Unrequited Love, Lost for the Better - Chapter 13

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※ This work contains depictions of coercive relationships, explicit language, and other graphic content. Reader discretion is advised.

As she kept eyeing the paper, Meliano gave a bitter smile.

“It’s okay, Senior. I understand your suspicion. I’d doubt it too. But for now… I can only tell you that the Tower Master has ties to my family.”

Apologizing that he couldn’t say more, Meliano, seeing Collette still unsure, spoke in a serious tone.

“Senior, please believe me in this at least. I can do anything for you.”

“…Why go that far?”

“Because what I said to you was sincere.”

Meliano’s eyes were earnest. The more earnest he was, the less Collette could meet his gaze. His straightforward confession made her reflect on herself. Did Valen feel this way whenever she confessed to him?

As Collette lowered her eyelids, Meliano’s voice grew more anxious.

“If you really can’t trust it, at least try submitting it. Here—just write your name in this blank space.”

“…And if it goes through?”

“Then you’ll get to join the Labyrinth exploration you’ve always wanted.”

His grinning face shone brightly. She had thought he was just boasting, but his promise to “help you get assigned to the work you desire” hadn’t been empty words.

Collette felt a weight settle in her chest. Wouldn’t this be using his feelings? Setting aside how he obtained it, there had to be a reason he was giving her something this valuable.

“What do you want from me?”

Meeting Collette’s tense face, Meliano’s eyes went wide. Then he smiled brightly.

“Come with me, Senior.”

“Together?”

“Yes. Together.”

“…Is that really all?”

“If you look below, it says one more person can accompany you. Since it’s the Tower Master’s recommendation, even the lab’s youngest—me—can go.”

It was true. Where Meliano pointed, small letters read: “Companion required.” It seemed to be a mandatory condition.

“I want to go with you, Senior.”

His face, saying all he wanted was to accompany her, was nothing but sincere. Collette’s green eyes wavered.

Maybe… This is my last chance to explore with Valen.

All those applications she had kept submitting despite repeated rejections—they were all for Valen. To gather materials for her artifacts, and to see him at work while she was at it.

Who wouldn’t want to see different sides of the person they loved? Especially sides they’d never seen before.

Besides, she didn’t know how much longer Valen would stay as the 1st Team Leader. Most exploration team members didn’t last more than six years. Many died from serious injuries, or retired due to trauma.

Labyrinth exploration was that dangerous. And Valerian had been active for over ten years now. Having joined right after graduating from the Academy, he was at an age where retiring wouldn’t be surprising.

That was why Collette wanted to join a Labyrinth expedition with him before he retired. But her applications kept getting rejected.

She had even asked Valen directly to take her to the Labyrinth. But his answer was no. He was always willing to grant her other requests, yet he drew a line with this one, saying he couldn’t decide the team’s members alone.

Right. He drew a line.

He said it was for fairness, but considering how readily he helped with everything else, he clearly just didn’t want to take someone he saw as a little sister into danger.

Telling her to meet other men, even knowing she liked him—that was part of the same thing. Because he only saw her as young, he kept her away from dangerous places, and thought she needed someone to take care of her.

How long would he keep seeing her as a child? She needed to show him that she wasn’t a little girl who needed looking after.

“…Alright.”

“Really?”

At her acceptance, Meliano’s face lit up. Was he that happy? Ignoring the faint sting in her chest, Collette nodded and placed a finger on her lips.

“Instead, don’t tell anyone about this until the day of the expedition. The Tower Master’s recommendation, the special circumstances—there’s no benefit to others finding out.”

“I’ll seal my lips tight.”

Already thinking about showing Collette a good impression, Meliano nodded eagerly with a beaming smile. Collette swallowed a bitter laugh as she watched him.