My Unrequited Love Is an Absolute Secret - Chapter 48

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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 48

It took me a moment to fully comprehend Aemerus’s proposal.
I stood there with my mouth agape, blinking slowly before finally asking, “That’s it?”
“That’s all?”
The request was suspiciously favorable to me.
Moreover, it wasn’t just anywhere—it was Banff, Canada, one of the world’s most renowned travel destinations.
So naturally, I couldn’t help but question his intentions.
“You’re not asking me to cover the accommodation costs, are you?”
“Of course not. I’ll arrange the plane tickets too. You just need to show up. If you want, you can even bring Robin.”
“Robin too?”
My ears perked up at the mention of bringing my younger brother along.
Noticing my wavering resolve, he drove the final nail in the coffin.
“Yes. I’ll teach Robin how to ice skate.”
He was providing accommodation and plane tickets, and now he’d teach Robin to ice skate?
The more I heard, the more suspicious it seemed.
‘This isn’t human trafficking or kidnapping, is it?’
I narrowed my eyes and studied Aemerus intently.
“Aemerus.”
“What?”
“Let’s be honest with each other.”
“I can’t be more honest than this.”
Aemerus shrugged, but I pressed on relentlessly, interrogating him like a detective.
“You said your parents are going to Banff with you. So why are you inviting me and Robin?”
“My parents are incredibly busy people, so I’ll essentially be alone anyway.”
“I see…”
“I don’t want to be alone all the way out there.”
Thanksgiving in the United States is much like Chuseok in Korea—a major holiday.
Most people spend it at home with family, so my parents closed the Restaurant and took time off.
There would be no customers if we opened on such a holiday anyway.
The thought of him spending such a festive occasion alone felt rather melancholy.
I found myself feeling a bit sorry for him.
‘Why not?’
My heart began to lean toward accepting his invitation.
In the past, I’d spent Thanksgiving with Jessie’s family, but recently it had been just my own family…
The prospect of bringing Robin along was an incredibly tempting offer.
While I showed Robin a wider world beyond the narrow confines of his room where he’d been withdrawing into himself, my parents could finally enjoy some freedom.
Though I desperately wanted to accept right then and there, I took a step back for now.
“Could I ask my parents first before giving you an answer?”
“Do whatever feels right.”
He spoke as though there was no rush whatsoever.
In truth, he wasn’t the one who needed to be anxious about this.
“Until then, keep this secret no matter what happens. You understand, right?”
I pleaded with Aemerus, my voice desperate.
I hadn’t even properly confessed to Jessie yet….
I would have preferred to confess directly rather than have my unrequited love exposed so pathetically like this.
At my plea, Aemerus glanced down at his wristwatch and smiled faintly.
“It is a beautiful watch.”
“…If you like it, it’s yours.”
Though I couldn’t fathom why he insisted on taking someone else’s birthday gift, I was relieved that it pleased him at least.
He nodded contentedly, having successfully claimed the watch that should have gone to Jessie.
“Your secret will be kept safe.”
I could trust Aemerus.
At least I’d extinguished the immediate crisis, so I could breathe easier.
“Aren’t you going to eat more?”
“I should.”
I picked up my fork, my response listless.
The birthday cake I’d carefully chosen for Jessie was truly delicious, which only made me feel more melancholy.

***

“Lili, Robin. You didn’t forget anything, did you?”
Harry had arrived at the airport for the Thanksgiving break.
The airport bustled with people heading home since early dawn.
“Your wallet and passport?”
“Right here. I’m keeping Robin’s too.”
“And don’t forget to keep them safe even when you go to the Restroom.”
“Okay.”
My parents, who had come to see me off at the airport, continued their nagging until the very moment of parting.
It was only a four-day break, yet this was the first time Robin and I would be apart, and they seemed genuinely anxious about it.
“Call me as soon as you arrive. And make sure to ask Aemerus how much the tickets cost. I’ll send you the money. Understood?”
“Yes.”
Aemerus had truly provided us with plane tickets.
Finding flights around Thanksgiving would have been difficult enough on its own.
My parents had happily approved of the trip, but they objected to Aemerus paying for everything.
We could overlook the accommodation since we’d be staying with Aemerus’s family, but there was no reason for him to cover the airfare as well.
“Don’t forget to thank Aemerus’s parents when you meet them.”
“Yes.”
“Go and have a wonderful time. Robin, you need to listen to your sister.”
“Okay.”
Leaving my parents’ seemingly endless stream of advice behind, Robin and I boarded the plane.
Aemerus’s family had departed for Canada the night before.
And thanks to them, I was sitting in first class for the very first time.
“Robin, are you really going to wear that hat even after we get to Canada?”
“Yep!”
I shook my head in resignation as I fastened Robin’s seatbelt for him.
Robin was clutching a cowboy hat tightly in his hands.
He’d been wearing it the entire time before we sat down.
“So once we land, I’ll get to meet the Dancing King?”
“Yes. You just need to be patient for five hours. You can do that, right?”
Robin nodded eagerly.
We’d watch two movies, take a short nap, and then we’d be there.
I ruffled Robin’s hair and then pulled out my phone.
I reported to my parents that we’d boarded, and while I was notifying Aemerus, a message came in.
「Did Lili leave?」
「You’re not already on the plane, are you?」
The messages were from Jessie.
“….”
My hands, which had been moving quickly until just now, froze in place.
Truth be told, this sudden trip had caused a slight rift between Jessie and me.

