After escorting Talulah back to the elderly couple's home—her official guardians— Steven wandered over to Alina's door.
He didn't even need to knock.
The girl was already waiting there, standing by the door as if she had been expecting him for a long time.
"How is Talulah doing?"
With visible exhaustion from lack of sleep, Alina led him inside, then handed him a cup of warm water like a wife awaiting for her husband's return.
She knew Steven liked drinking warm water.
So, after waking up, she had made sure to boil a fresh pot in advance.
"She spent the night at my place," Steven replied, taking a slow sip from the cup. "Then I took her to see someone this morning. She should be feeling better now. But…"
"Now that she's finally thought things through, she's probably going to leave."
Resting his chin on one hand, Steven watched the girl before him.
Being with Alina was always so comfortable.
This gentle girl had a way of understanding people—she always knew exactly what would make others feel at ease.
"Leaving, huh?"
Alina, mirroring him, rested her chin in her hands and thought for a moment.
Then, as if she had already expected this, she smiled softly.
"That makes sense. Talulah doesn't belong here. It was always just a matter of time."
"Being brave enough to chase after her dreams… that's a good thing for her."
Steven's gaze deepened.
"And what about you?"
He leaned forward slightly, closing the distance between them.
Staring intently at Alina's delicate face, he observed every subtle expression.
She blushed, turning her head away.
But in her eyes, there was a flash of determination.
"I'll probably go with her."
Her voice was calm, yet firm.
"As an Infected myself, I can't stay in this village forever."
"And besides…"
Her gaze softened.
"She needs someone to watch over her. At the very least, I can't let her go down the wrong path."
She lowered her head in thought before finally giving her answer.
Just as Steven had expected.
Talulah was still her first priority.
"Then… what if I told you…
"That I can completely cure your Oripathy?"
"That I can free you from being an Infected… and let you live an ordinary life again?"
Steven's voice was steady as he watched her carefully.
Her choice meant she was about to endure countless hardships alongside Talulah.
It wasn't going to be a pleasant experience.
If possible, Steven hoped she could live a safer, more peaceful life—without getting dragged into chaos.
But as soon as he finished speaking,
Alina's small hand reached up and pressed against his lips, stopping him.
Her expression carried a hint of gentle caution.
"Shh. Don't let Talulah hear you say that."
She smiled, shaking her head.
"Otherwise, you'll never hear the end of it."
She sighed, then spoke softly.
"I don't know how you'd even do something like that… but I'm sure it would come at a huge cost, wouldn't it?"
She was still the same Alina he knew.
Her first instinct was always to think about others—never about herself.
"I'm just saying 'if.' And for me, something like this—"
"There's no need."
Alina cut him off, shaking her head.
"I don't take pride in being an Infected."
"But I don't see it as a sin either."
Her gaze was calm and certain.
"Because of this condition, I got to meet Talulah."
"And I got to meet you, Steven."
"That alone makes me happy."
She smiled, warmth radiating from her gentle expression.
"And because of this condition…"
"I get to stay by Talulah's side."
"And trouble you from time to time, too."
She playfully winked at him, her expression carrying a rare hint of mischief.
"So just let me be a little selfish, okay?"
"Besides…"
"As long as you're around, Oripathy won't be able to do anything to me anyway, right?"
Steven sighed, shaking his head with a wry smile.
"Yeah, yeah, sure."
Then, narrowing his eyes slightly, he added,
"But did you forget?"
"I'm leaving too."
"I'm not following her around."
"And you already know how she is—sooner or later, she's going to drive me crazy."
Steven let out a resigned sigh—as if admitting defeat.
Alina claimed this was just her selfish choice, but he knew better.
She was simply finding an excuse to stay by Talulah's side and take care of her.
Otherwise, the chance of that girl going to the darker path is almost guaranteed.
"Huh? Steven, you're leaving too…?"
A brief flicker of disappointment crossed Alina's face.
But she quickly regained her composure and gave him a small nod.
"That makes sense… After all, you're a traveler. It wouldn't make sense for you to stay in one place forever."
Steven raised an eyebrow and sighed dramatically.
"Hah? That's all the reaction I get?"
He clutched his chest in mock disappointment.
"I thought you'd be really sad to see me go. But now— now I see the truth. You don't care about me at all. Heartbreaking, really."
Alina simply smiled, completely unfazed.
"It's not like that."
"It's just that… being sad in front of you wouldn't do any good, would it?"
Her gentle gaze met his.
"After all, Steven, you always bring unexpected surprises."
"Even if you're leaving, that doesn't mean we won't see each other again, right?"
She tilted her head playfully, clearly not taking his act too seriously.
She knew exactly what kind of person he was—someone who wouldn't get truly upset over something like this.
Steven clicked his tongue, shaking his head in amusement.
"How do you see through people so easily?"
He leaned forward, curious.
"Sometimes, I wonder if you're really just some ordinary village girl."
He reached out, as if about to pat her head—or maybe mess up her hair.
But instead of dodging, Alina leaned into his hand.
"I'm just that kind of person."
Her voice was soft, steady.
"That's why I need friends like you, Steven."
"Someone who lets me be a little selfish."
"Someone who gives me a place to rest."
She smiled and gently rested against his side, her warmth seeping into him.
Steven clicked his tongue again.
"Tch. you're always thinking too much for other people."
He let out a soft sigh, replacing his rough ruffling motion with a gentle stroke through her hair.
"Can't you just live for yourself once in a while?"
"It's exhausting, y'know."
But he already knew the answer.
People lived the way they wanted to.
No amount of words could change that.
And all he could do was respect her choice.
"I'll be fine."
Alina smiled, eyes soft and sleepy.
"So for now… let me rest a little."
"Just for a while."
She closed her eyes, her breathing quickly evening out.
Steven sighed, watching her peaceful sleeping face.
Yesterday, she had barely slept, worrying over Talulah.
And today's events had emotionally drained her.
But here—by his side—she could finally let her guard down.
She could finally rest.
So Steven simply sat there, fingers gently brushing through her hair.
"This means…"
Steven muttered under his breath, looking down at the sleeping girl.
"I should really find a way to make her stronger."
"If she gets bullied, I'm gonna be really pissed."
And so, he began thinking.
How could he improve Alina's combat abilities?
<+>
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