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CHAPTER 28 – Bravo and Sonia. Part 3.
(Pov – Daniel.)
"And that's how I met her."
Well, well.
A love story between an unemployed man and a homeless woman. It's straight out of a soap opera. How sweet.
In my case, my story with Sonia was way more ordinary—nothing out of this world… Pfff. This world. Hahahahahaha!
"What are you laughing at, Daniel?" Nismei asked, leaning toward me curiously.
"Nothing, nothing. I just thought of something stupid."
She and I were childhood friends, we grew up together, and that made us… Ahhhhhhhhh! I'm about to cry! Don't remember your past with that bitch…! No, no… Don't insult her… Ah… Well, well.
"Losing everything at such a young age. I can't imagine the desperation she felt."
I went hungry too, but I had good friends who offered help. If I'd had no one, would I have ended up homeless…? No, I would've killed myself with or without friends.
Nismei looks really moved by the story—she's crying. Well, well. So the thing about women loving romantic stories isn't an exaggeration. I think it's sweet and all, but… well… something about it bothers me.
"How romantic! You saved her and gave her a home!"
That's exactly what bothers me. What if she mistook gratitude for love? There's a ten-year age gap between them—that can lead to misunderstandings. Never trust any Sonia…!
I shake my head. Damn trauma.
"I guess time passed and you both fell in love, right?"
It's the first time I've heard that in real life. Falling in love with a homeless girl… Hmm… Well, well. It sounds so… unrealistic. It sounds like those generic light novels: "The most popular girl fell for me, a lonely otaku," or "My new stepsister is the cutest girl in school?!" Stories for readers to self-insert into.
That's why I prefer horror and sci-fi… Huh? What? Who's shaking me?
"Daniel, Daniel, are you listening?" Nismei said, shaking my shoulder.
"Well, well. Sorry, I got lost in my thoughts. What were you saying?"
"Bravo was still telling his story. He said he gave her food, clothes, and a place to live."
Back to listening. I already feel a bit more relaxed.
"What happened next?"
"Fortunately, I got a job a few days later, so she offered me a deal."
"A-a deal?"
Let me guess—was she offering her body in exchange? Please don't let it be something that predictable and gross.
•
•
Thanks to Bravo's help, Sonia's dirty appearance faded away. She cleaned up, revealing the youthful, healthy look of an innocent, cheerful girl whose smile brought color to the gray, cold house.
No longer afraid of dying, being tortured, or… well, suffering. She finally rested, finally ate until she was full. She finally felt safe again.
But there was something that worried her a lot: Bravo. He lived like a pig—trash everywhere, dirty dishes, garbage bags that hadn't been taken out. It was a disgusting place, but at least it was better than sleeping on the streets.
He apologized and explained that he had no time to clean because the little free time he had was spent sleeping to avoid dying of exhaustion from working over 12 hours a day. Knowing that, Sonia came to a conclusion that would benefit them both.
"I'll be your maid!"
"Your maid?"
"While you work, I'll clean your house and cook for you—in exchange for food and a place to sleep!"
Mutual support that would make them both happier. His loneliness would end, and she'd have a roof over her head.
A smile appeared on his face and he nodded.
"All right, that works."
Not feeling like a freeloader was something she wanted to avoid at all costs—she didn't want Bravo to hate her, or rather, to demand payment in another way. He had proven to be kind, but in this country, no one was truly what they seemed.
Bravo understood how she felt and why she was doing it, so he accepted her offer without hesitation. All he wanted was a friend, someone he could trust, a family—and he felt she could become that person.
And from that moment on, their lives became happier despite the financial hardships… until that day arrived.
•
•
(Pov – Daniel.)
…Well, well… I see… A fair deal…
How boring. I was hoping for some sex and…
I shook my head quickly. What the hell did I just think?! Ahhhhhhhhh! God, why am I thinking such stupid crap?!
"Daniel, you've been acting really weird. What's wrong?" Nismei said, rubbing my shoulder.
Huh…? Wow. Now that I'm really looking at her, her body is very… thick. Not skinny, not fat—something in between. Her breasts are… big, same with her hips and thighs.
…Am I imagining her naked right now? Normally I'd feel bad for thinking something so crude and disgusting, but… I feel great.
Imagining her sitting on my lap, touching her everywhere and…
"It's nothing."
I turned to Bravo.
"What happened next?" I asked, trying not to think about it anymore.
… I don't know what's happening to me.
"After living together for 6 months, I asked her to be my girlfriend, and she hugged me and kissed me… It sounds ridiculous, but she was my first kiss."
Well, well. How sweet. I wasted my first kiss on a girl who cheated on me.
"How old were you?" Nismei asked.
"I was 36," he said with a small laugh.
"36?!" Nismei exclaimed in surprise.
