HOWSH~18

~Chapter 18~ 

“Someone said that everything is just a matter of timing.”

“……”

“They say that once something happens, it can’t be undone—but, actually, hidden within that is a chance to make things right. Of course, if you miss the timing of that chance, then it truly becomes impossible to fix.”

Irreversible events.

I recalled that phrase as I thought of an old story Carlos had told me at the birthday banquet.

The ‘wife’ who had tormented him for ten years—she must have been referring to the current queen, Cherylain Lazaro, mother of Solio.

According to the story, the first queen, Queen Seymour, had given birth to Carlos and passed away early. So naturally, any resentment would fall squarely on the current queen, Cherylain.

But Carlos, while he may dislike her, does not dislike her son. Anyone could see that he cherished his younger brother.

Otherwise, how could his gaze be so warm instead of contemptuous?

A chance to change the stiff relationship between the two of them—that would likely come from “communication.”

The choice was entirely Carlos’s. I could only offer a suggestion, not persuasion.

“If the owner of the opportunity were me, I’d think it wouldn’t hurt to give it a try. Opportunities, after all, don’t always wait in place for you.”

“……Is that so?”

Carlos slowly lifted his head.

“Yes, that’s what he said.”

I glanced at his face, then looked away. Even though I had said it seriously, I nearly laughed out loud.

‘Such a cute expression.’

Soon enough, perhaps we could look forward to the two brothers getting along, both strikingly handsome and close.

“Coming to check out… huh? Why is no one here?”

“Oh, it’s already done?”

Isid, who had hurriedly stood from his chair as I poked my head into the office, walked toward the entrance.

“Did the meeting go well?”

Inside the empty office, Isid was the only one sitting there. He scratched the back of his head apologetically, wearing a sheepish expression.

“…Nothing serious happened, right?”

For some reason, he was asking with a kind of awkward concern. I had no energy to frown, so I just sighed quietly.

If you were really worried, why didn’t you go yourself, you brat?

“More or less. But where did everyone else go?”

“Oh, the department head and Magnolia went out for a case. They said they’d be back late.”

“Huh. Busy, huh?”

Well… not that our team has ever really been busy.

“Anyway, that means I can leave work without worry, right?”

“Y-Yes.”

“Good. Then I’ll just sign the checkout and be off.”

I nodded mechanically and stepped inside the office.

Check-in and checkout.

In short, it was a handwritten log to verify the team members’ attendance and departure. Once I signed, the day’s work would be done.

Damn it, my mouth’s sore from arguing with the male lead.

Once I got back to the dorm, I would lie on the bed without a care in the world.

With that resolved, I led the way, my fists clenched tightly, and naturally, Isid trailed behind me.

He cautiously spoke, as if trying not to offend me.

“You finished earlier than I expected?”

“Yeah. Teleporting really is convenient.”

I handed him the documents I had been holding and dusted my hands off.

Indeed, thanks to the easy round trip, it had taken very little time.

Considering it was right after the regular meeting, only about two hours had passed.

From then on, the rest of the day was mine—sweet, free time.

“You wrote the report well, and the structure is solid. Good job.”

“Glad it meets your expectations.”

“Yes, I like it. But what about the team leader?”

Isid casually asked as he set the report I gave him on a nearby table.

“Wait, you’re the only one leaving? Where’s the team leader? Why did you come back alone, Rose?”

“Oh, I didn’t come with the team leader.”

I shrugged lightly.

After talking extensively with Carlos, this was the outcome. I had left work early for a sharp exit, leaving him behind as naturally as expected.

In a sense, it was like gambling on the relationship between the lead siblings.

Actually, it wasn’t really gambling. Carlos, the male lead, had a long-standing matter he needed to resolve quietly. I had only helped him discreetly. The final decision was his to make.

“Someone said that everything is just a matter of timing.”

In our last conversation, Carlos had remained silent.

To put it kindly, he didn’t deny it; unkindly, he didn’t confirm it either.

Yet throughout the meeting, Violet’s gaze, fixed on the floor, showed she was clearly anxious and lost in thought.

Still, the range of possibilities didn’t seem too narrow.

I thought I glimpsed just a sliver of potential in him.

“So, what did the team leader say about you going separately?” Isid asked gently.

“I didn’t really ask.”

“What? You just left without saying anything?”

I only smiled lightly.

Why would I say anything? The task had already been assigned, so there was no need to tell him again to do well.

Besides, Carlos’s expression had been rather grim.

Due to the tension and silences exchanged, it hadn’t been the right timing to have personal conversations.

Still, I had a sense of relief. Carlos had finally reached Solio, who had been solely focused on himself all meeting.

Once I saw that, I relaxed and teleported away.

He would handle it fine, I thought.

“Yeah, he’ll come back on his own. No need to worry.”

Even if things didn’t go smoothly between them, Carlos’s choice would favor the right path. Solio just seemed like a naive, timid little lamb anyway.

Honestly, I hoped their relationship would improve, even just a little.

Isid, who had been quietly nodding, finally spoke up, a hint of alarm in his voice.

“I didn’t expect you to leave like that… You’re not the type to just quit in 27 days, are you?”

“Huh?”

“Be careful, Rose. After all, it’s the new team leader.”

For a brief moment, I saw a flicker of concern in his expression. He genuinely worried about the mess I’d gotten tangled in with Carlos.

What a double-sided friend.

“Come on. The one who sold a friend to the competition just to warn about the new team leader was… who, again?”

“Ah, that was….”

“Are you kidding me, Isid? What did you call it before? Hibiscus?”

Do you really want to be called Hibiscus?

I narrowed my eyes, giving him a sharp look.

Isid, you brat… now you have the nerve to say something?

Because of everything with Carlos, things had been increasingly off between Isid and me.

Yesterday, he’d been brainwashed and missed the meeting; today, he had been pressed by Violet’s presence and hurriedly surrendered the championship.

“You’ve been really off lately,” I sighed, removing my security team uniform.

Compared to my life, now tangled beyond recognition, even kind and gentle Isid was exhausting today.

So many things had happened at once.

Yesterday, I couldn’t sleep from excitement over resigning; today, my mind was too cluttered to rest easily.

Maybe I should just buy a bunch of sweets somewhere.

While casually tossing my uniform onto my arm, Isid quickly grabbed my wrist, hesitating nervously.

“W-Wait, Rose.”

“Why?”

“Uh… besides Hibiscus, there seem to be plenty of desserts donated.”

Hearing that, I instantly relaxed. My exhausted eyes, barely open before, now widened.

…Desserts?

“Like what?”

“Mostly sweet, visually appealing, and generally mood-lifting treats.”

“…Name just one.”

“I heard they even have your favorite—marshmallow parfaits.”

My steps toward the dorm froze mid-stride.

I tossed my uniform onto the table and headed straight to the entrance.

“You know, I actually prefer Earl Grey over Hibiscus.”

I shrugged casually, letting the topic drift, and saw Isid flinch.

Because I had started talking as if nothing had happened, a smile slowly spread across his face.

“…Heh. Okay, fine.”

“I’ll eat more than five marshmallow parfaits, easily.”

“Five? You can eat more than that, so don’t worry. There’s plenty for you.”

“Really? Well, that’s a relief.”

Naturally, Isid fell into step with me, draping an arm over my shoulder.

I certainly wouldn’t push him away over a fleeting irritation.

No matter how annoying he had been today, our friendship wouldn’t crack over it.

The reason was simple: I wasn’t forgiving him out of fascination with marshmallow parfaits.

…It was genuine.