When Riley looked at Gibben with a face that seemed about to cry, he sighed softly and pulled her into his arms. Then, he tightly embraced her waist.

“Why is this Nuna’s fault.”

“…”

“It’s my fault.”

“No, you’re not at fault.”

“What’s wrong with you thinking that Nuna is at fault.”

“…I should have been more careful, but I couldn’t. The situation wasn’t something that could be solved by being careful. If everyone lived in a world where being careful was enough, why would crimes happen in the first place?”

“…”

“It’s actually my fault. As a guardian, I failed to fulfill my role, leading to this incident. If I had been a little more careful and paid more attention, it wouldn’t have happened.”

It’s not your fault. You were lying in a hospital bed.
Riley sighed, lifting her arm to cover her eyes. It was truly a complex and subtle state of mind. How many people had she caused trouble to? Of course… she knew that it was an unavoidable situation, but honestly, if she could only use magic, things wouldn’t have escalated like this.

“…Thank you.”

“…”

To be honest, it was a bit frightening. Fearing that she might never see this kind of dream-like daily life again was more terrifying than the presence of enemies watching from somewhere, the fluctuating magical beasts, the pitch-black darkness, or the grim situation she had to endure alone.

She sat alone and thought endlessly. And she realized. She had truly been living a life filled with happiness. She realized how incompetent she was compared to what she was given. And that the life given to her wasn’t just a paradise.

“…I might be a hindrance to Gibben. This could become a stumbling block in his life. If such incidents continue to repeat, he might abandon me.”

Even knowing that being by his side could be a burden, she didn’t want to leave. She didn’t want to miss the things she was enjoying now. She wanted to continue being by the side of this man lying next to her. She missed him all along. Resentment crept into her previously content life.

“I’ve been thinking about you all along.”

“…”

“I missed you a lot. Really a lot…”

⭐️⭐️⭐️

How did she end up in this situation?

Lying in a hospital bed, Half wondered how his life had become so twisted. And the answer came quickly.

A reckless freshman. When he got angry at the absurdities and harassment that some thugs were inflicting on the freshman, more than the presence of enemies who might be watching somewhere, the magical beasts, the pitch-black darkness, and the grim situation he had to endure alone, what was more frightening was the possibility that he might never return to this dream-like daily life.

He sat quietly, lost in thought. And he realized. He had been living a life filled with happiness. He realized how incompetent he was compared to what he was given. And that the life given to him wasn’t just a paradise.

“…I might be a hindrance to Riley. This could become a stumbling block in her life. If such incidents continue to repeat, she might abandon me.”

Even knowing that being by his side could be a burden, he didn’t want to leave. He didn’t want to miss the things he was enjoying now. He wanted to continue being by the side of this woman lying next to him. He missed her all along. Resentment crept into his previously content life.
Perhaps this incident was more likely caused by Givernan Lianster harboring ill feelings and committing such actions, rather than Riley Eadalin holding a grudge. In that sense, the person most harmful to her might be none other than Givernan Lianster.

The more enemies Givernan Lianster has, the easier it will be for Riley Eadalin to become a target.

In that sense, it was appropriate for Riley Eadalin to distance herself from now on. Otherwise, she might get involved in troublesome matters like this incident, and, above all…

“I wish you could tell me in detail about that day.”

Since it would lead to a very uncomfortable confrontation, such as a meeting with a highly burdensome adversary.

“I first heard about Riley’s disappearance from Hila Durere; she asked for help… and told me that the missing place was near the promenade. As soon as I heard the location, I instinctively thought of the restricted area near the promenade.”

“Why is that?”

“I thought there was no place as efficient as that to commit a crime. I heard that the time Riley disappeared was in the busy afternoon hours. Regardless of where Riley went, it would be embarrassing to succeed in kidnapping with so many people around. Especially considering there were no ambushes you set around Riley. It couldn’t have been too far away. I judged that they were looking for a place where those ambushes couldn’t be easily chased or found. I thought that place met all the conditions. Fortunately, the prediction was correct.”

With a composed response from Half, Givernan narrowed his eyes. Feeling uneasy under Givernan’s probing gaze, Half continued the story.