My Unrequited Love Is an Absolute Secret - Chapter 59

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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 59

Part 5. A Moment of Realization

Unfortunately, the heavy snowfall did not result in a flight cancellation.
Harry boarded the plane from Calgary, Canada to New York JFK Airport as scheduled.
Unlike the trip there, the Huntington Couple traveled with me on the return flight.
“Finally, I get to see your face. Did you enjoy the trip?”
Mrs. Huntington spoke to me only on the day we were heading home.
“Yes. I had such a wonderful time until the very end. Thank you so much.”
“I’m glad. To be honest, Aemerus isn’t exactly the most entertaining type, is he? I was worried he might get bored and want to head home early.”
“Ha ha….”
Could she really say such things when Aemerus was listening?
I laughed awkwardly and deflected the comment, then glanced sideways at Aemerus.
He sat alone on the opposite side of the aisle.
When our eyes met, he shrugged his shoulders.
“It’s true that I’m not fun.”
I couldn’t really agree with that assessment.
I’d never felt bored when I was with him.
‘Just looking at his face is entertaining enough.’
A handsome man was content in his own right.
“If the opportunity arises next year, let’s travel together again.”
“I’d be grateful if you’d invite me.”
Though it was questionable whether I’d spend Thanksgiving with them next year, I answered politely.
It was a relief that the Huntington Couple were exhausted from overindulging the previous day, so the conversation didn’t drag on.
With a five-hour flight ahead and the thought of arriving home soon, my tension eased, and I drifted off to sleep while watching a movie.
“…Robin?”
I woke briefly in the middle of the flight and panicked when I didn’t see Robin.
I jolted up from my seat, but then I spotted Robin sitting with the Huntington Couple in the row directly in front of me, so I settled back down.
“How can a child be so well-behaved even on an airplane?”
“He’s just like Aemerus was when he was young. Aemerus was also very quiet.”
“I’m going to grow up to be someone like my big brother Aemerus.”
“Really, is that so?”
I’d always thought Robin would remain a child forever.
But watching him navigate social interactions, I realized how much he’d grown.
I listened to their conversation with a newfound sense of wonder.
“Yes. I want to become as cool a hockey player as Aemerus.”
“Ha, Aemerus is certainly good at hockey.”
“See? Wasn’t it the right choice to send him to Riverside School instead of Wharton School back then?”
The Huntington Couple felt immensely proud of how well they’d raised their son.
“You’ll definitely become as cool a hockey player as Aemerus. You bet you will.”
“How about I give you some pocket money to encourage you to train hard from now on?”
Mr. Huntington again!
The Huntington Couple was wonderful in every way, but their constant habit of offering money was their only flaw.
And it wasn’t just small change, either.
I was about to jump up from my seat to stop them.
“Pocket money is fine. Could you give me dessert instead?”
“Ha ha ha, that’s right. Dessert is better than money.”
Listening in on the conversation, I pressed my forehead, but the Huntington Couple found young Robin’s antics utterly adorable.
As the situation unfolded, I found myself growing uneasy—it was strange to see Robin, who usually kept his mouth shut and remained silent in front of others, suddenly so talkative.
‘Is it because he’s become close with Aemerus that he’s feeling more comfortable with Aemerus’s parents?’
This trip seemed to be having a positive influence on Robin.
Unlike me, whose heart had become complicated in so many ways.
“Would you like more dessert?”
“No, thank you. I’m full now. Thank you.”
In the meantime, Robin finished a slice of chocolate cake and returned to his seat.
I gently stroked Robin’s head without saying anything.
“Why?”
“Just because.”
I had always thought Robin was timid.
That’s why he didn’t want to step even a foot outside the house.
But now I could see that Robin had grown a little taller, and it was I who was cowering in fear and turning away from the situation.
‘How pathetic.’
I wanted to be an older sister he wouldn’t be ashamed of, but my heart wouldn’t cooperate.
‘Let me be brave like Robin.’
But my resolve crumbled the moment I saw Jessie waiting for us at the airport.

