In the dark restaurant, light only entered through the entrance, kitchen, and a single table. The two people sitting by the window, where a light rain had started falling again, gazed at the scenery beyond the large glass pane, their figures hidden by the natural curtain formed by the raindrops.
The feeling of being the only customers in the restaurant was quite peculiar. It was as if it wasn't a business day at all, as there were no traces of people coming and going during the day.
It wasn't bad to feel like they were enjoying a privilege, with time prepared solely for the two of them. However, the atmosphere couldn't be said to be particularly good. This was due to the other person, who was only drinking strong alcohol and using the view outside as a side dish.
'No, if you were going to be like this, why did you suggest coming?'
Hadn't he called him to have a meal together? He couldn't help but feel sorry seeing the gnocchi placed in front of him getting cold. Leonardo pushed aside the bowl of omelette he had been eating and reached out to pull the dish toward him with a clatter.
Only then did Hugo turn his gaze, seeming to realize the silence had stretched on, and opened his mouth as he pushed the dish toward Leonardo:
"I heard it takes about two days to develop the photos and issue the ID card. Of course, once the work is done, I'll confiscate all your remaining photos at the studio, so don't worry."
Whether it was a matter of word choice or not, Leonardo looked at Hugo at the somewhat excessive measure. Somehow, he could picture the photographer looking sad, but certainly, having his face remain in someone else's hands was uncomfortable in many ways.
"Hmm..."
Leonardo nodded appropriately, meaning to let him do so. The gnocchi, already soggy on the surface from absorbing the pesto sauce, seemed to be begging to be eaten soon. To oblige, he took a large spoonful with the soup spoon. As he had felt before, the chef here seemed to be quite skilled.
Unlike its appearance, the surface still retained some crispness, and inside was the taste and texture of mashed potatoes so soft it could be mistaken for purée.
Overall, these were carefully prepared dishes, made to be easy to digest. Almost too good to eat alone.
"Aren't you going to eat?"
Leonardo asked, wiping his mouth with a napkin as he chewed. Hugo answered with a gentle smile at the sight of his mouth corners naturally lifting, as if it were delicious:
"You have more."
"These things are usually more delicious when eaten together."
"...Is that so?"
As if agreeing, Hugo slowly picked up his spoon and scooped three round gnocchi onto his plate. Leonardo pushed the plate toward the middle as if telling him to eat more, but Hugo quickly set his spoon down, as if one or two bites were enough.
Leonardo's gaze was instinctively drawn to Hugo's tongue briefly appearing as he licked his lips.
"It's delicious."
Whether it was truly delicious or he was acting, he leaned back with an unreadable smile.
Leonardo, who had pushed the inside of his cheek with his tongue, held his spoon and stared at the other for a moment. Then, setting his utensils down and leaning back against the chair, he asked:
"Do you have something on your mind?"
Hugo's gaze, which was about to turn back to the window, paused.
"You look like you're thinking a lot. You've been just drinking since earlier."
Hugo looked down at the glass he was holding, then set it down on the table.
Worries—it would be a lie to say he had none. His head had been more than complicated, even throbbing, recently.
"Has the trial date not been set?"
Leonardo decided to ask directly. There was a limit to keeping quiet for the sake of the Commander's efforts, the sorrow of losing subordinates, and his pride. He didn't want to ruin the mood unnecessarily, thinking the other must have his reasons. But leaving his important matters entirely to others didn't suit his temperament.
Just as he was about to urge Hugo to speak without hiding anything, Hugo gave an unexpected answer:
"No. It's already been set."
Leonardo's eyes widened. His lips moved as he leaned forward and asked in an excited tone:
"What? It's been set? When?"
"Today. Precisely two hours ago."
Leonardo was about to ask why he hadn't told him earlier, but understanding dawned when he heard it was two hours ago. So that's why he was so late. He felt embarrassed about grumbling to himself that Hugo hadn't kept his promise. Hugo must have been struggling even on a day like this to keep the most important promise.
While thinking it was fortunate he hadn't been irritable toward the other who had returned, albeit late, Leonardo urgently asked, placing his hand on the table:
"Then, when is the trial date?"
"Three days from today, at 1 PM."
"Three days from now..."
Leonardo repeatedly mulled over the date. Although it was a bit later than expected, it wasn't too late.
Thinking this, the corners of his lips trembled slightly. This was none other than a tremble of joy.
'I'm finally going to be released?'
A tingling sensation of pleasure spread throughout his body from his fingertips to his scalp. How long had he been waiting for this moment? It was hard to believe it was just three days away.
Although he couldn't be certain he would be completely released yet, it meant that his achievements on the peninsula had been recognized and would be a topic of discussion for those damned Council members.
In front of the cabin in Fidele, Council members had crowded around, saying they would give him a hero's welcome, and all the commanders of the subjugation team had saluted him in front of him, though it was by the Commander's order. He had once hated them, but now at least he believed they were his allies and would be witnesses for the verdict. Above all, wasn't Agrizendro on his side? He saw hope that he could safely leave this prison-like place and arrive before D-day.
Leonardo covered his twitching mouth with his hand, unable to hide his joyful expression. He also let out a sigh filled with many meanings. Hugo asked him casually, though he already knew the answer:
"Are you happy?"
