episode_0081

-I actually call the bathroom my secret garden.

-Ah…Okay, go and come back quickly.

Sarah’s secret, protected at the cost of my dignity.

I ran away from Lina’s contemptuous gaze and ran to the garden where I first met Sarah.

‘Why did you hide it from the kids?’

I didn’t know much about Sarah and Sana’s relationship to guess why.

The only guess I could make was that Sana warned Sara, “Keep it to yourself.”

But even though I didn’t know Sana’s personality very well, I could tell that she wasn’t the type of person to say something like that.

‘Then there’s another reason…’

There wasn’t any.

There was no other reason why Sarah wouldn’t tell anyone, not even her friends.

Thinking back to how angry I was when I came in here.

Certainly, my initial guess was quite reasonable as to why.

Little by little, I put the puzzle together and arrived at the garden.

The appearance of a garden that is still managed by someone, with all the weeds and branches that were so cluttered that you couldn’t see the path.

-Can I do it by myself?

‘I thought you’d ask for help right away.’

He’s definitely good because he has good stamina.

I was briefly impressed by Sarah’s persistence.

I noticed unkempt areas and elementary mistakes everywhere.

It’s good enough that even a novice like Sarah can maintain this garden so well.

‘If you don’t know, ask me to teach you.’

I guess you still don’t trust me.

It’s a little… sad.

match!

I almost got emotional because of the alcohol and the garden atmosphere. I shouldn’t be upset about something like this.

A good thing is a good thing.

If you find Sarah, you should at least give her a compliment.

I stepped into the garden, and soon arrived at the place where Sarah and I had fought.

Chairs and tables that weren’t there back then.

Sarah sitting on that chair.

“I lost…I’m…weak…I…”

Crack.

Sarah looked at me with dilated pupils at the sound of a branch falling to the ground. I didn’t mean to startle her.

I naturally walked over to the chair next to her and sat down. Sarah was still looking at me without saying anything.

“Why are you here alone?”

“Where did you hear that?”

“Just got here.”

“…You heard that?”

“A little?”

“Ha… That’s why I didn’t tell anyone.”

“You didn’t tell the kids on purpose?”

“Because if I stay here, no one will notice.”

“Good.”

I looked up at the moon floating in the sky. Sarah’s face was dark, in contrast to the endlessly bright moonlight.

I thought about asking why, but everyone needs their own perspective.

I watched the moon quietly until Sarah spoke first.

Not much time has passed.

widely!

Sarah opened her mouth, slamming the desk hard.

“Who did you tell that there was a garden here!?”

“I didn’t tell anyone, so sit down.”

“Well, that’s fortunate.”

Sarah sat back down.

I looked up at the sky again.

Sarah, embarrassed by the sight, was the first to speak.

“Aren’t you tired of looking at the moon?”

“Not at all, I see it every day.”

“I get sick of it quickly after watching it for a few minutes.”

“I see.”

“…”

As Sarah’s mouth fell silent, silence fell upon the garden again.

In the quiet atmosphere, the sound of swaying trees and Sarah’s sighs could be heard.

‘Are you angry?’

I looked over and slowly turned my gaze towards Sarah, who was washing her face.

“That…”

“Why are you being so observant in a way that doesn’t suit you!”

“Huh?”

“You win and I lose, so you feel sorry for me?”

“Not really.”

“Then why aren’t you saying anything!”

“Because I have nothing to say.”

“That’s a lie.”

“Why should I feel sorry for her? The Sarah I know is someone who doesn’t need that kind of thing.”

“…”

“Of course, if you want, I can do it or listen to you.”

Sarah, who had maintained a short silence, lowered her head. Do you still not trust me?

It would have been better to leave Kadira to Cecilia and bring Lina along too.

Then Sarah would have been resentful, but she wouldn’t have created this kind of atmosphere.

I turned my gaze away from Sarah, who was clenching her fists, and looked at the entrance to the garden. It was annoying, though.

There’s nothing I can do.

Because the only person who can comfort Sarah right now is Lina.

I got up from my seat and took a step out into the garden, but someone grabbed my sleeve and stopped me from going.

I straightened my upper body that had been pushed back and looked back. Sarah, who was looking up at me with tearful eyes, slowly opened her mouth.

“Listen to me…”

“As much as you want.”

In response, Sarah let go of the hand that was holding her sleeve.

