The Obsessive Maniac Is Trying To Confine Me Chapter 214 - Side Story Chapter 4

Richard looked as if he were drowning in sorrow, his eyes even shimmering with tears.

“…I might gouge out their eyes because I’m too sad.”

And then he calmly said something horrifying.

…He had been quiet lately, but here he goes again.

“Go by yourself.”

“…Rose.”

Acting pitiful like that won’t work.

I coldly brushed Richard off.

“I have something to do.”

Yes. A very important thing…

“Are you meeting your friends?”

“That’s right.”

“…That’s unfortunate, but it can’t be helped.”

Richard truly looked reluctant.

Until just a year ago, Richard wouldn’t let me go anywhere alone.

Because…

<You’re not leaving me, right?>

He used to suspect that. For a very long time.

Back then, spending time with Richard felt quite burdensome. Of course, before that, it had been even worse.

Whenever I had the chance, I tried to run away from his side.

‘Because you were such a crazy man…’

…Honestly, it wasn’t really my fault.

“We’ll meet again when we go back anyway…”

“You’re cold.”

When I said that casually, he frowned.

“You’re probably more worried about the potatoes at home than about me. Aren’t you?”

No, why are potatoes suddenly involved?

I was honestly speechless.

“Anyway, see you later.”

I cut the conversation off before Richard could say anything unnecessary.

 

 

****

 

 

 

Richard watched Rose walk away from him.

The woman truly didn’t look back even once.

He stood there as if nailed to the spot, watching her until she disappeared.

Yes. The one who loves more is the one who loses.

By now, he had spent a full year and a half living with Rose.

And it had been just as long since Shi-Eon’s soul had seeped into Richard.

During that time, the memories of “Shi-Eon” that had mixed into Richard’s mind often knocked on the door of his thoughts like an unwelcome guest.

However, to Richard, Shi-Eon and himself were clearly different beings.

So he couldn’t tell Rose anything.

How would she react if she learned that Richard and “Shi-Eon” were connected…?

One thing was certain—Rose liked “Shi-Eon.”

Because of that, Richard had hidden his disappearance until now.

But someday, he would have to tell her.

Thinking that, Richard headed deeper into Piet territory, toward the market alley.

He planned to buy some daily necessities they were lacking.

Richard opened the door of a shabby general store and stepped inside.

“Welcome!”

Inside the shop, all kinds of miscellaneous goods were tightly displayed.

Food pouches with weak preservation magic, gloves that slowed down wear and tear, and simple emergency treatment tools.

Richard slowly moved his gaze along the shelves.

This time, what he needed to buy was clear.

Fabric to add to the lining of Rose’s winter coat, and ointment to protect her skin.

That was when it happened.

One item placed at the corner of the display case caught his eye.

It wasn’t something he needed.

Nor something he had been looking for.

<Shi-Eon, don’t you think this is pretty?>

Again.

The memory of “Shi-Eon” struck his mind.

Richard hated this sensation.

Memories that weren’t his own slipped in too naturally.

And yet…

His hand paused for a moment before picking the item up.

“An excellent choice! This music box is actually one of the most popular items among women these days!”

As if he had been waiting, the shopkeeper spoke.

Would she like it?

A small smile appeared on Richard’s lips.

These days, Rose smiled much more often.

Even so, he was greedy and wanted to see that smile even more.

“I’ll take it.”

“Ah, then please take a look at this too. It’s a small incense burner that relieves fatigue when you burn incense. Women especially like it.”

Would she like this too?

Rose liked gentle scents.

She frowned at strong fragrances but lingered around soft, subtle ones.

“I’ll take that as well.”

“Then how about this…? It’s a blanket woven from the finest wool. Wives absolutely love these.”

Richard touched the blanket the owner held out.

To his rough hands, it was merely a piece of cloth.

But in his mind, another scene was already forming.

A cold winter night.

Rose wrapped in this blanket, dozing off in front of the fireplace.

And the soft warmth touching her gentle cheek.

“…I’ll take it.”

Richard nodded without hesitation.

The shopkeeper’s eyes sparkled greedily.

Got him. A perfect catch!

The shop owner’s expression brightened noticeably.

Jackpot!

A handsome fool had walked right into the shop.

Before long, a mountain of goods had piled up on the counter.

Rose would be horrified if she found out.

 

 

 

****

 

 

 

Humans really do repeat the same mistakes…

I visited a restaurant in Piet territory.

“Hey, Laurel. I got the book you asked for.”

…Finally, the forbidden novel had entered my hands.

[Author: FlapFlap]

The moment I saw the author’s pen name, my heart started racing.

How many months had I suffered after that shocking ending where the protagonists fell off a cliff in the last volume…

The book in my hands was none other than a bromance novel.

That’s right.

Even after reincarnating into a BL novel once, I still hadn’t come to my senses.

I did wonder what would happen if I ended up reincarnating into another BL novel again.

But the pleasure in front of me was far more urgent.

If it happens, I’ll think about it then!

“This volume’s reactions are amazing. You can really look forward to it.”

The woman handing me the book right now was named Marta.

A year ago, we became friends by chance.

She had caught a pickpocket for me.

That incident made us close, and it turned out our tastes were the same.

Our friendship grew even stronger.

“Thanks, Marta. You’re the best. I’ll enjoy this one too.”

I wanted to hurry back to the cabin and open the book.

Marta and I sat at the table chatting quietly together.

Since it wasn’t mealtime, the restaurant was calm.

Whenever I left the cursed land, meeting Marta and talking with her had become a routine.

“But Laurel, has something been going on lately?”

“Hm? No?”

I asked back, surprised by the sudden question.

“Really? It’s nothing serious… you just seem a lot brighter these days.”

I blinked at Marta’s words.

“When I first met you, your expression was really dark. So talking to you felt kind of… um… difficult?”

“…Really?”

Well.

Back then, I had just gone through all kinds of hardships.

But after living peacefully for a year and a half, the sharp edges of my personality had slowly softened.

“Yeah. You were really prickly. Do you know how hard it was to start a conversation with you?”

At Marta’s words, someone suddenly came to mind.

<Rosie, do you know how prickly you were?>

…Emily.

Why did she suddenly come to mind?

Was Emily doing well?

“I just asked if you were doing okay, and you gave me this cold look and said, ‘You don’t need to worry about me.’”

“….”

It seemed there were more incidents, because Marta continued telling other stories.

It felt like my embarrassing past was being dug up in vivid detail…

I took a moment to reflect.

“Um… I’m sorry. I’ll be nicer to you from now on, Marta.”

“Really? That’s touching.”

Marta smiled happily at my words.

“Because you’re my friend, Marta.”

“That’s even more touching…”

It was a warm and friendly moment.

Right then—

Creak—

Suddenly, the restaurant door opened roughly.