I Tried to Become a Worthless Scumbag to Break Our Engagement for His Happiness, but Instead I Was Hugged, Kissed, and Sworn Eternal Love by the Ice Knight (BL) - CHAPTER 4
Fleck froze, his eyes wide.
“Nice to meet you, Fleck. I am Heliosphere Nuno. The pleasure is mine.”
Heliosphere bowed gracefully. The surrounding adults admired the refinement of his movements.
Fleck, on the other hand—
“Heliosphere, why are you moving away from me?”
Following the question in his heart, he bounced a step closer— and Heliosphere slipped smoothly a step back.
“My name is long and difficult to call. You may call me Rio.”
“Okay, Rio. But why are you moving away?”
Hop—Fleck stepped forward. Slide—Rio stepped back.
Fleck tilted his head. Step closer—distance opened again. And each time, Fleck grew sadder.
“Rio… do you… hate me?”
Fleck wanted to see his beautiful face up close—especially those sky-colored blue eyes.
But every step he took forward only made Rio retreat.
Tears began to well up in Fleck’s eyes.
“Wha—no! That’s not it! It’s not that at all!”
Rio hurriedly denied it, his voice shaken. But still, the distance between them did not close.
That alone spoke louder than words. It told Fleck the truth—He doesn’t want me near him. And that, to a child’s heart, was the same as being hated. Tears spilled down Fleck’s cheeks in big drops.
He didn’t know why, but being hated by Heliosphere hurt so terribly.
“Ah… please don’t cry, Fleck.”
Rio’s expression crumpled, almost as if he might cry himself. He carefully reached out, wiping Fleck’s tears—without truly touching his skin.
And the instant his fingers pulled back—something sparkled into existence.
“Eh? What was that just now!? Rio, did you see that!?”
Something Fleck had never seen before floated in the air. It hovered still, bobbing gently. Rio extended his finger, letting it land there. It was a geometric pattern, six petals spread perfectly even—
“This… is an ice crystal.”
His voice carried no warmth. It was freezing cold.
But Fleck forgot his tears. His eyes shone as he stared at the transparent jewel that slowly faded away.
“How do you know that? Why did it appear just now? Why?
“…Because of your tears. I accidentally created it.”
It was an abnormal phenomenon, born of Rio’s rare constitution—magical overflow.
The adults around them watched with tense silence, wondering if Heliosphere’s power would overwhelm even Fleck’s peculiar body.
“You made it, Rio!? Amazing! That’s awesome!”
Heliosphere loathed his abnormality. That was why his words and tone had become so frigid.
Yet Fleck only grew brighter.
He praised it—called it amazing, called it cool. No fear, no disgust. And then, once again, he took a step forward. Most people had always avoided him—eyes turning away, shunning, fleeing.
“…Is it really amazing?”
Rio was stunned.
“Of course it is! It’s awesome! Cool! Beautiful!”
“…I… see.”
Fleck grinned, stepping closer once more. Their shoulders touched. And when Rio did not pull away, Fleck’s heart leapt with joy.
“How did you do it? Did it come out of your hand? Wow, Rio, your hand’s so cold! Mine’s warm, so I’ll warm you up!”
He grabbed Rio’s snow-white hand with both of his. Fleck was startled. Not only was his hand cold, but even his hand was so beautiful. Rio is amazing, he thought.
“…Ah. It’s true. Your hand is… warm.”
Rio gently squeezed back, as if not wanting to let that warmth escape.
It was only possible because of Fleck’s unusual constitution. He already knew—Fleck’s body was what kept him alive. But still, this touch… this contact was special.
Meanwhile, Fleck thought of nothing more than, Rio’s hands are so beautiful. He’s amazing.
“Hey, Rio, why are you so pretty?”
“And you—why are you so warm?”
Their eyes met, their questions traded, but neither answered. Even so, their words flowed easily, like conversation.
Seeing the children talking like any others their age, and seeing Rio’s unstable magic flow into Fleck and then harmlessly disperse into nature, the adults finally relaxed with visible relief.
Rio noticed it. But Fleck noticed nothing. He was too enchanted by Rio.
“Rio, your hair is all shiny, and your eyes are like the sky, and you’re so cool!”
“Fleck.”
“Yeah?”
“From now on… I want you always to stay with me.”
“Yeah! I want to be with you forever too, Rio!”
And so, Fleck and Heliosphere deepened their bond, building a connection that grew stronger than mere friendship.