How to Get on the Main Character’s Flower Path

 

I looked back at Calmy.

 

He was smiling calmly. The setting sun was casting a deep scarlet color on his face.

 

As I stared at his red face, I suddenly remembered a conversation we had one day at the fortress. I remembered what he said back then.

 

[Once I got to know you, my eyes keep catching you,]

 

I noticed his impatient appearance in the fortress.

 

[And so it bothers me,]

 

Then I realized his weakness.

 

The moment he tried to pretend to be strong, I realized that he wasn’t just a strong person.

 

[It bothers me that I start liking you.]

 

So I said what was on my mind. At that moment, I spoke out what I realized.

 

[I like you, then I know that your sincere smile is the prettiest,]

 

Right. I didn’t want him to just accept what I said and smile softly like a doll.

 

The moment I chose to rely on you, paradoxically, I also wanted you to rely on me.

 

[So I want you to be able to smile.]

 

So I wanted to bring out a sincere smile on that face that always pretends to be calm. I wasn’t really different from you either.

 

“What’s inside the tower? Not sure. Monsters and treasures?”

 

His eyes were shining mischievously. Like an innocent boy telling a secret with his friend.

 

He shyly replied.

 

“I guess there’s that too. But I… I think it’s an adventure.”

 

I was strangely shocked by him speaking as if he was proudly showing off his most precious treasure.

 

Even until I saw him crying, now I thought he looked like a boy his age. Always calm.

 

He gazed the tower. With the face of a boy dreaming.

 

“…You know, what I’m going to say from now on may be selfish.”

 

Suddenly, I thought of him in the novel. He cooperated unconditionally when it came to eliminating the gates.

 

His tendency felt like an absolute setting that never changes. He was always focused on his responsibilities without changing his expression, that’s why I called him Calmy.

 

“Still, I want to tell you.”

 

Normally, he always maintained a calm expression, as if he was being weighed down by something, yet it was different now. He seemed like a living person, not a mechanical device.

 

“Will you listen?”

 

I looked at Calmy, no, Park Siwoo, who was sparkling with vitality, and nodded as if I was possessed.

 

“Thanks.”

 

Park Siwoo grinned.

 

It was a truly bright smile that I had never seen before, and I felt like I was seeing him alive and breathing for the first time.

 

***

 

When I was little, if I whined, Grandma would tell me what happened when she climbed the tower.

 

A waterfall that circulates infinitely, mushrooms that change your body when you eat them, a flying stingray and a whale with jewels all over its body.

 

So many hardships and unknowns to come. More joy and cheers from people.

 

And above all… The most trustworthy comrades in the world, whom you can gladly entrust your back to.

 

“Your grandmother told you such interesting stories.”

 

Right. It was a fantastic adventure. It was an adventure worth yearning for.

 

So, as an immature child who knew nothing, I had a dream. Someday, I want to form a raid team like Grandma and go on an adventure to that tower.

 

…Although embarrassing, it was like that.

 

“What’s so embarrassing about that? …The idea of making money by sticking to other people is even more embarrassing.”

 

…Is that so.

 

Then I found out that the tower was sealed, I found out that there was something called ‘gate’, I found out that Grandma was sad, and she died.

 

Grandma suffered from guilt until the very end. People criticized her, yet they looked for someone to defend them.

 

A hero was needed.

 

But what was needed now wasn’t a hero to climb the tower, but a hero to close the gates, and I decided to become a hero.

 

And I was chosen by the Blue Twilight.

 

It was an early awakening. Everyone was delighted.

 

When I got in front of the camera, the article came out the next day. Everyone was relieved.

 

So I lived as a hero for eight years.

 

So… I, somehow…

 

Maybe I was too caught up in the fact that I was a hero, I don’t know.

 

A hero must destroy the gates.

 

A hero must serve everyone.

 

A hero must take the lead.

 

A hero must…

 

“Stop talking bullshit. You remember what I said before, don’t you?”

 

…Thanks. This time, my thoughts changed.

 

What am I? What was I becoming a hero for? What do I want if I’m not a hero?

 

That’s what I thought.

 

I want to save people who die because of the gates. That’s something I would do even if I weren’t a hero. It’s not for Grandma, it’s my dream. I want to make that dream come true.

 

And…

 

No.

 

“Stupid.”

 

…

 

“There’s more to it than that.”

 

…That,

 

“Say it. Why are you hesitating now?”

 

…Is that also it, I wonder.

 

…A dream,

 

***

 

“I want to achieve my childhood dream.”

 

His blue sapphire eyes contort as if crying.

 

“Strange, isn’t it?”

 

“What’s strange?”

 

“…My dream. Even in this situation.”

 

I answered indifferently, looking at the tower in the distance.

 

“All kinds of really strange things happen in this world.”

 

Reincarnation or possession. Something like that?

 

“But do you think it would be strange to dream of making a childhood dream come true or having an adventure in a forbidden area?”

 

Park Siwoo burst out laughing at my words.

 

“I also want to have comrades.”

 

“Then are you going alone? You’ll die far from home, you know?”

 

“I also want to see the end of the tower.”

 

“If you just keep climbing for the rest of my life, wouldn’t there be an end in sight?”

 

“…I want to climb the tower with you.”

 

At those words, I inadvertently looked back at Park Siwoo. Park Si-woo was smiling at me.

 

Then he held out his hand towards me.

 

“I heard the raid team has someone they can trust by their side. Grandma had Grandpa by her side.”

