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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 28
Chapter Title: The Melancholy Giant
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Even though it was someone I'd never seen before, his overwhelming size naturally drew my gaze.
And there was something even more surprising.
His face was incredibly youthful, in a way that didn't match his massive build at all.
His pale cheeks still had a bit of baby fat left on them.
'Just how old is he?'
Judging by his face alone, he looked maybe three or four years older than me.
But his body was way bigger than most adults.
If he's already this huge, how big will he get when he grows up?
Or maybe he is an adult, and his face just looks that young?
Either way, the disconnect between his face and body was huge.
Next, his bright golden hair caught my eye.
I'd never seen such a radiant color before, except on Luciano.
The man with green eyes was handsome in his own right.
If Luciano was the type of handsome that grabbed your attention instantly, this guy had a charm that kept drawing your gaze back.
Handsome men were always right.
But there was something off about the man's vibe.
It was steeped in melancholy, like he was drowning in sorrow.
'A handsome guy full of pathos is nice too.'
Seeing this huge guy carefully examining accessories felt so out of place.
Just how good is it that he's looking at it so seriously?
My curiosity piqued, and I turned my eyes to the accessories too.
At the end of his gaze was a knotted bracelet.
[Wish Bracelet—Make a wish and wear it until the knot breaks, then your wish comes true.]
It was a bracelet with a simple description.
'Does he have some desperate wish?'
That's what I thought, seeing how intently he was staring at it.
Those things were just superstitions anyway.
I glanced around casually, and then the bracelet designs caught my eye.
A sky-blue thread with a reddish-brown gemstone threaded through the knot, and a gold thread with a red gemstone.
The colors matched so perfectly, like they were made for each other.
This was made for me and Luciano.
I had to buy them.
But my instincts screamed otherwise.
Unnecessary spending.
I could hear the money flying out of my pocket.
Not wearing bracelets wouldn't make life harder, so it was unwise.
I knew that, but desire won out.
"How much are these?"
"Five coppers each. They're wish bracelets. Make a wish, wear it, and when it breaks, your wish comes true."
I hesitated one more time and decided to buy.
"Wrap this one up, please. I'll wear this one now."
Impulse buys are okay sometimes.
"Good purchase. I hope your wish comes true."
And just like that, the sky-blue bracelet was on my wrist, and the gold one was wrapped up by the seller.
"Ah......"
A low voice made me look over, and the big guy was staring back and forth between me and the gold bracelet with a flustered expression.
"Were you going to buy that one?"
The man hesitated without answering.
The seller glanced around cautiously and added,
"What do we do? It's handmade, and that's the only one."
Regret spread even further across the man's face.
I wanted to shout that first come, first served, but those glistening green eyes were hard to ignore.
"Want me to let you have it?"
My offer seemed unexpected, as his eyes widened a bit.
If that bracelet was meant as an apology gift, I wouldn't have yielded.
I just thought the designs were perfect for me and Luciano, so I planned to get one each.
What he wanted was the one I'd meant for Luciano.
Since it wasn't for me, yielding to someone who wanted it that badly didn't seem so bad.
That's why I offered, but after a moment's thought, he slowly shook his head.
"I'll gratefully accept the sentiment."
His polite demeanor still held a trace of reluctance.
He must feel awkward about receiving it secondhand.
"Weren't you preparing an apology gift? If that's it, I'll happily yield."
I'd meant it as a generous gesture.
But the moment I finished speaking, his expression crumbled.
He looked like he was about to burst into tears, leaving my mouth agape.
What did I do!
I wasn't insisting it was mine first—I offered to give it up!
"Why are you like that?"
"No, it's nothing."
"Nothing?!"
"Anyway, it's something I couldn't give, so please use it, miss."
He said it with such a wistful look.
'What kind of story does he have?'
His face was so forlorn, anyone would think I'd stolen his possession.
Strangers would assume I made him cry!
This bear-of-a-man seemed incredibly soft-hearted inside.
"Then I'll buy it?"
Just to be sure, I checked again.
"Yes, please do, miss."
He confirmed it.
The seller, sensing the mood, wrapped the gold bracelet and handed it to me.
As I snatched it up, his sorrowful gaze followed.
'What the heck, why is he like this......'
"Billy, done shopping?"
My mood soured, so I was about to tell Billy to hurry when I noticed him staring in shock.
"......What kind of look is that?"
