Feeling of Alienation (4)
Recently, Erina hasn’t had a single day where she feels at ease.
Ever since I was scolded by Seohyun and even refused to sleep with her.
She never felt at ease even for a moment.
But the colleagues around me were different.
When she became quiet, a peaceful atmosphere came back, like a lie.
Even Seohyun seemed satisfied.
A sight where everyone except her is laughing and having fun.
Looking at that scene, anxiety rose in Erina’s heart.
‘Can’t I be there… ?’
If confidence disappears, will everyone be happy?
And if Seohyun is not confident, can Seohyun be happy?
I couldn’t admit it.
She wanted to stay by Seohyun’s side for the rest of her life.
For that purpose, I have been doing things until now.
Didn’t you force yourself to continue your relationship with him even though you knew it was an unattainable fate?
For the first time, a feeling of alienation and emptiness came into her heart.
‘…Did I do something wrong?’
Am I holding on to such vain hopes?
Was meeting him itself a miracle, and is it a dream that can no longer come true?
That’s why Erina couldn’t say anything and just looked at Seohyun.
A scene so harmonious that there is no room for oneself.
It was impossible for me to blend in at that place.
But when she found out that Tyria and Celica were voyeurizing on Seohyun.
She felt uncontrollable anger.
“You. Do you know what you just did?”
The two people were unable to give any response to Erina’s words.
Celica was wondering how to get over this situation.
Tyria was just shaking with fear.
No matter what I said, it was impossible to be forgiven by Erina.
As the two remained silent, Erina sighed deeply.
“Be honest.”
“…”
“What do you think of Seohyun?”
Then Celica answered immediately.
“He is my benefactor. “He is someone who always needs help.”
“…”
“But unlike Erina’s concerns, I am just grateful to Seohyun.”
Celica did not harbor affection for Seohyun.
It is true that I have a crush on him.
At least I couldn’t say that I liked him rationally.
Celica thought the same would be true for Tyria.
I would never forget my gratitude to him, but I would not harbor any feelings of affection for him.
Doesn’t she know the complicated relationship between Seohyun, Erina, and Kayla?
But Tyria’s reaction was completely unexpected.
“I just… Seohyun.” “I want to protect you…” ” “
“So you were secretly dropping on voices and spying on them?”
“That’s not it…”
He couldn’t give a straight answer and just gave a vague answer.
Celica was surprised on the inside, but was confident that it might be possible.
The fact that Tyria also likes Seohyun.
“Didn’t I warn you? “If something like this happens one more time, I won’t stay silent.”
“…”
Erina even says that this isn’t the first time something like this has happened.
I don’t know what happened while I was away.
Celica realized that the situation was very complicated.
I was also able to realize that I was caught in the middle of it.
“Erina. First of all… “
“Shut up.”
Celica tried to step in to calm the situation.
Celica had no choice but to keep her mouth shut due to Erina’s harsh attitude.
No matter what I say now, she won’t listen.
Even now, I knew that Erina was suppressing her anger.
“When I say nice things, leave immediately.”
“Yes…?”
“If you disappear now, I’ll move on as if nothing happened. So, get out of here right away.”
Tyria shook her head vigorously at Erina’s words.
Even if I suffer violence from Erina.
I could never leave the party for Seohyun’s sake.
“I can’t leave the party. Until I repay the favor to Seohyun…”
“Leaving like this will help…!”
In the end, Erina screamed out of frustration.
She denied the existence of other colleagues.
He firmly believed that he and Seohyun should be alone.
But let’s look at the recent party.
Little by little, her confidence began to crack.
Perhaps the most useless person at the party is yourself.
But Erina couldn’t admit it.
Without her, Seohyun could never have survived the battle so far.
That was a fact that no one could deny.
“What help can you guys be…!”
“…”
“On the contrary, I am becoming a burden. “Don’t you still know how incompetent you are?”
There was no one who could refute Erina’s words.
There was no one stronger than her, and no one could match her overwhelming performance on the battlefield.
But Tyria did not want to admit it.
Even if it’s not stronger than Erina.
I couldn’t accept the fact that it didn’t help him.
“I have no intention of leaving the party.”
“You…!”
“I will never leave until Seohyun lets me go.”
Tyria answered, overcoming her fear.
Then Celica nodded as well.
No matter how much Erina pressured them, they will not change.
Because now both people know.
No matter how tyrannical Erina is, as long as Seohyun is there.
She won’t be able to do anything and will lower her tail.
“You guys…!”
Feels like he’s about to throw a punch at any moment.
Tyria was afraid, but she had no regrets.
I just felt sorry that Celica got caught up.
To protect Celica, he hid her behind and came forward.
Even if it meant confronting Erina, he had to step forward.
But that was all.
“Huh…?!”
Tyria was grabbed by the neck by Erina.
I tried to resist to escape from her grasp.
No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t escape.
“You mean. Do you think I’m asking you a favor?”
“Well, I…!”
“Get out now. “Before I really put in any effort.”
Tyria shook her head harshly as if that wasn’t enough.
Erina couldn’t bear it and tightened her grip upon seeing that.
Tyria was in pain and trembled all over due to the pressure that was constricting her breathing.
Celica could do nothing and could only watch helplessly.
Just before something big happens.
“Erina.”
The atmosphere froze at the sound of a voice coming from behind.
***
Before falling asleep, I checked my room to see my colleagues.
I noticed that everyone else except Kayla had disappeared.
While Kayla and I were alone, it was clear that something had happened between our colleagues.
I immediately went outside and looked for them.
I could hear Erina’s voice in a dark alley not far from the inn.
And the scene that happened before my eyes.
Tyria was grabbed by the neck by Erina.
Celica is trembling as if she is about to shed tears.
And Erina, who turned into a stone when she made eye contact with me.
I don’t know what happened.
“Ugh… !”
He immediately hit Erina’s hand and saved Tyria.
Tyria, who escaped from his grasp, stumbled with a painful coughing sound.
Celica helped her by reciting a prayer.
“Tyria. Are you okay?”
“Ugh…”
Kayla quickly left the alley with the two people.
As the distance naturally grew, Erina’s expression changed.
The fierce atmosphere disappeared and he became gentle, keeping his mouth shut and watching.
“Erina. “What have you done?”
“…”
“Answer me. “Why did you try to defeat Tyria?”
“That woman was at fault first.”
Erina slowly told me what happened so far.
Tyria was secretly dropping on my room, and Celica was also joining in.
That’s why he just came forward and warned them.
Erina spoke as if nothing had happened.
Of course, I couldn’t believe what she said.
“I did nothing wrong. Those b*tches were wrong.”
Rather, Erina was confident.
As if he had done what he had to do.
“I told my colleagues not to touch me.”
“I had no choice this time. Even that elf b*tch…!”
“Stop making excuses.”
There was no point in listening to Erina anymore.
Even if we talked anyway, there was no way Erina would hear me.
It would have been better to give a clear warning.
“Erina. “If you touch my colleagues one more time, I will kick you out of the party.”
“Why, why only me…!”
“Think carefully about what you did wrong.”
Erina raised her voice as if it was unfair, but I couldn’t back down either.
I have already crossed the line to take her side.
Of course, I didn’t really intend to banish her, just to let her stay away for a few days.
Erina, who couldn’t possibly know what I was thinking, couldn’t control her anger and stamped her foot.
“It was those b*tches who made the mistake…! Why should I be scolded!”
“Erina. It was your fault.”
With those words, I turned around and left the alley.
Erina didn’t follow me though.
Behind my back, I could hear a sound that sounded like someone was swallowing tears.