“Prioritize protecting others more than yourself,” she asked.

Scarlet, as if she realized how unreasonable that request was, spent a considerable amount of time gauging the reactions of those around her after making her plea.

Yoon Si-woo looked at Scarlet’s demeanor and internally voiced his dissatisfaction.

“How could someone who knows this make such a request?”

Last time, she told him he was the only one who could share and understand her secrets.

She called him a unique and special individual in this world.

To him, she was a special being that no one else could replace.

Did she truly have to ask him for such a thing, knowing all of this?

She was undeniably a frustrating person.

“You.”

As he threw her a sidelong glance filled with complex emotions, she cautiously opened her mouth to speak.

“…….I’m sorry, did my request upset you?”

Her expression was brimming with apologies, as if she felt deep guilt for making him feel this way because of her request.

Seeing her like that made Yoon Si-woo feel a pang of guilt in return.

In fact, she didn’t need to apologize.

He was the one acting childish.

The position of the vice-captain shouldn’t be influenced solely by personal feelings.

He understood, deep down, that doing as she said was the right thing.

“……It’s fine. You’re right. If I become the vice-captain, then I should act according to what you said.”

So he had no choice but to respond that way.

Even though he gave such an answer, he couldn’t shake off his disappointment.

Understanding something and accepting it were two different matters.

Suddenly, Yoon Si-woo thought about how childish he felt.

While she humbly lowered herself for the sake of others, he was here swept away by his own emotions.

Unlike her, who was mature, he felt like a child who couldn’t let go of what he longed for.

But what difference did that make?

“Instead, do me a favor.”

“Uh? What do you mean?”

Saying that, Yoon Si-woo looked at Scarlet in front of him.

So precious, far too precious.

Something he could never bear to give up, no matter what.

Just like a child who throws a tantrum in a store, unwilling to let go of his desired toy despite his parent’s objections.

He reached out and grabbed both her shoulders tightly, unwilling to let go.

If giving her up was the only way to become an adult,

He wouldn’t mind remaining a child for his entire life.

With that thought, Yoon Si-woo realized for the first time just how greedy he could be.

He didn’t care much for money or fame, so he was unaware.

But now he understood that he couldn’t tolerate not having what he desired so much.

With that realization, he spoke to the girl currently in his grasp.

“……Even if I know you’re in danger, I will help everyone else first, so don’t push yourself like this until I come back. Whether you need to flee or do whatever, just live, and I will come to save you somehow. Understand?”

That was a promise, a declaration.

Her wish for him to prioritize others over himself.

And his heart that couldn’t give her up no matter what.

A declaration from someone who had realized he was greedy.

Thinking back, he might have been a greedy individual from the start.

Yoon Si-woo recalled the day he first promised to become stronger.

At that time, why did he want to get stronger?

Because he didn’t want her, who wanted to protect others, to get hurt—he had vowed to become strong enough to protect everyone so he could take her place.

Neither then nor now had the essence of his feelings changed.

So once again, he made a vow.

To become even stronger, to achieve what he wanted.

Someone might call him arrogant for feeling this way, but

Yoon Si-woo had confidence.

He was determined to become stronger than anyone else.

No matter how arduous the process would be, he wouldn’t break.

Just as long as she could smile and live.

With that thought, Yoon Si-woo tightened his grip on Scarlet’s shoulders.

“…….Okay, got it.”

However, she simply replied with a slight smile, dismissing his serious sentiment.

Feeling as if her response was somewhat playful, Yoon Si-woo inadvertently snapped back with a frown.

“……Don’t laugh. If you die when I’m not around, I won’t hesitate to hold you accountable. This isn’t a joke.”

“I know.”

……It wasn’t just empty words.

Although he spoke earnestly, Scarlet merely smiled brightly in response.

It was something he didn’t want to imagine, but if such a thing truly happened, he intended to hold her accountable for real, yet her demeanor remained carefree.

Well, as long as she thought about her own well-being, that would be enough.

Thinking this, Yoon Si-woo, upon seeing Scarlet smiling at him, felt foolish for trying to keep a stern face and relaxed, returning her smile.

In that moment, Yoon Si-woo noticed her gaze shifting to his arm.

For a moment, she stared intently at the arm that had held her shoulder, her expression suddenly shifting as if she had remembered something.

“……Right. By the way, didn’t you lose an arm and leg while coming to save me?”

“Uh…? What do you mean?”

Feeling cold sweat trickle down his forehead due to her sudden interrogation, he wondered how she found out.

