Chapter 60.2
“I spent a short time with Damian five years ago, but I never saw him contact anyone. He didn’t rely on anyone either. Despite being much younger than me, he seemed to have experienced a great deal.” She paused, her gaze fixed on me. “So, I was surprised when you appeared with him. I never thought he’d visit with anyone else.” I remembered her expectant expression when she first saw me. “Though, not in the way I expected, of course.”
“Haha…” I could only laugh awkwardly, feeling the subtle pressure. After all, Damian and I were just acquaintances. Or are we sharers of secrets now? The phrase felt strangely intimate.
“I’m relieved. It’s good to know Damian isn’t alone like he used to be.” The headmistress smiled kindly. I recalled her expression after my response about my relationship with Damian: the disappointment followed by relief and a satisfied smile. She must have been worried about him all this time. Had Damian been so alone that she was relieved by a mere friendship?
“Headmistress.” One of the orphanage staff approached.
“Yes?”
“Well…” Sensing the staff member’s hesitant glances in my direction, I stood up. “Thank you for the conversation, Headmistress.”
“The pleasure was all mine.” It seemed the staff member was uncomfortable speaking freely in my presence, so I excused myself. Damian’s personal connections were likely few and carefully guarded. Even Lorenzo couldn’t uncover them. Why Damian wanted to confide in me remained a mystery. He’d offered to reveal something of himself, yet his intentions were still unclear.
I slowly approached Damian, who sat alone on a bench. The children had all wandered off. He didn’t look at me as I approached, simply gazing across the orphanage grounds, his hands clasped behind his back.
“Did you learn a lot about me?” he asked, his voice laced with its usual playful tone, as I sat beside him.
“You said you wanted to share a secret.”
“Hmm?”
“Besides supporting this place, I couldn’t find anything else.”
“Impossible. Look harder. You’ll find something.” He spoke as if he’d hidden treasure here, his tone light and teasing. I chuckled.
“I don’t see why I should. I don’t like people with too many secrets.”
“I’ll make it easier next time,” he said, winking, as if urging me not to give up. I hadn’t learned much, but one thing was clear.
“This place is precious to you, isn’t it?” This place, hidden from everyone, felt deeply cherished by him.
“…Perhaps.” Damian smiled faintly, then turned to me, tilting his head. “If it were truly precious, I would have visited more often.” His eyes seemed to say he wouldn’t have left it for five years.
“Maybe that’s why you stayed away. To protect the children and the orphanage from being used again.”
Damian turned away silently. I hadn’t expected an answer, so I followed his gaze, looking up at the bright blue sky. It was still light, but the sun would likely set on our way back.
“…Since you brought me all this way,” I stood up, looking down at Damian, who remained seated. “You’re responsible for getting me back, right?”
“Of course.” He offered his hand to me with a lazy smile, inviting me to take it. I raised an eyebrow, letting out a small laugh.
“You can stand up on your own.”
“My legs are a bit weak today. I’m feeling rather tired.”
“Aren’t you a bit frail?” He was lying so blatantly, even wiggling his hand for me to take it. His antics were almost comical.
“Enough with the jokes…” As I reached for his hand, I felt a gaze upon us. I paused, turning to scan my surroundings. A little girl peeked out from behind a large tree, watching us.
“…?” I tilted my head at her. She shyly approached us.
“Why, hello there?” I knelt down to meet her eye level. She fidgeted, her lips moving as if she wanted to say something.
“A… are… you… going?”
“Hmm?” Her voice was so soft and unclear that I could barely understand her. I glanced at Damian, who shrugged, equally clueless.
“Can you say that again?”
“A… are… you… leaving… now?” she asked timidly, looking up at me. It was the same girl who had received the doll and stayed near me until the very end. She seemed saddened by our impending departure, despite the short time we’d spent together. I smiled gently, stroking her hair.
“Yes, it’s time for us to go…”
“Ooh…” I started to explain that it was getting late, but her whimper stopped me. Tears welled up in her large eyes, threatening to spill down her chubby cheeks.
“Waaah… When… when will you come back?”
“Well…” Next time? I hesitated. Damian had said this was his first visit in five years, and I was only here because of him. There probably wouldn’t be a next time. My thoughts must have shown on my face. A tear escaped her eye.
“Waaah!”
“Oh, um…” Panicked and unsure what to do, I looked up as Damian approached. What do I do! My eyes pleaded with him for help. Damian’s lips curved into a slow smile.
“Oh dear, Amelia. You’ve made her cry.” His gentle voice offered no help at all. Traitor! I gritted my teeth, and his smile only widened.
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