‘Going to Canada with just Aemerus? How could you make such a decision without even consulting me?’

Jessie looked at me with a sorrowful expression, as though I had betrayed him.
I earnestly explained that it wasn’t a trip alone with Aemerus, but rather his family vacation where Robin would be joining us as well—all to no avail.
Jessie maintained his negative stance to the very end.
He insisted I cancel the trip immediately.

‘I didn’t realize I needed your permission to go anywhere.’

Only after I snapped these words in anger did he apologize, claiming that wasn’t what he meant.
But after that quarrel, the two of us became somewhat distant.
‘Cancel the trip, he says.’
I wasn’t entirely thrilled about this trip either.
Ever since Aemerus discovered that I harbored unrequited feelings for Jessie, I’d been anxious.
So much so that I suffered nightmares every night where he revealed everything to Jessie.
‘How could I make such a decision without consulting him?’
Moreover, I was hurt by Jessie’s attitude—as though it were only natural that he should control me.
While treating me as merely a friend, he was trying to interfere like a lover. Wasn’t that too much?
‘Yet he goes around meeting all sorts of women.’
I bit my lip firmly before reluctantly sending a reply.
「I’m on the plane now」
「Taking off soon」
「Yeah」
「Have a safe trip」
I deliberated for a long time over whether to reply again.
“Attention passengers, the aircraft will be taking off shortly. Please fasten your seatbelts.”
Just then, the in-flight announcement for takeoff came through.
It was actually convenient timing.
Without replying to Jessie, I switched my phone to airplane mode.

***

Despite the rather long flight to Calgary Airport in Canada, Robin held up well.
He didn’t complain about being tired and obediently went through immigration with Harry without fussing.
It was when we retrieved our luggage and stepped out of the arrivals hall.
「Harry & Robin」
Among the clusters of people gathered about, I spotted Aemerus holding a sign with Harry’s name written in Korean characters.
[Dancing King!]
The moment Robin saw him, he abandoned me entirely and scampered over.
[Hey. How have you been?]
Aemerus effortlessly scooped up Robin as he rushed toward him.
[A cowboy hat?]
[Yep!]
[Aemerus, tell Robin that if he keeps wearing that hat around here, he’ll turn into a snowman. I’ll trust what you say since you stayed an extra day in Canada.]
Harry, pulling her luggage, joined us and appealed to Aemerus.
Seeing him waiting for us at the airport somehow eased the tension I’d been carrying.
[You’re right. Let’s get you a warm hat here.]
[You don’t ‘get’ a hat—you ‘wear’ one on your head.]
Robin giggled and pointed out Aemerus’s mistake.
[Let’s wear a warm hat. Did I say it right this time?]
[Yep!]
Aemerus playfully ruffled Robin’s hair, then extended his hand toward Harry.
[Give me the luggage.]
[It’s fine. I’ll carry it.]
Despite Harry’s refusal, he took the suitcase from her hands and pulled it himself.
Standing beside him as he held Robin in one arm and dragged the luggage with the other, I alone felt restless.
[At least put Robin down. It’s heavy.]
[It’s not heavy.]
[…Is the Parking Lot far from here?]
[Just a moment away.]
He smiled and carefully studied my face.
[Aren’t you tired? We should have booked a later flight.]
[No way. Coming early means we can see more. This is my first time in Canada.]
[You won’t regret coming here.]
Seeing Aemerus make such a bold promise, the unease that had troubled me because of Jessie melted away.
‘Right, since I’ve come all this way, I should have fun with Robin.’
The trip was only just beginning.

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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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