"Of course. Aren't you happy too?"
Leonardo turned to Hugo with an excited face. However, the expression of the other, whom he thought would be simply pleased, was somewhat strange.
"What's wrong?"
He was clearly smiling, but it didn't seem like he was smiling. At Leonardo's question, Hugo raised his eyebrows.
"Why?"
"Isn't it good that the trial date has been set?"
But you don't look very happy. He deliberately swallowed the last words.
Hugo blinked, then stroked his lower jaw with his hand. Though he quickly put on a mask as if concern had shown through, it seemed this guy had already noticed.
"I'm happy too. Your freedom is not far off."
"..."
"But... there's something I want to ask you."
Personally, he didn't particularly like indirect speech, but Hugo found himself stalling whenever it came to asking Leonardo something. If he didn't bring up the main point first, the other would inevitably tense up. That tension was clearly reflected in Leonardo's eyes, but Hugo decided to deliberate a little more.
"Leonardo, where do you plan to go when this is over?"
Perhaps because he remembered hearing this once before, Leonardo's brow reacted reflexively. He had probably heard the same words from this person in the Council corridor just before departing for the peninsula expedition.
At that time, he had coldly responded that it was none of his business, but now he knew that both the temperature of the question and their relationship had changed a lot.
Nevertheless, Leonardo maintained his composure and asked back for confirmation:
"Why? Are you feeling sorry for me again like that time?"
Hugo recalled that the question that immediately followed was what he had said to Leonardo in the past.
"No, rather than that... I'm worried about you."
"...What are you worried about?"
"Whether you'll eat well, whether you'll properly take care of your ailing body. Whether you'll be swayed by those who approach you with bad intentions."
Leonardo chuckled and replied:
"What, I'm not a child. I can take care of those things well enough on my own."
"It doesn't look that way to me."
Leonardo was momentarily at a loss for words at the blunt rebuttal. Of course, he had shown unstable sides in front of him, so it was understandable to think that way. But what did he mean by answering so firmly?
"It might not look that way to you, but I've always taken good care of myself. I wasn't caught by anyone before."
The last part was muttered and barely audible. Though it probably wasn't his intention, it sounded like things had changed since being caught by Hugo, making Hugo's mouth taste faintly bitter.
But thanks to this, he could finally follow through on his resolve. His shadowed eyelids blinked slowly.
Since he had pulled him out into the world, he wanted to take full responsibility for it.
"If it's alright with you, won't you come with me?"
Leonardo, who had been responding well, hesitated. Then his pupils dilated slightly.
"...What?"
"I'll help you as much as I can to live a new life."
As if he had heard something he had never even considered, Leonardo's eyes were bewildered. Perhaps because he looked even more surprised than when he heard the trial date had been set, Hugo added calmly while gauging his reaction:
"Of course, what kind of life you lead is entirely up to you. If you want a new opportunity to showcase your abilities, I'll make it happen. Even if it's not with the Council."
Hugo's tone was very calm, but intense waves surged in his bluish eyes. It meant his inner ◆ Nоvеlіgһt ◆ (Only on Nоvеlіgһt) self was also in a state of considerable tension.
"On the other hand, if you say you want to retire from the front lines and just live quietly, I'll help with that too. I can protect you in my mansion so that no one can chase after you."
The moment Leonardo is released from the Council, the guilt and charges placed on him will officially disappear under the pretext of release. Then, organizations and other forces that had been watching carefully would also try to recruit him more actively.
Hugo hoped Leonardo would take the hand extended in the name of protection, and earnestly urged one last time:
"Won't you come to my mansion with me?"
Leonardo could only stare blankly at the person across the table, unable to answer right away. It was because his chest suddenly ached and his stomach churned. He was very flustered—this emotion was a first for him too.
It felt like they were the only two left in a distant world. The only light that came in illuminated this table, their island for two.
Pat pat, pat pat pat–
Suddenly, the sound of rain intensified, decorating the ensuing silence with atmosphere. Leonardo's gaze, which had been directed at Hugo, slowly lowered. His golden eyes stared at the utensils the man in front of him had used.
There was no meaning to it. It was just that his mind had become a little confused.
In the past, when he had lost everything and was wandering—how nice it would have been to hear this then.
When he desperately needed someone, when he just wanted to hide. He had always wished for a sanctuary.
But when faced with someone extending a hand of salvation, he couldn't readily answer, and the reality that came to mind made his eyes unexpectedly hot with bewilderment.
Leonardo struggled to compose his tumultuous heart. For the sake of what he was carrying, and for this person's sake, he needed to suppress his emotions.
His lowered eyelashes trembled finely as they rose.
"If only."
The past days when he had longed for such tranquility flashed by like a panorama.
"If only you had told me a little sooner."
His golden eyes, catching the light, curved like half-moons, trying to hide the turmoil of emotion. Hugo felt that the golden eyes visible between them were particularly sparkling today.
Perhaps because the emotion reflected in those eyes matched his premonition. He didn't know why, but he had a sad feeling.
The hesitating red lips moved prettily.
"I'm sorry."
In a choked voice, he announced the anticipated farewell.
