I followed Eria-nee and Jules to the end of their date. I watched them endlessly flirt and tease each other. It breaks my heart to admit, but they're obviously a thing now.
How did I not notice?
I'm hiding behind the shadow of the crowd as the two of them walk further and further away. I did not bother to follow them anymore. It's obvious where they're heading, and I'm not confident I'll be able to endure watching over them any further.
I slowly walked away too.
"I'm taking this better than I thought..."
Although I'm sure, I'll be crying on my knees once I get home. I'm just yet to process my emotions. I'll take the comfort of my numb heart for now.
Large bags appeared under my eyes as I spent the next week bawling. Now I'm alone in the city once again, trying to avoid Eria-nee. I don't want her to see my current state.
As I thought, I just cannot accept Eria-nee falling in love with someone else.
I considered assassination, but my feet grow heavy every time Eria-nee's maidenly smile appears in my mind.
She's clearly fallen for Jules.
I would always prioritize her happiness over my own, so I just can't do it.
"I can't kill that bastard," my tongue slipped, and I said the words out loud.
"Ohho? So you won't kill me after all?" a voice said behind my back.
"J-Jules!?"
"How many times will I tell you? It's Julian."
Jules appeared behind me, grasping my shoulder and stopping my tracks. He's wearing a merchant's garb and a large sun glasses for a disguise. It makes him look like a crook.
"What are you doing here!?"
"What else? I'm visiting your place. I just happened to see you."
"Hmph! Stop disturbing our peace, you stupid old man."
"Old man? I'm not even middle-aged."
"Shut up! You look like an old man! So I'll call you an old man!"
"Fine. Whatever you say, little sister."
"Urk! Don't call me that."
Jules insisted for the two of us to go home together. It seems that he's still not familiar with the location of our new home, so he's asking me to be his guide. Feeling tired and confused, I just accepted.
"So, were you crying just now?"
"I would never..."
"Is it because of me and Eria?"
So he noticed?
"It's because you're both stupid," I said.
"So Eria wouldn't even tell you?" Jules sighed.
And then without me asking, he told me what's actually going on between him and Eria-nee.
Apparently, it happened a year ago, when a weird coincidence turned into them sleeping together. Since then, she had finally gotten conscious of him. For the first time, Eria-nee became self-aware and curious of the opposite sex, and Jules did not shy away from taking advantage of that.
He constantly seduced her until he had finally broken down her walls, and then she agreed to be his lover...
I can't believe that Eria-nee would just let him do that...
No, I've been aware of it all this time. I'm always trying to deny it, but Eria-nee actually likes Jules. I don't think she herself knew, but it was obvious for us bystanders. It's not surprising for her to fall for him just like that.
The question that needs to be asked instead is, why did Jules take so long to bag Eria-nee?
They've been close friends and partners for ten years, but it's only now that he began to approach her in a serious manner.
"It's because I fell in love with her," completely out of his character, Jules solemnly said.
"Huh...?" I could only utter in disbelief.
"After I realized my feelings, I felt ashamed of my younger self for only looking at Eria's face and treating her like an object. I felt unworthy of her. I kept thinking, there must be someone else out there better for her. That's why, I only treated her as a friend and a close partner. I thought I would be satisfied with that, but the high of becoming the lord had left me wanting more. I took advantage of a fortunate coincidence."
I did not say anything. How could I? I wanted to punch him for taking advantage of Eria-sama.
I can feel a lot of mixed emotions within Jules. Regret, joy, pride, he's clearly feeling split about the situation. However, one thing I can say for certain, is that all of his feelings stems from his genuine love for Eria-nee.
Hmph! He managed to make her fall in love with him, so why can't he just be satisfied with that? His insecurity is making me feel sick...
"I'm hurt, but I won't do anything to hurt Eria-nee too. I'll accept whatever's going on between the two of you right now. It's fine, since you'll die from old age soon anyway. When that happens, I'll just comfort Eria-nee and make her fall in love with me instead."
"Kuku. Sure."
I can live for a few hundred years as a demon. I'll just wait for my time with Eria-nee in the future. Until then, I have a lot of time to make her look at me too.
Heh...? So I really am taking this situation better than expected. But that's only because it's Jules. I knew him for as long as I knew Eria-nee. And even though I always antagonizes him... I actually like him too...
"Ah, but be careful not to hurt Eria-nee. You know I'll kill you if you do that, right?" I said through my teary eyes.
"I know," he tiredly nods.