“……”

After our conversation, a silence persisted between Yoon Si-woo and me for a while.

Glancing at him, I noticed a sulky expression on Yoon Si-woo’s face, as if he was unhappy.

From what I had observed so far, Yoon Si-woo was quite similar to me in certain ways.

He had a kind, caring nature that compelled him to help those he cared about.

Perhaps that’s why the request for him to prioritize others over himself seemed to cut him deeply.

I couldn’t help but feel pained by his feelings, as I understood where he was coming from.

If I were in his position, I would likely feel hurt if a friend asked me to do the same.

Moreover, Yoon Si-woo and I were not just simple friends.

We shared a special bond, understanding each other’s flaws in a way that went beyond being just ordinary friends.

Therefore, lessening the priority of someone so special compared to others was undoubtedly a difficult thing to do.

However, I believed it was a necessary request, and that’s why I had to make it.

Now, Yoon Si-woo was in a position where he had to support many people, and he needed to take responsibility for that.

He had to prioritize his responsibilities over his personal feelings.

Responsibility always accompanies pain.

And by becoming accustomed to such pain, we inevitably grow up.

I stopped glancing around and quietly focused on Yoon Si-woo’s face.

I could see the anguish he was experiencing.

Although he was still a boy, he was forced to become an adult, enduring the growing pains that came with it.

Even if he might want to remain a boy, deep down, he understood what was right and wrong, making it harder for him to turn away from the truth.

Still, I believed in him.

I was sure that he would become an outstanding adult, guiding everyone down the right path even amid confusion.

So, just for now, would it be fine to comfort this troubled young boy?

With that thought in mind, I cautiously spoke to Yoon Si-woo.

“…I’m sorry, did my request make you feel bad?”

“…It’s okay. You said what needed to be said. If I become the vice captain, then doing what you said is the right thing.”

Yoon Si-woo replied in that way, but he still had a dissatisfied look on his face.

As I pondered how to lift his spirits, Yoon Si-woo, who was staring at me intently, muttered.

“Instead, do me one favor.”

“Uh? Uh, what kind of favor?”

Hearing the word “favor,” I nodded eagerly.

Then Yoon Si-woo faced me solemnly, grabbing my shoulders tightly as he said.

“…Even if I know you’re in danger, I will save everyone else first, so don’t take risks like this again until I get there. Whether you run away or do something else, as long as you stay alive, I will definitely save you. Got it?”

I could feel Yoon Si-woo’s trembling hands gripping my shoulders.

From that tremble, I received a deep sense of how much Yoon Si-woo cherished me.

Seeing how worried he was after I almost died brought me a bit of joy, and I couldn’t help but smile slightly as I responded to him.

“…Okay, I got it.”

“…Don’t smile. If you die without me knowing, I will not let it slide. This isn’t a joke.”

“I understand.”

With that, I nodded in response to Yoon Si-woo’s blunt remark that he meant what he said.

At that, Yoon Si-woo finally managed a slight smile, as if feeling somewhat at ease.

Perhaps he was feeling a bit better.

I internally muttered in relief when suddenly I felt as if I had forgotten something.

What was it? While I pondered, I saw Yoon Si-woo’s arm still gripping my shoulder, and the words I had wanted to say came back to me. I glared at Yoon Si-woo quietly and said.

“…Oh, right. Speaking of which, you mentioned you almost lost a limb to save me?”

“Uh…? What do you mean?”

Yoon Si-woo flinched at my words and began to sweat profusely as he asked back.

…This guy really lacks talent for lying.

Seeing how obvious it was that he was trying to pretend ignorance made me shake my head in disbelief.

“Don’t pretend you didn’t hear. I heard it all from Dwight. Ugh, I appreciate you coming to save me, but don’t push yourself so hard. What if it wasn’t your limb but your neck that got taken?”

“No, that… I was just really anxious back then.”

“…Anyway, hearing that made me feel sorry and grateful at the same time, so I have something to give you.”

“…Something to give me?”

I wrote a few words on a piece of notepaper in the kitchen and handed it to Yoon Si-woo, who had a puzzled look on his face.

Yoon Si-woo received it with a bewildered expression and muttered.

“…What is this? A wish ticket?”

“Just as it sounds. Use it to make a wish, and I’ll fulfill any request you have, to the best of my ability.”

