SWNOVELXO Chapter 42 - Shall we head home now?
Of course, right now, this isn’t the main concern for YouYu.
Because… how he should respond after hearing her story is what truly matters.
“Because you’ve been hurt before, you’re unwilling to see something like this happen again…?”
“I think I have a bit of an understanding of your thoughts now, Bai Yu.”
After saying this, YouYu fell silent for a moment before speaking with a hint of apology:
“I’m sorry. Previously, I thought you simply didn’t want to accept us. Although I had considered this aspect back then, I didn’t delve into it further, leading to our misunderstanding now.”
“…It’s alright. After all, I didn’t say anything then, did I? If it weren’t for this situation… I might never have had the chance to speak up.”
“Well, anyway, it’s good that the misunderstanding is cleared up.”
“……”
After these words, the atmosphere between them again fell into silence, with neither of them speaking.
It wasn’t until they both could no longer stand the silence, turned their heads, and met each other’s gaze that—
They stared blankly for a moment.
Then, after a range of expressions, they smile slightly.
“……Anyway, whatever it is, it’s fine!”
Shaking his head, YouYu, somewhat strained, propped himself up against the wall and stood up again, saying:
“After all, our task… isn’t completed yet.”
“I’ve rested enough now… so I need to go check on WuYue’s situation.”
“But it’s definitely not enough to do it alone… How’s your condition? Can you come along?”
“……”
“Yeah.”
Nodding, Bai Yu agreed to his request.
“Just… you were clearly injured just now, and you’ve dragged me so far. After all that intense activity, are you really okay?”
“…Well, whether I’m okay or not, I still have to go.”
“If it’s a physical issue, that’s one thing. But if something happens to WuYue, I’m going to have mental issues…”
“……”
“I see.”
Looking at it this way, WuYue is really a lucky person.
Even though he’s badly injured and hasn’t had much rest, he still worries about her.
He doesn’t even consider whether he can actually help WuYue; he just rushes over.
It’s really enviable…
After all, she was similar in the past.
After losing her last family member, she yearned for and envied such a relationship even more.
If she could experience it again, it would be wonderful.
“Hey~ YouYu, do you have to be like this~? You look like you can’t live without me…”
However, just then, an unexpected voice suddenly interrupted.
When they turned toward the source of the voice, they saw WuYue, who had already transformed back and was smiling happily.
“WuYue?!”
YouYu exclaimed in surprise as he called out her name.
“You’ve already… taken care of all those monsters by yourself? Just you alone?!”
“Of course! Otherwise, how could I still be standing here?”
“……That’s pretty impressive… But you didn’t get hurt, did you? Facing four monsters alone.”
“A little injury is inevitable~, but it’s just minor scratches.”
“……The point is, YouYu, it’s you, right? You must be… badly injured, right?”
WuYue slowly lifted her hand and moved closer to YouYu, placing her hand gently on the wound on his forehead.
Even through the white cloth… she could see the blood seeping through, almost overflowing.
Seeing the blood… she couldn’t help but remember the last time she saw him injured, which was truly… not a pleasant memory.
“…I’m sorry, YouYu.”
Sighing, WuYue said with a tinge of guilt:
“If I had come earlier, maybe it wouldn’t have been like this.”
“…But you don’t need to worry, I’ll heal your wound right now—”
“No! That’s not necessary!”
Seeing WuYue’s arm starting to glow with a pink light, YouYu was startled and quickly stepped back, shaking his hand to refuse her.
After all, right now… he didn’t qualify as a human, so aside from the risk of exposure, the discomfort from “healing” alone was unbearable.
So, unless absolutely necessary, he wouldn’t accept any “healing.”
“Em… I’ve already rested enough! Thanks to Bai Yu’s help… I’ve had enough rest!”
“Isn’t that right, Bai Yu?”
“…Huh? Oh! Yes, that’s right. After escaping, I used the remaining bit of mana to help YouYu heal his injuries. So, he should be fine now.”
Upon hearing YouYu throw the conversation to her, Bai Yu was initially taken aback but quickly responded with an explanation.
She knew the purpose of this action… was to prevent WuYue from worrying and to hide the extent of his injuries.
In fact, she had initially intended to be honest and tell WuYue directly, but seeing his currently energetic state made her doubt again.
Because… YouYu’s recovery was too quick. A forehead injury… such an important area shouldn’t be completely fine.
But seeing his apparent lack of issues, she decided to help him hide this matter.
Although she knew it might not make much difference—
“Ah… I see~ Well, that’s something I could have guessed!”
Unexpectedly, WuYue seemed to agree with her statement, smiling as she spoke.
“After all, you just gave YouYu a lap pillow, didn’t you? I saw it all clearly!”
“…Huh? When did you…”
“Well… I think it was right when you two stopped! I initially planned to come right up to you guys, but when I saw YouYu talking with you, I thought it might be better not to disturb you.”
“At that moment, YouYu was lying on your lap, looking very comfortable. Even I haven’t seen him look that relaxed before~”
“It seems like… his expression was much better than when I was ‘healing’ him, right? Maybe next time, I’ll try this too~.”
“……”
“……I see.”
Looking at WuYue, who still wore that smile and saying these things, Bai Yu pursed his lips and finally spoke softly:
“……Sorry, WuYue.”
“……An apology? Although I am a bit angry, it’s not about that.”
Upon hearing Bai Yu’s quiet apology, WuYue first froze but then smiled and shook her head.
“Well, anyway—”
She said as she took YouYu’s hand and Bai Yu’s hand.
“Shall we head home now?”
As she said this, her smile was even brighter than before.