Editors: sleepchaser, ASplashofMusic
I look up and notice his smiling face slowly approaching mine. Before I can react, he already manages to plant kisses on my right and left cheeks.
“Y-you idi—what are you doing?! You’re supposed to only give blessings to people who are about to set off on a journey!”
“Is that so?”
“Y-yeah! You should carefully listen to Marie’s teachings—nngh!”
Alfred pecks me on the lips this time.
He does it so suddenly that it leaves me stunned. For a moment, I stiffen.
Alfred seems to interpret it as me giving consent, and presses his lips onto mine once again.
He tilts his face, deepening the kiss, then licks my lips and tongue in a caressing manner.
As he steepens the angle even more, a shiver runs through my back.
“Nghh, mm…”
I pound and push against his chest but the longer the kiss continues, the more strength that is sapped out of me. I scold my weakening body. Eventually, I somehow manage to put a gap between us, and our lips finally separate.
“…Fwah, s-stop it! Stupid! Idiot! W-why did you kiss me so suddenly?!”
I shoot Alfred the sharpest glare I can muster, but he doesn’t look intimidated at all. On the contrary, he only smiles. He isn’t reflecting over his actions at all.
Actually, don’t even mention reflecting. He’s already closing in on me for another kiss.
Aware of his intentions, I turn my face to the side and avoid his approach. I can feel his dissatisfaction, but I pretend not to notice it. Seriously, what’s with the sudden kisses? Did I provoke him!?
“I said stop it already! Lowendal will be arriving soon—” Something soft touches my earlobe, causing me to tremble. “Ah…”
They’re his lips, I realize. Then his lips slide down to my neck.
I was too hasty. After succeeding on protecting my lips once, I lowered my guard, so he caught me unprepared.
Ahh, seriously!
I feel like the frequency of Alfred’s bold touches has been increasing a lot… This is very bad for my heart.
I know that I’m partially responsible, but still!
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
On that day Alfred asked me to stay by his side for the rest of our lives, I… I couldn’t bring myself to refuse him.
Vb P pera… t-teuufv tlw yjmx.
Qtfcfnfg P gfwfwyfg ktja tjqqfcfv ja atja alwf, P ufa atf eguf ab tla ws tfjv jcv ulnf eq bc wsrfio.
Lf vfolclafis atlcxr atja atja kjr jc ‘YB.’ P’w regf bo la.
Llr kbgvr rbecv ilxf j qgbqbrji ab wf, yea wjsyf P wlrecvfgrabbv tlr lcafcalbcr?
I don’t know the answer to that. In any case, my response back then… wasn’t very appropriate. That’s for certain.
Because in the future, there’s that person.
The ‘Holy Maiden,’ who will appear before Alfred in the future.
A part of me is saying there’s no way I can win against the heroine, and that I should give up while the resulting pain is still going to be shallow.
After all, my love rival is someone who will constantly be by the protagonist’s side until the very end… You can even call her Alfred’s ‘fated companion.’
There’s no way his heart won’t be shaken after meeting her.
After all, as one can see from the regular plot, they will fall in love at first sight.
Sticking to the original turn of events is the best case for Alfred. In fact, it’s stranger for him to like the guy who only has a small rival role in the beginner village.
For this reason, I’m unable to erase that part of me that believes I shouldn’t want for anything more than this.
Alfred once told me that I could change the future myself. But no one can tell what’s inside a person’s heart, and no one can force their feelings to change.
If Alfred likes the heroine, but ends up taking my feelings into consideration and gives up on her…
I definitely won’t be able to forgive myself.
He shouldn’t force himself to stay by my side.
If he does that, it will not only be hard on me, but also on Alfred.
We will only end up unhappy.
If that will be the case… then I’m okay with being alone.
I want Alfred to be happy. I don’t want him to have any painful memories. I won’t be able to stand it. Moreso if the cause of his sadness is me.
Alfred is someone I’ve cherished. I cared for him, nurtured him, treated him well. Just like a younger brother. Even a son at times.
