“When you’re with someone you love, when you eat delicious food, when you see a beautiful scenery, when you achieve a goal… Everyone has different standards for what makes them feel happy.”
“Ugh.”
Iberis let out a short groan at the pain rising from his hand, gripped by Lucas. His face involuntarily frowned at the force that seemed to crush his hand.
“Let go of…”
“So I don’t think I can give you a complete answer to the Major’s curiosity right now. However…”
Lucas, trailing off, leaned his upper body towards Iberis and met his gaze. Not content with that, he wrapped his free arm around his slender waist and pulled him sharply into his embrace. With that, the distance between the two suddenly narrowed.
“I can make this suggestion.”
“Uh, yes?”
As their faces grew close enough for their breaths to touch, Iberis’ shoulders stiffened. Lucas continued speaking, regardless of his reaction.
“If you can’t figure out how to be happy no matter what… Why don’t you try finding it together with me instead of worrying alone?”
“…Together? With you?”
“Yes, because I’m the person who wants to make you happier than anyone else, and for a very long time.”
“Ah.”
A small exclamation burst from between his slightly parted lips. Lucas’ words now were an extension of his previous confession. Realizing this, he felt a sudden rush of heat, making the fine hairs on his neck stand on end.
Iberis, enveloped in a strange sensation, involuntarily averted his gaze. The golden eyes shining brilliantly without a trace of falsehood were hard to look at directly, as his chest kept tingling.
“…You’re good at saying embarrassing things.”
As Iberis’ voice trailed off, his head gradually lowered. Whether it was Lucas’ body heat transferring or the pain turning into heat, he wasn’t sure, but his hand held by Lucas felt strangely hot.
Thump, thump…
The sound of his heartbeat, more intense than before, buzzed in his ears like tinnitus. Iberis fidgeted his fingers, wanting to pull his interlocked hand free. He didn’t want Lucas to hear his heart pounding so loudly.
“Why should I be embarrassed? Isn’t it natural to want the person you love to be the happiest in the world?”
Lucas asked as if he couldn’t understand. It was an extremely natural phenomenon to want the person you hold dear to be happy because of you.
“That’s the thought I had when I confessed to you in the first place, Major.”
“Huh?”
“I’m saying I expressed my feelings because I wanted you to smile more and be healthier than you are now, and if possible, I wanted to be the one to make you that way.”
Lucas released the arm holding Iberis’ waist and raised his hand to grasp his slender chin. Then he made him look at him again.
“I’m not a fool who confesses without the determination to take responsibility for the happiness of the person I like.”
His thick thumb rubbed Iberis’ soft lower lip. When they first met, Iberis’ lips were white and chapped, easily getting injured, but now, thanks to resolving the Guide deficiency and consistent care, they boasted a smooth texture without a single scab.
Lucas savored the now softer flesh with his hand, his Adam’s apple bobbing slightly. He felt an urge to devour those lips and ravage the inside of his mouth.
But now was not the time to be greedy. He suppressed the desire boiling inside him and conveyed his commitment. It was a vow to Iberis and a promise to himself.
“I will cure you completely, for my own happiness as well.”
At these words full of sincerity, Iberis’ eyes, like layers of ice flowers, rippled. Lucas kissed his cheek, where transparent raindrops like tears had settled, and then kissed his earlobe, as soft as his lips.
“Then you won’t fail anymore either, will you, Major?”
“Hah.”
Iberis reflexively hunched his shoulders as the hot breath and soft whisper tickled his ear. The lips that had touched his ear again slowly moved away.
“Let me add one more thing: no one can be happy and enjoy every moment 365 days a year. So don’t be too hard on yourself.”
“What?”
“The person who left you their last words wanted you to be happy, not to torment yourself by being bound by their words.”
“…You’re right.”
Iberis swallowed unnecessarily and agreed with Lucas’ words. If Ryan were alive, he would have surely said something. He would have told him not to mope around like a fool.
“Above all, you’re doing well enough, Major. It’s already amazing that you’ve endured so steadfastly without breaking down despite going through such a big ordeal.”
“Is that so…?”
“Of course, you’ve been trying to be happy as per their last wish, haven’t you?”
Iberis bit his lip at Lucas’ words comforting him for his efforts so far. The fog in his mind cleared, and his chest, which had felt like it was filled with heavy stones, felt refreshed.
