For Romantic Superpowers - Chapter 33 - Can We Be Honest?
#33. Can We Be Honest?
“Confession?”
That’s why Lia had asked him if he got confessed. Now the sudden question made sense.
“I’ve never received a confession before. I don’t know what to do. Plus, Mr. Kevin, the situation between us… you know?”
Both Kevin and she were well aware of what situation they were in. Perth let out a sigh inwardly. It was somewhat expected. But he never imagined he would confess himself in such a short time, caught off guard.
When he chose Kevin as the second candidate, he prioritized Lia’s feelings. When he peeked into her heart, it was filled with good memories of Kevin. So even though he didn’t particularly like him, he had no choice but to recommend him.
Meeting him face to face, he immediately knew how Kevin saw Lia. But surely he didn’t expect him to confess this quickly. Seeing Lia’s troubled face, he felt like he had made another mistake.
“I’m sorry. You’re in an awkward position because of me.”
Could he read minds? He thought people were somewhat controllable in his hands. But in reality, perfect control was impossible. Just like now.
“No, it’s not your fault, Mr. Perth. I just threw a fit for no reason.”
Lia tied her hair with the hand opposite to the one Perth held.
“Mr. Perth, what you said about Mr. Kevin being a good person is true. But I never wished for more than that.”
“So what are you going to do now?”
That answer was absent in Lia’s mind. Faced with an unanswerable question, she just lowered her head.
“Mr. Kevin asked to see him properly during the month we’ve been introduced. Since he’s sincere, I’m going to seriously consider it.”
At that moment, a tingling sensation ran through Perth’s chest. What’s this? He reflexively rubbed his side.
“Why are you doing that?”
“Oh, suddenly… It’s fine.”
Scratching his head in confusion, he sat up first and tugged on Lia’s arm.
“It’s getting chilly. Let me walk you back to the dorm.”
“Yes.”
Even on their way back to the dorm, they didn’t let go of each other’s hands. Perhaps it would be awkward if others saw, but somehow they didn’t want that.
“Thank you for today.”
“Yes?”
“Thanks to you, Mr. Perth, I feel a little lighter.”
“No, it’s me… By finally sharing what I couldn’t say before, I feel a bit lighter.”
They awkwardly smiled at each other. It wasn’t the picture-perfect sales smile that Perth usually wore, and as awkward as it was, Lia liked it better. Perth felt closer to her than ever. She hoped he felt the same way. Tonight, she felt like she could sleep deeply.
* * *
Rustle. When the sound of leaves brushing against each other was heard, the man who had been in the darkness turned his head. The moon was so bright that they could see each other well without needing to light a fire.
“Calling me out at this late hour, what’s the matter?”
Kevin didn’t bother to hide his yawn. Normally, he wouldn’t have gone to bed at this time of night, but he was feeling a little sleepy after last night’s sleeplessness. Confessing to Lia didn’t make it any easier for him to sleep afterward.
It was Perth who summoned him. The affectionate smile he had shown to Lia was nowhere to be seen; instead, only a colder expression remained. The moonlight cast shadows on his face, creating a strange atmosphere.
“You confessed to Lady Lia, didn’t you?”
“Ah. Is that what this is about?”
Kevin smirked. He didn’t particularly like the person in front of him. Not only did he constantly interfere, but now he seemed to have come to complain about Kevin’s confession as well.
“Can’t I do that as I please?”
“Lady Lia seems to be troubled.”
“What does that have to do with you, Mr. Perth?”
Kevin didn’t bother hiding his annoyance. He stepped forward, narrowing the distance between him and Perth. Being slightly taller than Perth, he looked down at him.
“I introduced you to Lady Lia.”
“Then isn’t that a good thing? After all, the premise of the meeting was for marriage.”
“Lady Lia wanted an ‘unfulfilled’ introduction from me.”
Kevin was well aware of this fact. That his feelings could be a burden to Lia. But this was a matter between him and her; it wasn’t Perth’s business.
“This is a matter between Lia and me. I’ve been curious about something for a while.”
Kevin purposely moved closer. Reflexively, Perth stepped back.
“Why do you keep hovering around Lia?”
“Me?”
Of course, it would be him. Picking on the subject, trying to join her during lunch breaks. Perth swallowed his words inwardly, but his crumpled expression didn’t hide anything.
“You keep coming to the greenhouse whenever you can, and you’re not exactly idle, are you?”
“Well… I’m Lady Lia’s friend.”
Friend. What face did he make when he said that word? But Perth didn’t feel the need to remind himself. Kevin reached out and lightly tapped Perth’s chest. It was a light touch, but he hit his sternum precisely enough that Perth let out a groan unintentionally.
“If you’re a friend, then act like one.”
