C55
I responded, looking at Terence in the tree.
"No, I heard it."
"Then why?"
"Can't you just come down and talk?"
It's frustrating because I can't see his face. I couldn't understand with what kind of expression or emotion he was treating me right now.
"It's not possible."
"Why?"
"... I'd like to be alone now. I'll leave after a while, so go back first."
"It doesn't hurt much, does it?"
"It's fine."
His voice and way of speaking certainly didn't sound like those of a patient. That's good.
"You just want to be alone?"
"That's right."
Why does he suddenly want to be alone? This was the first time something like this happened since I met Terence.
Honestly, I was curious about the reason. But you shouldn't ask about those things one by one. Everyone has moments when they want to be alone for their own reasons.
It wasn't polite to inquire about such personal circumstances. Although we've become quite close lately, it's not like we have secrets between us.
Let's respect his feelings here and take a step back.
"All right. I'll leave now."
"......"
"Oh. Still, I'll report this. The trial ended as expected. Although it's not the real end, it can't be helped."
"......"
"Everything is thanks to Tay for bringing the head butler here. Thank you."
"... No."
"You finally responded. I apologize for bothering you during your break. When the head butler told me that Tay seemed sick, I couldn't stay still."
In the end, it was a useless fuss.
"Were you... worried?"
It was a cautious question.
"Of course, I was worried. I heard that you were sick. Besides, you're my comrade."
He remained silent for a moment and then opened his mouth.
"You're very kind at times like this. Sometimes, you're also cruel."
"What? Me?"
"I made a mistake. Please pretend you didn't hear that."
No, how can I pretend I didn't hear that? I just heard a word that really bothered me.
"Are you, by any chance, angry with me?"
"That's not it."
"Or did I do something bad to Tay?"
"He has never done something like that."
It didn't sound like an angry voice to my ears. He doesn't seem angry... What is it? He felt uncomfortable.
I searched my memory. Now that I think about it, Terence's voice was low when he first asked me why I had come, but it wasn't filled with anger.
Instead of saying he's angry, what should I say?
"... Are you really upset?"
"Absolutely not."
A too firm response. There's a saying like this. What does a strong denial mean? Something positive.
"Oh, you're upset."
"Definitely not."
In fact, if you ask someone who is upset if they are upset, they will probably hate it. Let's change the expression.
"Well, this is just my guess. Have I ever upset Tay by being rude in the past?"
"... It has never happened."
In terms of nuance, it definitely was there.
"Did that really happen? When? Why?"
I did my best, but no memory came to mind.
Terence was a friend I wanted to get along with, and even if he wasn't, I had a good human attitude towards him, so I had no choice but to always treat him well. Consciously or unconsciously.
"But assuming it ever happened, it makes sense."
There was a moment when I felt his attitude was a bit strange. He quickly returned to normal, and I thought it was my mistake, but it wasn't.
"When exactly was that? It was a few days ago."
Terence sighed lightly.
"That's why I asked you to go back first. I'm sorry. As expected, forget what I said earlier."
"If you told me why you're upset."
"I have no intention of doing that."
"I see."
If Terence wanted to be alone for personal reasons, I would be willing to step aside, but if it was because of his feelings towards me, resolving it was a priority.
"I think we shouldn't neglect the sediment and solve it at the right time. This is a lesson I learned from my marriage that broke down after repeated evasions."
Terence remained silent for a moment.
My neck hurt from looking up, so I sat down and leaned against the tree trunk.
When I sat down as if I wasn't going to leave, Terence finally broke the silence.
"You really don't have to worry. I'm normally like this."
"Like what?"
"... Sometimes I say silly things after using my powers. Yes, nothing more than silly things."
"Is it because you're tired?"
"One could say that."
Well, to sum it up in one word.
"Isn't it because you don't have the power to cover or hide it that your true feelings come to light?"
"..."
Phew, did I hit the nail on the head?
"Haha. I just thought about it. If that's the case, I'm glad."
"You're glad? What do you mean?"
"Because I learned Tay's true feelings. I would have regretted it if I hadn't known that Tay had those feelings."
A wind carrying the scent of flowers blew gently, refreshing the early summer heat. Ah, it's already summer.
