By Zephyria Clear sky, soft breeze, the shade of a parasol, orange juice in a glass.
Leonardo fiddled with the moisture on the surface of the glass with both hands and slowly rolled his eyes.
This was a large garden located in the south annex, a place where the peaceful and quiet atmosphere and white roses were especially well-suited. Judging from the fact that the majestic main clock tower was faintly visible in the distance, it was definitely inside the Council, but the surrounding scenery was so different that it was easy to mistake it for another place, perhaps because the site was large.
Unlike the garden of the main building, where members were busily walking around, there were so many flowers and trees planted for landscaping that they were lush. It felt like being in a private flower garden with good sunlight in someone’s private property. Except for the four members waiting at a distance, there was no one passing by at all.
Thanks to that, this moment of sitting at a table in the middle of a wide lawn felt like being inside a landscape painting depicting a fleeting moment. Leonardo looked around and then stared again at the white tablecloth covering his lap.
‘I’m going to die.’
Behind the bright yellow juice cup, which spread freshness just by looking at it, fluffy soufflé pancakes and fruits marinated in syrup were nicely arranged.
They were soft and tender foods that even patients could eat. But more than that, the cold coffee next to the juice attracted his attention.
‘I want to hide somewhere and disappear.’
Looking at the mug, he suddenly remembered what happened yesterday and squeezed his eyes shut. Then, the sound of paper fluttering subsided, and soon a worried voice was heard.
“Why, are you not feeling well?”
Hugo, who was stacking documents on the tea table and working, asked cautiously with a worried face. He didn’t know how long he had been watching, but Leonardo replied simply in a tone somewhere between indifference and sullenness.
“No.”
He turned his eyes away as if nothing was wrong and gulped down the orange juice for no reason. It was very unfamiliar to see Agrizendro wearing glasses for the first time. It might be just him being awkward, but now that he was back to his senses unlike yesterday, it was hard to make eye contact.
Hugo stared at Leonardo’s profile, then took off his glasses and put them down, and massaged the bridge of his nose.
Leonardo was inwardly surprised, wondering if his inner thoughts had been discovered. Even so, he subtly glanced at him out of the corner of his eye.
“I heard that eating something sweet makes you feel better, so at least try it. I heard they only sell 30 sets a day. I got permission from the medical officer, so eat it without worry.”
Hugo, who had rubbed his dry eyes and brushed away his fatigue, crossed his arms and leaned his upper body on the table. Then, he looked at Leonardo and propped his chin diagonally with one hand. It was such a blatant staring posture that Leonardo desperately avoided his gaze.
He bit his lip and stared only at the fluffy shape. He was curious about the limited edition soufflé cake, but what did he care.
As he remained motionless like a statue as if protesting, Hugo, who had been watching, reached out silently. The large hand, which passed Leonardo by as he flinched, picked up a blunt knife and cut the pancake, putting it on a plate in front of him. He also put a lot of sweet syrup-soaked fruit on it.
After seeing the pretty plate being pushed forward, Leonardo, who had been silent, asked.
“Why did you bring me here?”
The hand that was about to put down the fork paused. Hugo looked back at the flower bed beyond Leonardo and said nonchalantly.
“Because I thought you’d feel much refreshed if you got some fresh air. The weather is nice today too.”
His last gaze reached Leonardo’s profile, who was occasionally stealing glances at him. As if he already knew all about the sidelong glances, he gave a gentle smile. Leonardo also openly looked at Hugo now. Just looking at that smile made him feel like yesterday’s events had never happened.
He wanted to be led by his consideration and move on as if nothing had happened. But his expression and heart, which couldn’t find their way, were already making it obvious that they were uncomfortable, making it impossible to pretend nothing was wrong.
Leonardo, who lowered his head, fidgeted with his fingers. With a gloomy face, he lowered his eyes and suddenly asked without any inflection.
“Am I weird?”
Hugo’s lips stiffened for a moment at the sudden words. Before he could even grasp the intention of the question, Leonardo slightly tightened his grip on the hand that was scratching the surface of the glass.
“Do I seem mentally ill?”
“What are you talking about?”
Hugo frowned and retorted rather coldly. Leonardo’s fingers, which had been fidgeting, paused at the somewhat stern-sounding voice.
“Sometimes I am.”
Leonardo, who had been quietly looking at his face reflected in the tableware, couldn’t make eye contact and continued.
“I don’t know where I am, what I’m doing. I’m confused.”
It was a calm but choked-up voice. He stammeringly added as if trying to defend his actions.
“I don’t even remember what I said. I don’t even know why my hands are like this. Why I did that… I don’t know. Just―.”
“You’re not weird at all.”
Leonardo unknowingly widened his eyes at the plain answer that cut through his worries. Then, he quickly turned his head to the side, and the uniformed gentleman with a rather troubled face said resolutely.
“It’s not like a disease. You’re just a little surprised and tired. When many people are in difficult situations, they face a more sensitive version of themselves than usual.”
