166 – That’s Why I Like You -3-
It feels like it’s been a long time since I laughed from the bottom of my heart.
Seeing Malik dance with a serious expression and Hanna hiding her face, wondering why he was like that. Both their serious expressions.
I couldn’t help but burst into laughter repeatedly.
Even though his face was hidden behind a mask, he must be concentrating with a serious expression.
Still, he danced well. It wasn’t just empty praise.
The element of a mask covering his face created a surreal feeling, and the powerful and sharp dance moves unique to men were so dazzling and sharp that they reminded me of an idol from a past life.
I wondered if he learned to wield a sword to dance…
I could focus on the performance until the end thanks to the Chairman’s excellent dancing skills.
I found myself amused and impressed by the Chairman’s different side, focusing on the performance.
Regretting the swiftly passing time, I turned to the tomato-red Hanna in embarrassment and spoke.
“Are you okay?”
“…”
“Hannah?”
“Yes!? Ah, yes, I’m fine.”
Hannah, whose soul seemed to have fled, nodded absentmindedly as she bid farewell to Malik on stage, letting out a deep sigh.
“No…”
Feeling both proud and embarrassed simultaneously, Hannah had always thought of herself as a lively person, but she had never imagined she would act like this.
Until she apologized to her brother, she had no idea what kind of person he truly was.
Only concerned about the family’s honor.
Thinking he didn’t care for the family at all, Hannah realized there was much about her brother that she didn’t know.
In truth, he cherished family more than anyone.
And Hannah learned belatedly that he preferred things other than the sword.
On the day of her apology, her brother spoke sincerely.
A subtle emotion.
An emotion she wouldn’t have felt if she hadn’t apologized, and perhaps a secret about her brother she would have never known until becoming an adult.
Seeing her brother’s smile behind the mask, Hannah slowly began to smile.
-Thank you.
“No… really.”
-Thank you, too.
Stepping back with his left foot, like a refined gentleman, her brother graciously acknowledged the audience, and Hannah, lifting her head from the bashfulness, listened to the applause showering Malik.
-Clap clap clap clap clap clap!!!!
She timidly raised her hand to join the applause.
“What are you doing…”
Hannah was proud of her brother.
At the same time.
She was embarrassed.
*
On the way back to the mansion after the performance.
Amidst the pouring crowd, I tightly held Hannah’s hand as we exited the theater.
Hannah’s expression looked content.
Continuously looking back at the theater with a faint smile, she seemed to linger with regret.
I thought she might feel bad after watching her brother dance, but I was relieved my expectations were wrong.
Feeling uplifted by Hannah’s faint smile, I gazed at the sunset sky with a proud smile.
Stretching in the afternoon sunlight, along with the faint crimson hues, I turned to Hannah and said, “It was enjoyable.”
“…Indeed.”
Hannah replied with a small laugh.
“It was really fun. I didn’t expect it…”
In Hannah’s nonchalant voice, there seemed to be a hint of excitement mixed in. Just like boasting about her brother.
“It was truly enjoyable.”
Holding onto my hand tightly, Hannah said.
“It’s all thanks to you, Master.”
Han-na smiled as she brushed her brown hair, shimmering in the sunset.
“What did I do?”
“If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have been able to spend time like this.”
“You’re too kind.”
“No, really.”
Han-na hesitated for a moment before speaking, contemplating whether it was the emotions stirred by the sunset or Malik’s new appearance that triggered her feelings.
Han-na’s gaze, filled with gratitude, sadness, and joy, was directed towards me. I calmly accepted Han-na’s sincere words without making a fuss.
I didn’t consider myself anyone special that Han-na would speak of, believing that all the hardships surrounding Han-na were overcome by her own strength.
Of course, I had played a role as a third party, but I couldn’t help feeling out of place as I had only provided support.
I’m not one to boast about being humble and distant.
Watching the setting sun, I spoke honestly, imbued with humility.
“I think it’s because Han-na is doing well.”
For a long time, Han-na held my hand and walked in silence. Han-na walked quietly, dragging her shoes on the ground.
The unfamiliar sound of her shoes echoed irregularly in my ears.
-Clop.
-Clop.
-Clop.
As Han-na’s awkward shoe sound lengthened, the distance to the inn shortened, and the time for parting was approaching.
Han-na’s elongated sense of regret.
She didn’t want to spend this time meaninglessly.
She wanted to express her gratitude,
to stay longer.
She wanted to hold this hand longer.
Although she had to return to the Lady as a servant and didn’t want to burden me, Han-na found this moment passing by too regrettable.
In a quiet voice, Han-na spoke up.
“Master.”
“Yes, Han-na.”
Han-na called me once again. Like a baby seeking to hear her name one more time, she beckoned me.
“Master!”
