Sister, Don’t Marry That Guy – Chapter 139

Chapter 139

Haden was startled and lowered his eyes.

It was hard to believe that he was the same boy who had been looking down at me with such a chilling gaze just moments ago.

It was as if I was watching a large canine beast kneeling before a baby much smaller than itself, not knowing what to do.

However, I was not flustered because I knew very well that this boy was the type of person who had a gap between his increasingly sharp appearance as he grew and his kind and cheerful personality.

‘Actually, this is the protagonist I originally knew.’

I stared intently at Haden’s face.

“……I didn’t know. Really.”

Haden’s explanation was as follows.

As soon as he witnessed the murder, Haden immediately left the city and thought of meeting someone and becoming an adventurer.

He was planning to leave and come back stronger.

That someone became Haden’s companion, taught him many things, and helped him. At the same time, Haden was able to meet a good master thanks to that person.

“Originally, I wasn’t planning on returning to the capital yet. It was just… during a demon subjugation in the west.”

“You met the Imperial Knights?”

Anyway, although the reason for leaving was different from the book, Haden left the capital and met his master and his designated companions as planned.

Then, he accidentally saved a territory from a demon and got connected with the Imperial Family, thus coming to the capital, and the moment he had the opportunity to participate in the Martial Arts Tournament.

He couldn’t bring himself to leave, putting aside his anger and hatred towards Blackwinter.

“……Because I thought I could legitimately fight Kyle Blackwinter in the Martial Arts Tournament.”

Hmm, the protagonist who seeks legitimacy even at this moment is truly amazing.

If it were me, if someone killed my family, I would have thought of destroying them by any means necessary…

Haden lowered his guard surprisingly easily.

If it were me, I would have investigated whether he really had a bad relationship with Kyle or if he was threatened, and then I would have let go of my suspicion.

Is it okay to be so easily swayed by just one of my stories?

‘I thought he was different from the book, but he’s not…’

For a moment, I was worried that Haden might be called a pushover somewhere, then I hardened my expression.

Listening to him, there was something a little strange.

‘The part about his companions is a bit weird…?’

Haden, as if he was relieved, or perhaps because he felt sorry for his past misunderstanding, told me everything without hesitation.

Everything about the companions he had met so far and the party members he was currently with.

“The adventurer party you lead is currently acting separately from you?”

“Yeah. Everyone hates demons, so they’re searching for them, subjugating them, and exploring ruins.”

Yes, I know this journey. It’s the main story of this book.

But…

‘The members are only 5? Where did the other three go?’

Of course, one of the three is Calidupen.

I already made this old man my companion, so let’s say he’s not there, but two people are missing. And both of them…

‘In the book, they are the harem members who are deeply in love with Haden?’

How can these two people be missing?

Among the remaining members, the childhood friend girl, Aira, and the archer with fairy blood were still there, but…

It was very strange.

Even the archer with fairy blood, except for the childhood friend, was not a woman but a man, and his name was different from the book.

Originally, Haden’s party consisted of four female characters: a childhood friend, a priest, an archer, and a guide/thief, who were all bickering over Haden… Two of them were missing.

Even though the story has changed because of me, the flow was a little strange.

“Hey, Haden, since we don’t have much time, let me ask you just one quick question.”

Originally, I wasn’t planning on having a long conversation with Haden here.

I was just trying to find out the reason or clues why Haden was acting like this towards me. But because of an unexpected situation, I spent too much time with Ice.

‘Oh, no. I should wrap this up soon. Too many eyes are on us.’

Even though the sound is blocked, I can still feel the gazes.

“Before I ask, Haden, hold out your hand.”

“Uh, uhh?”

He hesitated but held out his hand, and I quickly grabbed it. Haden’s large body trembled.

Holding it like this, I can see how much time has passed.

The last time I saw him, he was a young boy, but the hand I’m holding now is that of a full-grown young man.

Moreover, it was a large hand reminiscent of a large beast, with scars and wounds here and there.

“Let’s pretend to shake hands. Let’s act friendly. If possible, smile. You punched me. Let’s make up for it with this.”