W-well, well. He was way too old for her. Someone was definitely going to steal her from you. Love isn't forever, and unfortunately we live in an era where looks are everything. One day a hot guy would've taken her, or someone with money. Money beats looks. Look at me—I've caused tons of breakups because girls dump their boyfriends thinking they have a shot with me. I'm really hot, I don't care whether I admit it or not, but that didn't stop my girlfriend from cheating on me with some rich kid.
Ah… Damn luck.
"Yeah, I know, it's pretty pathetic. I never had any luck with women…"
"We're in the same boat."
"Huh?"
They both stared at me like they couldn't believe what I said.
"You have no luck with women? You?" Nismei said.
"Are beauty standards in the other world that different?" Bravo asked.
"Looks aren't everything. Women only care about that when they see me, and the only girl I thought loved me for who I am cheated on me with a rich guy."
"You got cheated on?!"
Tsk. Don't yell so close to my ear, you pair of idio—
…Ah…
"I'd rather never talk about it again. Bravo, please continue your story."
"Ahem. Well, back to the story. We were together for 7 months. The best 7 months of my life… until that tragic day. We were walking through the streets heading to a restaurant where I planned to give her the ring, but we ran into Minsfel…"
What shitty luck. Of all days? Seriously, this story is like a soap opera.
"He chose her to be his girlfriend for that night. She had no choice but to go with him…"
Tears rolled down his cheeks.
Accepting that your girlfriend sleeps with another man to save her life. A tough decision. What would I do? If I were a normal civilian who didn't know what happens to the "girlfriends," I'd accept her going for one night. Why? Because if she refused, she'd die. But… could I stay with her afterward?
… It wouldn't be her fault, but I don't want to share my girlfriend with anyone. I… think I'd break up with her…
"At the time I didn't know what Minsfel did to them when he was done. Froulen's men tried to kill me on my way home, but the underground organization saved me. When I found out what happened to Sonia, I joined them to get revenge on Minsfel and Froulen… I know she got caught up in the fight and died. Knowing she wasn't raped gave me some peace, but it didn't make my anger go away."
"Well, well… I see…"
I plan to revive her, but… if she had been raped, would I have revived her?
I roll down the window and take a deep breath… No… I wouldn't have wanted to.
It's not about morals or what I should do—it's simply… not wanting to.
I look at my eye in the mirror. Seriously, this eye is changing my personality a lot. The old me from yesterday would never have thought such horrible things… But what scares me most is that… I'm really enjoying it.
What should I do?
"And I killed him. Why didn't you kill him when you had the chance?"
"I wanted to kill that bastard with my own hands, but you defeated him—you deserved to kill him. And honestly, I'm more than satisfied with his death. I'm at peace."
Bravo caressed the ring.
"That's why I have this ring on my forehead—it reminds me every day why I fight."
…Wow… I feel pathetic next to him. He's a real man. He's suffered more than me but kept going… And I tried to kill myself when my grandma died… I'm pathetic. Bravo, I'd kneel before you without hesitation. You truly deserve my respect… Or that's what I would've said in the past.
You know what I think of you right now? Nothing. I feel nothing. Your story feels fake—like a soap opera. Seriously, I feel nothing.
Yeah, a nice story, but now it does nothing for me. Why?
Hmm? Bravo's phone starts ringing.
"Hold on."
He pulls out his phone and answers.
"Yes…? What…?! Okay, bye!"
He hangs up and starts searching for something on his phone.
Uwaaaah, idiot, you're driving! Watch the road!
We're about to crash into a parked car! Turn, turn!
I grab the wheel and swerve right. Pay attention to the road!
"D-don't let go of the wheel!" Nismei yelled, just as scared as I was.
"Froulen is way too interested in you—look!"
He shows me a video and I take the phone. It's footage of my fight with Minsfel.
"I am Daniel, the one who makes the impossible possible."
…That scene gives me second-hand embarrassment… Uwaaaah! So cringe! Why did I say that?!
It switches scenes to when I'm fighting the other members.
"What does this mean?"
"They posted that video on Froulen TV."
Froulen TV? Wow… such an original name.
"Why?"
"Tilfa says at the end of the video, Froulen sends you a message."
"A message?"
I keep watching and listen carefully.
It's just footage of my fight against the bodyguards. What's so special? Why is Bravo so worried?
After the fight, the scene changes and Froulen appears sitting at a table.
"I'm interested in meeting the boy who has more than one power. I'll be at my base. I hope to see you very soon. Goodbye."
…That's it? But he already told me that. Why repeat it?
"What exactly does this mean? Is there some hidden meaning?"
"He's exciting the people. He's letting them know someone appeared who can defeat the dictator."
"…And? Is that bad?"
He looked at me and smiled.
"Let's just say we'll have a lot of spectators."
Spectators?