Time passed while I was worried about the divorce. Now I finally have time to look around properly.
I couldn't tell what Terence was thinking or what expression he had on his face, but one thing was certain. We were feeling this wind together.
Suddenly, memories surfaced from the depths of thoughts.
"Oh, I remembered! It was at that moment."
"What moment?"
"There was a moment when Tay was a bit strange. That night, when you and I toasted on the terrace."
"That..."
It was the right moment to hear a voice full of confusion.
"The next day, I felt something was wrong. I remember wondering what it was."
I slowly recalled the memories of that day. As detailed and clear as possible.
That day, I was so disturbed by my encounter with Countess Wallace during the day that I couldn't sleep. While wandering aimlessly around the villa, I came across this man who was drinking wine alone on the terrace...
"It's strange."
I don't think there was any special incident. Even if I put my hand on my heart and think about it, I can't think of anything I would say or do that could hurt Terence's feelings... Ah, maybe.
A memory flashes through my mind.
"I want to leave the empire."
Now that I think about it, that was the first time I told him about my plans for life after the divorce.
It bothered me. This is because Laura and Sharon, who heard those words after Terence, reacted with disappointment.
"I'm sorry. My whole family is in the empire, so I can't follow her. Of course, the new job Ethel will present is a good place, but I won't be able to work with you anymore..."
"That's too bad. I wanted to go beyond the attorney-client relationship and have a drink with you."
From Terence's perspective, it wasn't an issue that would simply end in disappointment. He was, in name and reality, the person who helped me the most in my divorce.
"He helped me behind the scenes, gave me a place to stay, provided financial support, and acted as my escort."
But in reality, I said it as if I were going to leave the country right away, so it would be very embarrassing.
"No, I'll repay you in my own way!"
If the true value of the abandoned mine in Andala is revealed, we can reimburse him several times the money and provide him with many gemstones.
The problem was that all of this came from an incredible future, so saying it smelled of fraud. How do I say this?
"Hey, Tay. Are you listening?"
"I'm listening."
"Although I'm in a bad state now, someday I'll be able to fly."
"What?"
"This is not lacking in foundation at all. In fact, I'm only telling Tay, but there's a good investment opportunity. Since ancient times, it has been said that life should be lived properly, and if this goes well, my life will take a turn..."
What am I talking about? It seems like I'm trying to persuade him to invest with me, right?
"Anyway! What I mean is that I want to help Tay in any way I can."
I stopped explaining things that didn't work and simply summed up what I wanted to say.
"Tay is an important collaborator and comrade for me. From now on, no matter where I am, if you need help, contact me anytime!"
I added a few more words without hesitation.
"Of course, it's okay to contact me for no reason. I'll write to you often. Whenever I come to the Empire, I'll definitely stop by Tay and say hello."
It was a mix of things, but that was my truth.
"These are not empty words. Since my investment site is in the empire, I have no choice but to come here anyway. We'll keep seeing each other."
So don't misunderstand that I'm running away.
Even after hearing my story, Terence remained silent for quite some time. Then the first word I uttered was,
"I'll keep seeing you."
"Of course."
"...I see."
It was a reaction as if he had learned something new.
Didn't I definitively say that I would come for a visit last time? Did he think it was a polite way of greeting?
"Ah."
Terence spoke in a subtle but softer tone.
"I tell you this because I think you might not be understanding it well, but I really don't think Ethel will just receive help and leave."
"Oh, no?"
"Of course. You gave me the recipe for the medicinal tea. If it weren't for that, I would have lived with headaches for the rest of my life."
"Right. The medicinal tea... I forgot."
"That's not like you. It seems you're tired from the trial."
"I guess that's partly because of you."
This was bigger than that.
"I guess I felt really embarrassed because Tay was cold."
The conversation suddenly came to a halt.
"I don't mean he was very cold, I just felt that way for a moment..."
"Was it my fault?"
"I'm not blaming Tay!"
When I stood up unconsciously, something suddenly descended from above and filled my field of vision. When I looked closely, I saw Terence's face upside down.
After performing the trick of hanging upside down from the thick branch of a tree, he asked the same question. With both eyes wide open.
"Was it my fault?"