I’m Really Not Trying to Be Chased by the Heroine as the Villainous Playboy! – Chapter 277

Chapter 130: Confession, Response, Witnessing

The sky was overcast and gloomy, even the streetlights seemed to dim, like stars fading away. The flowers outside the shop were drenched in rain, drooping slightly, shivering and scattering around.

A few hurried pedestrians rushed by, umbrellas fluttering in the wind. Raindrops dripped from the eaves and the trees on the street, every drop carrying a bit of sorrow and helplessness.

Inside the café, people stuck there by the downpour occasionally grumbled.

Even Nia, the usually cheerful elven girl, gazed out at the dreary rainy night and let out a forlorn sigh.

“Why does the weather have to change so suddenly? It’s really disappointing.”

But she quickly snapped to, glancing at the young boy beside her, quirking up a smile to suppress her gloomy mood.

“Looks like I really do have a bit of a crow’s mouth.”

Nia’s bangs were wet and clung to her forehead, giving her a strangely helpless look.

Roy’s heart tightened at her self-deprecating smile.

Nia was actually quite good at hiding her emotions.

But perhaps her usual bright smile was too radiant, or maybe she was genuinely too downcast to conceal it, making the gloom on her face all the more pronounced.

“It’s okay, there will be another chance. We can make it up next year,” Roy said, forcing a light laugh.

The girl cooperated with a slight tug at her lips, though she was bitter inside.

Having encountered mishaps three times in a row, especially this time, they were so close to success, having seen the glimmer of hope, only to have it extinguished by this relentless rain.

Nia even wondered if the Holy Light Goddess was playing a joke on her.

Seeing Nia still downcast, Roy couldn’t help but furrow his brow.

Roy didn’t know the special significance of the bonfire party for the elven descendants, but he understood Nia.

If it was just an ordinary outing, Nia wouldn’t be this disappointed.

Unless, for her, this outing had a unique meaning.

Recalling the tender glances Nia had shot at him these past few days, the young boy felt like he was beginning to understand.

“You’re right, there will be a next time,” Nia said, giving her cheeks a little pat to cheer herself up, flashing Roy a smile, “We can come again next year.”

“Alright, alright, let’s head back!”

“That’s easy to say; it’ll be pretty boring just going back like this, you know?”

Roy pointed to the downpour-soaked street behind them and cheerily said, “I’ll take you somewhere.”

“Huh? But…”

“What? I’m a patient with an injury and I’m not afraid, and you, an adventurer, are scared of a little rain?”

Roy extended his hand to the girl.

“Shall we go?”

“…Let’s go!”

At that moment, the gloomy cloud over them finally started to dissipate.

It was raining quite a bit, but for an Extraordinary Being, it wasn’t enough to catch a cold, just getting a bit damp and chilly.

Since there were only the two of them on the street, Nia kicked off her waterlogged boots halfway and peeled off her clingy stockings.

The girl followed Roy closely, bare feet splashing in the water, elegantly dancing in the rain night like an elven sprite.

“At this late hour, still raining, where are you taking a girl like me?”

“Just follow along, I’m taking you to a nice place,” Roy teased.

Roy led Nia along the street, through the empty plaza, eventually arriving at an observation deck near the Green Council’s embassy, but instead of heading straight back, he stopped here.

“This is it.”

As Roy said that, the girl looked off into the distance.

In her emerald green eyes, a dreamy scene unfolded.

The entire commercial street of the northern district was laid out before her.

Raindrops gently fell on the street, reflecting faint and flickering light,

Through the curtain of rain, the buildings lining the street appeared clean and bright, the lights casting on the wet ground, like twinkling stars, delicate and beautiful, as if countless pearls scattered in the dark.

The sound of raindrops felt like a gentle melody, resonating in the air, adding a touch of poetry to the night.

The distant street scene was shrouded by the rain curtain, appearing like a vague and dreamlike painting.

There were no boisterous crowds, no cheerful bonfire party, and certainly no girl expressing love around a bonfire.

It was as if this dreamlike rain-colored painting only belonged to the two of them.

And they were indeed within the painting.

This place was from the original story, where Nia, in the bad ending, returned to the Green Council and bid farewell to Alice, a sad and beautiful moment.

But now, Roy treated this as the best gift.

“Seeing such a view, this trip isn’t wasted, right?” Roy patted the girl’s shoulder, sharing the view of the enchanting rainy night with her.

“Even without the bonfire party, I’m satisfied.”

“Mm.” The girl secretly peeked at the boy’s expression, lightly responding while tightly gripping Roy’s hand, an inexplicable blush appearing on her face.

“Now it’s perfect; we can go home.”

Only then did they set off for the return trip.

However, just as they were about to see the Green Council’s embassy, Nia suddenly stopped in her tracks and released Roy’s hand.

“Perfect… It’s still a little short of perfect.”

Nia turned her back to Roy, gazing towards the rainy night in the distance, becoming a bit hazy under the rain.

“I want to tell you something.”

The boy was slightly taken aback but didn’t ask, quietly waiting for her to collect her thoughts.

After a pause of just the right length, the girl finally spoke.

“Actually, I’ve been quite lonely at the Green Council.”

“Mom is too busy to keep me company, and the knights always maintain their distance. It’s dull staying in the council, so I have longed for adventure, for freedom…”

“Perhaps, for a bit of serendipity too,” Nia secretly glanced at the boy.

“Though, I don’t really know what’s so good about life outside; it’s mostly hearsay.”

“Until now, I finally understand what I truly want.”

Nia raised her finger, sweetly smiling like a little girl counting candies, dimples warming her face.

“Boring lessons, fun holidays, vibrant cities, thrilling adventures—uh, even though being eyed by those plant people isn’t a good thing, overall, I really like it.”

Nia turned to face Roy, staring directly at him, earnestly saying, “I really like it.”

Seeing his own reflection in those emerald eyes, Roy’s breath grew heavy.

He understood exactly what Nia was saying.

“That’s good.”

“But I still have one worry.”

“What worry?”

“Do you… like me?”

In the long silence, only the wind and rain drifted around them.

The elven girl stood with her hands behind her back, her smile still intact, though raindrops slid slightly down her cheek.

Roy had no doubt that if this dragged on, those tiny droplets wouldn’t be the only thing falling from her lovely face.

He couldn’t bear even a speck of dust on that smile, nor did he want to deceive his own feelings.

The girl before him deserved a sincere and clear response.

“I like you too.”

Her emerald eyes widened slightly, a blush creeping onto her fair cheeks, the girl froze in place, her gaze becoming more and more misty, but there was no hint of sadness.

She seemed a bit unable to believe it, “Y-you sure? I mean, I really…”

“Nia, you said before that you enjoyed the adventures with me. But honestly, I feel the same.”

“I’m happy to be with you.”

“!”

Nia tugged at her side braid, hiding her increasingly flushing face, a flurry of nervousness.

But Roy’s expression remained serious.

His feelings for Nia were genuine, but he had to be clear about something.

Not just for himself and Nia, but also for another girl who held equal importance in his heart.

“But… ?!!”

The excited girl, unable to wait for Roy’s next words, dove forth like a bird.

Oblivious Roy didn’t dodge and just stood there frozen.

The soft rush of eagerness enveloped the space between their lips.

Like jasmine petals soaked in rain, refreshing to the soul.

However, just then, a suspicious voice came from behind.

“What… are you doing…?”

A strand of silver thread broke off at the corners of Roy’s mouth as he turned in shock.

In the rain curtain, a bright red figure stood out.