After I said that, Yoon Si-woo looked taken aback and waved his hands in denial.

“No! You really don’t have to give me something like this. I didn’t help you expecting anything in return!”

With that reaction, I sighed and said.

“…Every time you help me without expecting anything, I feel guilty I can’t repay you. I suggested you ask for anything because you never do. This way, when you hold it in hand, you might remember to ask if something comes up.”

“No, still…”

“Enough. I don’t accept refunds. If you say you won’t use it, I’ll be really mad, so keep that in mind.”

With my firm words, Yoon Si-woo made a strange expression and muttered in a small voice.

“…What if I make an unreasonable request…”

To that, I answered without any hesitation.

“Huh? It wouldn’t matter to me.”

“…What?”

“If a wish ticket doesn’t allow unreasonable requests, then that’s not a wish ticket. Don’t you think?”

At my answer, Yoon Si-woo looked quite flustered, but I was serious.

His eyes shifted, but I continued to look steadfastly at him and said.

“You’ve always granted my unreasonable requests, so it’s okay if I make an unreasonable request. That’s what I gave it for. I want you to ask me for something.”

I reached out and gently held Yoon Si-woo’s hand.

The hand he always offered me when he was in a bind.

How grateful I was for him, and how sorry I felt.

You probably don’t know that.

Yoon Si-woo, who likely wouldn’t realize it, asked me in a soft voice.

“…Can I really ask for anything?”

“Of course.”

Wanting my sincerity to reach him even a little, I held onto Yoon Si-woo’s hand tightly and smiled.

“Because it’s you, Yoon Si-woo, and no one else.”

“Ugh…”

As soon as I said that, Yoon Si-woo stepped forward.

With the distance between us closing, Yoon Si-woo’s face disappeared from my view.

But I could feel his gaze, piercing down at me from above.

Did he have something he wanted to ask?

“…What’s wrong? Do you want to ask something?”

“…”

“…It’s okay. You don’t have to hold back. I’ll grant whatever you wish for.”

Yoon Si-woo tightened his grip on my hand.

“Ha…”

I felt him sigh from above my head.

It was a sigh that seemed to escape from a furnace tightly compressed with frustration.

Given the unusual atmosphere, I couldn’t help but feel a little tense.

Wh-what kind of wish was he about to ask for?

Could he be asking for all my possessions or some such terrifying wish?

No, I’d give it up if he asked, but…

If it were true, that might be a bit troublesome…

While I pondered that, I noticed Yoon Si-woo’s body slowly pulling away from me.

As his body distanced itself, I could see him glaring at me with bloodshot eyes.

Yoon Si-woo, who had been staring at me, suddenly squeezed his eyes shut and said.

“…Even by accident, don’t say such things to anyone else.”

“…Huh? Uh… But it’s not an accident. I truly don’t mind since it’s you, Yoon Si-woo…”

“…Ha. Seriously, what am I going to do with you?”

Yoon Si-woo, who muttered with a sigh, withdrew his hand from mine and stepped back.

Taken aback by his demeanor, I asked him.

“Um, didn’t you want to say a wish or something?”

“…If it’s a wish ticket, I’ll use it later.”

“Why? If you have something to ask, you can do it right now…”

Yoon Si-woo slowly opened his eyes and stared deeply at me as he murmured.

“…Today, I feel like I won’t be able to hold back.”

“…Huh? Hold back from what…?”

Curious about his vague statement, he eventually let out a sigh and placed his hand on my forehead while mumbling.

“…It’s nothing. Scarlet, you don’t seem fully recovered yet. You should really go inside and rest more.”

Only after hearing that did I realize my body felt strangely warm.

Perhaps my condition hadn’t fully returned.

I felt a bit dizzy, but I was also concerned about the request Yoon Si-woo intended to make.

So, I whined to him.

“Still, you were about to ask me something just now-”

“Scarlet.”

Yoon Si-woo smiled broadly as he said.

“Go inside and rest. While I’m still saying it nicely.”

“…Yes, sure.”

…It’s unfair to smile so frighteningly.

Following Yoon Si-woo’s words, I obediently went to my room and tried to sleep.

Maybe I really wasn’t feeling well, as I felt like I fainted the moment I lay down.