Averted Eyes

However, that surprising change of expression gave Selene new inspiration.
That a person could make such a face out of pure worry, that they could empathize as if the injured person were themselves.
That was a reaction that could never be faked.
It meant it was a sincerity that came from the bottom of the heart.
Perhaps the words about going to jail in her place or setting fire to the circus were the same.
In the past, she would have retorted that that was also a crime, but at the sight of Theron, who seemed ready even just by imagining it, Selene’s heart fluttered, and she silently watched him.
“It’s a relief that you… weren’t hurt.”
Theron’s voice was hoarse.
Selene replied calmly, “I think it’s a relief too.”
Although she didn’t feel good thinking about the other people who must have been badly injured in the big accident.
But what occupied her mind more right now was Theron’s heightened confession a moment ago.
“Theron.”
At her call, Theron, who had been looking elsewhere as if embarrassed, lifted his head.
“Yes…”
“Do you like me that much?”
“Of course! That’s why I was so surprised and rushed over here like this.”
Theron’s face was flushed in places, as if he were embarrassed by his own actions.
“Really, to the point of becoming a criminal for me?”
“Yes.”
“Even if I were a monster with a hairy face?”
“I told you so.”
Selene chuckled at the sight of Theron, who answered faithfully even with a sullen face, looking as cute as a shy child.
“Selene, do you know your face is still covered in soot? So even if you smile prettily, you just look funny.”
Even while nagging, Theron did not take his eyes off Selene.
Selene asked, as if testing him, “Really?”
“…No.”
Theron grabbed Selene’s hand tightly and pulled her towards him.
“Of course you’re pretty. Even if you were covered in filth, you would undoubtedly be pretty to me.”
The movement of his thumb, gently stroking the back of Selene’s hand, was delicate.
“I, funnily enough, just realized that.”
‘Just now?’
Selene did not know what kind of realization process Theron had gone through.
It was just that today, Theron seemed more honest and affectionate.
Perhaps that’s why.
The waves of anxiety that had been rising in Selene’s heart lately also seemed to be subsiding a little.
Perhaps this peace was close to the conviction that even if she won the competition and made any decision, Theron would understand and respect her.
‘If he’s a person who worries about and cherishes me this much.’
‘And if I don’t find him burdensome or want to push him away, isn’t this surely a special feeling I only have for Theron?’
“Theron. I wasn’t very sure, but lately I have a feeling I can win the competition.”
“I see…”
“I’d like you to be by my side then. So that you can rejoice with me at the moment I’ve dreamed of for so long.”
Selene, looking at Theron who was smiling next to her, had a premonition.
That the day might come when she chooses him, not studying abroad.
That the moment in her life when the piano becomes second might be created by Theron.
However, perhaps because he thought she would go to study abroad on a distant continent if she won the competition, Theron’s expression was not very bright.
“What if… I had a shocking secret?”
Then he suddenly asked a random question.
‘A shocking secret…?’
Selene did not particularly like such riddles.
Nevertheless, she was bothered by the unusually gloomy light in Theron’s eyes, so she decided to think about it for a moment.
Things like being a criminal or a monster with a hairy face, as Theron had assumed for her.
First, the criminal.
‘Although he would have to pay for his crime, if there were extenuating circumstances, I might be able to wait until he is released from prison.’
Second, a monster with a hairy face.
‘I would have to check first if I feel any revulsion when kissing him. But Theron’s eyes, which honestly convey his emotions, are on the cute side, so if those eyes are intact, it might not be so bad.’
A realistic conclusion passed through Selene’s mind.
However, it was too vague to answer like that.
“I think I need to know what that secret is to answer.”
At Selene’s remark, Theron paused for a moment.
“…For example, something related to money.”
If it was money, it would be easier.
In fact, what can be solved with money is the simplest.
“It doesn’t matter. No matter how much debt you have.”
Since Theron was an important source of inspiration for her, she was willing to pay off his debt for him.
Inspiration was something that could not be bought anywhere, even for a fortune.
“I’m not in debt to anyone.”
Selene frowned as if she didn’t like it.
‘Was Theron always a person who beat around the bush like this?’
This was not a way of speaking she liked.
Theron, who had checked Selene’s expression, was flustered and quickly spoke.
“No, don’t frown, just listen to me. This is all just an assumption.”
“I don’t like this kind of assumption.”
“Yes, I’m sure you don’t. Because you’re a woman who likes things to be clear. But it’s an important matter to me.”
Selene couldn’t understand Theron, who had been rambling on for a while now.
She could understand that he was out of his mind, having rushed over thinking she was hurt, but the conversation related to the ‘shocking secret’ that followed was at a standstill, with no progress.
“Let’s think about it the other way around. Is there anything you can never forgive?”
Theron’s throat bobbed as he looked at Selene with a serious gaze.
Selene was once again lost in thought.
‘Something I can never forgive.’
That was also an ambiguous question for Selene to answer.
Since she had always disliked men and had never imagined getting this close to someone emotionally, she had naturally never categorized unforgivable actions.
If she had to point one out, it would be that.
“A womanizer who sees women easily.”
“Besides that.”
Even at the answer she had managed to squeeze out, Theron’s brow furrowed as if he didn’t even want to recall something that had already passed.
At this point, Selene felt like she was taking a test.
‘Why do I have to answer this so seriously?’
And yet, Theron was waiting for her answer more seriously than anything in the world, so she couldn’t just say something and be done with it.
Selene, who was in another agony, suddenly recalled the theater poster she had seen on her way to the department store today.
‘It was about a spy.’