He certainly hadn’t said anything about it, so how did she know?

Scarlet was someone who cared about other people’s safety even more than her own.

And naturally, that category of “other people” included him.

She was someone who, out of fear of dying, had nearly taken her own life.

Given that, it was unimaginable for her to be pleased about him losing limbs while trying to rescue her.

So he tried to ignore it, but she shook her head in a way that let him know she was already aware.

“Don’t pretend you don’t know. I heard everything from Dwight. Sigh, I appreciate you coming to save me, but you shouldn’t overexert yourself like that. What if you ended up losing your head instead of just your arms?”

……Dwight, that loose-lipped guy.

He thought of him as a quiet person, but he had spilled everything to Scarlet, hadn’t he?

Because of that, he now faced a reprimand from her.

Yoon Si-woo promised himself that he would have a word with Dwight someday while stammering out an excuse, feeling as guilty as if he had been caught doing something wrong.

“Uh, well… at that time, I was just really anxious.”

“……Anyway, after hearing that, I felt sorry and grateful, so I have something for you.”

“……Something for me?”

He was waiting awkwardly, assuming she would surely be angry, when Scarlet’s reaction turned out to be completely different from what he expected.

After saying she had something to give him, she quickly grabbed a piece of paper and a pen and wrote something down before holding it out to him.

Written on the paper in neat block letters was “Wish Token.”

He felt a bit dazed, wondering what this was.

“……What’s this? A wish token?”

“It’s exactly what it says. If you use that to make a wish, I will grant you any request I can.”

At those words, he waved his hand in surprise, quickly denying it.

“No! You don’t need to go this far. I didn’t help expecting anything in return!”

Helping her was something he wanted to do of his own volition.

Receiving such a token in return felt overwhelmingly burdensome.

However, she sighed like it was troublesome, shook her head slightly, and said,

“……Every time you help me without any expectation, I feel indebted. I told you to ask for anything, yet you never make any requests.”

……She always said that.

Because she felt she had a debt to repay, she had told him to ask for anything if he wanted something.

He had been trying hard to ignore those words until now, hoping she wouldn’t feel burdened.

Yet even now, she was speaking with such sincerity, her expression serious.

“So I’m giving it to you. I want to repay some of that debt to you. If you hold onto it as a physical reminder, you might think of what to ask for when you need something.”

“But still…”

“Okay, no refunds. If you say you won’t use it, I’ll be angry, so just keep that in mind.”

Seeing her resolute expression, Yoon Si-woo felt a headache coming on.

How far would she go to make him feel conflicted?

No matter what, he was a man in his prime.

She was an attractive girl who could entice any man.

But then she was saying she would grant any request.

That was a dangerous statement she shouldn’t have taken lightly.

He wanted to warn her about it.

“…….What if I make a ridiculous request?”

But she brushed aside his warning, unconcerned.

“Uh? I don’t mind.”

“……What?”

“A wish token that won’t grant ridiculous wishes? That can’t be called a wish token, can it? Am I wrong?”

She looked at him with an innocent expression, as if to say she didn’t understand at all.

Yoon Si-woo found her demeanor incredibly confusing.

“I’ve made ridiculous requests in the past, and you’ve always granted them. Therefore, it’s okay to make ridiculous requests. After all, it’s for that reason you gave it to me. You want me to ask you for something.”

Did she realize how much her words and actions were shaking the feelings of the person in front of her?

Just how much did she stoke the hot something buried deep within?

At that moment, she reached out and gently grasped his hand.

The subtle touch felt dizzyingly intoxicating.

Maybe that was why.

Even though he thought he shouldn’t let it happen, he found himself asking her.

“……Is it really okay to ask for anything?”

“Of course.”

She replied.

“Because it’s you, Yoon Si-woo.”

With the confidence that it was something only he could evoke, she smiled radiantly.

“Ugh…”

His composure, honed through endless training as a swordsman, crumbled like sandcastles before the waves.

When he composed himself, there was only a slight space between them, enough for perhaps a few sheets of paper to fit.

The scent wafting off her red hair tickled his senses.

As he glanced down, her flawless white neck drew his attention entirely.

The forbidden fruit he had refrained from craving for so long was just within reach.

He knew that if he took a bite, it would be a sweetness too intense to handle, flooding his mouth with overwhelming flavor.

However, despite the precariousness of the situation, he…

“……Why do you look that way? Do you have something you want to ask for?”

