CG | Chapter 4.3

Approaching her gently, as 82712b89bb he would with his 86c1de076a younger sister, Scarlet, Emily dd29001e91 buried her face in f4109899fc her hands and started 9695cae282 to sob. As Sean 17d16720df stood in 5a62684dde front of aaaebad420 her, Emily 8bb30a4192 mumbled through 6262e4170a her hands.b26c7b16abd446ba

“Idris said, sniff, he can’t date me. He recently started dating someone else first, and, hic, he only thought of me as a friend… He said, sob, he’s sorry for making me misunderstand.”1e3edbd13395ca7b

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Her sorrowful sobs only b1820dbea6 grew louder instead of 4bec128490 stopping. Despite saying she b059fe11b3 would confess at f8ac34b444 a set time, bfcaf65c09 it seemed Emily a3f06b8aff had already confessed e03ac50470 to Idris.b7c2dee94d1f5bbf

In this situation, he couldn’t just leave her alone without comfort. It seemed best to console her first and then bring Tara or Katie from inside. Knowing Emily had liked Idris for over a year, he couldn’t help but comfort her.2dd97d7a3ef05571

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Moreover… her words about confessing to a friend and being rejected didn’t feel like someone else’s story. Although Sean didn’t think Lane would reject his feelings after what happened yesterday, he hadn’t completely ruled out the possibility while preparing for today’s confession.ab9d30ce1d8132fe

In some ways, 2442583b41 Emily and he 30d6c818fc were comrades.1ec6034347bbcfb2

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“I see.”c12759df7297191c

So Sean couldn’t offer false comfort with positive words. After some thought, he gently patted Emily’s shoulder, and she slowly stopped crying, leaning her forehead against his chest. Fortunately, it didn’t take long to calm her down, perhaps because she had already cried a lot.d00430f373a29e06

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Idris is a fool for not recognizing someone as charming as you.”bd7418e0f423b504

Seeing that Emily e1de1b0693 seemed to have 9b24229a14 calmed down, Sean 3d7a5ab302 spoke cautiously. Hearing his 6edd48b704 low, comforting ab2c619339 words, Emily afc8617498 finally let 8d5e4bf70e out a b2a1bbebb5 small laugh. It was a 9e85d60aea laugh mixed with 63392667a5 sniffles.56cb2285fb4e7c37

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Is that so?”7167c0b26db8cf50

Sean affirmed her self-deprecating 089f27b3eb question.84f5a7fae6fd8a4e

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“You know you’re charming.”9f3734ad2e02a9a2

“I am pretty and talented.”29cbe98c00c428af

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Glad you know.”1aa51e45614f1214

Emily’s laughter grew louder. Seeing that she had finally calmed down, Sean laughed along with her, and Emily lifted her head with a sigh.692e38e8be43d9ee

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Thank you, Sean. You’re a really good person.”88853362d82ca08a

With words 2ddc64aa1e of gratitude, 7eb206a4b1 Emily hugged 5a8a9d1799 him. Following her lead, Sean 801d892b2f gave her a tight 75ae1f719f hug. He was about to 75d5e0c507 suggest they go inside 8b94816041 and forget about Idris 65b5eedaef for now when Emily 3915fb7485 whispered softly in his 82e0875a19 ear.7edbb9269552a9a1

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Sean.”54046d90ed48d5d5

“Yeah?”8ba29c8ece4a5109

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Lane is right behind us… and he looks kind of angry…?”4dff60a365c2c1f8

“What?”befeb44b0efee664

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Startled, Sean quickly turned around, and just as Emily said, there stood a tall, handsome man at the restaurant entrance. The restaurant’s dazzling lights illuminated Lane’s face, allowing Sean to clearly see his expression even from a distance.b2cc16205d60dc20

Lane wore an unfamiliar expression. The face that had shyly smiled at him just yesterday was now cold and hardened, like someone very angry. His sleek black hair was slightly disheveled, as if he’d been wandering, and his blue eyes, resting on the ends of his round hair, stared at Sean with an icy gaze.490a53da6d0e6a1b

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

The tightly clenched jaw and lips conveyed an unsettling emotion, freezing Sean in place. It was hard to believe this was the same Lane who had never shown him such an expression. It was nothing like the time he had jokingly asked if Lane was angry. Angry Lane was terrifying enough to make Sean’s heart stop.29ec67692eda09a2

At that moment, 4f070d614e Emily pushed him 17d6e1b36a forward, breaking his 16c5db0987 frozen state.23f03bc77b9d392e

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Go on. Quickly. You can’t just stand here.”a3aad80f67f1ceea

