25 – Cypress Mosaic

Having ​finished ​his ​observation, ​Lorenz gripped both ​armrests ​of ​the ​sofa ​and pushed himself up, ​exerting ​force as if ​pushing downward.

“Do you ​prefer ​to ​receive ​the ​files ​digitally, or would ​paper ​documents ​be better?”

“If you ​already have them in ​paper form, ​I would ​prefer those.”

“Paper ​is indeed ​better ​for ​a detailed review.”

Standing ​before the ​file cabinet behind the ​desk, Lorenz rummaged through ​the documents and asked ​Elian.

“What do ​you ​think of Lucas?”

Instead of an answer, ​a low chuckle drifted ​from ​the ​sofa. ​Stopping ​his hand amidst ​the files, ​Lorenz ​looked back at ​Elian.

“Why ​are you laughing?”

“I just thought, ​’He’s finally ​asking.’”

It ​wasn’t a sneer ​or ​a ​cynical ​laugh.

Feeling ​slightly awkward, ​Lorenz ​shrugged and ​shifted his gaze back to the file ​in his hand.

“I ​admit that I ​am a goal-oriented person. ​But I ​don’t believe there ​is ​anything wrong with ​that. That is ​how I ​was ​raised, and ​that ​is my ​purpose ​as a ​human ​being. ​What is required ​of ​each person ​differs.”

Elian ​watched ​Lorenz’s ​profile as he flipped through the files.

My purpose as a human being.

It was a bitter expression.

If a child under his care had used such a phrase to describe themselves, Elian would have likely judged that the child needed help.

Then, was it different for an adult? Could it be said that there was no problem?

Watching him return to the sofa with the documents, Elian answered the question he had posed.

“From my observations of Lucas so visit our sitefar, there visit our siteare [visit our site]no issues with his learning ability. In fact, he seems to enjoy the process of learning and mastering things.”

“Is that a positive sign?”

Elian nodded.

“In severe cases, children may reject such activities altogether. The fact that he shows motivation for learning is quite positive, as it means he still possesses curiosity about the world despite being in an unstable situation. It means he hasn’t given up on life.”

Hmm.

Lorenz took a deep breath, as if relieved. However, the relief did not last long. Elian continued with a heavier tone.

“However, he is extremely reluctant to express himself.”

“What do you mean?”

“He excels at solving math problems, naming the capitals of various countries, or dictating Spanish spelling. But the moment he is asked to talk about himself, even slightly, he strongly refuses.”

“……”

“Even a very simple question, like picking something he likes.”

Having sat down opposite him again, Lorenz focused on Elian’s words with a serious expression.

“There is a high possibility that he is refusing to speak because he believes he should not express himself.”

“My father was a very strict man.”

Lorenz gave a short, mocking laugh at his own words. This was because his father’s parenting style was beyond what the word ‘strict’ could describe. He continued.

“He never praised any achievement. But he was lenient with that child. Even during the period after the adoption when Lucas was struggling to adjust, my father personally invested time and affection to open the child’s heart. Everyone admired my father’s love and patience.”

A father who had been so ruthless, so harsh without batting an eye toward him. Yet, he was kinder to Lucas than anyone. Recalling that image, a bitter smile naturally crept onto Lorenz’s lips.

After the brief reminiscence, Lorenz concluded.

“Therefore, my father would not have acted authoritatively to prevent the child from expressing himself.”

“I agree. Seeing how Lucas used to love activities like art classes and role-playing, it’s likely not because of Mr. Damon Lockhart.”

“Then why does he refuse to unauthorized copy[stolen content]speak to such an extent? unauthorized copyNo one abused Lucas. At least not in this house.”

Frustration leaked into Lorenz’s voice. It was subtle, but Elian could feel the difference.

In this moment, Lorenz looked no different from any other guardian Elian had met. The suffocating and bleak despair of not knowing where things went wrong. And a gaze looking desperately at the counselor sitting before him, as if clinging to the last remaining shred of hope. Lorenz’s eyes were exactly like that.

As if offering gentle comfort, yet with the determination of a professional, Elian spoke.

“That is something we will have to figure out together.”

The man’s transparent green eyes wavered slightly for a brief moment.

“We… together?”

As if hearing and mimicking a strange but charming foreign language.

As if unconsciously chewing over an unbelievable confession. Lorenz murmured.

“Yes. You, Mr. Lockhart, and Lucas. All of us together. If even one person does not cooperate, we cannot change this situation.”

For a moment, they gazed at each other in silence.

In the stillness, they focused solely on the eye contact.

Lorenz Lockhart had never met someone who could endure his gaze for this long. Yet, from their first meeting until now, he could find no sign of Elian Bellotti being intimidated or uncomfortable around him.

I have nothing to hide. Before you, I am as honest as a child. Eyes as bright and blue as an April sky, with an unfathomable depth, met his without hesitation.

We, together.

Knock, knock.

A sudden knock broke the silence.

Lorenz looked toward the door with a dazed expression, like someone abruptly pulled from a deep sleep. A servant informed Lorenz that an important call had come in. It was his attending physician. He realized he hadn’t paid attention to his phone since returning home.

Elian gathered his materials and stood up, and Lorenz followed suit.

“I’ll be going now. Thank you for the documents.”

“Whenever you need help.”

Elian smiled briefly at Lorenz’s attitude, which had become noticeably more cooperative than on the first day. Then, after a moment’s hesitation, he spoke cautiously.

“Actually… there is one more thing I’d like to mention.”

“Go ahead.”

“Could you reduce Lucas’s lessons just a little?”

“Didn’t you say there were no issues with his learning ability?”

“Yes, but he is clearly overextending himself. I see signs that he feels pressure to achieve.”

Just because he had the intellectual capacity to keep up with the lessons didn’t mean he wasn’t stressed. Every time he got a problem wrong, Lucas tended to blame himself excessively.

However, Elian wasn’t sure how Lorenz Lockhart, who valued admission to Ashford so highly, would receive the suggestion.

Still, if it’s now… perhaps the current him…

After a moment of silence while standing, Lorenz finally gave a short nod.

“I’ll think about it. If it is necessary to cure the illness… to improve the situation.”

This time, a tremor flickered in Elian’s eyes.

He was surprised that Lorenz hadn’t rejected him outright, but that wasn’t all. Instead of the expression ‘cure the illness,’ Lorenz had corrected his wording as Elian had suggested. Not to be sarcastic, but because he had accepted Elian’s opinion.

Lorenz himself, however, looked as if he had no idea why Elian was looking at him with such eyes.

Perhaps, as he suspected, this man was simply terribly unskilled at expressing himself.

“Please consider it positively. It will definitely be helpful for Lucas.”

Elian bowed his head and walked toward the door. Then, he suddenly stopped and looked back. Lorenz was standing still, watching Elian. His posture was so awkwardly straight and upright that he almost looked solemn.

“I’m sorry about last time.”

“Last time…?”

“I wasn’t mature enough as a counselor.”

“Ah…”

“I’ve been wanting to apologize.”

Lorenz had not expected at all that Elian would be the first to apologize for that incident. Because of this, he just stood there blankly, feeling caught off guard.

Even after Elian closed the door and left, he remained frozen for a while. Forgetting that his physician was waiting on the phone.

Despite receiving an apology, for some reason, he felt a stinging sensation as if he had been slapped again. No, this time, it felt as if the man had unexpectedly kissed his cheek, leaving it flushed.

■