Karkinos was right about everything. He had seen through everything Sei was thinking. Karkinos was foolish, but he wasn’t an idiot.
Crushed by his words, Sei hung his head.
“Listen here, Sei, my B O Y. There’s something you should learn. You’re trying to settle everything by playing the heel. But you see...playing the heel isn’t an excuse. There are many people throughout the world who think that becoming the heel means they can do or say anything. Since they’re being hated for the other’s sake, they think it’s all right to say cruel, hurtful things. H A H A H A! That’s a N I C E J O K E. In my opinion, they’re all misconstrued bastards,” Karkinos said with a shrug, laughing.
Becoming hated for the other person’s sake... I see. Just judging from the words, it’s a wonderful bit of self-sacrifice, but it’s actually narcissism in disguise. Most people who are like that are just drunk on the fact that they’re in the role.
“You didn’t withdraw for Virgo’s sake. You ran because of Virgo.”
“That wasn’t what...!”
“Oh, you’re saying I’m wrong? Then I’d like you to tell me...the appropriate-sounding excuse you’ve prepared to gloss things over and lighten the load on your heart,” said Karkinos.
Sei couldn’t say anything in reply, instead remaining in silent guilt.
Explaining oneself was, in the end, just something done to make oneself look better. At that point, it was just an excuse. No matter how much good logic Sei pulled out, it wouldn’t change the fact that he’d hurt Virgo and made her cry.
Karkinos poked the troubled boy in front of him in the forehead and laughed.
“It’s good that you’ve become honest. This is the starting line. And if there’s a wall you need to overcome, then you can just rely on Miss Lufas or me. Just think simpler.”
“I... You’re right, I need to go apologize to Virgo! I said something terrible...”
“Y E S, that is what you need to do first. Don’t worry. She’ll come back when she calms down. When she does, apologize to her and then give her a H O T confession!”
After hearing Karkinos’s advice, Sei’s heart became a little bit lighter. Though he normally acted foolishly, he was still one of the Imperial Thirteen Heavenly Stars. He had much more life experience than Sei. Yes, the reason why Karkinos was able to give advice like this even though he was single was thanks to the wisdom that came with age.
However, he wouldn’t be the crab he was if he managed to leave while still looking cool.
Just then, Karkinos was approached by a manager of the park.
“HEEEYYY, PART-TIMER! DON’T YOU DARE TAKE THE HEAD OFF OF THAT COSTUME! THIS IS A PARK FULL OF DREAMS!”
“S - S O R R Y! There’s a very deep reason for all this...!”
“Shut up! You’re fired!”
“N O O O O O O O O O O?!”
As always, he was just a little bit sad. This was normal for Karkinos though.
＊ ＊
“Sei...you stupid...”
Virgo walked along depressed after returning from Mizgarz, muttering to herself. She knew that what Sei said had come from a place of kindness, but she still hadn’t wanted him to say it. That was why she couldn’t stop herself from getting emotional and running away while shouting insults.
I don’t know how I should face him when I see him next. Actually, if I see him again, he might just keep going...
Unable to figure out what she should do, Virgo simply continued to trudge along without a destination.
“What’s wrong? Why the long face?”
Having been called out to, Virgo looked up to find Sanieve, the man she’d recently gotten close to, looking very worried. She looked around, finding that she was in his cave, and Virgo then realized that she must have come here unwittingly. Not even Virgo herself realized why she’d come here. It was as if she was led here unconsciously...as if her legs had just naturally carried her to this place. Such a creepy happenstance would normally be felt. However, Virgo was not in her right state of mind, so she had failed to notice such a simple thing.
“Tears don’t suit your lovely face. If you’d like, you can tell me your worries. Maybe saying them out loud will lighten your burden. I would like to help you,” said Sanieve.
His voice seeped deep into her wounded heart, and it seemed to have a mysterious power that had Virgo feeling relieved.
Normally, Virgo would most likely have realized that something was wrong by now. She would have figured that it was strange to be this relieved to see someone she’d only just met from an unbiased standpoint, and started to question things. However, Virgo was currently incapable of that. She just did as she was told, sinking into the feeling of relief as she spilled all her worries.
Sanieve eventually responded once Virgo stopped talking, seeming to pity her deeply.
“Oh, you poor thing... To think that he never even realized your feelings, noble as they are.”
Sanieve placed his hand upon Virgo’s shoulder to comfort her.
“How deplorable. I’m sure that man doesn’t even realize how lucky he is. If it were me, I’d never make you feel that way,” Sanieve said, heaving a sigh to emphasize his exasperation.
Then, he turned to face Virgo again and brought his face close to hers. “But depending on how you think about it, this may have been a good thing. I understand after hearing your story. That man is not worthy of you.”
“Huh?” Virgo paused. “Sanieve...?”
“Hey, Virgo, what do you think of me? I would be happy if you could see me as a man...”
It was here that Virgo finally noticed something was strange. His speech was as gentle and soft as usual, but something about Sanieve still seemed different, dangerous... Virgo could feel some dark and sinister sentiments behind his actions. However, even if she wanted to get away for a bit, Sanieve’s hand was firmly clasped onto Virgo’s shoulder and wouldn’t let go.
“Allow me to confess to you. I think of you very favorably. Not in a sense of friendship, but of the kind that is born between a man and a woman. I desire to marry you,” Sanieve admitted.
It was a straightforward confession, with no way to misconstrue it. Virgo’s face reddened upon hearing this unexpected confession from someone she only thought of as a friend.
I think Sanieve is cool, and he’s also very pretty. I’m sure women wouldn’t be able to leave him alone. It’s also true that he’s very gentlemanly and very fun to talk to. But... Even so, Virgo could not forget Minamijuuji Sei.
“U-Um... I’m thankful for your feelings, but I...” Virgo trailed off.
“Is that so...? That’s too bad.”
Sanieve was visibly disappointed, and it didn’t seem like an act. Seeing that, Virgo felt guilty, but what happened the next moment blew all that guilt away.
Virgo had seen Sanieve’s face. It was expressionless in a way Virgo had never seen before, but his eyes alone were alight with a passionate fire.
“It truly is disappointing. However, I have infinite time on my side. I intend to wait for you to change your mind, however long that may take.”
“S-Sanieve?”
“I will not hand you over to any other man...much less one who made you cry, one without the guts to accept you and your feelings. Yes, I will never let you go. This is the first time I’ve ever seen someone with as clear a heart and soul as you, as well as the first time I’ve ever wanted someone. I am sure this is what they call love at first sight.”
“H-Hey, you’re scaring me, you know...? Let me go...”
“No.”