“Yes, why do you call me?”
With a bashful smile, Han-na bowed her head. I matched her stride, smiling slightly at her awkward steps.
Looking at the sunset, Han-na said,
“Do you know?”
“I know I’m handsome.”
“Pfft! Not that.”
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Stretching out her words, Han-na continued,
“Do you know how incredibly precious you are to me?”
“To be considered incredibly precious is quite an overstatement.”
“It’s a very, very precious existence.”
Hanna said, holding onto the hand she had grasped tightly.
“Really.”
And then, slowly, she began to spill her own story that resided in her heart.
“I don’t know what you think, but I’ve always just received from you.”
“Even realizing love at a young age.”
“Becoming closer with my brother…”
“Being able to confidently speak to my father.”
“Everything… I couldn’t have done any of it if it weren’t for you.”
Hanna slowly began to wipe away the smile that hung on her lips. With a look of not sadness but gratitude gnawing at her lips, Hanna couldn’t help but wear a bitter smile, unsure of what to do.
“Why am I like this…? Did I tell a boring story? I felt like I hadn’t thanked you enough all this time… That’s why I wanted to say it today…”
I spoke sincerely to Hanna, as I always did towards her.
“I don’t think that way.”
Emotions without any pretense.
Having seen the efforts she had made until now, I could say such things. If not, it would have been insincere, but the Hanna I had seen was someone who had tirelessly put in effort. I savored a moment of silence and slowly opened my mouth.
“I simply helped push you forward, Hanna.”
Hanna lowered her head.
“No. I…”
Hanna vehemently shook her head in denial. I gently took Hanna’s hand and said,
“Hanna.”
“Yes…?”
“Sit here.”
I sat Hanna down on the bench. I took off the jacket she was wearing, covered her with a skirt, knelt down on one knee, and looked at Hanna.
Flustered, Hanna looked at me with trembling eyes.
Seeing Hanna’s awkward smile, I said, breaking the tense atmosphere, “Why are you crying? You had fun, didn’t you?”
Sitting in front of Hanna, I took out a small knife from my pocket and showed it to her.
“Ta-da.”
A knife with a rabbit drawing on it.
Seeing the rabbit drawn by hand, Hanna burst into laughter and said,
“What’s that…”
“How is it? Cute, right?”
“It’s cute.”
Carefully taking off Hanna’s shoe, I gently placed the knife on the back of her heel.
As the knife gently approached the reddened wound, Hanna opened her eyes in surprise and looked at me.
“It’s not hurt…”
“I’m bad at lying.”
Hanna muttered, twiddling her fingers. How did you know when she didn’t show it?
“How did you know?”
“I don’t miss anything.”
“Lies.”
Hanna shyly burst into laughter, lightly shaking her foot. As I held Hanna’s trembling foot, I carefully attached a rabbit-shaped anklet to the other ankle. Hanna gazed at the anklet with a cute bunny drawing, wearing a gentle smile.
I gently stroked Hanna’s tired foot and said, “I may not know how you feel, but I consider Miss Hanna to be a remarkable person.”
“Oh, no. I…”
“Striving in a place where no one acknowledges you.”
“…”
“Knowing that it’s not easy to keep trying, not giving up even if you don’t achieve results, and getting back up as if nothing happened even if you stumble. Of course, I’ve never experienced that, but I understand.”
Hanna’s leg, swaying like a swing, stopped moving. Though I couldn’t see her face, I could tell she wasn’t smiling.
I heard a sniffle above my head.
“Sniffle. Ah… Why is this happening? Is it because of pollen that my nose keeps running?”
“Seems like it. Pollen…”
Even the most foolish person could detect Hanna’s excuse of sneezing due to pollen in an area where no flowers bloomed.
I simply smiled gently and held Hanna’s foot.
“So, Miss Hanna.”
“Yes?”
“Don’t say it’s nothing. If you keep doing that when you’re a remarkable person, others will get jealous.”
“What are you talking about? If you keep saying that…”
I put on Hanna’s shoes on her foot, slowly lifted my head, and could see Hanna’s moist eyes.
Hanna wiped her eyes with her hand and lowered her head.
“Don’t look…”
“Why?”
“It’s embarrassing.”
With a small chuckle, I brushed off the dust on my knees and turned my back to Hanna.
Hanna, looking at me with a flustered gaze, hesitated, and I whispered softly to her.
“I’ll give you a ride without anyone knowing.”
“… “
“It’s our secret.”
Hanna shyly smiled and said, “Yes…”
Hanna, piggybacked, murmured softly.
“I like you…”
Her voice was too soft to hear, but Hanna continued to whisper her heart out.
“That’s why… I…”
With shy and embarrassed feelings.
“Like you.”
Hanna whispered.
Very sweet