Nurturing the Hero to Avoid Death
chapter-22-51-30041322

It’s only a few days before the New Year.

For the past few days, I worked at Canal’s Bar from morning until night. The bar had special business hours during the holidays, to accommodate the rush of customers until dawn. Because everyone is holding their year-end and farewell parties at this time, there’s a continuous stream of groups coming to the pub in the span of twenty-four hours. The seats never stay unoccupied for long.

Canal’s Bar is popular for the cheap liquor and food. Because of that, work has been so hectic that I’d even welcome help from a cat.

At dawn, we closed the pub to rest and recharge. Once the clock tower strikes ten, we’ll be back to business again.

This is becoming a test of endurance, but it can’t be helped. For restaurants and bars, now is the best time to make a big profit. After all, there are always more drinking parties being held during the holidays.

Also, if we close the store at the usual time, the customers might throw a fuss. Might spout unreasonable things like “Why are you closing the pub this early? Do you not want to do business?!”

Fueled by anger, they might even spread some bad rumors about us. Not to mention, if we lose our regular customers, our profits would take a huge hit. We have no choice but to extend the pub’s business hours. The pub owner’s wife can only sigh and grumble about it.

A hired employee like me doesn’t have the privilege of taking a break in between working hours while my employer and colleagues run about, seething.

Just getting the cold shoulder wouldn’t be too bad. But worst case scenario, they could fire me. Yeah, they definitely would. The owner’s wife was staring at everyone with bloodshot eyes. Paired with that smile on her face, it’s quite disturbing.

On the other hand, Lian seems to be enjoying the holidays.

He frequently visited the church and played a lot with the kids. He also read books, took naps, and had tea with Marie. The kids told me about how much fun they had with him, joy evident on their faces.

And a few days ago, they had a picnic at the hill behind the church.

“Marie-sama and Lian-sama made lots of different sandwiches!” the kids had also said. “There were all sorts of flavors, and they were all very delicious!”

It seemed like Lian had done some more activities with them. Walked together hand in hand, hugged them, and even lent them his thigh to act as their pillow.

I’m so jealo─ no. It’s great that they had fun.

I’m not sulking or anything.

I don’t mind that they didn’t invite me to the picnic, since my part-time job at the pub is swamped during the end of the year. Nor do I mind not being able to rest my head on Lian’s thigh even once.

Ah, who am I kidding?

The day after that, I meet Lian by the entrance just as I’m setting off in the morning at my usual time.

Commenting that my timing is great, Lian pulls something wrapped from his bag and hands it to me.

I sneak a slight peek inside. Sandwiches. They’re spread with a nut paste with some bits of bean.

“I made too much so I’m sharing it with you,” mutters Lian, cheeks tinged pink. “Eat it when you’re hungry!”

In my delight, I subconsciously pull him in for a tight hug.

Sure enough, Lian’s face flushes like a tomato. He flies into a rage and whacks my head.

Time flies by. Before long, the last Saturday of the year has arrived.

My shift at Canal’s Bar lasts until dawn of the next day.

The owner’s wife usually lets me out after closing time, even during the holidays, saying that a student’s main responsibility is to study. But this time, she asked me to stay until Sunday morning.

At around midnight, three drunk young men start harassing one of our female staff, telling her to sit beside them while pouring more alcohol into their cups.

Immediately after that, they get up on stage to sing, paying no heed to the other customers. When some people ask them to be more courteous to others, they start a fight. The owner’s wife and I promptly restrain the three and throw them out of the pub.

Left with the impression that I’ve seen them before, I ask them about their identities. In their own words, they’re the sons of an apple farmer, a wheat farmer, and a grape farmer in Leis Village.

They apparently came to the pub to get together and celebrate the year-end.

We let it slide and allow them back in. But not long after, they once again cause trouble. The pub owner’s wife just decides to take them back to their homes. And entrusts the task to me.

She tells me I can immediately go home afterwards, so after sending these drunk sons to their respective houses, I head back to the church. But I don’t walk through the doors straight away.

Those three young men poured liquor on my head in their drunken states. I didn’t plan on entering the church while reeking of alcohol. After Marie hands me my pajamas, I head for the bathroom first.

How could those guys waste liquor? It may be cheap, but liquor is still liquor. What a waste. It deserved to be drank, not on the floor.

I give myself a quick wash before making my way to my room.

And I find Lian sleeping soundly on my bed.

My heart stops for a moment.

Why’s he here?

Have I been missing too much sleep that I’ve started hallucinating?

Or maybe, I somehow fell asleep while standing, and this is a dream?

Nope, I’m awake. My mind is clear too, I think.I don’t really understand the situation, but for now, I decide to first get into bed. It would get too cold for me to endure standing all night without the warmth of my covers.

After Lian wakes up from my presence, I try to get some answers out of him, but nothing coherent leaves his lips.

Looks like he’s still half asleep.

Lian probably had himself excused from his responsibilities today, and he decided to stay in the church overnight.

He complains when I climb into the bed. But he doesn’t kick me out, either. On the contrary, he even scooches over to the edge of the bed to give me some space to lie down.

Although this brings me joy, it won’t be a lie to say I also felt slightly upset.

I don’t get it. Are you okay with this?

I already told you that I like you. You heard it crystal clear, right?

Yet, you allow me to lie in the same bed as you. When you’re sleeping and utterly defenseless. Do you really understand what you’re doing?

I really don’t get it.

Maybe… no, it can’t be.

It sounds unlikely, but… does he think I wasn’t being serious back then? That my words were just a joke?

But I clearly remember his face flushing. I clearly remember him telling me to wait for him a little more.

He didn’t run away. He even let me kiss him, and kept on holding my hand.

No matter how you looked at it, that was a yes, right? He accepted me, right?

Well… he still hasn’t given me a clear answer, though. Is that a good thing?

Is it okay for me to indulge right now, without having to wait for two years? I think so. I don’t think I’m wrong.

So sure of myself, I make a move. And end up infuriating him.

I guess it still isn’t a good time.

However, as I shift closer to Lian, he doesn’t seem averse to it. In fact, he leans even closer. Growing bolder, I pull him into my arms. He doesn’t push me away. Well, the fact that he’s barely awake probably had a lot to do with it.

Maybe it’s because my body temperature is higher than average, and he’s just seeking heat. I know that Lian’s body temperature is colder than most people’s. And he gets chilled easily. Sometimes, his hands are cold enough to make me worry.

Lian gradually relaxes in my arms, his breathing growing steady as he falls into a deep slumber.

I’m ecstatic. He actually trusts me enough to let his guard down enough to sleep with me. On the other hand, he trusts me too much. I can’t break it. I must make sure that I don’t unconsciously make a move on him.

A sigh escapes my lips. This is going to be a tough night in so many ways.

I want to kidnap Lian and keep him in my bedroom… _:(´ཀ`」 ∠):_