The Villain Wants to Change Genres – Chapter 137

Chapter 137

After gazing at his peacefully sleeping face, I slowly got up to prepare breakfast. The day was so perfect that I wished days like this would repeat forever. It was a natural desire I’d had since childhood.

I always felt anxious when Fei wasn’t in sight. Throughout my academy life, I felt an inexplicable anxiety during his absence. It was a terrible feeling, like something invisible was choking me.

When it became particularly severe, I would look at the dried rose and letter I received from him to catch my breath. It was certainly pure sentiment.

‘But… why did I get excited?’

The moment I heard Fei’s suggestive moan, I felt a rush of heat. His nape had turned completely red as he covered his mouth with his hand and hung his head low. He seemed to say something with difficulty, but I couldn’t remember what it was. I was too busy hiding my strange thoughts because of the voice echoing in my head.

‘No matter what kind of Luwen you are, you’re still my precious… brother. That won’t change.’

Precious brother.

Words I’d heard countless times. They used to be like a magical spell bringing happiness, but now they tightly constricted my chest. It felt like a warning that I should never cross that boundary.

The most important thing for Luwen was being permitted to stay by his side. Only then could he breathe.

Fei was his breath.

* * *

It was late at night, but Luwen hadn’t returned. I stared at the ceiling with wide awake eyes under the blanket. Then, like a madman, I burst out laughing.

‘I didn’t see it wrong, did I?’

He was definitely excited. It happened so quickly that I might have seen it wrong, but after contemplating alone in the room, I concluded that I saw it correctly. If he wasn’t excited, there was no reason for him to flee in such a hurry.

‘Does that mean Luwen likes me too?’

I thought it was one-sided, but it wasn’t.

Since when did he start liking me? Surely not before I did? He was always particularly shy in front of me, so that must have been the reason.

‘I don’t even need to ask Drabis.’

I just need to confirm Luwen’s feelings. My chest, which had been tight all this time, opened up like becoming a vast ocean. I looked out the window, listening to my heart beat pleasantly like a calm sea. The moon was especially beautiful tonight. I waited for Luwen, counting the densely packed stars.

And so… dawn broke. I got up, grimacing at the painfully bright sunlight that replaced the once beautiful moon after the early dawn haze.

‘Why isn’t he coming back!’

I threw off the blanket and strode out of the room. Being shy is one thing, but this was too much.

Honestly, I wanted to go look for him at dawn, but I also wasn’t mentally prepared yet, so I hesitated. I had been squirming with embarrassment thinking about how far things could go with Luwen.

‘Let’s talk first anyway.’

I thought he’d be in the living room on the first floor, but Luwen wasn’t there. Alteo wasn’t visible either. I turned my head sharply to look at Luwen’s room that Alteo had claimed.

‘Surely not?’

They couldn’t have slept together, right? Of course, Luwen wouldn’t have done anything inappropriate with him while leaving me behind. Maybe they just slept side by side…

‘No. I don’t like that either.’

I was about to open the door immediately, but standing in front of it, I couldn’t bring myself to act. Several minutes might have passed. I was just glaring at the door when it happened.

“Norman? What are you doing there?”

Luwen’s voice came from behind. I turned my head quickly, delighted. He was drenched in sweat, apparently having done morning exercise.

“I didn’t see you, so I was going to look for you.”

“Ah, when I returned, you were already asleep. So I kept quiet and left early.”

“……”

Why is our Luwen… lying to me with such a casual smile? He was even composed. If I hadn’t stayed up all night, I wouldn’t have known it was a lie.

‘Well, I do it a lot too… I know I shouldn’t complain about lying but…’

It was strange. Was there any need to lie?

“I’ll prepare breakfast. You’ll have salad, right?”

Everything was as usual. His gaze at me, his behavior. As if nothing happened yesterday.

“…Yes.”

After waiting for my answer, he wiped the sweat with the towel around his neck and headed to the kitchen counter.