But… If…
If Alfred doesn’t come to like that person and continues liking… me until the very end, unlike in the game…
If he were to wholeheartedly choose me…
Not a day passes by that I don’t fantasize about such an impossible, amazing future
At that time, he told me to stay by his side forever. For the rest of his life.
He told me he liked me.
Actually, I was… very happy then. To the point that I started shaking.
But looking back, I wonder what went through my mind at that time.
Not only is he younger than me, he is also someone who I’ve raised like a son.
I myself don’t understand whether this is really love or just a desire to monopolize. So I don’t know how to express this gloominess in my heart. Sometimes, I doubt my own sanity for having such feelings, and scold myself. Things like “Don’t you like the elder sister type? Then why are you losing your mind over a younger man?! Get a grip of yourself!”
Thoughts of uncertainty also occasionally cross my mind. Is it okay for me to change the original story to my benefit?
Still, the words of rejection stick to my throat, unable to spill out of my mouth.
I’m unable to reject the favor that Alfred has freely showered me all this time… On the contrary, there is this part of myself that is happy with his affection and wants to just accept it.
I can only ridicule myself for being an idiot. A big idiotic liar.
I can only shamelessly adopt a half-hearted attitude and respond vaguely.
I’m unable to accept his feelings, yet I also can’t give him up. I always act so miserably indecisive, constantly relying on Alfred to decide. Alfred suddenly kisses my cheek again. Surprised, I look up.
His sky-blue eyes are narrowed, as if he is slightly troubled and astounded. His hands leave my arm and move behind my waist.
As I’m surrounded by his large arms, I am unable to move.
“Lian.” He uses the same tone that he does when trying to persuade the kids.
“…What?”
“You… you’re having pessimistic thoughts again, aren’t you?”
“Wha—! W-what do you mean ‘pessimistic?!’”
“If you have something you want to say to me, just say it. Voice it out loud, please. I want to know more about you. About what you’re thinking and what’s bothering you. Why do you insist on suffering alone?”
“Alfred…” I swallow my words. If I let my mind wander, my voice would leak. Then I may just let out a cry. Maybe even throw everything away.
But I certainly shouldn’t tell Alfred, the main character and pivot of this story, everything currently.
Because I know what will happen in the future… About this village, this world, and his future. All of it.
And if this small discord greatly escalates later on, and the storyline distorts beyond return, things won’t look good.
My plans since the beginning will go to waste.
Alfred strokes my head, a troubled smile still on his lips. “…Well, you don’t have to force yourself to say it now. You can tell me about it one day.”
“Al…”
“But I’ve already decided to say it.”
“Huh?”
Alfred looks down at me and smiles. “I’ve decided to be prudent with you. I realized that it’ll be faster this way too. You can be really, really dull after all.”
“D-du… Who’s dull?! How rude!”
“That’s why, if I don’t make you understand and keep you in my range… I can’t rest assured. You always fly away to places I don’t expect you to. If I take too much time searching for you, some unknown guy might snatch you up. If that happens, I will kill him—I mean, I definitely don’t want that to happen. I will speak clearly from now on, so that even someone as dull as you can understand.”
“Hah?”
Alfred pulls me closer to him, close enough for our noses to touch, and stares at me.
Because of the incredibly close proximity, I can’t make myself look into his eyes. I try to turn away, but he grabs my chin, forcing me to direct my gaze to him.
“A-Al—”
“I’ve always liked you. Loved you. Only you, Lian.”
“…!!!”
mii the whole ch: 👀👀👀
Thank you for the encouragement in the comments last chapter! I feel a lot better now! (≧▽≦)/
Regarding what happened recently (?), please take care, everyone!!! Make sure to wash your hands frequently and stay informed! (｡•̀ᴗ-)✧
Also, please consider pledging in my Patreon or supporting me in ko-fi if possible~ (´∩｡• ᵕ •｡∩`) Even a dollar really helps me a ton!
See you next week! (~￣³￣)~
Well if curve ball dont do it justice, straight ball still good. Thank you (‘▽’)♪
!!!!!!!!!
Aaaaaaahhhhh!!!!