“……Ren.”

Haden’s eyes drooped.

His already drooping eyes drooped even more.

“I’m sorry, I really had a big misunderstanding… Why did I do that? The more I think about it, the less like me it was.”

“Let’s talk about that later, Haden. Just listen to me like this.”

“Okay.”

Haden couldn’t even hold my hand properly. He was very cautious.

Why is he like this?

A protagonist of this age should be familiar with women and act skillfully, shouldn’t he?

It was all because of the supporting characters who were chasing after Haden, saying they liked him.

The current Haden seemed a little different. He felt very unfamiliar, like a naive person…

‘Hmm? Is this also related to the fact that the female characters I knew are not in Haden’s party?’

Haden lowered his head.

“W-what are you going to ask?”

“Ah, that’s right. Haden, you said that there’s an archer with fairy blood among your current party members, right?”

“Yeah!”

“By any chance… have you ever seen someone named ‘Karina’ in the village where you met that person? She’s a woman, has red hair, and is beautiful.”

“Huh? Ren, how do you know Karina?”

“Know her? Well, my merchant guild also does business in that area. Anyway, do you know her?”

“Yeah. I know her.”

Haden tilted his head and then spoke.

To be clear, Haden’s own party was actually divided into two groups.

One is Haden’s party, consisting of the members he just mentioned.

The other one is…

“……The person who helped you the most when you left the capital is the leader there?”

“Yeah.”

And Karina is also a member there?

I narrowed my eyes.

Just in case, I asked about the other members, and the names that came out were…

‘They’re all harem supporting characters?’

They were the female supporting characters who were companions in the book and were deeply in love with Haden.

A chill ran down my spine.

“……Haden, I understand for now. Thanks for the answer.”

“Ren, is there a problem?”

“No, no. It’s nothing.”

I shook my head. I didn’t know whether I should tell Haden this newly discovered information, or even if I should, how I should tell him.

Just in case, I asked Haden.

“By the way, that person who’s the leader of the other party, what kind of person is that companion? From what I hear, it seems like they helped you the most…”

“Huh? Oh, that’s right! They’re a very precious friend and companion to me. They’re very wise… That friend’s judgment is always right. They’ve never been wrong.”

A bright smile spread across Haden’s face.

“They make it possible for me to overcome any ruins or demons.”

I felt cold sweat running down my neck.

‘This, it seems like…’

It’s just a guess.

‘It seems like I’m not the only one in this world who knows the ‘original work’.’

But there was no way I could tell this to Haden, who was smiling so brightly.

It seemed better not to have another misunderstanding with the boy who had just resolved his misunderstanding about me.

‘And even I get hurt, you know.’

When Haden, who I could still call a friend, suddenly left my side when we were young, I was also shocked in my own way, and I regretted if there was anything I hadn’t done well.

Moreover, the cold hostility I received when we met again after so long made my heart drop.

Even if it wasn’t as much as with Veronica-unni, he was a person I liked very much.

But I had to know this much.

“Hey Haden, then one last thing… What’s that person’s name? Your wonderful companion’s name, I mean.”

“Yeah. Ah? That is…”

It was that moment.

The focus disappeared from Haden’s deep gaze as we were looking at each other.

I got goosebumps again at his blurry, clouded eyes.

“Haden? Haden. Haden!”

“……”

My hand was grabbed tightly, painfully, and I was flustered but didn’t show it.

『Master! Threat! Threat! Enemy detected!』

‘Don’t interfere, Ice, people are watching.’

Just a moment ago, Haden had attacked me, and we had made it look like a happening by shaking hands.

Anything more than this would not be good for Haden.

‘Whether he likes me or not, my family might see the threat to me as a threat to Blackwinter.’

What I mean is, if my father or Kyle were to investigate the relationship between me and Haden, they could gladly use it to harm Haden.

“……Blackwinter is my enemy.”

“……Hah, Haden.”

“There’s no name to give to Blackwinter.”

His mumbling, dazed appearance was somehow strange.