I stared at him intently. Come to think of it, there was no need to feel disappointed. I would have wanted to hide it too. Yes, I understand. I understand, but…

‘Still, lying… he lied to me…’

That was the shock. Despite everything about me being built on lies, this small lie to hide an embarrassing incident could be so shocking.

“Oh, Norman. Good timing.”

Alteo suddenly opened the door, perhaps hearing our conversation. He peeked his head out to glance at Luwen, then grabbed my arm.

Being dragged into the room in a daze, I kept looking toward the kitchen counter. Our eyes met, but Luwen just smiled casually and continued preparing vegetables.

‘…He’s not even wary of Alteo?’

After being so concerned about him to the point of inconvenience?

The door closed with a thud. I stood there blankly, wondering if Luwen might come looking for me. But the door didn’t open.

“Yesterday—”

“Shut up.”

“No, how would you know what I was going to—”

“I told you to keep your mouth shut.”

I sat down heavily on the bed, brushing my hair up irritably. What was our Luwen thinking? What change of heart made him not wary of Alteo and even lie to me?

If it was just one of these things, I could have overlooked it. But both happening simultaneously was too suspicious. Especially since Luwen, who left in that state yesterday, didn’t return all night, I couldn’t help being sensitive.

‘I should have gone looking for him.’

Why did I wait peacefully counting stars when I should have been embarrassed?

“About Luwen.”

I glared at Alteo. I clearly told him to shut up, so why was he still talking? His attempt to get my attention by mentioning his name was also irritating.

“Did you know Luwen came to my room last night?”

He smirked like a chosen winner. With a surge of anger, I clenched my fist tightly, and he showed me his open palm.

“Calm down. I’m on your side, young master.”

With those words, I realized I was overly excited. My facial expressions were completely uncontrolled, enough for Alteo to notice. If Luwen had seen me, he might have been disappointed at my current state.

“Let me tell you what happened yesterday first.”

Alteo lowered his voice and spoke. He explained that an excited Luwen had come to him, that he had persuaded Luwen to lower his guard, that Luwen had swung his sword all night, and that he had allowed Alteo to return at dawn.

Only then did I understand why Alteo had been so calm when dragging me into the room. But I still couldn’t find the reason for the lie.

“Luwen lied to me.”

“What kind of lie?”

Reluctantly, I shared what had just happened, feeling frustrated. After hearing my story, Alteo burst into laughter.

‘This bastard… I’m being serious, and he’s laughing?’

When I glared at him, he cleared his throat.

“He probably lied because it would be difficult to explain.”

“Why?”

Alteo lowered his voice even further, as if concerned that if even a little of it leaked out and Luwen heard, it would be troublesome.

“Well…”

As he opened his mouth with a grin, my face got hotter and hotter. Eventually, I buried my face deeply in both hands.

“Are you feeling better now?”

“Sh-shut up.”

Despite his cheeky, amused voice, I couldn’t raise my head. How could I respond to the fact that Luwen had become excited multiple times and each time had to take up his sword?

“Now for the main point. Do you want me to help?”

“With what?”

“You like Luwen, and it seems Luwen feels the same way. Wouldn’t it be good to just get it over with quickly?”

I was momentarily tempted, but how could I trust this guy? He might say he’ll help but end up causing trouble. Above all, I didn’t want anyone getting between me and Luwen.

“No, thank you. Please stop interfering in our matters now.”

“What? Your speech pattern just returned to normal.”

Alteo pouted as if bored.

“Well, I’ve already helped you anyway, haven’t I?”

This was certainly hard to deny. If I hadn’t known what happened last night, I would have continued to be unsettled. More importantly, I had confidence in Luwen’s feelings now.

‘So I just need to wait?’

It might take time. Until then, I should prepare my heart too.

A future where I doubt Luwen’s love, or a future where I use all sorts of tricks to keep him by my side. Neither was appealing. But… what if Luwen confesses? Then I could believe, couldn’t I? Could I have a normal relationship too?

‘…I’m still not confident, but.’

The thought of dating Luwen made me excited. My heart pounded. I was filled with anticipation.

Author: Hyacinthus B

Hyacinthus