"Miss, what on earth happened while I looked away for a second...... Now you're making even strangers cry?"
Billy alternated glances between me and the man, as if asking what I'd done.
"No!"
I jumped up in denial.
I didn't make him cry!
"I'm sorry. If our miss hurt your feelings, we truly apologize."
But Billy ignored me and apologized to the man.
The man looked flustered by the sudden apology.
"No, it's fine."
"I didn't do anything!"
"How am I supposed to explain this to the master......"
In typical romance fantasies, side characters cheered 'Our miss is the best!' no matter what.
Why was everyone so distrustful around me!
"Why won't you believe me? I trust you, Billy. I even left my piggy with you!"
"I'm grateful for your trust, miss. But you have a track record."
His gaze settled on me heavily.
A track record?
"Me?"
"Yes. You made Melody cry before, didn't you?"
Melody?
The incident with her came to mind naturally.
"That was because Melody was bullying Evie!"
It wasn't wrong to scold someone for harassing others.
"And didn't you make Hawks cry too?"
Billy pulled out another name like he'd been waiting.
Hawks?
That incident came to mind too.
"That was because Hawks was badmouthing people!"
I hated anyone insulting my people.
Especially behind their backs.
That was unforgivable.
"And recently, you made Bell cry too."
This one was truly unfair.
"I only praised Bell!"
Billy's expression remained impassive.
"So, in conclusion?"
When he put it that way.
"......They all cried."
Billy smirked, his face saying 'Isn't that right?'
No, that's not it.
Something felt off.
Had I really made that many people cry?
"You make kids and adults cry without discrimination, miss."
Hearing Billy, I felt like some violent person.
Under the seller's weary gaze, I grabbed Billy's hand and pulled him away.
Because of that bear-like guy, I was the one in trouble for no reason.
'I won't let him get away with this.'
I vowed to pay him back if I saw him again.
* * *
When I returned to May and Bell, they sat there with dazed expressions.
'They're supposed to be busy selling— what are they doing?'
I couldn't believe how spaced out they looked.
Then I realized why they had no choice but to sit there blankly.
Not a single macaron remained on the stall.
The baskets we'd prepared were completely empty.
The market had only just opened, and they'd sold out already!
"May, Bell! Did it all sell out?"
I rushed over and asked, and they nodded slowly.
"Yeah. All sold. Not a single one left."
"We heard so many 'delicious' comments. People who came once bought more."
They looked like they were dreaming.
"See? I told you it'd sell out!"
I hadn't expected it to sell this fast either.
"Some came because they heard the rumors it was delicious."
"Others said they were sad to be late and asked if we'd join next time."
"I knew it. I guaranteed you'd do well in business!"
I'd won the bet, so I crowed triumphantly, but they didn't seem to notice.
The two just sat there blankly, grinning from ear to ear.
"I never thought it'd sell this well......"
"It sold way better than we imagined."
They seemed lost in joy and ecstasy.
I wanted to let them savor it, but I had to confirm.
"You remember the bet, right?"
At my question, their bodies flinched.
Their dreamy gazes sharpened with focus.
"You'll keep the promise, won't you?"
When I asked again, their expressions contrasted sharply.
Bell showed subtle anticipation, while May hesitated.
As if reflecting their feelings, Bell glanced at May instead of answering.
'This is unexpected......'
It was the opposite of what I'd thought.
I'd assumed opening a shop would be hard for Bell due to her trauma, but did May have issues too?
"Shall we talk about it at home first?"
May spoke up with a serious look.
We'd sold everything anyway, so closing up was no problem.
We cleared the stall and headed straight to May's house.
"Here."
She served warm tea to me and Bell.
"Thanks."
I waited patiently without pressing.
An awkward silence stretched on.
Even Bell eyed May cautiously.
The tea had cooled to lukewarm by the time May finally spoke.
"You're really thinking of investing in us?"
The start was more straightforward than expected.
"I told you, yes."
"What if it fails?"
Even after seeing the results, she worried like this.
"You saw it sell out today. Super fast, right?"
Bell nodded eagerly, while May fiddled with her gripped teacup.
After dragging it out, May spoke as if resolved.
"I want that investment."
Dragging it out just for this?
"Really? Finally accepting investment?"
"Yes. But before that, I have something to tell you."
Just as I was about to rejoice, May dropped a meaningful bombshell.
"What is it?"
Her solemn vibe made me tense unnecessarily.
"The truth is, I've failed at business before."