Emily spoke firmly, pushing Sean away. Stumbling forward, Sean hesitantly walked towards Lane, while Emily hurried inside, perhaps to give them some time. Lane’s gaze briefly followed Emily as she entered the restaurant before returning to Sean.111fd64dd8f8a139

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Lane, when did you get here? I saw the missed calls late. I was somewhere else for a bit. I called on my way, but you didn’t answer. Did you wait long? I’m really sorry.”8aa116cf7c8d1499

Trying to speak despite the cold expression, his voice sounded unusually pathetic compared to usual due to the tension. He didn’t know exactly why Lane was angry, but he had a hunch that Lane had misunderstood what he saw earlier. As soon as that thought crossed his mind, Sean hurriedly closed the distance between them and spoke.6f012434519b2e7f

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“About earlier…!”ad96f0aa6edbd356

He was about to 4715ed0ba6 explain that Emily was a42564a491 crying and he was b5db56a65b just checking on her.6cb302984466863d

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“You’re always like that.”8521eef2e2870ebd

Lane interrupted him. His twisted bfaf207104 tone, implying c2ac42d5bf he was 2d55166c96 fed up, 392937f9fe shocked Sean 5df3e5e0e0 into asking f46e35e7e3 again.5a8422a74760730d

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“…What?”4866242150176086

“You don’t stop anyone from coming, follow anyone who says they like you, kiss and hug without hesitation. Have you ever truly liked anyone in your life?”309d345eed3e3edb

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

The voice, mixed with disappointment and anger, made it clear that Lane was looking down on him. The pointed criticism left Sean momentarily speechless, his eyes wide open. He wanted to say it wasn’t true, but his mouth wouldn’t move. As the conversation from yesterday flashed through his mind, he even began to think he was truly a strange person.6fb7af960df16fa5

“So, the kiss we shared yesterday was just a passing joke to you.”4dc818a4ed7ae584

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Lane’s self-deprecating accusation hit Sean, who was frowning in confusion. The words dismissing their intense moment as a joke finally made Sean open his mouth.180abf675c75541f

“Lane, it’s not like that. I would never do something like that to you.”c01ce22bc562d2b7

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“No. I can’t believe you. You’ve probably kissed dozens, no, hundreds of people like that.”db0e7c01803ae88e

Indeed, Sean had spent his younger years lightly, just as Lane said. But he had never truly liked any of them, and he had never felt the connection he did with Lane during their kiss. Lane was the only one he wanted to confess his feelings to, and now, he didn’t want to hold hands with anyone else but Lane.9644bb8118bd08a9

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Why are you suddenly acting like this? If it’s because of what you saw earlier, I was just comforting Emily because something happened. It really wasn’t anything strange.”d811042c21646d81

Feeling like Lane would drift away if he didn’t do something, Sean hurriedly approached and tried to grab his arm.3224c5778c72892a

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“It doesn’t matter.”04d20b52944f7f9a

Lane harshly slapped away Sean’s hand, which had reached out desperately.3fc890e7ed1b9fb6

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“No matter the reason, the fact that you acted cheap doesn’t change.”faf6bcdc74402d87

The sharp pain from the rejected hand stung painfully. Hearing the word “cheap” made Sean’s mind go blank. Lane’s voice, calling him cheap, echoed loudly, leaving his ears ringing.65deb3a8f53a133e

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

The fact ff47afaf4a that the e22af7d270 only friend 3cb115eefe he relied a0489bb75a on and 02eb3d8de9 liked thought 4a5f9d3859 of him 90771538ea that way.745c95bae92eddf1

That was….c3ccdde86bd1f7a9

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Really?”9cb64a6d2c29a405

The words from the only person he could lean on in the world shattered Sean’s heart. Unlike when rumors painted him as a player or when the guys around him talked about him like he was some womanizer, Lane’s words hit Sean brutally hard, breaking him instantly.96770c3b799e0872

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Sorry. For being cheap. To your elegant and refined eyes, I must have looked like a gigolo, but I didn’t know.”9dd9a5c10821c622

The words that slipped out were likely Lane’s true feelings, which had been watching him all along. The low, disdainful remark seemed like it had been building up for a long time, not something made up on the spot.5079b63ebef0d365

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

It was 203110739d utterly humiliating.488f8c8f1e2a2934

He wasn’t even angry. Instead, he felt suffocated, his throat tightening, leaving him dizzy. As Sean muttered quietly, his face pale, Lane’s expression finally changed. The thick eyebrows, hardened with anger, twitched in surprise, and Sean watched helplessly, letting out a hollow laugh.c6b1f0dc9a9bf7f9

