“Do you really believe such an absurd story, that just from that, a time-reversing spell was used?”

“Is that all there is to it?”

Yuri chuckled and responded with a question.

‘No, are you saying I’ve done a lot of things to get caught?’

I pouted, thinking that, but soon I had to bow my head solemnly.

…Too many things came to mind.

“You’re right. I acted quite meaningfully in various ways.”

Why had I been so careless? As I regretted the irreversible past, Yuri propped his chin and spoke in a serious tone.

“I knew Sabina was a tiresome person, but hearing Titi’s story makes me dislike her even more. It’s no wonder Titi can’t stand her.”

Yuri and Yujin, the brothers, had also been manipulated by Sabina a lot, so they seemed to understand my words more sympathetically.

If people only saw Sabina’s kind and beautiful side, they would have doubted my words.

“So, how are you planning to get revenge? You haven’t thought that far yet, have you?”

At Yuri’s question, I pressed my lips firmly with my finger.

“Well, I only found out about this recently… But as Yujin suggested, maybe I should start by reporting it.”

“Reporting it?”

“Thanks to my recent trip home, I secured evidence that Sabina’s people were digging into my personal information. Isn’t that enough to file a report?”

“Hmm, but that seems weak to bring Sabina down.”

“Is that so?”

I also thought that one incident wouldn’t be enough. If they claimed it was an underling acting independently, it would be hard to counter.

Yuri tilted his head and said, “Besides that, she interfered with the Blue Rose business and pressured shops not to sell paint to us. If we bundle those issues together, it might be good to report them.”

I hadn’t not considered that.

“But it’s hard to find evidence. I doubt the merchants would testify for me.”

“Hmm.”

All her misdeeds were carried out through others, so there was no direct evidence. Only one person came to mind who might testify, even though they had stepped in on Sabina’s behalf.

I fidgeted with my fingers and spoke cautiously.

“…Should I ask Yujin for help?”

“That…”

Yuri’s expression darkened. I awkwardly laughed and waved my hand.

“That’s a bit much, right? Yujin would be in a difficult position, too.”

If it became known that Count Esrenche was hindering someone’s business on Sabina’s orders, the family’s reputation would be irreparably damaged.

‘Even so, for him to decide to correct things one by one, Yujin is remarkable.’

He was such a good person that I felt sorry for being so irritable at first.

As I thought about Yujin and felt solemn, Yuri pouted and spoke in a small voice.

“I don’t care if he gets in trouble… I just don’t want his help.”

It was a strange thing to say. I tilted my head.

“Why? Aren’t you two getting along now?”

“Thanks to Titi, we’ve gotten much closer. We’ve shared our true feelings. But when it comes to Titi’s issues, our brotherly relationship is separate. Or maybe, because we’re brothers, I don’t want to lose.”

“What do you mean?”

As the conversation continued, it became harder to understand. I blinked. Yuri gave an awkward smile.

“Titi asked if it was strange for me to hate Sabina, but I’m the one who’s a petty man. If Titi knew all of my feelings, you’d be shocked.”

“You?”

Yuri and pettiness were words that didn’t match. Yuri was one of the most straightforward people I knew.

Yuri fidgeted with his fingers as if choosing his words carefully. Then he sighed and poured out his true feelings.

“It’s the same now. I know how hard it is for Titi. But you know what? I’m so happy that Titi tells me everything.”

“Yuri.”

“I’m overjoyed knowing that you trust and rely on me the most… I’m really petty, aren’t I?”

Yuri’s sudden outpouring of emotions shook my mind completely.

The joy of someone relying on me.

Isn’t that a singular feeling?

“So were you really angry yesterday?”

Wasn’t the moment Yuri got emotional yesterday when I was about to tell him about the magic but then kept quiet?

‘I thought he was upset because of Asel.’

No way. No way.

Yuri confirmed my assumptions by sharing his feelings from that time and apologizing.

“I’m really sorry. I reacted sharply because I wasn’t in a good place emotionally.”

“No…”

He didn’t need to apologize. If someone I liked seemed to be hiding things from me, I’d feel anxious too.

So right then, Yuri was…

“…you really do like me.”

At my foolish mumbling, Yuri blinked his thick eyelashes. He gave a small laugh and responded in a softened tone.

“I think I’ve already said it several times. Yes, I like you. I want to be the one person who can stay by your side. Have you forgotten everything I said?”

“No, that’s not it.”

Yuri brushed my hair away as I stammered. When I closed my eyes reflexively from the tickling sensation, I opened them to see Yuri’s sweet smile filling my view.

He spoke in a warm voice.

“I know. I understand that the feelings we hold aren’t equal. That’s why Titi can’t give me an immediate answer, right?”

“Well…”

I couldn’t bring myself to tell the truth. I bit my lip.

‘No, until just now, I didn’t have the chance to think about your confession. I was overwhelmed with the big things happening in front of me.’

But now it was different. Knowing how Yuri’s heart wavered like a leaf on a lake with even my brief silences or small secrets made me more conscious of him than when I cried in his arms.

He stood before me, longing for the same affection he held, and beneath his calm and composed smile, he revealed the storm of emotions swirling inside.

“I know I have to keep being patient to win your heart, but I guess I was getting anxious without realizing it.”

That sight shook my heart.

It was a feeling of trembling I hadn’t experienced even after three repeated lives.

‘Yuri was anxious because of me.’

I couldn’t believe it.

The Yuri I knew was sociable and cheerful, like a cat who didn’t feel lonely even when alone.

For someone like that to be anxious because of me…

I doubted my ears and asked Yuri again.

“So, you’re worried because it seems like I don’t like you?”

“I can handle that! But seeing Titi grow closer to someone else… I don’t like it. It makes me restless.”

“Who else?”

Suddenly, Yuri’s face turned red. He turned his head away, avoiding my gaze, as if sulking.

I tilted my head and then realized the answer. There was only one man I had recently grown close to, enough to make him uneasy.

“Could it be Yujin?”

“…I won’t answer that.”

I had suspected, but it turned out to be true. I couldn’t help but laugh.

As I laughed, Yuri’s face grew even redder. Now, with his neck flushed too, Yuri spoke in a tone that sounded like he was dying of frustration.

“Titi, you really don’t know yourself.”

“I know myself better than anyone! Yujin and I aren’t like that. It’s just that I’m more comfortable around him now.”

“Yes, yes, let’s say it’s my misunderstanding. I’m naturally jealous and narrow-minded.”

“Oh my.”

Even though Yuri claimed otherwise, he continued to grumble as if he was still jealous. Watching him, I unconsciously murmured,

“You’re cute.”

Truly, it was an honest thought that slipped out without a chance to stop it.

Calling a guy who’s not family and about the same age as me cute… I was startled and covered my mouth with my hand.

Apparently not noticing my reaction, Yuri continued in a sulky voice.

“It’s too late to compliment me. I won’t forget that Titi thought I was just imagining things.”

“Isn’t it usual to take a compliment like ‘cute’ well?”

“Why not? Isn’t being cute the best thing?”

“Yeah, it is.”

That confident answer was so typical of Yuri.

Any other guy might have asked if I was teasing them by calling them cute.

I appreciated that about Yuri. I didn’t have to overthink things when talking to him, unlike with others.

He accepted my words without twisting them.