After completing a series of steps, I begun the final step.

I couldn’t afford to look at the hands of the clock. However, since the setting sun was shining through the window, I could roughly estimate the time.

It was about time for Grave to pick me up.

Karan.

When I thought so, I heard the front door open.

The sound of the bell attached to it in order to inform me of someone’s arrival rang within the smithy.

When I turned around, I saw Grave.

“Welcome back.”

I realized I had said something strange.

That wasn’t even his home. In fact, we were about to go home.

I instinctively said that.

“I’m home.”

Such was Grave’s reply. I wondered if he’d say the same tomorrow and beyond.

“Are you still working?”

“I, indeed. But it’s almost finished.”

“Alright, I will wait for you, then. As usual, can I watch you work?”

“Sure.”

“Thank you.”

Grave sat down.

He looked more tired than that morning—probably because he had just finished some quests. His voice also sounded less energetic.

That day’s requests might had been more tedious than usual.

“Grave.”

“What is it?”

“If you’re tired, how about taking a rest on the second floor? There’s a bed, too.”

The second floor of the smithy had hardly been renovated. It was left as a living space.

Of course, not only the kitchen, it also had a shower and a bedroom.

The building itself felt new.

“No, it’s alright.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. I’m indeed tired, but I feel more energized when I see Liliana at work.”

“R, really?”

“Indeed. Which is why, I’m glad you gave me your permission.”

“Okay, then.”

Grave wanted to watch me, therefore I decided to resume my work.

Since that day, he often spoke of his feelings.

Although I had previously received words of praise, comfort, and compassion from others, finding out that his words also stemmed from love made the inside of my chest flutter.

By the way… why did Grave love me?

I was sometimes concerned about that. I had been wanting to ask him that question.

Currently, we were alone. We wouldn’t be disturbed.

Therefore, I gave my best to ask the question.

“G, Grave, can I ask you something?”

“Hmm? What is it?”

“Uh, that, why… what do you love about me?”

I asked in embarrassment. Due to shyness, my voice was barely audible.

Grave, who heard my words, seemed surprised.

“Do you really want to know?”

“Y, yes.”

“Is that so? Where should I begin, I wonder~”

Grave answered in a calm manner.

When I heard that, I grew even more excited. My palms began to get sweaty.

“I think it’s because we have similar circumstances.”

“Eh?”

We’re… similar?

“Yes. I lost everything and ended up being alone. The reason I’m still here is because boss picked me up.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes, I think that’s why… we’re the same. We lost everything and were at a loss.”

Grave was the same as me…

As he spoke, Grave looked sad.

“When I found you in that alley, I thought I had to save you. Your expression seemed as if you had given up on everything and had abandoned hope. It was very similar to me.”

“I see…”

At that time, I certainly was in complete despair.

“Even after I brought you to the guild, I was surprised by how similar our circumstances were. In that sense, I think my feelings started as sympathy. However, it turned out that you’re different from me.”

“Huh?”

“After I ended up alone and was helped by the boss, I couldn’t do anything for a while. For a year, I was at a loss.”

“A year…”

“Yes. Pathetic, right?”

“That’s not true…”

I was sure he was in terrible pain back then.

I could surmise from how forlorn the current Grave looked.

“Thank you. Well, finally, I got sick of being like that. At that time, I couldn’t even think about what I wanted to do from then on. However, Liliana is trying to live on her own. You acted immediately. I thought that was cool. Oh, and also, your back when you’re blacksmithing.”

“O, okay?”

I am cool…?

Hearing it from Grave made me happy and confident.

“I like a girl who does her best. When I see you giving your everything, I can’t peel my eyes away. That’s why I love you.”

“Alright…”

“So, what do you think?”

“What do I think? That’s, …I’m happy.”

“Then, that’s good.”

Grave laughed as he said so.

He looked truly happy.

“Oh, that’s right. This is for you, Grave!”

“Hmm? Is this a dagger?”

“Yes, I re-forged your former blade.”

“You did that for my sake?”

“Because you said it was important.”

It was also my way of expressing my gratitude after he won that duel for me.

I kept looking for something that I could do for him—and arrived at that decision.

“I hope you like it.”

“Thank you, I will cherish it.”

Seeing Grave’s happy face made me happy, too.

Recently, I found out that I was becoming more selfish.

I was happy to hear that Grave liked it.

Being together with him made me feel at ease, and seeing his smile made me happy.

Back then, when he confessed to me, I answered that I didn’t know. However, maybe, I had found my answer.

Still, I wanted to keep some distance from him for now.

I wanted to learn more about him and affirm our feelings for each other.

Hence, I had decided.

---

***T/N: …. 🙂 ? Not much has been happening 🙂 …?

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