“Selene, what would you do? Do you think you could forgive that person even though you knew he deceived you?”

Evelyn’s question seemed to be helpful now.
Selene gave an answer after much thought.
“A person who lies.”
Theron froze.
For a moment, Theron, who had held his breath, really looked like that.
Nevertheless, Selene did not think it was because Theron was pricked.
Looking back on Theron, who had rushed over in a panic a moment ago, it was not right to have such a suspicion.
Theron, who had been silent for a moment, let out his voice.
“Is hiding a secret different from lying?”
“A secret is usually something like a weakness. A lie is deceiving others for one’s own gain.”
So, Selene could understand Theron hiding a secret, but she didn’t think she could forgive Theron for lying to her.
Besides, Theron had once deceived her, pretending he had no experience with women, so a second time was not acceptable.
“If the riddle is over, why don’t you just tell me what that shocking secret is.”
Selene’s patience was slowly running out.
She felt she had already said enough that it didn’t matter as long as he wasn’t a liar or a womanizer, but Theron was still stalling.
“So… the truth is.”
Theron’s dry lips parted.
“The truth is?”
At Selene’s steady gaze, Theron finally opened his mouth.
“I was going to say that my family was dirt poor. My father was a violent man you can’t even imagine…”
Selene, who was about to say something if he delayed any longer, had a slightly pitying look in her eyes.
“I knew you were poor in the past, Theron.”
“Yes… but even without that, my family was a mess. I always had bruises on my face… the fact that my father was such a terrible person was my secret that I wanted to hide from you for the rest of my life.”
Selene wrapped her hand around Theron’s, who still couldn’t meet her eyes, as if finding this moment of confession unbearable.
The moment at the zoo, when she had argued with Theron, bringing up their pasts as if to compete over whose misfortune was greater, came to mind.
Although she had already apologized once, she hoped her warmth would be transmitted through their clasped hands at this moment as well.
“Theron. The past is just the past.”
“…”
“The you of the present is a good person.”
Selene said a rarely warm word.
Hoping that this would be the comfort Theron wanted.
“…”
But for some reason, Theron had been looking elsewhere for a long time, unable to meet Selene’s eyes.
Theron’s averted eyes were heavily sunken.