My Unrequited Love Is an Absolute Secret - Chapter 58

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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 58

My waist was held firmly within two strong arms.
Because of this, my upper body was pressed against Aemerus without a single gap between us.
Though this wasn’t the first time I’d embraced him like this, my heart began racing wildly.
“Aemerus, open your eyes and get a grip on yourself.”
If he just opened his eyes, he’d understand the situation immediately.
Yet Aemerus stubbornly kept his eyes shut and continued spouting nonsense.
“I prefer not to come to my senses.”
“…Are you some kind of Bartleby the Scrivener?”
When I referenced the protagonist of that novel about choosing not to do things and ultimately starving, Aemerus let out a soft laugh.
“I can’t starve to death like this, after all.”
With a quiet chuckle, he opened his eyes.
The sight of those emerald eyes slowly emerging from beneath his eyelids reminded me of an aurora spreading across the sky.
“So what’s the matter?”
“…It’s snowing outside.”
The moment I said it, I felt like a foolish child like Robin.
Waking him up excitedly just because it was snowing—what a pointless thing to do.
I regretted it too late.
“It’s snowing?”
“Yes.”
“That’s perfect. It’ll be nice to watch while soaking in the hot spring.”
“That’s true, but…when are you going to let go of me?”
“Hm?”
Aemerus, who had been gazing out the window, turned to look at me.
“Sorry. I forgot.”
The arms that had been squeezing my waist finally released me.
I had no idea how he could embrace someone and forget about it, but at least I was free now.
I quickly stepped away from him, worried someone might see us.
“Anyway, now that you’re awake, go to your room and get ready to go out. I’ll have Robin prepare as well.”
“Alright. What about breakfast?”
“I’d like to eat something simple…but it’s still quite a while until the 5-Star Hotel’s breakfast service begins, isn’t it?”
In response to my question, Aemerus checked the time on the wristwatch he’d placed on the nightstand.
6:17 in the morning. It was so early that I couldn’t help but laugh dryly.
“Right. Since the place we’re going is close to Downtown anyway, let’s eat there like we did yesterday.”
“Understood.”
Aemerus stretched and got out of bed.
As I watched him run his hand through his disheveled hair to tidy it up and put his wristwatch back on, I suddenly asked him something.
“That watch.”
“The watch?”
Aemerus tilted his head with a drowsy, unfocused expression still clinging to his features.
At first, I resented him for taking away Jessie’s gift.
But now my discomfort had shifted to something else entirely.
‘Aemerus deserves a proper gift.’
In truth, an expensive and fine watch was only considered such by Harry’s and Jessie’s standards.
Aemerus could have worn a far superior timepiece if he wished.
‘Or does he genuinely like that watch?’
Judging by how he wore the commemorative bracelet that Harry, Robin, and I had chosen together without ever removing it, perhaps he simply enjoyed accessories.
“…It’s nothing.”
“How bland. See you later.”
Aemerus chuckled softly and turned away.
After he left, the room fell into such profound silence that everything felt like a dream.
Only the faint trace of Aemerus’s scent lingering in the air proved he had truly been here.
“Something’s changed.”
I finally had to admit it.
When he pulled me into his embrace, pretending to talk in his sleep, I didn’t hate it.
Perhaps I even wanted something more than just an embrace….
“I must be losing my mind.”
How could my heart shift so easily after caring for Jessie for so long?
I clutched my head in anguish.
[Sister, where are you?]
If not for Robin’s voice searching for me, I would have stood there much longer.
[Oh, I’m here, brother.]
It was probably just a fleeting emotion.
Especially since I’d spent the entire trip constantly by Aemerus’s side.
I might have mistaken the affection I felt for him as friendship for romantic attraction and excitement.
“Yes, that must be it.”
It was easy enough to confuse.
People make mistakes sometimes.
[Sister! What are you doing?]
[Coming now.]
Once the trip ended, these feelings would sort themselves out naturally.
I exhaled deeply with that thought.

