My Unrequited Love Is an Absolute Secret - Chapter 88

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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 88

“Aemerus, go warm up now.”
-Sorry. I’ll tell Randy to stop leaving pointless comments.
Aemerus apologized even though he had nothing to apologize for.
“It’s fine. I know it’s all just joking around anyway.”
Harry bit her lip, hesitating before carefully calling out to him.
“Hey, Aemerus.”
-Yeah?
“People say hockey isn’t hockey without injuries, but… I still hope you don’t get hurt too badly.”
I couldn’t bring myself to say that losing was okay.
That might come across as dismissing all his past efforts.
Fortunately, the sentiment I’d managed to convey seemed to reach him well.
-Tyler’s broken front teeth didn’t look too great, did it?
He threw out a joke as if to ease my tension.
Harry let out a soft laugh and replied.
“That was annoying, but what really got to me was how he strutted around like he was some kind of hero.”
Even after the semifinals ended, Tyler kept his broken front teeth as they were.
Since they’d obviously break again in the finals anyway, he decided to just get them fixed after the championship match.
I could accept that much.
But every time his eyes met a girl’s, watching him flaunt his broken teeth was truly unbearable to witness.
-Got it. I need to pick you up at the airport anyway, so I’ll be extra careful with my teeth.
“You’re coming to pick me up? I don’t want to burden you…”
-Because I want to see you.
That single phrase was all it took to convince Harry.
Me too. I feel the same way. I’ve missed you so much.
Harry was just gathering the courage to respond when—
-Oh man, Randy’s calling. He’s worried I might abandon the game and fly to Korea.
Harry giggled, almost hearing Randy’s flustered voice through the phone.
“That won’t do. You need to calm Randy down.”
-I’ll try my best.
“Good luck.”
The brief call ended.
I checked my social media, trying to soothe the longing in my heart.

Aemerus
I wish I could be there too…
Randy @Aemerus
Captain, you’re supposed to be at Madison Square Garden right now—what are you talking about???

Madison Square Garden was the prestigious venue hosting the championship finals for ice hockey.
It was also the home arena of the New York Hunters, the ice hockey team representing New York.
There were certainly boys who would be satisfied simply by stepping onto the same ice as professional players, regardless of victory or defeat.
Randy, however, was not one of them.
He was so frustrated that he’d typed his entire message in capital letters.
“Aemerus is going to catch hell for this.”
Honestly, the captain being distracted by romance right before the championship finals?
Anyone would have been angry like Randy.
I was awkwardly scratching my head when my phone vibrated.
It was an additional comment from Randy.

Randy
Anyway Lili, you’re looking absolutely beautiful—have a wonderful trip and don’t forget to cheer us on

…Was it really Aemerus who was going to get scolded, or was it Randy?
I recalled Aemerus’s voice warning me not to let Randy leave pointless comments, and I couldn’t help but laugh.
“How ridiculous.”
Did everyone become this childish when they fell in love?
I had to cover my face with my hand to hide the corners of my mouth that kept curving upward.