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Thanks for putting up with a cheap guy like me.”20dfd4ea061608af

The voice that echoed in the air was so empty it was chilling. Hearing Sean’s self-deprecating words, Lane finally spoke.a34e1750175f0407

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Sean, wait. Just now, I….”76e11d7198d759fe

But Sean didn’t want to hear any more from Lane. If another word from him tore him apart again, he really wouldn’t be able to endure it. His eyes stung, and the tip of his nose ached. Damn it, he felt like crying.8d9e77f451c2c0f7

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“No matter how angry you are, you shouldn’t have said that, Lane Surf. Of all people, you shouldn’t have.”13fa18eaa2e78d93

Muttering softly, Sean turned his back. As if turning away from the self that always chased after Lane, Sean left everything behind and walked away from the restaurant. Lane didn’t stop him as he left, pushed by the misery.9c3f1e22d8fc6869

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

With his mind flashing white with anger, Sean walked aimlessly. His heart pounded anxiously, and he couldn’t breathe properly. The words he heard yesterday and just now combined, making him feel ashamed that Lane had thought of him that way all along.e3aeeb893bd65d76

Why don’t you believe me?c69492165380bf4e

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

No matter how lightly 2286ab8e1a I acted, I never 42c087b75d lied to you. No, in 9992d16d34 the first 9b42b6fb5a place, Lane…. I had to 8c9c941563 be a light e5fff65134 person to you.e6e95235d27d9ed9

You were someone who was overwhelming with just your world, so I didn’t want to be a burden to you.e27dd4a5db31fa5f

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

From the day they first met, Lane couldn’t withstand the gaze and expectations directed at him. To remain as a good friend by his side, Sean always had to be someone who didn’t ask for anything from Lane. He unconsciously didn’t want to appear as someone burdensome to Lane, fearing that if his weight tipped the balance even slightly, Lane might cry and scream like that day again.ade62385b6e39131

He had to act like a light, floating dandelion seed, so Lane wouldn’t chase him out of his world.3f3776401351a74e

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Recalling the memories of the past and Lane’s pink palate as he cried, Sean stopped walking. The paper bag containing the book he had rushed to buy for Lane poked sharply at his thigh. Feeling the sensation, Sean slowly lowered his head, wiping his reddened eyes and gritting his teeth. Standing there, catching his breath alone, he slowly looked around. Sean found himself in an alley behind a building, where no one was around.4f12c806b7ff3828

In the desolate scene with the restaurant’s exhaust pipe emitting steam, a large dumpster, and emergency exit stairs, Sean felt a sense of loneliness. Though he had left in a fit of anger, leaving the party venue like this would be irresponsible as the host.21c6d65149045a1a

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Forcing himself to calm a615bc8b63 his unsettled heart, Sean 0e0219b688 turned on his phone e4f6f746fe to check his location d717801f23 and head back. A faint 5d752d1849 hope that 6a06feb289 Lane might f5434a338e have called fbb6ec71be him crossed 47e8f0e169 his mind b14df9fefb unconsciously. But the phone 3775bf56d1 was silent. There were no missed d018437928 calls.7406204356ba9f23

Seeing that, he laughed.3ef2568dfb4074b9

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

What have I 166987800f done?e256a0aee0b49f8f

Suddenly, it db39bfce2d all seemed 00a6b9bc90 ridiculous. The countless years he e6cfa4f699 had struggled to make 2a17df26b8 Lane happy seemed to 4b98bab7dd exist only for an 50cc5051fe ending like this.4d37bcc100392658

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Even after saying those words, Lane didn’t seek him out or follow him. If it were him, he would have followed Lane and held on somehow, but despite all the effort and affection he poured in, he wasn’t even someone Lane felt the need to hold onto.e84b31f8d7d2236b

I guess this is the end. Letting out a hollow laugh, Sean slowly erased his expression and looked down at his sneakers. The sky, which had been turning gloomy since he got off the subway, began to drop raindrops one by one. With a plop, a raindrop fell on the rubber toe of his sneakers, signaling the start of a downpour. The sunny week didn’t last long, and the weather returned to the rainy days just before summer.088a63fb2f8701d6

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Twenty-one.f7e6d8324bc753ba

His long-held first love was trampled on as soon as he realized the feeling. The heart he didn’t even know he had was submerged in water before it could properly sprout in the world.8d14b9127cde5568

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

It was because 1c6d8cd9c5 he had desires bc0a32f5d7 beyond his means.0c914d673c9de735

Someone as dbec607718 hollow as 855445ae64 himself could b7a29c581e never match a1bd0d0546 someone like 4d71ed2276 Lane.41f05f17e0f828af

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com