***

“It’s snowing quite heavily.”
“….”
“At this rate, the flight might get cancelled.”
“….”
“Harry?”
“Lili?”
After enjoying the Hot Spring early in the morning, I was savoring the afternoon tea Aemerus had reserved.
Lost in thought, I snapped back to awareness at the sight of two pairs of eyes fixed intently upon me.
“Huh? What did you say?”
“Why are you so out of it? Are you running a fever?”
Aemerus reached out to feel my forehead.
My face flushed crimson as the distance between us closed in an instant.
“You really do seem to have a slight temperature.”
“No, no, I’m fine. I was just thinking about something for a moment.”
I laughed awkwardly and took a sip of black tea.
The Hot Spring had been truly wonderful.
How could anyone dislike soaking in warm water while gazing down at the snow falling upon the Snowy Mountain?
That said, I wasn’t catching a cold as Aemerus suggested.
The shock of seeing him in swimming trunks had simply been overwhelming.
‘He was truly magnificent….’
Now I understood why he hadn’t been affected when I’d teased him about his shoulders being fake.
Aemerus actually appeared slimmer when clothed.
But when he emerged shirtless in those rectangular swim briefs, not just I but everyone’s gaze converged upon him.
An elderly couple even became convinced he was an athlete and asked him what sport he competed in.
‘Wait, I think I’ve actually gained weight since arriving on this trip.’
I’d eaten three proper meals daily, snacked in between, and even had a late-night meal yesterday.
While my stomach had grown slightly rounder, Aemerus was flaunting his chiseled abdominal muscles with commanding presence.
‘Did he secretly exercise somewhere? When? He’s been glued to my side the entire time.’
Overwhelmed by a creeping sense of betrayal, I shot him a covert glare.
“The trip is coming to an end soon. I hope everyone has enjoyed themselves.”
Aemerus spoke in his usual tone, oblivious to my gaze.
“I hope it snows even more tomorrow. Then we won’t have to go home.”
Robin cheerfully voiced his wish.
At that, both Aemerus and I, who had been watching him, burst into laughter.
“Robin, don’t you want to see your mom and dad?”
“I see them every day once we’re home anyway.”
“You… should be grateful your parents aren’t here.”
What an ungrateful child.
I pinched Robin’s cheek.
Though I wasn’t truly scolding him in earnest.
The fact that my younger brother, who hated leaving the house, now didn’t want to go home meant he was genuinely enjoying this trip. If anything, it made me happy.
“Right. I hope it snows heavily tomorrow.”
Aemerus said this with a slight smile directed at me.
But I never told them that I shared their feelings too.
Because once we returned to New York and the trip ended, these feelings would disappear.
‘What if they don’t?’
What if my heart remained the same even after returning to New York?
‘I need to see Jessie.’
That was the only way I could know for certain.
Whether what I felt for Aemerus right now was temporary or something more.
Perhaps noticing that I seemed lost in thought, Aemerus wrapped up our schedule early and returned to the accommodation.
Since we had to catch a flight tomorrow morning, I needed to pack my luggage in advance.
[Robin, are you wearing this outfit tomorrow?]
[Yeah.]
[Then should I put your other clothes in the suitcase? Or do you want to wear something different tomorrow?]
[I dunno.]
Robin drew out his words annoyingly, then peeked over my shoulder as I packed.
[What? Do you have something to tell me?]
[Yeah.]
[What is it?]
[Are you going to date Aemerus?]
[W-what?]
I literally jumped up from my spot like a cat caught by its tail.
[You little brat! There’s nothing you won’t say to your sister!]
[Then why are you getting mad? You’re acting suspicious, sis.]
[When did I get mad… I’m not mad.]
I cleared my throat with a soft cough.
Then I glanced sideways at Robin, who was still lingering nearby.
[Do you want me to date Aemerus?]
[Yeah.]
Robin answered immediately without any hesitation.
I envied his clarity, and at the same time, I was curious.
[Why? Because Aemerus seems rich?]
[That’s good too.]
Children really were brutally honest.
‘What was I even expecting?’
I shook my head in disbelief.
[But that’s not the only reason.]
[Then what?]
[Aemerus is always by your side. Jessie isn’t like that.]
[….]
Harry’s hands froze mid-fold.
[And you don’t realize it, do you? How you smile like that when you’re with Aemerus.]
Robin’s eyes disappeared into crescents as he grinned.
His mouth stretched wide open.
It was a smile I knew all too well.
In the old photographs I’d taken with Jessie, I was always smiling exactly like that.
[Do I really smile like that?]
It was hard to believe.
No way. Robin must be exaggerating.
[Yeah. And when you saw Aemerus at the hot spring earlier, you were just….]
[That’s enough. You don’t have to say it.]
I could only imagine what kind of perverted expression I must have had.
Robin glanced at me as I floundered in self-loathing.
[Anyway, I like Aemerus.]
I said nothing in response.

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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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