Chapter 154 – Sid and Heart

“Sid, got a minute to talk?”

Heart glanced toward the door with his eyes.

It was rare for this guy to invite me out like this.

I told Ted, “Gonna step out for a bit,” and headed outside.

Even bundled up in my coat, the chill still bit deep.

“This time of year, I start longing for spring something fierce. Those occasional warm days just make it worse.”

“Heh. But today’s one of those warm ones, isn’t it?”

Heart chuckled at my words.

The two of us strolled slowly through the beautiful streets of the city.

“Everyone takes after Gain so much.”

Heart’s face lit up with pure happiness.

Where the hell had he been hiding a smile like that?

Lately, this guy’s words and actions had been full of surprises.

“Hahaha. Gain grew up in that environment, so he turned into such an upright man.”

The moment I said that, Heart suddenly stopped in his tracks.

“Hm? What’s up?”

“Thank you… for raising him.”

Whoa, whoa. Don’t hit me with something like that now—you’re gonna make my eyes water.

Old folks get emotional easy, y’know.

“I’m really glad you picked me up, Sid.”

“Hahaha. Same here, kid.”

Thanks to you, I stayed on the straight and narrow myself.

I could keep myself in check, trying to live up to your example.

“I was relieved to hear you’re marrying the young miss. Can’t imagine handing her off to anyone else.”

“Sid…”

And maybe I can stand tall in front of her because of you, too.

Deep down, I know I’m not that great a guy.

Sometimes, seeing how you’d grown into such a straight shooter like Gain made you shine too bright for me.

“How about you become my son, too?”

The words slipped out before I knew it.

But it wouldn’t be true to say I’d never thought about it.

It just hadn’t been necessary back then.

Now, though, it felt natural.

Marrying a saintess as an orphan would feel awkward. Even a guy like me is an S-rank adventurer and a Holy Knights instructor.

“Wouldn’t that be a bother…?”

In the middle of the bustling street, Heart stood there, not hiding his agitation.

What was going through his head?

“I do what I want. If you turn me down…”

“No. Please, I’d be honored.”

Heart shook off his hesitation and said it straight.

“Hahaha. An instant yes? You can take your time to think it over.”

“I’ve always thought of you as real family, Sid.”

You could’ve said that sooner. Not that it matters now.

From when he was little, he’d always held back around me, more than anyone else.

“Come with me for a sec.”

We left the town and walked to the nearby forest, where I suddenly unleashed a water spell at Heart.

He reacted instantly, canceling it with a wind spell. I used the opening to draw my twin swords with both hands and slash at him.

One of my blades clashed against his sword with a grating screech that set my teeth on edge.

The moment I focused on my other sword, Heart leaped back, a smirk tugging at his lips.

“I wasn’t going for the kill.”

“Close combat’s a bad matchup against you, Sid.”

Getting cocky, huh? Fine. I blinded him with a mist spell.

“Hmph. Enjoy that confidence while it lasts.”

“We’ll see about that.”

Heart dispersed the mist with wind magic.

Reading that, my twin swords traced twin arcs through the air twice over, narrowly dodged at the last second.

Hoh. Dodging my full power, even.

“No holding back?” Heart laughed.

“You need me to?”

Heart charged straight at me. A feint.

I parried his sword with my right hand, then spun and deflected the wind blade aimed at my back with my left.

Playing dirty, are we?

“You’re not holding back either.”

“What, now you notice?”

We went at it full throttle until our mana ran dry, then collapsed right there.

“Hah… hah… Heart. Break time.”

Heart tossed his sword aside and plopped down, leaning back on his hands with his legs stretched out.

I sat next to him and filled the cup at my waist with cold water, handing it over.

“You had mana left?”

“I saw that one coming—you always plan it out.”

Heart gulped it down noisily.

I drained mine in one go beside him.

“You’ve gotten stronger again. Holding back against me, even.”

“No slack at all.”

I let out a sigh and leaned back on my hands too.

“Didn’t think you’d actually say it.”

When I said that, Heart sat up and looked at me.

“I was shaking with fear of losing Marie—didn’t suit me at all. When I found her in the castle, I swore I’d never let her go again.”

“Even so.”

“Your instincts are getting dull.”

“Shut it.”

Heart let out a small laugh.

“To think the little squirt you were…”

“I’m glad you came by that forest, Sid.”

Heart stood and pulled me to my feet.

I remembered the tiny boy sitting blankly in a pool of his family’s blood, eyes empty after they were slaughtered.

“Hmph. Grown into such a big lug.”

I looked up at Heart, feeling a deep nostalgia.

He’d surpassed my height a little before he met the young miss, I think.

“Thank you… for raising me.”

Heart said it again.

“Shut it.”

That’s why my tear ducts are getting weak, damn it.

Thank you for reading.

Gratitude to everyone who bookmarked, rated, or liked!

Typos reports—really, truly thank you so much!!