Bailonz Street 13

What does that mean? Why is he smiling?

It feels as if a formless blade is piercing my throat, choking me. I can’t be the only one feeling this way. Liam Moore has a talent for carving up his own heart with a handleless blade, a talent that inflicts pain on those who watch.

The man who bowed his head to me confessed his sins in detail, his voice trembling.

“So that it won’t harm you. I’ll keep hiding from now on…”

His words were very weak, trailing off until only a faint, trembling breath remained. I could feel the hot warmth wetting my hands.

What should I do?

“Liam,” I called, after hesitating for a moment, lifting his tear-streaked face. The man, sobbing pitifully with his eyebrows furrowed, turned his head away as if to flee. It might seem fickle of me to say such things while holding him back.

“Don’t run away.”

Anything else is fine. You can do whatever you want. His eyes widened at my words, his tear-clumpy eyelashes stark. His gaze felt like it was digging into me. He had an expression as if he knew nothing, yet he was cutting deep into me. His exposed sincerity spoke.

Maybe, now that I think about it, you created a boundary for me.

You brought me here, Little Moore. You gave me the courage to resist the temptation to run away, to choose. You always made me move forward, even though I didn’t know what awaited ahead.

“Even if you hide things from others, don’t hide them from me. That would really hurt.”

What will happen to us?

I asked myself. Since it wasn’t spoken aloud, Liam Moore would never know my question.

What will happen to us? The doubt rose quietly, wondering if we would remain the same when you eventually recognise me, but it soon disappeared.

Just. For now, I want to believe so. I erased part of myself to let you in, so maybe, just maybe, you might have a place for ‘me’ too, if not as much as Jane Osmond.

There’s a word people use when accepting the inevitable without resistance.

“Maybe this was destined to be this way.”

Liam Moore’s hand cupped my cheek. His moist cheek unexpectedly came close. The blue moonlight lingered on his forehead and eyelids before flowing down his cheek.

There are things that are unavoidable. For me, Liam Moore is one of them.

Fate is a bit salty, yet very warm. It has been so for a long time.

＊ ＊ ＊

The next morning, Liam Moore came to my hospital room early. He wore a loose white shirt and white cotton pants. I smiled as soon as I saw his face. His eyes were slightly swollen. It was clear he had cried a lot. Even you swell up, huh? I found it intriguing since the Liam Moore I saw on Bailonz Street was always impeccably groomed.

“My goodness, haven’t you looked in the mirror?”

With a tragic expression, Liam Moore placed his hand over his mouth and turned his head demurely, answering.

“I have. It was so dreadful I couldn’t bear to look.”

That. It’s not that bad. Even though it was a bit swollen, it was cute. His usually tied-up hair was messy, making him look younger, and his casual attire seemed more natural. Was it my bias?

Seeing my expression, Liam awkwardly lowered his hand and added.

“There’s no one to look good for but you, so I’m just staying like this.”

“Oh, didn’t I tell you yesterday?”

Liam widened his eyes, looking puzzled. Poor Liam. I replied kindly, watching him.

“Greenwich called for you. Oh, and for me too.”

“Ah.”

He must feel like his vacation disappeared right before his eyes. I chuckled softly and patted his back.

“Do you not want to go?”

Liam Moore grumbled softly, scratching his messy hair, then opened his mouth.

“I suppose it can’t be helped. I was planning to leave as soon as I recovered, but now an unexpected schedule has come up…”

He gestured as if whispering a great secret, so I leaned in to listen. His grand gesture was followed by light words.

“After we visit Greenwich, there’s a place I want to go with you.”

Where? I wanted to ask more, but his lips brushed my cheek lightly and withdrew, making me forget my question. In the meantime, the mischievous culprit left the room without looking back. By the time I came to my senses and yelled, Liam Moore had already escaped far away.

For a moment, I regretted last night. I shouldn’t have allowed him to get so close. In just a few breaths, people easily open their hearts.

It was warm.

＊ ＊ ＊

Liam Moore is truly a terrible person.

Seeing him neatly prepare after just hearing that Greenwich called, I was honestly a bit sick of it. In stark contrast to my casual attire, he was dressed up from head to toe as if….

“…Are you going to a party afterward or something?”

“I have a professional image to maintain too, Jane.”

Fine. Let’s call it the etiquette of wizards.

His hair, lightly brushed back without a hat, had a few skillfully left stray strands that looked natural, and there wasn’t a single wrinkle in his clothes. Considering we were at a hospital, not 13 Bailonz Street, it was even more absurd and impressive. Where did he get them so perfectly pressed?

Liam Moore draped his coat over my shoulders and said,

“The way there will be a bit cold, so keep this on.”

Colder than December in London? His voice predicting it was playful.

The doctor slightly bowed seeing the two of us. Liam Moore acknowledged them as well. The doctor seemed to know about Greenwich. The doctor spoke first.

“Avoid excessive movement for a while, and especially do not use your right arm. Now that it’s affected, focus solely on recovery for the time being. Guardian, please keep a close watch on the patient.”

Liam shrugged. I knew that look. It was the ‘what can I do if they say that’ shrug. I lightly pinched his side.

“Do as the doctor says. If you don’t listen, I’ll feed you nothing but broccoli for every meal.”

“Oh! My goodness! Such cruel torture!”

He’s so picky. Ah, England! If spicy dipping sauce were popular here, people would have probably given up on broccoli! When we get back, I should make a tangy-sweet sauce similar to it. Poor Liam Moore, who doesn’t know the taste of blanched broccoli.

“Anyway, no! Moving around might be one thing, but no detours, absolutely not!”

“Got it, got it.”

So, it means it’s best to avoid situations where Liam Moore would need to use his right arm? I slightly wrinkled my nose and pulled Liam Moore.

“The way to Greenwich is on the 4th floor—”

“Do you think the people visiting are few? When do they expect me to attend the hearing?”

“Mr. William Moore!”

Liam lifted the corners of his mouth mischievously.

“Jane, hold onto me.”

I think I’m getting a little used to his magic. Naturally, I wrapped my arms around his waist, feeling an unreal sensation at my feet.

Already, from afar, I heard someone shouting curses at Liam for using his magic.

‘Is this what a detour is?’

At the same time, he took a step.

The floor melted away, turning into a surface like water. The logic of the world flowed away, and we slowly sank down without stepping on the ground.

“There’s no need to hold your breath.”

The lips near my ear said.

What are you talking about? Are we diving in? As soon as I opened my mouth, a rush of cold, refreshing water surged over my face. My nose and mouth were completely submerged. This water temperature and clarity were something rarely experienced in London.

I let out a short scream. Bubbles. Blue light swayed above the water.

A lake? My mind briefly questioned. A transparent lake with light filtering all the way to the bottom…

“Ugh—”

As I spat out the water that had filled my mouth, the fact that Liam Moore was still by my side reassured me.

Of course, I wasn’t without anger. He should have at least explained. Why did I have to suddenly drink water? What a ridiculous guy.

Yet strangely, neither my clothes, hair, nor skin were wet.

Impossible. I had been completely submerged in prime clear ice water. Not just submerged, but dunked. Like Achilles being dipped in the River Styx by Thetis, I had been repeatedly dunked. So how was I perfectly dry?

“Am I waterproof?”