Then he put his hand on Perth’s shoulder. Making sure to apply some force. Perth glared at Kevin and pushed his hand away with force. Once might have been unexpected, but twice wasn’t. With eyes full of hostility, Kevin sighed.
“Don’t get any closer to Lady Lia.”
“You still don’t realize you’re not even qualified to say that? What are you, anyway? Let me repeat, this is a problem between me and Lia. So, please stop meddling.”
Angered, Kevin eventually shouted in informal language. Perth seemed about to retort but he turned and left instead. Left alone, Perth glared at his back for a while. The words ‘not qualified’ kept echoing in his mind. Anger surged within him. He remembered Kevin’s behavior, trying to overpower him with brute force. Unable to win in their struggle, Perth also headed back to his dormitory after hitting the ground a few times in frustration.
* * *
Soon, the Goddess of Spring Festival approached. Psychedelia celebrated a festival called the Goddess of Spring Festival, particularly at the end of spring. It originated from a festival to honor the goddess of spring in Psychedelia’s founding myth.
Every household decorated their doors and roofs with flowers. Throughout the country, giant sculptures were erected using flowers that bloomed in spring. Citizens took a break from work and came out to the streets to enjoy the festival during its duration. The temporary stalls set up during this time brought huge profits to merchants every year.
Even the palace held a procession during the Goddess of Spring Festival. Members of the royal family, adorned with flowers, were escorted by attendants as they circled Psychedelia’s capital, Metrotan. Many tourists from abroad came to see this spectacular procession, which lasted for three days.
Emergency measures were taken throughout the entire greenhouse to prepare the flowers used for this festival. Requests for cooperation were sent from the department managing festival flowers. Not only the greenhouse but the entire palace was bustling with preparations for the procession.
“Lia! Have you moved all the begonias over there?”
“Just a few more to go!”
“Alright. When you’re done, move on to the roses!”
“Okay!”
Busy with work, Kevin’s confession was forgotten. Thanks to that, Lia didn’t feel awkward around him, which she appreciated. Though her body felt a bit tired.
“Mr. Kevin, these roses over here still don’t seem like they’re ready to bloom.”
“Don’t worry about that. Lia!”
“Yes?”
“Do you think you could make them bloom a little less with your ability?”
“A little less blooming?”
It was a very specific request. Lia’s ability to control was lacking. She didn’t have confidence in herself. As her eyebrows furrowed, Kevin’s reprimand came down.
“Think you can do it! Confidence is the first step in controlling your ability!”
“Yes, yes! I understand! I’ll try my best!”
Feeling chastised, Lia focused on the roses in front of her. They were only in bud, not fully grown yet.
“Just until they’re about to bloom, please. Please…”
She reached out and touched the rosebud closest to her. Testing it with just one flower. If that one bloom turned out well, she could apply the same sensation to the other buds.
“Wow…”
The caretaker exclaimed as he watched the flower bud slowly bloom before him. Lost in his voice, Lia accidentally made the flower bloom fully.
“Sorry, I made them all bloom.”
There was still some time until the Goddess Festival. If all the flowers bloomed like this in advance, they might have to decorate with wilted roses on the day itself.
“Would you like to try again?”
At that moment, Perth’s voice came from behind. He had been recognized for his competence and entrusted with managing and supervising the entire Goddess Festival. He seemed to have taken a break from the greenhouse inspection.
Perth immediately approached Lia, disregarding the surrounding gazes, and took her hand.
“You’re shaking.”
“I’m a little nervous.”
“First, take a deep breath. Being nervous won’t help.”
Following Perth’s instructions, Lia breathed in and out slowly. After a few repetitions, her tension eased a bit. His holding her hand also helped.
“Now try again.”
Nodding slightly, Lia turned back to the roses. Kevin glared at Perth with displeasure but didn’t say anything to distract Lia. Just like before, the flower bloomed slowly. May, behind Perth, nervously prayed for everything to go well as if it were her own task. Perth swallowed dryly due to nerves.
“It’s done!”
Before the petals fully bloomed, the movement stopped, just as they were about to open. Then, all the flowers within the designated range, as instructed by the manager, slowly bloomed until just before full bloom. The scene of all the flower buds blooming together was impressive to Lia and everyone present. Lia, who succeeded in controlling her ability, couldn’t hide her joyful expression. May also clenched her fists in delight.
“See? You can do it.”
“Thanks to Mr. Perth and Mr. Kevin. I was able to do it because you trusted me. Thank you so much.”
Though they didn’t want to share the credit, seeing Lia’s happiness, neither Perth nor Kevin wanted to argue. Today was a day to celebrate Lia’s small success.
“Then, please check the festival preparations.”
Perth, back to the point, turned to Kevin. The affectionate smile he had shown to Lia earlier was gone.
“Yes, please come this way.”
The festival was only just beginning.