Chapter 16: Reunion in the Rain

Last time…

Yuli pondered the meaning behind Fran’s words. Didn’t that mean…

‘You… you still remember me, don’t you?’

Yuli’s gaze flickered. The girl’s emotions were once again stirred to chaos. If he still remembered her, then why, why… did he have to say those things back then?

She lowered her head, and the room fell into a relative silence until the sound of rain droplets hitting the ground echoed. Yuli raised her head and stared out at the gloomy weather.

Sigh, what’s going on? It’s supposed to be the day of my reunion with the person I long for, yet it started raining so heavily…

Purburg’s weather is really tough on me.

‘On such a rainy day, I’ve disrupted your elegant wine tasting, Yuli sister…’

Fran looked out the window at the rain, then turned back with a hint of disappointment in his voice.

‘Heh…’

Yuli gave a bitter smile and shook her head. ‘There’s no elegance in wine tasting. My mood is already terrible, so how could I taste any sweetness? It’s just… your appearance made me a bit happier.’

‘Ah?’ The boy clenched his fist to his cheek, looking surprised.

‘I… I thought, Yuli sister, that you would hold a grudge against me for the harsh words I spoke that night. Otherwise… why would you keep me here?’

‘Oh?’ Yuli spoke as she stood up and walked to the window, closing it against the rain.

She stood there for a moment, closed her eyes, and furrowed her brow, silently repeating in her mind:

Yuli, be more assertive, yes… be assertive… don’t let your own heart hold you back, don’t… be so shy.

Unbeknownst to her, through the window’s reflection, Fran had caught a glimpse of the girl’s pleading expression. He straightened his posture and waited quietly for Yuli to turn around.

When she turned, the girl flashed a smile she thought was rather mischievous, raising her voice slightly as she leaned in close to the flustered Fran.

‘So, if I were angry and wanted to catch you, what would you do?’

‘Eh eh eh?’ Fran quickly stood up, bowing and apologizing profusely to Yuli.

‘Sorry, sorry, I… that day, I was just in a bad mood. You know, Yuli sister, that day was hard for all the Francian people. I was being petulant and said some harsh things, pretending not to recognize you to upset you. But… it was all a lie. I’m sorry… really sorry…’

‘Good grief~’

Yuli embraced the boy who was about to cry, patting his head.

Hmm…

She thought to herself, that couldn’t really be called petulance, right? If an enemy nation’s army had invaded the empire’s capital, she would surely be heartbroken as well.

Yuli tried to put herself in Fran’s shoes and understood that his bad mood that day was completely justified. Yet, he had been worried all this time about whether she was holding a grudge against him and had run away.

What a silly boy…

Yuli couldn’t help but hug him tighter, but the boy in her arms suddenly struggled and pushed her away.

Ah…

Yuli looked at the boy in disbelief. Fran’s face was red, and he averted his gaze, stammering, ‘S-sorry… it’s raining, I should go home now. You… you aren’t angry, right? I-I-I… I’ll be going!’

He turned and ran out of the room, leaving Yuli standing there, shaking her head in confusion.

He ran away…

The boy ran away…

Why?

She sat on the sofa, her face in her hands, trying to understand.

Am I that awful?

I don’t think so. Even though I haven’t been in love before, I don’t think I’m completely lacking in charm. There were even people who pursued me in military school, but at the time, my mind was fully on training.

But… now that I have someone I care about, that person is so afraid of me.

Emmm…

She looked at the pastries Fran had left on the table, reaching out a finger to take a small bite.

Mmm…

Strange images flashed through her mind. Fran was lying beneath her, and the silver-haired girl reached out her delicate fingers, asking the boy to take them in his mouth, licking the shiny nails with a ‘slurp’ sound.

Then, she gently pulled them out, leaving a silver trail.

The girl, blushing, lowered her head, pulling out her finger and wiping the wetness with a handkerchief.

Ugh…

What am I thinking?

If Fran knew what I was thinking, he’d probably be so scared he’d run back to his hometown in the countryside.

The girl flashed a slightly ‘arrogant’ smile, unable to contain the many thoughts she had about what she wanted to do with that adorable boy.

Sigh—

But…

She looked around the room, and the cold reality brought her back to earth. Her little adorable Fran had already run away.

Oh no!

Yuli suddenly realized something. She slapped her forehead in frustration, remembering the trick she had played.

‘So, if I were angry and wanted to catch you, what would you do?’

She replayed her own words in her mind, and now they sounded like a threat. No wonder Fran was scared and ran away.

I overdid it!

Realizing this, Yuli stamped her foot in anger.

Sigh—

I’ll have to see him tomorrow.

Will he come back tomorrow?

The girl wondered.

****

Running out of the shop, Fran opened an umbrella and looked back cautiously.

A man followed him quickly, but it seemed he didn’t have an umbrella. The man weighed his options and just stood at the door, staring at Fran.

Fran didn’t wait to think, quickly calming his breathing, and disappeared into the crowd.

Lyon crouched at the shop entrance, squinting in the direction Fran had gone.

Damn, I should have brought an umbrella. I should have followed him.

But I have to take care of the boss’s side too…

Sigh.

Lyon turned back and went into the shop to find Yuli.

Fran blended into the crowd, occasionally looking back to check his surroundings.

Once he was sure no one was following him, he relaxed, holding his umbrella and slowing his pace as he changed direction towards the tavern where his teacher was staying.

Today…

Fran’s lips curled into a smirk. Today’s plan was a success, at least… Fran felt that Yuli was still very interested in him.

No… it should be said that her feelings for him were even stronger than he had expected.

Hmph—

Fran flashed a smug grin, mimicking his actions from earlier in a hidden corner, speaking to the air.

‘Well… I’m just a harmless little rabbit, so please tell me all your secrets~’

Pfft—

Being cute is his camouflage in this jungle filled with enemies.

Does that girl really like cute me?

Yuli, General sister?

What a silly girl…

Too bad…

He started walking again.

I came to you with a mission…’