Chapter 57

SIDE: Vice-Commander of Black-winged Knights, Felix

― “I’m sorry for the abrupt summons, Takumi. It could’ve waited till after your training… but I didn’t want this conversation overheard by others. At this hour, no one’s in this building,”

“Ah, I’m fine.”

Takumi seemed unbothered by being suddenly summoned.

With that, I let out a relieved sigh. Even though I knew he wouldn’t be upset over something like this, I was still worried about causing him discomfort.

Life really is peculiar. I never thought there would come a day when I’d be so emotionally affected by someone else. The young man, Takumi, standing before me is quite a mystery.

His black hair and eyes are unusual, but that’s not all.

We met a few months ago. During the mission to subdue the pirate Barudo, he came to my aid. That’s how he came to join the Black-winged Knights. Even now, there’s much about him that remains a mystery. His true abilities are beyond my comprehension.

Just the other day, he, Commander Gazelle, and I left the city through the east gate for a ride on the plains along the highway. That’s when it happened.

Suddenly, Takumi spurred his horse and took off. He moved like a gust of wind, and in a flash, he became a speck in the distance. Gazelle and I hurriedly tried to follow him, but we couldn’t keep up.

He said he’d never ridden a horse when we first met… and ended up riding mine. When on earth did he improve his equestrian skills to such an extent?

What surprised me was not just that.

He had ridden off towards the White-winged Knights, who were fighting a pack of Great Wolves.

Even though I hadn’t seen the scene myself, I heard that when Takumi arrived on the battlefield, he threw his sword without hesitation and skewered a Great Wolf. Thanks to that, a member of the White-winged Knights was saved.

Truly, Takumi sure is an elusive guy.

He maintains a stoic, even cold, demeanor in the face of any formidable enemy.

But then, like this time, he throws himself into the battlefield. In those moments, he charges headfirst into the enemy, like a frenzied warrior.

But he’s not some battle maniac. Rather, in his everyday life, he hates fighting more than anyone and deeply cherishes peace. And then—”Don’t worry about me, Felix. Besides, I should have been the one to call on you,”

With that, Takumi bowed his head to me.

“You called me because I overheard your conversation with Leon yesterday, didn’t you? I apologize for eavesdropping.”

“Ah, please raise your head. I understand that you didn’t do it on purpose…!” 

I was taken aback, then hurriedly asked him to raise his head.

He really is unreadable.

I never expected an apology from Takumi.

Of course, the reason I called him here was not to ask for an apology. I knew his presence there was accidental.

“I didn’t ask you to come here to apologize. I’m sorry if I gave you that impression, Takumi.”

“No, I was…”

“I’m partly to blame for not noticing you then. But what’s bothering me isn’t that… “Um… How much of my conversation with Commander Leon did you overhear, Takumi?”

Yes. The reason I called him here was to find out about that.

I wanted to know how much of my conversation with Commander Leon he had overheard yesterday.

I understand that this is a despicable act.

Even though I have confessed my love to Takumi, I haven’t received a formal answer from him. I, who am not his lover, have no right to restrain him.

Even so, I wanted to know.

I wanted to know how he felt when he heard Leon’s words.

Even the most insensitive man would realize from those clear words that Leon’s beloved is Takumi.

Especially if it’s the person in question.

“Ah… I’m sorry, but I think I heard almost all of the important parts. Especially the part about Leon having a man he’s in love with. I clearly heard that part.”

“Tsu! I…I see…”

As if to hide it from him, I clenched my fists tightly.

‘Indeed, he had overheard.’ Against my visible distress, Takumi continued to speak with a seemingly apologetic expression. 

“I’m… I’m really sorry, Felix. If possible, I’d like to apologize to Leon for overhearing his story too, but I have no way to meet him…”

“Wait… You intend to go and apologize to Commander Leon? About hearing our conversation yesterday?”

I knew that Takumi was a sincere and conscientious person, but I didn’t think he’d go this far. From Commander Léon’s perspective, this would be like being apologized to by the person he likes saying, ‘I accidentally heard that you like me. I’m sorry.’ That’s quite pitiful, isn’t it, even for a love rival like Commander Léon?

Thinking this, I gently told Takumi to refrain from apologizing, and after considering for a moment, he nodded in agreement.

“Got it. In that case, I’ll keep yesterday’s matter to myself.”

Upon hearing these words, my heart once again stirred.

“…By keeping it to yourself, do you mean… you weren’t displeased with Commander Leon’s words yesterday?”

“I wasn’t uncomfortable. I was surprised, but that’s it.”

“So, is that so…?”

The shock hit me as if I’d been struck in the head with a blunt object. My heart clenched tightly as my mind began to blur red. Half-choked, I continued questioning him.

“… What do you think about Commander Leon, Takumi?”

In response to my question, after a moment of silent consideration, Takumi answered in a light tone.

“As for Leon… Well, I think highly of him. He’s not the type to flait his power and is a genuinely good guy. His abilities are impeccable too.”

Ouch!

Before I knew it, my hand was clenched so tightly that my nails were digging into my palm. Hearing those words about Léon and him responding like that… It means that Takumi doesn’t dislike Léon. It doesn’t seem to be a romantic feeling, but it’s the same for me. I’ve never received clear romantic feelings from Takumi.

It’s just that I’ve been the only one thinking about him.

“So in essence… at the moment, you could possibly accept Commander Leon’s feelings?”

“Eh? Well, yeah, I guess?”

“’Ah…!”

Before I knew it, I had pulled him close by the waist and leaned down to kiss him.

“Mmngh..!?”

I pressed my lips against Takumi’s. I might have been imagining it, but I could taste an indescribable sweetness. But such blissful moments ended quickly. Because Takumi pushed my shoulders away.

“Feli… Felix…?”

Takumi, who rarely changes his expression, looked up at me with a troubled face.

“What’s wrong, Felix? Are you hurt somewhere?”

I didn’t know what kind of face I was making, but Takumi was touching my face in a fluster. That kindness was pleasing, but at the same time, it burnt my chest. It wasn’t just me who he was kind to. Yesterday, he had also been kind to the young man with orange hair from the White-winged Knights. And to Commander Léon, too…

“I’m sorry, Takumi…”

“Felix?”