Hugo tilted the curved glass bottle and poured orange juice with ice into Leonardo’s cup. This time, Leonardo didn’t flinch. He gradually narrowed the distance in this way.
“You were just like that too. Of course, the situation you were in was a combination of bad memories, so it must have been a much more unbearable pain than others. It’s natural for your nerves to be doubly on edge. Anyone would be anxious in that situation. Nevertheless, you endured it well.”
Hugo slowly approached without the other person noticing.
“As you have been doing so far, you will get better in the future.”
He approached as if seeping in, with thorough calculation.
“Looking at good things, eating good food. If you stabilize your mind, there will come days when it fades away at some point, even if not immediately. Just as wounds heal, humans also heal pain through oblivion. Then, you can just fill that place with better memories.”
Hugo’s large hand was already stroking Leonardo’s left palm, which was wrapped in bandages. He thought about going straight to his cheek, but it seemed a little too early, so he stayed in that spot.
Leonardo listened to Hugo’s words and slowly blinked his eyes. Soon, following his loosening heart, he gently grabbed the thick fingers in his hand and murmured.
“Yesterday, the things I said.”
His Gold Eyes, which hesitated and glanced back, were full of regret.
“That was just nonsense. I don’t really think that way.”
The clear pupils in his drooping eyes looked up at Hugo, who was sitting close by.
“…You know?”
He hesitated and asked cautiously for confirmation.
Hugo closed his lips, which were about to open slightly, and replied in a warm voice.
“Of course, I know.”
He said he didn’t remember what he said earlier, but how adorably inconsistent he was. Leonardo clearly remembered that moment vaguely, though not as clearly as he did. But Hugo decided to pretend he didn’t know.
Of course, he didn’t know if the words really came out wrong or if his usual sincerity came out carelessly. He didn’t think that there was no such feeling at all. He didn’t feel resentment towards Leonardo either. Right now, he was just overjoyed that his golden eyes were looking at him completely.
“Try it.”
Hugo gestured with his chin at the plate with the pancakes on it and urged him again. He wanted to maintain this peaceful atmosphere. But Leonardo was still just staring blankly.
He repeatedly clenched and unclenched his empty right hand, then put the fork hanging on the plate on the edge of the table. He had removed the weapon in advance just in case. Just as Hugo was sending a questioning gaze, Leonardo made a firm decision and opened his mouth.
“There’s something I want to ask you.”
Hugo sensed that the time had come.
“Ask me.”
Instead of questioning, he replied calmly as if he had been waiting. Leonardo was a little surprised, but he asked as if he had been waiting as well.
“Why did you draw my blood? Was it really for the test?”
Hugo’s eyebrows slightly rose at Leonardo’s statement, as if he assumed there was another purpose.
“Of course. If it wasn’t for the test, why would I draw blood?”
“Then why did you give me sleeping pills?”
“Because I thought you would be reluctant to have your blood drawn.”
“Was there no other way?”
“…I guess not.”
“I wish you had told me in advance.”
There was a slight resentment in his intense eyes. But all along, Hugo couldn’t deny the doubt that ‘If I had told you in advance, would you have obeyed willingly?’
But this wasn’t a conversation to argue about right now. He had decided to trust him, but he was largely responsible for ordering the blood draw without telling him first.
“You’re right. I should have told you in advance. I’m sorry.”
Instead of adding excuses, Hugo offered an apology in a serious tone. It was the right way to persuade him, even if it took time.
Perhaps because there wasn’t much time left between him and himself, and because the questions about the handcuffs kept coming up. It seemed like he had made a hasty decision. Hugo held Leonardo’s hand tightly and conveyed it once again.
“I’m sorry, Leonardo.”
Then, Leonardo, who had been glaring sharply, hesitated and let out a low sigh.
‘I’m so weak to the word sorry.’
Perhaps it was because it was a word he hadn’t heard often, or perhaps it was because that person was saying it, but his heart softened when he saw Agrizendro apologizing to him. Ridiculously.
‘Is it because of his face?’
Leonardo frowned at the absurd thought and turned his head away. Then, he suddenly remembered the moment when he felt sleepy on the day he returned from Fidele. He had been planning to ask about that too, so Leonardo turned back to Hugo and opened his mouth.
“Then in Fidele―.”
“There’s something I want to ask you too.”
But because Hugo opened his mouth at a similar timing, Leonardo couldn’t finish his sentence properly. Rather, he felt somewhat pushed back by the other person’s momentum as he asked seriously in a heavy atmosphere.
Hugo sent a somewhat stiff gaze, with no trace of the gentle face he had until just now. The two fingers that had been held by Leonardo also expanded their territory and grabbed his entire hand.
It felt so intense, as if he was going to devour him, that Leonardo, who had been glancing down, made eye contact and replied sullenly.
“…What?”
Hugo saved his words and took his time to be cautious. Soon, recalling Leonardo’s agonizing appearance, he asked quietly.
“Who is ‘that bastard’ you mentioned?”