I sat down calmly. There was no need to make her cry by saying strange things.

“So what are you trying to say?”

“I lost…I lost before I could even last a minute…”

“It’s good enough for a first-year academy student to have endured that much.”

“You won.”

“…”

What should I say to Sarah without hurting her?

No, no matter how much comfort you give, it will end up hurting Sarah.

In the end, I won and Sarah lost.

Whatever the winner says to the loser, it all sounds like a lie. If I had known this would happen, I would have looked up and read ’10 Ways to Comfort a Monkey’.

Sarah is a strong person.

He’s a simple person who is easily provoked and a bit emotional.

She was never a weak person.

I could tell just by her determination to continue to manage this vast countryside without giving up. What could I say to her?

-Treat everyone nicely, except for certain people.

Lina’s words came to mind.

A specific person, that person is me.

I’m not proud of it, but maybe it helps a little now.

I pointed at myself with my finger.

“I’m a special loser.”

“What the hell are you talking about.”

“I’m a loser, so unlike you, I’m good at using cowardly tricks. This time too.”

Sarah laughed at my words.

“That’s right, you’re a lethal guy…”

“I probably wouldn’t have won if I had fought honestly. I won because Yasha was there.”

“…Is that what you call comfort?”

“Well, I don’t know about other people, but it seems to have worked for you.”

The corners of Sarah’s dark lips rose slightly.

***

‘I hate it so much’

-Where is a woman who is more humble than me pretending to be strong?

-Wouldn’t it be better to think about marriage rather than the sword?

This man who ignored me.

This man is my enemy.

I hate myself for unconsciously perceiving this guy as a good person.

The warmth of your face is growing hot.

‘Why am I getting drunk again now…’

Ha…what an annoying face.

With her eyes slowly closing, she approached Logs, holding onto her half-asleep state, and wrapped both arms around his neck.

At first, I spoke to him for revenge.

To show that I am different from you, who only believes in the title of Duke all your life.

But that was arrogance.

Logs was a more amazing guy. He was a strong swordsman who made the rumor that he spent his whole life playing seem meaningless.

‘I don’t have even the slightest intention of becoming friends.’

“Hey, suddenly like that.”

Logs takes a step back in confusion.

Then he grabbed his neck and pulled it.

That’s a really annoying face.

Black hair, black eyes.

The gaze was lowered as if ignoring me.

An expression that leaves no clue as to what he is thinking.

I’m so drunk that I can’t even think straight anymore.

The warmth in my face strangely keeps rising.

An unknown emotion swept through my heart. I guess I drank too much.

They misunderstand the competitive spirit as a strange emotion.

Sarah took a deep breath and smiled as she spoke to Logs.

“I hate you so much.”

“Don’t you think that’s harsh to say to the person who is comforting you?”

“So, until I beat you, stay by my side no matter what. Don’t go anywhere…okay?”

“I’ll try my best.”

“Inflexible brat, cut his hair, it’s too dirty…”

Sarah slowly closed her eyes and leaned against Logs’ shoulder, eventually falling asleep due to exhaustion.

Logs checked on Sarah while she was sleeping and then looked at the setting moon.

“Wow…if it weren’t for the moon, it would have been really dangerous…”

“This butler only sheds tears over the young master’s growth.”

“Surprise!!”

“Shh, Miss Sarah is awake.”

“That’s right, no, that’s not it, what are you? ”

“I was worried because it was late at night.”

“Ah…yeah. Now I don’t even want to bother telling you to make noise.”

“What do you want to do now?”

“What how.”

“If you plan on bringing Miss Sarah to our room, I will not stop you and I will vacate the room with you.”

“That’s a really funny joke.”

“I’m glad you laughed. I know Miss Kadira’s room.”

“That’s great.”

I lifted Sarah up.

“Huh? It’s heavier than I thought?”

“…If Miss Sarah had heard this, she would have been furious.”

“You wouldn’t be this angry? Anyway, let’s go quickly.”

“Okay.”

***

Chirp! Chirp!

A clear morning with birds chirping.

“Hey, Sara!!”

“Huh? W-What’s going on.. Lina? Why is Kadira in my room again!”

“What’s your room! This is Kadira’s room!!”

“Huh? Why did I…Yesterday…What did I do?”

“How would I know that! I was worried because you suddenly disappeared!”

“I’m sorry… Don’t be so angry…”

“…I’m not angry.”