”
“Happy Halloween!”
After exchanging farewells with Maji, we moved on to the next house.
Since we were running late, we hurried from house to house, and Robin’s candy basket filled up quickly.
Robin had insisted on carrying the basket himself at first, but as it grew heavier, he didn’t protest when Aemerus took it from him.
‘How cute.’
I watched Robin and Aemerus walking ahead, then pulled out my phone and snapped a photo.
“Batman and Robin!”
Disappointed with just their backs, I called out to them, and both men turned to face me simultaneously.
I didn’t miss the moment and quickly took another shot.
“You two really do look like Batman and Robin.”
“I’m actually Robin, I’m telling you!”
“Yes, yes.”
Aemerus extended his hand to me as I bickered with Robin.
“Let me take a photo of you.”
“Me? Hmm… sure. I should send one to my parents too. Come here, Robin. Let’s take one together.”
I found a suitable spot away from the crowds and positioned myself with Robin.
“I’ll take it on three. One, two.”
“Halloween!”
Robin and I both curled up our lips in smiles, timed to the ‘ween’ sound of Halloween.
“Did the photo turn out well?”
It was dark at night, so I suspected the photo wouldn’t have come out clearly.
Aemerus’s dark expression as he stared intently at my phone only confirmed my suspicion.
“What’s wrong? Should we take another one?”
“…I think it would be better if you came and looked at it yourself.”
“How bad is the photo that you’re saying that?”
My expression hardened as I approached Aemerus in confusion.
A text message had arrived from Jessie.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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