Chapter 18- Stay by my side!

"So how are you holding up? I mean you looked quite disturbed after what happened yesterday."

On the way back to Jinah's place, Haru asked while they walked on the side path with some inches between them. The sun spreading its hue from the horizon made the evening charming as ever. There were not many people around this side of the city who helped them chat without shouting out their words while strolling casually along the way.

Hearing Haru's question Jinah remained silent for some seconds before she chose to speak the truth.

"I indeed was a little stressed out after witnessing that scene...but not like I was entirely oblivious about the fact how Hunters sacrifice themselves on the line to protect those who could not protect themselves. Someone like me. So yeah, I will be alright."

The subtle depression of her voice signified that Jinah indeed was not happy with her current helpless state and the reason why she exclaimed a 'yes' instantly when Haru asked her about the possibility of her awakening.

He had ways but Haru was not sure whether he would like to have Jinah introduced to the other side of the world just because he was worried about her. In a way, how she was, seemed perfectly fine to him.

His brother is the future monarch and Haru himself had the confidence to protect Jinah from any possible threat in the future which leaves no room of requirement for the girl to bother herself with the brutal reality of today's world. She could live a relatively normal life and pursue her dream to become a doctor.

However, it was a fact as well that not every time Jinwoo or Haru would be able to come to rescue her. Indeed he knew the plot and apart from the school incident, there was no danger posed in direction of the girl which Haru had to be wary of. But now that he is interfering with the plot, some changes were bound to take place which further became the reason for his concern.

What if some monarch decides to act out of the story just because Haru tries to hunt them down before the storyline, which he surely would? Haru had no answer to that, which was why he was intending to lean toward the prior option of providing Jinah with enough strength that she could at least defend herself and escape danger to call for help.

"What are you thinking Haru?"

Haru was brought out of his daze as he saw Jinah tilting her head forward and staring in his direction with her big eyes rounded innocently making Haru curse himself to daze out in this precious moment when he was alone with his girl.

"Nothing, just thinking about today's raid."

"Oh, yeah. How did it go?"

Haru 'hmmm-ed' for a bit while thinking about his performance which truly was not 100% satisfying as he envisioned given the fact that he took more time than he should have to finish off the dungeons and also how he mishit his weapon thrice in different dungeons. It was such a shame on his training and his masters who must have whooped his ass if he had made the same mistake back in the goddess domain.

"Well, it was not that good but I think I gave the assurance sunbae was seeking."

Jinah frowned slightly before asking in an uncertain tone.

"Why would Oppa need assurance from you, Haru?"

"Hmmm? Well, he wanted to check whether I am worthy of being your 'friend' or not, that is. But don't worry, now he won't come in between us."

Jinah's cheeks reddened for a bit before she faced forward to hide the embarrassment she felt upon hearing the 'in-between us'. It sounded so...corny and couple-ish at the same time that Jinah forget to ask why Jinwoo would ever seek such assurance in the first place.

She decided to ask the man herself since right now Jinah was not in a condition to continue the conversation.

Haru didn't see her blush because of the crimson hue of the sun reflecting on both of them. But sensing the awkward silence from the girl provided him the cue that she no longer wants to continue chatting for some reason so he complied with her unspoken request and walked in silence thereafter.

They reached Jinnah's apartment by the six before the couple came to a pause to bid their goodbyes for today.

"I will see you tomorrow in school, then?"

Recovering from her previous embarrassment, Jinah called out for Haru and was ready to leave when suddenly Haru took a hold of Jinah's hand, startling the girl but she didn't brush him away, sensing the slight anxiety behind those blindfolds.

"I know we have not been too close in the past but in any situation, if you feel the need for me, or want someone to hear you out without any fear of being judged then do call me, alright? "

It was a very general gesture and something which most people say to provide some comfort to those who are in distress. But still coming from Haru and feeling the warmth he was delivering with a simple touch, made her heart calm and her mind sing dimensionally focused on the boy in front.

She indeed does have not many friends because of the life goal she has been pursuing. But inside the shell which she has built around her to not let herself get distracted by anyone, a single boy seemingly is making his place in her personal space. And the strange thing was... Jinah was not hating it at all.

She might not like him as a potential love interest but slowly he was becoming an existence whom Jinah would surely miss a lot if he suddenly disappears one day. Even that thought made her hand hold his tighter than before, as the girl squeezed out her words.

"You too, take care of yourself since if you want to look after me, I need you to stay by my side, right?"

This time, it was Haru who was taken aback and felt his mind falling numb hearing the confession from the girl who definitely didn't mean it like that but to the lover boy who had reincarnated in this world for this single woman had the freedom to take her words otherwise.

But he didn't act on his emotions but rather chose to lift his blindfold which made Jinah startled.

"Why this for?"

"Just didn't want to ruin the moment that is..."

Jinah chuckled at his antics before she found herself getting attracted to his jewel-like eyes once again. Even though it was embarrassing as heck to hold their hands and gaze at each other like this...but his eyes are so darn unfairly beautiful that Jinah was not able to help herself from gazing at him.

They stayed like that for more than ten minutes without even realizing it before Jinah was greeted by a neighborhood aunt, much to Haru's frustration, which brought the girl back to reality before she finally bid her farewell and dashed inside the apartment.

Haru glared at the granny for a bit before he sighed and put on his blindfolds down. The reason why he didn't leave immediately was because of two reasons.

First, he wanted to ensure that Jinah reached inside her home, and second...

"You know it's kinda rude to eavesdrop, right Sunbae?"

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A/N: - Drop a comment. I will try my best to increase the word count to move the plot at a higher pace but the details would remain just like that since I don't feel satisfied with a high pace of development.