Source
https://kakuyomu.jp/works/16818093092581245166/episodes/16818622172764403585
Then, Lepios sat down next to Sol, exhaled deeply, and looked up at the sky.
“The thing with Rale, it was for the best, right?”
When Sol was wondering if he should say something in response to Lepios’ words, Lepios furrowed his brow and opened his mouth.
“To begin with, Sol, you heard everything, so you understand, but between the messages and the frequency of our meetings, her values and mine were too different! Given that, it was obvious that things wouldn’t work out in the future, so don’t you think it’s a waste for both of us to continue this relationship?”
“Eh, well, um…”
“To begin with, just because you’re lonely, you go to someone else without saying anything to me… My sister said I didn’t tell Rare anything, but Rare didn’t tell me anything about her feelings either! In the end, if I tell you how I feel, you’ll say you like me or something, but that’s dishonest to both me and the other person!”
“Well, I think so too…”
Was Lepios always like this? Sol thought so, but then he vaguely remembered that even when they were under the influence of miasma, Lepios was more frustrated with him than Celes was.
The answer was already clear, so maybe he should just listen and let Lepios vent his frustration. Just then, Lepios sighed softly and looked down.
“If I had… properly conveyed my feelings from the beginning, would something have changed?”
“But that’s not the reason why you decided to break up with Lare, is it? I don’t think I can forgive you for that…”
“Yes… you’re right…”
Even as he said that, Lepios still seemed unable to fully comprehend the situation, staring into the distance. Then, after sighing softly, he opened his mouth.
“I really liked her. I thought she was cute because she was able to express her feelings directly and laugh and cry over trivial things, which are things I don’t have. That much was… definitely true… No matter how much I think about it, my doubts take precedence and I can’t love her from the bottom of my heart. It’s a sad story, isn’t it?”
Sol couldn’t say anything in response to those words. Surely, Lepios wasn’t looking for any words. He knew that much.
However, he couldn’t help but relate it to himself. Celes told him that she loved him no matter what. And he told her that he loved her no matter what.
Of course, he had no idea if Celes’ love and his love meant the same thing. However, it was true that she wanted to be with him no matter what. But he had just witnessed the moment when that could easily be destroyed.
“…I have to be careful too. If I do one unforgivable thing, no matter how much trust we have, our relationship will be broken.”
“…You could also be hurt.”
“I wonder. I can’t really imagine that happening. I’m more afraid that I’ll do something stupid.”
At least, Celes, Lepios, and Carla wouldn’t do such a thing. Sol felt that way. Even if he hurt them, all three of them were kind and sincere, and he couldn’t imagine such a thing happening.
“I… felt the same way about Rale.”
“Ahaha. That’s true.”
Even after hearing that, Sol still couldn’t imagine it, and laughed as if it were someone else’s problem. No matter how much he thought about it, he couldn’t imagine Celes and the others hurting him.
Seeing Sol like that, Lepios sighed softly. Then he slowly stood up.
“It’s time to go home. It feels good to have someone listen to me. Thank you.”
“I didn’t do anything.”
“No, that’s not true. I definitely feel a little better now.”
As he said that, Lepios stared intently at Sol.
“…I’m not going to force you to tell me what you’re hiding. Whenever I try to ask, you always look uncomfortable. …But if you ever need to talk about anything else, I’m always here to listen. Of course, Celes and Carla are too.”
Hearing those words, Sol touched his face without thinking. He didn’t know he had been looking like that. That’s probably why Lepios hadn’t tried to pry before. On top of that, Lepios must have told Sol about himself first to make it easier for Sol to talk to him.
He was still afraid. What would happen if he told him everything? But it was time to make a decision. That’s what Sol was thinking.
◆
The night passed, and Sol and the others left Lepios’s house to head for Dinen. Sol called out to Herve san to thank her for her advice, but for some reason, she was not as friendly as before and simply said, “I’m glad to hear that.”
Sol didn’t know if Herve knew about Rale. However, he didn’t ask her anything.
Then, just as they went outside to use the transfer magic, it happened.
“Excuse me, Lepios san…!”
An unfamiliar woman called out Lepios’ name.
“I’m sorry for interrupting… Could I have a moment of your time?”
The woman stared at Lepios, her face bright red.
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