 

His hand carefully stopped in front of me.

 

“I want to keep you by my side. It’s something stupid, but can you join me?”

 

At that moment, I had a stupid dream.

 

I think of myself adventuring next to him in a new landscape.

 

As I listened to his story, I felt like I was dreaming too, and I wondered if it would be okay to dream like this.

 

I impulsively grabbed his hand.

 

“I’d love to.”

 

I grinned.

 

This is really, really unproductive and stupid.

 

“If all the gates disappear, I will be unemployed. “I’d like to get a job in advance.”

 

So my heart raced. My heart raced for no reality surrounding me could interfere with this dream.

 

“Park Siwoo, will you accept me as the first comrade of your ‘raid team’?”

 

He laughed at my words.

 

“Of course.”

 

The ferris wheel was at the top. The whole world seemed like a miniature. So this moment felt like a fantasy that would soon be forgotten.

 

Feeling like I could never forget your smiling face or our joined hands, I smiled. Very brightly.

 

So we laughed like idiots for a while.

 

 

Rattle.

 

As if declaring that the fantasy ends here, the ferris wheel we boarded descends downward.

 

The sun completely disappeared behind the mountains.

 

But Calmy and I’s playful plans for the future continued for a while. We whispered and decided in advance the rules for the raid team we would build together someday.

 

And so the last day of field training ended.

 

***

 

On the way back from the amusement park.

 

“Aren’t you two getting closer in some way?”

 

“Is that so?”

 

As if Min Jaeyoon sensed something, she looked at Kang Nahyun and Park Siwoo and spoke.

 

“Aren’t you two the ones who got closer? You’re almost like best friends now?”

 

“Really? Great!”

 

“B-B-Best friends…! It doesn’t matter to me! If Jaeyoon wants it!”

 

“Aren’t we best friends…?”

 

“Ugh…! T-T-T-That’s right! That’s right, so don’t be so sullen!”

 

Shin Baran and Min Jaeyoon quickly fell into their own world again. Leaving them alone, Park Siwoo smiled calmly and looked at the scenery outside.

 

The holy sword, which had always felt heavy, only felt light now.

 

In the distance, he could see the tower. However, Park Siwoo didn’t look at the tower. He gazed at the amusement park.

 

The ferris wheel, to be exact.

 

True to its name as a landmark, the appearance of a huge ferris wheel drawing a circle could be seen from afar.

 

“Nice, congratulations on becoming best friends~”

 

The sound of Kang Nahyun clapping echoed throughout the car.

 

For no reason, Park Siwoo drew a circle on the window with his finger, following the circle of the ferris wheel.

 

Kang Nahyun thought that Park Siwoo had told her all of his secrets, yet he had one more secret he was hiding.

 

A secret about a feeling that he belatedly became aware of that had seeped into his heart and bore fruit without him knowing.

 

Park Siwoo is vaguely aware of how tight and leisurely Kang Nahyun lives.

 

Nevertheless, he knows that she also has a foolish side that causes her to have a loss by caring about other people.

 

“But I’m a bit lonely…”

 

“Aahh!”

 

“S-Sorry!”

 

“I’m kidding.”

 

Park Siwoo saw Kang Nahyun caring about Min Jaeyoon and Shin Baran. And he was sure.

 

If he confesses his feelings, she will become concerned about him. To the extent that it’s unnecessary. So much so that he gets in her way.

 

That was the way he could win, but not the way he wanted.

 

“Park Siwoo, what are you doing?”

 

So he decided to keep his mouth shut for now. Let’s be content as friends for now.

 

Right. He was confident.

 

That Na Yuhan, who still hasn’t realized his feelings, wasn’t his rival.

 

“Come on.”

 

I like you. I started to have deeper feelings for you. Please stay with me for a long time.

 

“Alright.”

 

I hope that someday, I can tell you this.

 

Swallowing the longing words that were about to come out once again, Park Siwoo quietly uttered a confession that no one would hear.

 

***

 

[System updating: 80%]

 

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[System updating: 90%]

 

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[System updating: 100%]

 

[System update complete]

 

[‘Story Fragment’ activated.]

 

[Currently collected Story Fragment: 3]

 

***

 

“I’m sorry.”

 

This is what Min Jaeyoon and I heard from Shin Bareun before we left the fortress.

 

Hearing those words, Min Jaeyoon widened her eyes as if she was very surprised, but then smiled brightly.

 

“It’s fine.”

 

Shin Bareun spoke with a guilty face.

 

“Based on your performance in this battle, I have guaranteed that you’re safe humans. I have certified it with my name, so the surveillance will be lifted soon.”

 

“Thank you!”

 

Shin Bareun shook her head and said at Min Jaeyoon’s words.

 

“This is the only thing I can do for you. If you need help at any time, let me know.”

 

At those words, I grumbled for no reason.

 

“If you give it away like that and get caught wrong, you’ll be in big trouble.”

 

“It’s fine. Because it’s you guys.”

 

“…”

 

“Nahyun, your face is red.”

 

Shut up. I know. Hearing Min Jaeyoon’s words, I cooled my cheek with the back of my hand and turned my head.

 

Shin Bareun was smiling unnecessarily kindly, which somehow made me feel even more unlucky.

 

That human, after talking to Shin Baran, she seemed to have had a change of heart and was acting as if she had achieved liberation.

 

“…Anyway, thank you.”

 

So we left the fortress.