Chapter 38

“……”

There was no response from Sir Costance.

“……”

“……”

A heavy silence hung between them.

She wished Costance would say something. His lips parted slowly. He was searching for the right words.

She felt his hesitation.

“……I like you, Vivi.”

Finally, a voice came from him.

In front of the lover who was saying goodbye, Sir Costance confessed. In a cracked voice.

Foolish you.

Why would a perfect man like you get hurt because of me?

“I think I have a different perspective from you, Sir Costance.”

“I know… I’m lacking. So… “

“I told you. This is absolutely not your fault.”

She spoke.

Seeing his eyes shaking with insecurity made her tear up as well. Sir Costance was like a broken machine, unable to do anything.

It was painful to see him like that right in front of her.

“Let’s just go our separate ways now.”

“……Why are you crying?”

“Because I’m human too.”

She spoke calmly.

“It hurts to part with someone who stayed by my side.”

“Then just leave it as it is. Just stay by my side. Isn’t that enough? Then both of us… “

He stopped speaking.

“It hurts me to see you in pain… I hate it. It makes me angry. I may be a worthless man as a lover, but at least as a friend, I’m okay, right?”

“Costance.”

Desperately speaking, he fell silent at her single word.

She quickly wiped the tears from her cheeks.

“Thank you for everything, Sir.”

Sir Costance stared at her with reddened eyes. He was hurt and pained by her clear attempt to draw a line.

His lips parted, but only for a moment. He didn’t say anything. He didn’t hold onto her recklessly, nor did he cry and cling to her. He was suppressing his emotions.

“I’ll go first.”

That was it.

Turning her back, she finally closed her eyes tightly. She felt his heated gaze on her back.

She fled from the spot. As soon as she entered the alley, she ran breathlessly to her house.

She secretly hoped he would follow her. She wished he would grab her wrist and angrily ask what was going on.

Without any hindrance, she arrived home. The key went into the hole on the first try.

“……”

As soon as the door closed, Irini meowed. The reality she thought was a dream hit her hard with the cat’s cry. Her legs gave out, and she sank to the floor.

“Meow.”

Irini slowly approached her.

As Irini licked her bare legs, she felt a surge of emotion. Tears flowed endlessly. Holding Irini, she buried her head deeply.

I love you.

I love you, Sir.

* * *

“Are you really quitting?”

The director frowned as she checked the envelope she handed over.

Because it was inside the Reading Room, the voices of the people protesting outside were more audible in the director’s office.

“I’m planning to go down as soon as I finish handing over my duties.”

“Vivi, I know you’ve been having a hard time lately. The state of the country isn’t good either.”

The director glanced outside.

“How about taking a vacation for now? You can think about quitting after you’ve had some rest. It’s not too late.”

“……”

When she didn’t respond, the director sighed deeply.

“……Alright. I’ll tell you what needs to be organized later.”

After saying her final farewell, Vivi quietly left the room. The seniors who were working looked at her with worried eyes.

“Vivi.”

Senior Webley approached. She forced a smile and returned to her seat to finish the remaining work. VIvi had just heard from the real estate agent that a house had become available.

Because it was in a rural area with no proper facilities, the price was much cheaper than she had expected. She immediately sent a reply expressing her intention to sign the contract.

“……”

The director called her after lunch.

She said the resignation process would take about two weeks. She asked Vivi again about her intention to resign, and after hearing her firm answer, she nodded.

Two weeks…

‘I need to leave this place quickly.’

Vivi needed to look into airship travel instead of trains.

* * *

“Are you not thinking straight?”

Whack!

Sir Costance’s head turned to the side. The other officers in the situation room glanced at his reddened cheek.

It had been about a month since the officers were trapped in the headquarters due to Rando’s sudden provocation.

Sir Costance, who had been active as a brain in the Operations Division, lost focus about a week ago.

“Isn’t that a bit much?”

“Someone stop the manager.”

For the past week, Sir Costance diligently did his assigned work. Because he was so competent, both superiors and subordinates found it convenient when he handled something.

The problem was that he worked like a machine. He worked well, but communication was an issue.

“Captain Orsi. I know it’s tough, but these damn tasks will be over soon.”

“……Understood.”

“Damn it, he’s completely out of it!”

The manager glared at Costance and turned his head sharply.

Costance, left in his place, silently moved to his seat. Finn, who sat next to him, watched him carefully.

Sitting at his desk, Costance started working without even sorting out his emotions. Costance Orsi was truly like a machine.

“Lieutenant Finn!”

“Yes! Manager!”

Finn jumped up and approached the manager. The manager’s expression was stiff, possibly regretting hitting Sir Costance.

He clenched and unclenched the fist that had hit Costance’s cheek.

“Do you have any idea why Captain Orsi is like that?”

“……”

“You’ve been sticking close to him all along.”

Finn hesitated.

He only stuck close to Costance within the military base. He had no way of knowing what Costance was doing outside.

But Finn knew when Sir Costance changed.

It started when he returned from a brief outing a week ago. Something must have happened outside.

<It’s obvious. That guy got dumped.>

Finn recalled what Senior Elvin from the Logistics Department had said. Unlike Elvin’s confident words, Finn was skeptical of his opinion.

Could Costance Orsi really become like that just because he got dumped by a woman?

<…Senior?>

Finn, who had immense respect for Costance, couldn’t believe it.

Sir Costance was a man who never crumbled under any circumstances. Even when enemy shells were flying from enemy ships, only he didn’t panic and resolved the situation.

At that time, Sir Costance had just graduated from the Officer School and boarded the fleet for the first time.

“Alright, get back to work, Lieutenant.”

“I’m sorry, Manager.”

“Keep an eye on Captain Orsi. Report immediately if he gets any stranger.”

“……”

“No, the situation has calmed down a lot. Once it settles, send him home first. The Commander must be worried about him. He’s been working twice as hard as others for a month, so it’s no wonder he’s not in his right mind. He’ll feel better after resting at home.”

“But if Captain Orsi leaves…”

“I’ll take over his duties.”

The manager entered the room after saying that.

* * *

〈It seems we’re just not meant to be.〉

As soon as he heard those words, Costance Orsi’s thoughts stopped.

He should have held onto Vivi, but he couldn’t.

<It’s not your fault.>

He couldn’t say a single word to Vivi’s words. If only she had said it was his fault, he would have begged.

He would have held onto her.

But Vivi said it wasn’t. She just said they weren’t meant to be.

He was frustrated but understood all too well why she said they weren’t compatible. He was someone who knew nothing.

Until the moment Vivi broke up with him, Costance acted in ways she would dislike.

“……Damn it.”

His once tidy house was now littered with empty bottles of alcohol. Starting with whiskey, he even drank vodka, known for its potency.

Yet, his mind was clear. Vivi’s face kept lingering in his mind. He never imagined their farewell would be so empty.

Costance lowered his head deeply.

Without a chance to grab onto a lifeline, the bond between Vivi and him was severed. He felt tormented and suffocated. He wanted to see Vivi right now.

He wanted to smell the scent of her skin on her neck, not the pungent smell of alcohol.

He didn’t blame Vivi for suddenly saying goodbye. He wasn’t angry with her. He was angry with himself for doing nothing and leaving her alone. He felt like he was going crazy with anger.

<Why do you keep trying to adjust to me?>

He recalled Vivi’s words.

He placed the empty bottle he was holding on the floor.

Why do I adjust myself?

Because I dare not place myself above you, and because being beside you is so joyful and undeserved…

And also because that’s how I was taught to be.

Sir Costance directed his anger at his father, who made him this foolish, stupid, and useless person.

Yes, because of you, I…

‘Lost two precious people.’