Chapter 371

Chapter 104 The Cafe Manager Who Did Not Understand Hearts

Tsukikage Lily, undoubtedly had her heart in turmoil, losing even her usual composure… rather than that, perhaps only very few could remain calm in her position.

The cold, decisive, and dashing ice queen; this was the first conclusion easily drawn from Tsukikage Lily’s appearance to outsiders. Beneath the iceberg exterior, the actual heart was far more sensitive than imagined.

“When did we actually start dating? … I didn’t know at all….”

Unable to find, utterly unable to find any evidence in the past moments spent in the coffee shop with him. He never seemed to have recognized other women, yet the ring on her finger and his happiness were undeniably real.

Could it be that before drawing me into Nasta, he had already started dating someone? So, that’s how it is.

Certainly, one can’t help but think like this… if I had mustered the courage earlier, no, if I had faced my own feelings straightforwardly—if I truly liked him—would the outcome be completely different? No… I wouldn’t have been able to do that, would I?

After Father left home, I habitually did not show excessive sadness. After Kuron died, in fear of being hurt again, I hid everything behind a cold expression. As a result, things turned out this way… How ironic, I can’t even laugh about it.

Even though she hasn’t traveled far, Tsukikage Lily still huffed and panted, resting her hand on her knee.

“What a hopeless person I am…”

In her exhausted voice, it was unclear whom she was referring to.

“Hey—Lily!”

The worst, yet also the most wished-for voice came from behind. Lily hurriedly removed her damp glasses and wiped her blurred eyes in a frenzy.

“You’re running around for no reason! Don’t you hear what I’m saying?”

“Forget about that, what is Ash doing?”

What?

Ash blinked in confusion, not understanding why Lily suddenly became so aggressive.

Wait, we were getting along well just now… how did it turn so bad after I showed off the ring? Women’s hearts are so confusing, is there a professional book I could read to understand them better?

“It seems like you’re fine despite being beaten up by Timons, and now you seem really happy. It must mean Ash found comfort from another woman, right?”

“Yeah, that’s true.”

Ash nodded without hesitation, although he didn’t understand why she was asking. But when he returned to base, Little Dark had hardly ever comforted him, and Wuki also consoled him today.

“The medicine on your face, she put it on, didn’t she?”

“Yeah, her skills are unexpectedly gentle.”

“Is that so… That’s wonderful then.” Seeing the man’s expression, Lily confirmed that Ash was telling the truth so far, despite a bitter smile. “Ash… Is finding what you seek (marriage) really that joyful a fact?”

Hold on, what did you say?

Lily’s cynical words caused an earthquake in Ash’s pupils. After all, the manner in which she questioned him… it was clearly probing his feelings towards “heroism”!

Is it… has the villain role of Timons been exposed? When did this happen!

What should I do, should I blow myself up now? No, Ash, the more critical a moment seems, the more critical it is to stay calm. According to similar situations that have happened before, she doesn’t seem to know everything, or else she should have brought the three Lights over. Now, it’s important to figure out how much she knows exactly!

“So what? Lily, what difference does it make that I know? Even eating the same rice, people from different life backgrounds have different thoughts and feelings, don’t they?”

Just as Ash spoke, he wanted to slap himself. Originally, he intended to take subtle hints, but ended up going straight for questioning.

“……”

Seeing Lily’s silence, Ash brazenly continued,

“Well, regardless of what you think, I find it very nice! This feeling suits me!”

“……”

“Although initially, there might be aspects that trouble me or get me wrong, it’s正是因为 such changes that what I seek (a hero) is so beautiful!”

“Now, I feel the same way. Whether as this version of myself or others, seeing her shine brighter after being motivated by me, of course, makes me happy!”

“……”

Ash exaggeratedly moved his limbs to speak. Yet, Lily only listened silently, ignoring him. She looked so listless and vacant, which made the awkwardness overwhelming.

As Ash tried to think of something to say, Lily spoke.

“What’s good about this?”

?

“In the Nasta cafe, every day, laughing with everyone… Even if few guests come, each time they do, I fully engage them; Ash often presents strange works… Though it often creates chaos, it’s always fulfilling…”

??

“Isn’t that enough for you?”

?!!

Facing her dull purple eyes, Ash genuinely became distraught. It reminded him of their first encounter, and this felt worse!

Does she see through some inconsistency with the manager identity!

“Why does Ash pursue more than this?”

Stepping forward, Lily, Ash took a step back.

“Can’t you spend more time with us?”

Hold on, I didn’t say I wanted to leave now; my setup isn’t finished yet!

“Oh, even if something happens… I won’t immediately leave you, I’d still always be around—”

“You’re lying!!”

Lily interrupted Ash like she was venting.

Buzz…

A train passed behind Ash, casting shadows over his face.

“After all, you only care about your own happiness; you don’t care much about our matters, isn’t that right?!”

“I…”

Ash opened his mouth wide, as if pierced through the heart by an incoming sword, completely unable to refute.

“What are you trying to say?!”

“Think it through yourself!”

“If you don’t say it, who will understand?!”

This time, it was Ash’s turn to stop Lily with a shout. Hearing his words, Lily pursed her lips, tears of委屈 welling up in her eyes.

“If you really want me to explain…”

Lily’s weak and trembling voice instantly brought Ash’s slightly losing grip on his composure back.

Why did the atmosphere suddenly change like this? Where is the opportunity to salvage things?

“I…. hate the manager!”

“Me?”

“I hate… the manager who doesn’t understand human hearts! Hate… Ash who casually wants to abandon us!”

With that, Tsukikage Lily turned and flew away from here.