Chapter Four — An Innocence He Didn't Deserve to Lose

That evening, rain fell softly over the campus.

Most students hurried back to their dorms, laughing beneath shared umbrellas.

Felix sat alone under the library's covered entrance, waiting for the rain to lighten. His books rested neatly on his lap.

He stared at the raindrops.

Quiet.

Peaceful.

Yet... his shoulders seemed smaller than before.

Dante had just finished another boxing practice when he spotted the familiar omega from across the courtyard.

He stopped walking.

Felix didn't notice him.

Instead, he quietly picked up a tiny snail that had wandered onto the wet pathway.

"Oh..."

He smiled gently.

"You'll get stepped on here."

Carefully—so carefully that he wouldn't hurt it—Felix carried it to the grass beside a flower bed.

"There."

"Now you're safe."

He stood up, brushing the rain from his sleeves.

Dante watched the entire thing.

...Even now.

After everything I've dragged him into...

He's worried about a snail.

A heavy feeling settled in Dante's chest.

When Felix finally noticed him, he gave a small, polite bow.

"Good evening."

No anger.

No resentment.

No accusations.

Just kindness.

"...Even after this week," Dante said quietly, "you're still greeting me?"

Felix looked confused.

"Shouldn't I?"

"I caused all of this."

Felix lowered his eyes for a moment before answering.

"...You did."

The words struck harder than any punch Dante had ever taken.

"But..."

Felix continued softly,

"...I don't think you wanted me to get hurt."

Dante couldn't answer.

"I've seen people who enjoy making others cry."

Felix gave a faint smile.

"You're not one of them."

"You don't know me."

"I know enough."

Dante looked away.

No...

You don't.

"I've been thinking," Felix admitted.

"Maybe if I smiled more... or explained things better... people would stop asking questions."

Dante frowned.

"You think this is your fault?"

Felix hesitated.

"I... don't know."

"I don't like causing trouble."

"You didn't."

"I know the rumors started because of what you said..."

He laughed awkwardly.

"...But everyone looks so disappointed when I deny it."

"So... I thought maybe I should just stay quiet."

Dante's jaw tightened.

There it was.

The innocent omega was trying to carry the burden himself.

Not because anyone had asked him to.

Because he couldn't bear upsetting people.

Dante stepped closer.

His voice was quieter than Felix had ever heard it.

"Look at me."

Felix slowly lifted his eyes.

"You have done nothing wrong."

"..."

"Not one thing."

Felix blinked.

"You didn't ask me to grab your wrist."

"...No."

"You didn't ask me to lie."

"...No."

"You didn't ask for these rumors."

Felix slowly shook his head.

"So stop apologizing for mistakes that belong to me."

The words hung between them.

For the first time in days...

Felix's eyes grew slightly watery.

No one had said that to him.

Everyone else had treated him as if he had somehow become responsible for the gossip.

Only Dante had looked at the situation and placed the blame where it belonged—on himself.

"...I'm sorry," Felix whispered automatically.

Dante sighed, almost helplessly.

"There you go again."

A tiny, embarrassed smile appeared on Felix's face.

"...Sorry."

"...Felix."

"...Yes?"

"Stop saying sorry."

Felix laughed quietly despite himself.

"I'll... try."

It was such a small promise.

Yet hearing that soft laugh made something in Dante's chest loosen.

For the first time since that impulsive lie...

He realized his guilt wasn't just because he'd started a rumor.

It was because he'd taken something precious from Felix.

His quiet, ordinary college life.

And he silently made himself another promise.

I'll give it back.

No matter what it takes.

...ΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩ...

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