Chapter 99 – Isn’t It Still a Little Soon?

“Axion, is it alright if I come in?”

“And who are you?”

The voice that answered was hoarse and sharp, bristling with irritation. For a moment, Evelyn wondered if this was even the same boy she’d always known. She rolled her eyes, second-guessing her decision to come.

Still, she had something to deliver, so she mustered her courage and spoke up.

“I-It’s Evelyn!”

“…Come in.”

Relief washed over her at the softened voice from within, and she pushed the door open.

“Axion, it’s been a while—”

“Why are you here?”

He struggled to sit up in bed, his trademark insufferable manner on full display.

Hah. Look at this brat.

She’d always known he was difficult from the start, but this was a bit much, even for him. Muttering inwardly, Evelyn perched herself at the foot of his bed.

“You’re sick, aren’t you?”

“My fiancée must be terribly worried.”

After two years of knowing Axion Valentino, Evelyn had come to learn a few things. Chief among them was that, whenever something displeased him, he would mock others in the sweetest of tones.

‘See?’

Just look at him now. His expression all but shouted, ‘I don’t need your concern.’

Evelyn shot him a sulky glare.

“I came because I was worried. Why else would I be here?”

Her words tumbled out all at once, and for a moment, Axion looked taken aback.

‘Huu, that was satisfying.’

Not that she didn’t understand him. He only acted prickly when someone caught him off guard, as if bristling could hide his vulnerabilities. Then, with a small sigh, she handed him the glass jar full of paper stars, as if bestowing a rare favor.

“Here, this is for you.”

“What is it?”

Axion didn’t take the jar right away, only stared at it intently. When he tilted his head and frowned, Evelyn could hardly believe it.

“Wait… you don’t know what paper stars are?”

“Am I supposed to?”

When he shot back so boldly, she pressed her lips together and fell silent. She had suspected as much since he didn’t seem to have any close friends. His prickly demeanor and lack of social grace surely played a part. She regarded the boy with a moment’s sympathy before steeling herself.

Well, if he doesn’t know, I will just have to teach him!

“Ahem. I made these myself. They say if you fill a jar with paper stars, your wish will come true!”

She felt a quiet pride as she rubbed her nose, pleased with her handiwork. Axion, however, only frowned, tipping the jar back and forth as if trying to make sense of it.

“Can’t you just buy whatever you wish for?”

“….!”

Honestly, there were times when she wondered if her fiancé knew the first thing about romance. To think she had to give her painstakingly folded paper stars to someone who didn’t even appreciate their worth…

Even though she had been the one who planned to give the gift, Evelyn couldn’t help but find the boy infuriating.

‘Hmph. I even gave up my wish for him.’

According to legend, a person could only make one wish with a jar of paper stars. By giving the jar away, she was forfeiting her one and only chance at a wish. Of course, if someone else were to give her a jar of their own, it would be different.

‘But I can’t just go around asking anyone for such a thing.’

Pouting in protest, she tapped her cheek lightly as if to collect herself. She decided it was time to explain the true value of the paper stars to Axion.

Yes! What matters is an unbroken spirit!

Determined, her eyes sparkled with conviction.

“Axion, listen carefully.”

She pointed to the little glass jar in his hands and began calmly that if he kept these paper stars close and made a sincere wish, the stars in the sky would grant it.

“But you only get one wish, just once!”

“And you’re giving this to me?”

Axion arched one brow, and a faint, incredulous laugh slipped from Evelyn’s lips. Was he pretending not to understand, or did he truly not know? Sometimes she wondered if he did it just to exasperate her.

Feeling a heaviness in her chest, she let out a deep sigh.

“It’s because I want you to get well soon.”

Hup—