***

In the evening, we went to a Japanese restaurant that Uncle had reserved in advance.
The restaurant served courses from sashimi to spicy fish stew, and since it had been a while since I’d visited, I enjoyed the meal thoroughly.
What was surprising was that Robin, who had put down his chopsticks after eating just a few pieces of tempura and claiming to be full, was now enjoying the meal alongside the adults.
[Robin, aren’t you full?]
[I could be hungry. We walked around a lot today, didn’t we? Do you know about GT Entertainment? Lili signed a contract there today. We even got to see the company thanks to Lili.]
Father didn’t miss the opportunity to boast about his daughter.
[Oh, did you see any celebrities?]
[We didn’t see any celebrities.]
[Ah….]
Robin answered amid the men’s casual banter.
[Aemerus’s Older Brother told me to eat lots of delicious food. He said that way I can train better.]
He had called Robin aside to tell him that, apparently.
Finding an unexpected trace of Aemerus’s kindness in such a place, I felt a sudden warmth in my chest.
[…Still, don’t force yourself to eat too much. You might get indigestion.]
[Okay.]
As the adults’ bottles of alcohol multiplied one by one, the conversation grew deeper.
Though I’d be an adult soon, it wasn’t a topic I should join in on, so I simply ate quietly and left.
[My beloved nephew, I’ll see you next at your wedding. Don’t forget your Uncle’s face by then.]
Before parting in front of the restaurant, Uncle said this and gave me spending money.
[Your Uncle went out of his way to exchange it into dollars for you. You know how expensive the exchange rate is these days, right?]
[Yes, I do. Thank you, Uncle.]
[Robin, you should say thank you too.]
[Thank you.]
[This rascal only shows his face when there’s spending money involved.]
Uncle found Robin’s shyness endearing and suddenly pulled him into his arms, refusing to let go.
[Your older brother should be grateful to his wife for life. Where else could he find a daughter and son as fine as these?]
Mother and Uncle’s wife burst into laughter simultaneously at his boldness.
[You have no filter in front of the children. Hey, if you’re drunk, go home properly. Sister-in-law, take care on your way.]
After parting with our relatives with laughter, we returned to the 5-Star Hotel.
I persuaded the half-asleep Robin to just brush his teeth and sleep, then I went to wash up as well.
[Are you all cleaned up?]
Mother, sitting on the edge of Robin’s bed, greeted me.
[Yes. Is Robin already asleep?]
[Yes.]
For some reason, only one light remained on, and the rest of the room was dark.
[How early are you planning to wake up tomorrow?]
[Six in the morning.]
[You’re going to have a hard time, Lili.]
[…Are you intentionally putting me and Robin to sleep together?]
The place where we were staying was a connecting room with two adjoining bedrooms.
That’s why Harry’s Parents, Harry, and Robin each took separate rooms.
[As if that would happen.]
Mother chuckled softly and asked if she should turn off the remaining lights.
[No, thank you. I’m going to use my phone for a bit before bed.]
[What’s so interesting? Let me see too.]
Mother turned and sat down beside me.
[It’s nothing special, really. I posted some photos I took at Gyeongbokgung Palace earlier on social media. I was just looking at the comments.]
Thanks to Aemerus reposting it, other students had also left comments on my post.

(Photo)
AmosH
and others liked this
LandyN @AmosH
Captain, shouldn’t you be at Madison Square Garden right now? What are you talking about??? ♡109
View all 541 comments
holymoly
Traditional clothing looks so cool! What does the United States even have for traditional attire?
always365
Cowboys
springfall @always365
Cowboy outfits can’t be called traditional clothing, you idiot
CatGPT @holymoly
Americans traditionally made the Stars and Stripes into bikinis and wore them. I really love this country

When I read the self-deprecating comments from Americans alone, I found them hilarious, but when I showed them to my mother, her reaction was lukewarm.
[Everyone’s telling you that you’re pretty?]
[Um… probably.]
Scattered throughout were comments where Harry suddenly grew angry, claiming I had stolen their traditional clothing.
I couldn’t understand why anyone would be upset with her, so I ignored them.
[Don’t look at your phone too late into the night. Go to bed early. Your aunt and uncle are coming to pick you up tomorrow morning.]
[Yes. Sleep well.]
My mother grumbled that she couldn’t understand what kids these days liked, then moved into another room.
Harry, sprawled comfortably on the bed, let out a wide yawn.
‘I wish I’d gotten some sleep earlier.’
Belated regret washed over me, but I quickly shook my head.
If I had napped with my family, I wouldn’t have been able to talk on the phone with Aemerus.
Hearing his voice was worth something.
[Korea and New York are fourteen hours apart… if the finals are at two in the afternoon, then in Korea time…]
Harry sighed while calculating the time difference.
[Four in the morning…]
I recalculated several times, unable to believe it, but the answer remained the same.
[Can I even wake up?]
I couldn’t wake Robin while he was sleeping soundly, so I had no choice but to set the alarm to vibrate.
I’d have to at least try.
I didn’t want to miss his match.
Harry pulled the blanket over herself and was preparing for bed when, on a sudden whim, she took a selfie and sent it to Aemerus.
He’d been so happy just from her posting photos on social media—surely he’d be even happier to receive a selfie.
No reply came.
He was probably busy warming up and reviewing his strategy, just as he’d said.
‘Jessie’s also been quiet because he’s been working.’
I didn’t suddenly feel sad just because he hadn’t checked his messages right away.
‘Should I be happy that I’ve been tempered by years of unrequited love, or should I not?’
Harry smiled bitterly, set her phone on the nightstand, and closed her eyes.
‘Don’t forget—wake up at four and watch Aemerus’s match without fail.’
But contrary to my resolve, I opened my eyes at eight o’clock the next morning.

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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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