A Practical Guide to Ending a One-Sided Love - Chapter 27

“I really wanted to visit this place even once. I could have come alone, but as you can see the atmosphere is a bit…”

Leila said it like an excuse with a shy smile. Bjorn, who until just before had been flustered by the unfamiliar atmosphere, greatly agreed with her words.

At the same time, a feeling close to self-deprecation tore through his heart. The experience she had wanted to share with a dating partner was merely coming together to a tea salon.

He was a man who had never even done such a trivial thing together with her, so what made her so unable to let go of him like this?

It was affection so pure, to a pitiable degree. Even to protect that purity, Bjorn had to step away. Whoever the man Leila wished to pursue a relationship with did not matter, but it could not be him. A man so flawed and unqualified as him… it was only right for him to leave her side as soon as possible.

Watching Leila’s back as she led him to the table, Bjorn secretly thought he hoped she would meet some sheltered gentleman unlike himself, who did not even know how to properly offer a shred of affection.

To be more specific, if she were to be with a man gentle in nature like herself, raised in a good family and showered with fine upbringing and parental love, a greenhouse flower of a man, then everyone would likely be happy.

So, at this seat today, Bjorn had to burn himself out and become trash.

Thinking about the things he would say for that purpose, the slight excitement he felt sank and became heavy.

Perhaps because his mood changed, the surrounding scenery suddenly felt unpleasant as well. The young men and women openly displaying affection without even trying to hide it seemed vulgar and unsightly, Bjorn condemned them with a twisted mind.

“Here’s our table. Since we came out anyway, I thought it would be nice to enjoy the sunlight.”

The outdoor table placed beneath the bright lemon colored canopy created a picture-perfect scene together with the colorful flowers of the terrace.

Seeing the independent space slightly separated from other tables, Bjorn guessed she had paid quite a high extra fee for this place.

“But perhaps… it was not a refined choice for you? This tea house, I mean.”

Mistaking his slightly stiff expression, Leila asked cautiously. Because she worried about him even in this situation, Bjorn’s mood sank further.

Leila truly was a woman who made him uncomfortable. Like a hangnail at the edge of a fingernail. Painful and bothersome yet extremely difficult to remove.

“No. It is a new experience, so it is not bad.”

Why do you harbor feelings for someone like me and choose hardship you do not need to endure?

Instead of choosing other men who could easily handle even such an ordinary date, you chose an awkward and insincere partner. What is it about a fool who must be guided and taught step by step that you…

“Like last time, it really feels like a dream. That you and I are sitting face to face like this, sir.”

To Bjorn, who sat with a stiff face from discomfort, Leila continued saying such carefree words.

What about him did she possibly like so much? It was somewhat embarrassing to judge himself, yet Bjorn thought of the good points she might have found in him.

In truth it was extremely common for women of the Principality to favor paladins. There was even a group meant for the faithful to admire, so Leila’s unrequited love for a paladin was not particularly strange.

A plausible appearance, a respectable profession, and even a certain pure atmosphere behind it. Yes, she was probably excessively bewitched by such halo.

So, he had to make her come to her senses now. However, with a fragment of chivalry he did not want to hurt her as much as possible. He wanted to bear all fault himself.

It was fine even if meeting him left her with the reputation that he was the worst man. Perhaps this alone might be the first and last good deed he could do for Leila.

“I see.”

Bjorn returned a very dry answer compared to the woman’s fervent gaze.

He decided to bring out the ‘magic phrase’ Allen prepared after the conversation matured a little more.

The brighter the light, the darker the shadow. If he brought up an uncomfortable topic in the midst of friendly conversation, it might be more effective.