“……”

“……It’s okay. You don’t have to decline. If it’s something you desire, I’ll grant it.”

That fruit was charmingly innocent, impeccably tempting, beckoning him closer with sweet words.

Anything, anything.

Those words ignited the fire of desire within him.

Had he even asked what he wanted from her?

What he wanted had already been decided.

He wanted all of you.

Every smooth layer of you, and above all, that fresh, sweet core of yours.

Even the drops of juices nestled deep within you—every last drop.

Power filled his grip on the hand that was touching hers.

He felt something hot boiling up inside, threatening to bubble over.

As he tried to swallow that heat, sparks unbidden slipped past his lips.

“Ha…”

He could see his breath, warmer than ever, brushing against her earlobe.

Yet that warmth was merely a flicker compared to the blaze raging within.

He wished to pour all this fire onto her standing before him.

To embrace her tightly, proclaiming he wanted all of her, and to crave her deeply.

He could already picture how she would react.

You, who values keeping your promises and fulfilling words more than anything else.

If he declared his need, she would have no choice but to let him have her whole, albeit flustered.

But did he truly want such things?

In the midst of his contemplation, he felt a tremble travel down their connected hands.

Looking down, he saw the girl who had promised him anything starting to tremble slightly like a fragile bird.

Contrary to her words, was she nervous about his sudden actions?

Seeing her like that, he slowly pulled away from her.

If ever she were to give herself to him willingly, he wished it would be out of joy rather than anxiety.

So now was the time to exercise restraint.

If choosing what he desired was his duty, then waiting for that moment was also his responsibility.

To quell the flames igniting within him, Yoon Si-woo shut his eyes tightly.

Even with his eyes closed, Scarlet’s smiling face kept flickering before his mind.

Then suddenly, he felt anxious.

Was she treating others like this, not just him?

So he quietly spoke to her.

“……Don’t accidentally say such things to others.”

“……Huh? Uh…But it’s not an accident. I really think it’s okay if it’s you, Yoon Si-woo.”

“……Sigh. Seriously, what do I do with you?”

At her answer, Yoon Si-woo let out a sigh.

While he struggled to extinguish the flames inside, she remained oblivious, continually tossing more logs into the fire.

He couldn’t help feeling exasperated.

What should he really do with you?

Feeling that he might unwittingly cause an accident, Yoon Si-woo pulled his hand away from Scarlet’s grasp.

She looked at him in confusion and asked.

“Uh, um… Were you not going to say a wish or anything?”

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

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

Yoon Si-woo shot her a steely glare at her clueless mumblings.

Then, with heartfelt sincerity, he warned her.

“……Today, I might not be able to hold back.”

“……Huh? What do you mean…?”

……If you don’t know, better stay quiet.

Letting out a sigh at her silly words, he placed a hand on her forehead.

Indeed, there was still a slight fever.

He figured she needed more rest to recover quickly and told her.

“……It’s nothing. Scarlet, I think you should go inside and rest since your fever is still lingering.”

“But you just said you were going to ask for something—”

“Scarlet.”

To her stubborn murmur, Yoon Si-woo forced a bright smile, putting his all into it.

“Go inside and rest. I’m saying this kindly.”

For both her and himself, that would be best.

He said so sincerely.

“……Yes, okay.”

Then she meekly retreated back to her room.

After confirming she returned, Yoon Si-woo let out a deep sigh and muttered to himself.

“How long has it been since I felt this exhausted?”

It felt several times more tiring than fighting against lesser demonic beasts.

As he plopped down in a chair at the dining table, he noticed the empty bowl Scarlet had left behind after her meal.

“……I guess I have to do the dishes.”

He picked up the empty bowl and took it towards the sink.

Before turning on the water, he carefully tucked away the wish token he had received from Scarlet into his pocket, hoping it wouldn’t get wet.

He pondered how much such a wish token would be worth, especially one offered by a girl like Scarlet who was willing to grant any request.

He couldn’t be sure, but it would undoubtedly fetch a significant price at an auction.

There were several boys who seemed interested in her back when they attended Aegis Academy.

Well, even if it were auctioned, the final bid would certainly have gone to him somehow.

“……I’m sorry for what I said earlier, Dwight. Thank you. I’ll treat you to a meal someday.”

Making a quick apology of thanks to the benefactor who provided him with such a precious token, Yoon Si-woo splashed cold water on his face before starting to do the dishes.

Despite the icy cold water, the heat inside his chest remained undiminished.

It seemed that calming this heat would take a little time.