GET YOUR BOY AL!!! That’s the way!!! Smack him with the brunt of your love!! That oblivious pretty boy will only talk himself into circles!! Also that slip up of Al killing any guy who stole away Lian… (*≧艸≦)
Also everyone stay healthy, wash your hands! Don’t be like me who caught a cold (ಥ﹏ಥ)
I agree!!!!!! Thanks for the chapter amazing work like usual ^.^ Also I hope it’s just a cold and not Covid-19 stay safe 😇😊
Lian-Lians thoughts also made me wanna cry. It’s really sad that he thinks this way but it sucks that it makes sense as well. Usually I get annoyed with the MC going on and on about the plot as if they haven’t already changed it up so much already but… The Heroine is a Holy Maiden dude. That’s some big competition, and there’s all this junk about fate in this game that you can’t help but to think “How will Alfred react when he meets her?’ So Lian’s thoughts don’t annoy me and are justified. Though he’s always so sad, I hope one day Lian will consistently think happy thoughts instead of sad.
Drown him in your love Al!!! Make this stupidly adorable living thing understand!! Ugh why is Lian-sama so cute💕
Thank you for the chapter 🙏🏻
I now feel like the ‘fated meeting’ with the ‘holy maiden’ has been doomed. It’ll be the first time Al sees her she’s groping Lian or something.
I am melting…
Thanks for the chapter! Thank gods Al is straightforward enough to pull Lian back to him!!!
hnnggg⁄(⁄ ⁄•⁄ω⁄•⁄ ⁄)⁄_:( ́ཀ`」 ∠):(///▽///)
Im surprised you dont get a translating job
I’m not professional enough to do that (plus my English is horrendous), and translating is just a hobby I like to do from time to time~ ( ◜‿◝ )♡ But I definitely want to become a full fledged translator after I graduate from my uni!
がんばってねえ♡
Just accept it Lian~ ∠( ᐛ 」∠)_
You can’t escape from your destiny. It’s already been decided by the author dawg ( ･ิ ͜ʖ ･ิ)
At least Alfred said this! Now, Lian stop your gloomy thoughts and be happy with your sweetheart. The holly maiden don’t matter anymore.
Thanks for the great translation ♥️♥️♥️
Oh god this is so cute,,,,, but it is so sad,,,,
Lian’s thought process is justified, his competition is a literal Holy Maiden with probably outstanding beauty, and Lian himself has just recently been ‘bent’ by Alfred, so his inner conflict is entirely understandable.
Alfred’s straightforwardness with his confession as well as his slip up, ufufufufu~ I love it so much qwq
Thank you Mii-sama for the amazing chapter, as always uwu You too Mii, take care of yourself!!!! <3
Hehe finally a straightforward confession! (⁄ ⁄>⁄ ▽ ⁄<⁄ ⁄)
Thanks for the chapter and stay healthy ~ ^^
This story brought me here, but I made an account😭😭😭😭😭😭 I just wanted to feel apart of the community. I held back so many comments I could have written
Also, I love how the ML lowkey annihilated sonmany characters from other novels with common sense; “since my love can be dumb sometimes, I be blunt so it leaves no room for misunderstandings.” Even though this MC is dense, he’s not stupid. So misunderstandings are resolved quickly, which I love because that usually annoys me in other novels.
Thanks for the chapter 😊😍 FINALLY! CONFESSION~
Thank you for the chapter ❤❤❤❤❤
Wow send a direct attack! (｢`･ω･)
You’re right Alfred! Omg love confession so soon! Kyaahh!!
Thank you for the chapter, please stay safe!
My jar of giddy emotions is shaking
φ(ﾟ ωﾟ//）♡
He literally just admitted that the holy maiden is his love rival…. But didn’t realize what he just thought 🤣
Nani nani? I thought Lian has already accepted Alfred’s love!! Why is he having second thoughts now? Not fair for Alfred, his young heart wouldn’t resist a rejection after this taste of bliss. But I’m glad he’s going to be patient and pursue Lian little by little.
Thanks for the chapter!