***

The immigration process ended surprisingly quickly.
I had worried that they might refuse entry because I was Asian, or forcibly detain me at the airport.
Thanks to moving with the Huntington Couple, I was able to complete the procedures swiftly without any obstruction.
“Harry, your suitcase is here.”
“Thanks.”
“I’ll carry it until you meet your parents.”
This time, I didn’t refuse Aemerus’s consideration.
Still exhausted from the flight, I was actually grateful for it.
“Robin, let’s go meet Mom and Dad now.”
“Okay.”
Thanks to that, I only had to look after Robin.
It was as I stepped out of the inspection area with noticeably lighter steps.
“Lili!”
“Jessie?”
An unexpected person had been waiting for me.
“Did you have a good trip?”
“Uh, yeah….”
I wasn’t prepared to face Jessie yet.
Hiding my reluctance, I first introduced the Huntington Couple to my parents.
“These are Aemerus’s parents, whom I’ve been indebted to.”
“Hello, I’m Cheryl Huntington.”
“Hello. I’m Sumi Kim, Harry’s mother. Our children have caused you so much trouble.”
“Not at all. We had a wonderful time thanks to Harry and Robin.”
While the adults exchanged pleasantries, I observed the expressions of Jessie and Aemerus.
Since Jessie had opposed this trip and we’d even fought over it, I found myself paying closer attention to his mood.
“That’s Lili’s luggage, right? Hand it over to me.”
Jessie reached out toward Aemerus, who was pulling two suitcases.
Instead of handing it over immediately, Aemerus looked at me as if seeking permission.
“It’s fine. Give it to Jessie.”
Once I gave the go-ahead, my suitcase finally passed into Jessie’s hands.
“The bag is packed full. Is it because of clothes? Was Canada that cold?”
“Oh, it’s not clothes—I was busy buying souvenirs. I got you a gift too.”
I startled myself at the word “gift” and hastily added more.
“This time it’s not an expensive gift or anything, just cookies.”
“I didn’t say anything, Lili.”
Jessie laughed with a chuckle, and his gaze fell on Aemerus’s wrist.
“Now that you mention gifts, I just remembered something….”
When Aemerus had taken the suitcase earlier, there was a watch on his wrist that looked strangely familiar.
‘Surely not?’
It made no sense that Aemerus would be wearing the watch I had prepared as a birthday gift for myself.
Still, I couldn’t help but try to get a better look at the watch, though my sleeve kept getting in the way.
“Oh, I know where that Restaurant is. It’s quite famous, isn’t it?”
“I’m delighted you know it. Please come by for a meal sometime.”
“I’m looking forward to it. I’ll visit you soon.”
The adults’ conversation was winding down.
Sensing it was time to part ways, I said goodbye to Aemerus.
“See you at School.”
“Yeah. You get home safely too. Goodbye, Robin.”
Robin had been standing stiffly even when looking at Jessie, but the moment Aemerus said goodbye, he clung to his leg.
“Take me with you. You said you’d let me be your little brother.”
To anyone watching, the two looked like affectionate siblings, and the adults found it utterly charming.
“My, it seems Robin has grown quite attached to Aemerus already.”
“We’re tempted to take him with us.”
At Mrs. Huntington’s joke, Robin looked up at Aemerus with hope in his eyes.
“Robin is already my little brother.”
Aemerus ruffled Robin’s hair playfully and laughed.
“But I can’t monopolize Robin all to myself, so I’ll be generous today. We can play again next time.”
“…Okay.”
Unlike Jessie, Aemerus had never broken a promise.
So Robin nodded obediently and looked forward to next time.
“Goodbye.”
“Bye-bye.”
After exchanging farewells with Robin, Aemerus turned to look at Jessie in turn.
The two men exchanged only a glance before turning their backs abruptly.
“We should be going now. Lili must be tired.”
“Yes, let’s head inside.”
The Huntington Couple and Aemerus got into the car their driver had brought for them and left.
I watched Aemerus’s retreating figure for a moment before moving to the Parking Lot with my family.
“Robin, are you still not going to talk to me?” Jessie asked in a pitiful voice as we walked.
Jessie asked Robin in a pitiful voice as we moved.
“No. I can talk to you now.”
Jessie was surprised when a positive answer came back to his offhand remark.
“Really? You’re not mad anymore?”
“No.”
Robin had received abundantly from Aemerus what he had been longing for from Jessie, so reconciliation was now possible.
“…That’s surprising.”
It reminded me of the Homecoming Party when I hadn’t gotten angry at Jessie even after he stood me up.
It wasn’t a good sign.
‘Let’s think positively.’
Robin’s anger had dissipated on its own, so either way, this situation was beneficial for him.
Trying to maintain a positive outlook, he turned to look at Harry when something caught his eye.
“I haven’t seen that bracelet before. Did you buy it on your trip?”
“Oh, um… yes.”
But Harry’s reaction seemed off somehow.
She was pulling down her sleeve to hide the bracelet.
“I have one too!”
Robin lifted his left arm with a flourish and exclaimed.
On his wrist was an identical bracelet to Harry’s.
“The three of us matched them with Aemerus.”
Jessie slowly turned to look at Harry.
“What did you do with Aemerus?”

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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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