HIFH | Chapter 52

Episode 52

A familiar hand touched my shoulder.

“What’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?”

I lifted my head and saw Lu.

Lu, standing against the moonlight, looking down at me.

Lu, watching over me with a worried gaze as if our argument earlier in the day had never happened.

Lu, his face tinged with anxiety.

“Your face is so pale. Did you catch a cold?”

He examined me with a darkened expression, as if he were the one feeling unwell.

“Come on, get up. I’ll help you to your room. I’ll call the physician right away…”

Lu fidgeted restlessly, unable to even touch me. A small chuckle escaped my lips.

“Lu.”

So, I asked him.

“Why aren’t you asking me where I’ve been?”

Lu squinted slightly, then replied.

“Would you answer if I did?”

Without realizing it, I clenched my fists.

“You never answer me, Charles.”

He was right.

I hid many things from Lu.

I never answered his questions.

From the very beginning, when I first met Lu… I had wrapped everything in lies.

I had no choice.

Because if my identity was revealed…

I would die.

And Lu would die too.

Just for knowing the truth about me.

— Kill Lu Vantes.

I forced Adrian’s voice out of my mind.

I took a deep breath and steadied myself.

“Charles.”

Then, Lu called my name again.

“Ever since you came to the Empire, for months, you’ve been hiding things from me, making up excuses.”

I bit my lower lip, avoiding his gaze.

“It’s strange how you always act alone, even though we’re a team.”

“That’s—”

“Were you really on that ship to investigate Themis’ death?”

Lu tilted his head and met my eyes.

“And your suspicious relationship with Adrian Barthéleus—”

“I already explained that.”

“It doesn’t make sense to me.”

His reply was firm as he reached out to me.

“Charles.”

He held my cheek and ear at the same time, staring straight into my eyes.

“What are you hiding from me?”

My breath trembled.

If I didn’t answer here, both Lu and I… would be in danger.

So…

“It’s the Guardian.”

I squeezed my eyes shut as I answered.

“I have a separate mission from the Guardian.”

“…From the Guardian?”

“Yeah. You know how it is. Agents can’t always share their missions with each other. That’s why I couldn’t tell you. I’m sorry.”

Lu withdrew his hand and fell silent.

Did he believe my excuse? My lie?

I anxiously waited for his response.

“I didn’t know there was such a reason.”

Thankfully, Lu seemed to believe me.

“I’m the one who should apologize.”

He bowed his head, and I quickly helped him back up.

“No, I have been acting suspiciously.”

I sighed in relief and patted his back. Lu let out a small chuckle.

“Let’s get up first.”

Lu helped me to my feet.

He wrapped an arm around my shoulder, held my hand, and supported me. His touch—so paradoxical—felt genuine.

As if he truly cared about me.

“Are you feeling sick?”

“No, I’m not sick.”

“Then are you stressed?”

“Probably.”

“Then you should rest until tomorrow.”

Keeping me close to him, Lu slowly walked me across the garden.

The moonlight illuminated us, and the gentle spring breeze brushed against my nose.

Yet, no matter what, there was still an emptiness inside me.

Adrian’s words.

Lying to Lu again.

All of it left me feeling lonely.

“Charles”

Suddenly, Lu spoke up.

“About earlier… I’m sorry.”

I snapped my head up. Lu, looking slightly embarrassed, scratched his cheek.

“I just… I thought we had gotten closer, but then I realized I didn’t even know who your friends were.”

He cleared his throat.

“It annoyed me.”

A quiet laugh escaped me.

Lu’s honesty meant so much to me.

The way he openly shared his feelings.

Maybe that’s why people could love someone like him.

And maybe that’s why someone like me, who couldn’t be honest, could never be loved.

I smiled bitterly and shook my head.

“Adrian and I… we’re not close.”

“Okay. I understand.”

“And…”

I hesitated before continuing.

“I was harsh earlier too. I’m sorry.”

Lu’s eyes widened.

“I was the one being emotional. I should be the one apologizing.”

A soft laugh escaped me. The atmosphere between us had suddenly lightened, and we both smiled.

“But you know,” Lu said.

“Fighting and making up like this over and over…”

He scrunched up his nose and smiled.

It was the same gesture Adrian had made earlier.

But it felt completely different.

Because right now, Lou was truly looking at me, sharing our emotions equally.

“Doesn’t it really feel like we’re friends now?”

He tilted his head and asked.

“Charles, do you think so too?”

“…I…”

Friend.

Friend, huh…

I carefully thought over the word before I slowly, cautiously spoke.

“Lu.”

“Yeah?”

“You said you both hate and like me, right?”

Lu nodded. I looked at his chin and asked,

“Is that the kind of feeling you have for a friend?”

Lu’s eyes widened again.

His blue eyes, shimmering like the sea, locked onto me without wavering.

Yes. His eyes were like the ocean.

Sometimes waves would rise, but for the most part, they were calm and brought a sense of freedom.

“Of course.”

He spoke to me with those ocean-blue eyes.

“I told you before. I’m starting to like you even more.”

The word like could mean a hundred different things, but the way Lou meant it right now—there was only one interpretation.

The fondness between friends.

And for some reason, that made me happy.

It finally felt like I was part of something normal.

Like I could have friends, live an ordinary life.

So…

“And you know,” Lu continued, winking playfully.

“I read that the best kind of friendship is one with a bit of love and hate mixed in.”

“What book is that from?”

“The Essentials of Human Relationships.”

“Throw it away.”

Lu clicked his tongue and glared at me.

Everything about this moment felt so natural and familiar that I couldn’t help but chuckle again.

“Anyway…”

And so, for the first time today, I smiled sincerely.

“I think so too.”

I continued,

“I think of you as a friend I like.”

So…

— Kill Lu Vantes.

I can’t.

Never.