Chapter 51

Costance’s expression was unbearable for Vivi to face, so she closed her eyes. Tears streamed down her face uncontrollably.

‘I am…….’

She was a ticking time bomb, ready to explode at any moment.

The night the laboratory exploded.

That night, she ran like her life depended on it. Olive, who had disappeared before her eyes, was already erased from her memory. It was the first time she had forgotten someone who had been right beside her just moments before. In the empty space left behind, countless memories came flooding in.

After running for three days, she finally arrived in front of Professor Kandor’s mansion. Her body was already in tatters, but as soon as she saw the mansion, she mustered all her remaining strength and banged on the door.

〈Just a moment……! Who on earth is it?〉

The professor’s voice came as the door opened.

From inside the mansion, the voice of a news anchor reporting the explosion at the laboratory in real-time could be heard. Vivi looked at Professor Kandor, her eyes welling up with tears.

〈Save, save me. Please…… Please save me!〉

〈……Oh, dear God.〉

Professor Kandor muttered while looking down at her.

〈Please, please hide me. Professor! Please……!〉

〈First, first come in. Benny. Hurry.〉

He pushed her inside.

The gracious Professor Kandor.

An altruistic man who took her in without knowing anything.

Even after hearing her story, the professor didn’t push her away. On top of that, he raised her properly for 10 years. Vivi always thought of him as her true father.

The professor avoided going out as much as possible to ensure she wouldn’t be seen by anyone else, and he never invited guests to the mansion. Even when distant relatives contacted him, Professor Kandor made various excuses to keep her hidden.

He even spent his savings on her. He bribed acquaintances in the government to create a fake identity for her, drafted a birth certificate, and paid off a judge to fabricate her past.

It was pure sacrifice. Until the moment he died of old age, Kandor advised her.

〈Never…… never reveal your name…….〉

Even if your name is revealed, never blame yourself. This is all because of people’s selfishness, and you are just a scapegoat…….

Costance, standing before her now, was crying. Instead of speaking, he asked with his expression. 

Why do you reject me so?

The wounded man’s expression was torn to shreds. His limp hand looked more painful than when it had been stabbed. He trembled, his lips quivering, his fingertips shaking. Like a man who had fallen to rock bottom, he sat there miserably.

Vivi stared at his dry lips.

“……I’m sorry.”

At first, she had been glad to see him again in this place. But not now. It was hard to reject Costance with such a flimsy excuse. It was also painful to see him hurt by her words.

Now, she just wanted Costance to forget her without any lingering feelings.

Even though she would remember him for the rest of her life.

“I’ll be going in now. ……The medicine is yours, so please take it.”

Holding Irini, she turned and walked away.

* * *

“Meow.”

Not long after Vivi returned home, heavy rain began to pour. She pulled back the curtains that had long covered the windows and looked outside.

Did he return safely? Could he have driven himself all the way here? 

There was no way an inexperienced driver like Costance could make it through this rain and darkness safely. It would be a relief if no accidents occurred.

Once a small worry arose, it grew rapidly. 

If, by any chance, he got into a serious accident…….

‘Please…… get a grip. Please.’

After pushing him away, here she was again, worrying about Costance. Frustrated by her foolishness, she clutched her head.

To Sir Costance, these raindrops were nothing. The most dangerous person to him was none other than her.

Benny Galinne. Especially if the government knew her identity. The government would stop at nothing to hunt down Benny Galinne.

Being caught by the agency would be horrifying. But more than that…… she couldn’t bear to imagine Costance being criticized and hated by others just for being by her side, or him resenting and hating her.

〈Vivi. This is your new name.〉

Sitting by the window, she recalled the past. The precious name given to her by Professor Kandor. The precious surname.

Vivi Ferren.

Vivi Ferren and Costance Orsi might match, but Benny Galinne and Costance Orsi never could.

Shhhhhh.

The rain poured harder. This wasn’t a shower that would stop anytime soon.

The heavier the rain, the more uneasy she felt. Her restless eyes darted around. Looking out the window, she desperately searched for Costance’s figure.

The spot behind the tree where he had been was no longer visible from here.

“……Irini.”

“Meow.”

“I’ll be right back.”

Grabbing the only umbrella she had, she stepped outside. As soon as she opened the door, the sound of rain hitting the ground grew louder. The wind blew fiercely, making it hard to take even a single step.

She ran to the spot from earlier.

Even with the umbrella, the rain splashed onto her clothes, soaking them completely. By the time her wet skirt felt heavy, she saw a figure in the distance. Costance. He hadn’t left; he was still sitting in the same spot as before.

“…….”

And he was sitting there, completely drenched by the rain.

She bit her lip hard.

She knew she was weak. She knew she was soft. Her indecisiveness was only causing Costance more pain.

Taking a quiet step forward, she held the umbrella over Costance’s head. He lifted his pale face and looked up at her. His lifeless eyes hurt her more than his blue lips.

“You’re a cruel person.”

She whispered softly.

“I hate you.”

“……Hate me.”

He spoke in a dying voice. Vivi swallowed her tears and glared at him.

“I hate myself too.”

“Then please, go back. Don’t stay here like this!”

“Didn’t you say these hands were precious?”

He held out his injured hand.

“But…… as you can see, I’m just a worthless man. I…… want to be saved, Vivi.”

Costance cried, his eyes pleading desperately. He smiled faintly and spoke.

“Please…… save me.”

He grabbed her arm.

“Save me, Vivi.”

“……Stop it.”

“I’m not asking you to be my lover……. I’m just afraid of what I’ll become if you abandon me like this…….”

“Stop it, stop.”

“Vivi, please…….”

He begged pitifully.

What sin had Costance Orsi committed? His only crime was meeting her, Benny Galinne.

Vivi didn’t know what truth to tell this ignorant man. But if she pushed him away again…… she could vividly picture his broken figure.

Her legs gave out. She put the umbrella down and cried alongside Costance.

“Salvation…… My salvation won’t help you at all.”

“No light can help me. Just one touch from you is salvation for me.”

She took the hand he held out. Costance flinched.

“Sir. I’ll ask you one last time.”

She took a deep breath and opened her mouth.

“Do you truly desire my salvation?”

“Yes.”

His answer held no hesitation.

“You’re foolish. Truly foolish.”

Before she could continue, emotions surged within her. Of all the ways to sever ties with Costance, she had avoided this one until now. But now, she was ready to say it.

The rain blurred her vision. Seeing his face through the downpour gave her a bit more courage.

“Listen, Sir. I can never save you.”

A low voice escaped her.

“I am…… a spy.”

“…….”

Costance’s lowered eyelashes lifted at her words. He stared at her without a word. The sharp silence cut into her skin.

“……Vivi?”

“That’s not even my real name. I’m not Vivi, Costance.”

“…….”

“I’m not even naturally this hair color, and my parents’ surname isn’t Ferren. My age isn’t what you think it is.”

Holding his panicked face, she continued.

“I’m not Vivi Ferren.”

His face contorted completely.

“Even so, do you still need my salvation? Can you still embrace me? I’m honestly scared.”

“……What are you saying…….”

“This has gotten too big. You’ve become sincere with me, Sir. So let’s make a choice. Right here, right now.”

She couldn’t tell if the water running down his face was rain or tears. Her face was probably the same.

“Either report me…… or turn away from me.”

“…….”

“……Just choose one……. Please, please tell me.”

She broke down too. She collapsed onto his lap and cried. He sat there stiffly for a long time. Only the sound of rain could be heard.

〈Live.〉

〈…….〉

〈……Live, Benny.〉