“You’re right. I did my best. Although the results weren’t good…”
“No, your story isn’t over yet, Major. As I said earlier, your ending can still change in any way.”
Lucas said with a confident expression. His attitude was resolute, as if he would make sure of it himself.
Gently, he brought his forehead to Iberis’ round one and pleaded more earnestly than ever:
“So please rely on me.”
How should I respond? I’ve started to want to live a little. Iberis, with his eyes slightly crinkled, looked down at their still interlocked hands. When he received his terminal diagnosis, what he felt wasn’t despair or sadness.
He was surprised to learn that his body was damaged beyond recovery, but rather than feeling afraid of dying, his first thought was, “So it’s come to this after all.” A feeling that the inevitable had arrived, perhaps? He had vaguely expected such a day would come.
Maybe that’s why Iberis felt a faint sense of liberation instead of being overwhelmed by fear of death. It felt like an opportunity to escape from all the negative thoughts and emotions that weighed him down every moment, like helplessness and guilt.
For Iberis, who had grown accustomed to giving up on things and abandoning hope over a long time, it wasn’t difficult to accept death and give up on his future life. At some point, he had stopped dreaming of the future.
But now, for the first time, he felt reluctant to let go. Iberis became curious about what kind of happiness Lucas could bring him. He wanted to believe Lucas’ words that he confessed because he wanted to make him smile comfortably.
“Can I…”
Can I rely on you? The question that had risen to his throat scattered before leaving his mouth. Instead of asking Lucas, Iberis moved his hand held by Lucas and interlocked their fingers. That was enough.
As the curved fingertips gently rested on the back of his hand, eyes shimmering like they held golden sunlight widened slightly before curving into an elegant arc. Soon after, soft lips approached.
Iberis didn’t reject but accepted Lucas. Warm and moist breath, like gentle mana resembling spring sunlight, warmed his cold mouth. It was their first kiss, not a contact for Guiding.
“Luke…”
Iberis, his eyes gently closed, called Lucas softly as he actively mixed their breaths and entwined their tongues. In response, the hand holding his chin roughly dug into his damp hair.
Iberis also raised his free arm to embrace Lucas’ neck. It was the moment when the will to live sprouted, overcoming the deep-rooted sense of helplessness in his heart.
* * *
Ding.
As soon as the elevator opened, Yuki walked almost at a run towards the Guild Master’s office. The urgent sound of her heels echoed in the quiet corridor.
“Guild Master.”
Yuki, who had instantly reached the tightly closed door, called for Livio without even catching her breath. Perhaps sensing something unusual, Livio’s heavy voice was heard from inside before she could even knock.
“Come in.”
“Excuse me.”
Yuki opened the door as soon as Livio gave permission. The office was as dark as night despite it being midday. She swallowed dryly and approached Livio, who was standing with his back to her.
“What is it?”
Livio asked without turning to look at Yuki. His eyes were fixed on the window where heavy rain was pouring outside.
“Well… the military investigation bureau has made a move. About an hour ago, they arrested a money launderer who had processed the down payments given to the heads of villain organizations…”
“Hmm, what about the broker who directly contacted the intelligence department? It’s more important that they don’t catch him than the money launderer… Still haven’t found him?”
“I’m sorry. He’s hidden himself so well…”
Yuki lowered her head, feeling ashamed. Currently, the Mars Guild was in the process of erasing all traces related to the N-zone terror incident. However, some involved parties, including the broker who had sensed something was off, had gone into hiding, avoiding the guild and causing setbacks in their attempts to cover their tracks.
Meanwhile, perhaps having obtained some good leads, the military investigation bureau had announced the existence of a mastermind and switched to an open investigation. This was an unwelcome development for the Mars Guild.
“It would be very troublesome if he’s caught by the investigation bureau. We must deal with him first, no matter what.”
“Yes.”
“You’re always good at answering. Don’t just say ‘yes, yes’ with words, you need to act properly, tsk.”
At the sharp rebuke, Yuki’s head lowered even further. At the same time, her resentment towards Livio grew stronger. Wasn’t it Livio who had initially ordered Iberis’ assassination? He had said it didn’t matter if they failed, but now that the situation had worsened, he was blaming his subordinates, including Yuki, and constantly berating them.
