Help, I'm in Another World and All the Men Are Are So Dangerous! [BL]-Chapter 328: Forever, Even When I Grow Up

That thought hit him suddenly, and with it came a jarring realization—how childish was he, really?

Here he was, thinking far more immature thoughts than Rocco ever had.

Who was he to say Rocco was still a child, when the one clinging to that belief was himself—acting like a petulant child refusing to let go? How pathetic. How foolish.

All those logical, drawn-out arguments he had made boiled down to just one selfish truth: Don’t take Rocco away from me.

"Big Brother!"

Just as shame began to heat his body from head to toe, his little brother’s sweet voice swept over him like a breeze.

"...Rocco..."

He looked up.

In those few short seconds, Sylas had already revisited every memory he’d ever made with Rocco, from childhood to now.

But this—this—was reality.

The moment where Rocco had declared he wanted to marry that bastard Del Fiore.

The memory made his face twist involuntarily.

Was Rocco about to try and persuade him again? Sylas didn’t actually want to stand in the way of his brother’s happiness. That wasn’t it.

He just didn’t want Rocco to go from his life.

He couldn’t stand the thought of that arrogant bastard taking his beloved brother away from him.

That was all it was. Just that one, petty, selfish reason—and he was letting it cost Rocco his happiness.

...God, what a terrible brother he was.

As he lowered his head, unable to bear the self-disgust twisting his expression, Rocco tottered over to him and peered up into his face.

"Big Brother... Hug. Hug me!"

"...Huh?"

Even though he had surely seen Sylas’s face warped with jealousy, Rocco didn’t say a word about it.

Instead, he smiled—soft, cheerful, and carefree.

He raised both hands up and started bouncing on the spot.

Sylas stared, stunned.

When he didn’t react, Rocco puffed his cheeks in exaggerated frustration and stomped his feet dramatically.

"Big Brother! Hurry up, hurry up! Hug me right now!"

"Ah... Y-Yeah..."

Rocco, still bouncing excitedly, huffed with determination.

His cheeks ballooned like a little balloon, and Sylas quickly moved to scoop up the small body before him.

As he wrapped his arms tightly around Rocco, the boy let out a happy little giggle in his embrace.

That smile—it squeezed Sylas’s heart painfully. If Rocco really got married, surely he’d see that smile less and less.

No. There was no way he could ever approve of that.

──Until...

"Big Brother," Rocco said softly, "I love you soooo much. Even when I grow up, I’m gonna love you so so much, forever!"

An innocent smile bloomed across Rocco’s face, wide and glowing.

Sylas drew in a sharp breath—and then, suddenly, his vision blurred.

Rocco puffed out his chest with pride.

The smug look on his face was so over-the-top, so confident, that Sylas felt the tension start to drain from his body.

"I’m already a grown-up, you know! Just like you, Big Brother! I’m a super cool, handsome grown-up!"

"...Really? Even when you’re still this cute?"

"Wrong, wrong! I’m cool, not cute!"

Rocco huffed and puffed in protest, but the more he pouted, the more adorable he looked—so much so that Sylas couldn’t help but smile unconsciously.

He poked at Rocco’s soft cheek and asked quietly, "When you grow up, you’ll leave me behind, won’t you? You’ll get married, move out of the estate... and won’t want to play with me anymore."

His words were a soft murmur.

At that, Rocco tilted his head, wide-eyed and confused, his innocence practically glowing.

Those round eyes, blinking slowly, sparkled like amethysts, radiating a divine light even now.

Then Rocco vigorously shook his head. "No way! That’s not true at all!"

"Even when I grow up, I’m gonna make flower crowns with you! Even if I leave the house, I’ll come back a lot! Oh—hey! Why don’t you come with me, Big Brother? If you get lonely, you can just stay over!"

"...Wha—?"

"Wait, what? Rocco?"

The unexpected answer left Sylas blinking in disbelief.

Even the smug bastard who had been quietly watching from the sidelines seemed caught off guard and raised his voice.

But of course, Rocco—the sweet, scatterbrained angel he was—paid him absolutely no mind.

"Hmmm-hmm-hmm~ I’m already looking forward to our sleepover!"

Rocco swayed his body in rhythm with his little tune, clearly delighted.

Watching him—so innocent, so full of joy—Sylas felt all of his brooding, bitter thoughts simply melt away.

Yes, Rocco would grow up. Someday, he would become an adult and leave the family’s side.

But Rocco himself wouldn’t change. Not really.

And that’s when it hit Sylas.

He had been treating "growing up" and "changing" as if they were the same thing.

The moment he realized that, it felt like the heavy fog that had clouded his heart finally lifted.

...

"Hmm... why? Why did they suddenly say okay...?"

Rocco frowned in confusion while puffing out his cheeks slightly as he stared down at the contract.

In the section for family approval, both his father’s and Sylas’s names were clearly written.

His gaze fixed especially on Sylas’s name, his brow furrowed deeply.

Just a little while ago, Sylas had been so opposed to the whole idea—so what had changed? Why had he suddenly agreed to the marriage?

Not that Rocco could ask—everyone, including Sylas, had already returned to the evening party. There’d be no chance to get answers tonight.

Rocco had wanted to go back too, but was told that it was time for children to be in bed. He was not pleased.

Apparently, no one was willing to acknowledge him as a "grown-up" yet. Hmph. freёweɓnovel.com

As he sulked and swung his feet back and forth with puffed cheeks, Laxus appeared, having just peeked out into the hallway.

He strolled back toward Rocco with purpose.

"Hmm? What’s up?" Rocco asked, tilting his head.

"Just making sure no one was around," Laxus said casually. "I’m planning on taking my bride home with me now."

"Huh? Take me home?"

But before he could ask more, Laxus suddenly knelt down gracefully, like a prince out of a fairy tale, and held out his hand to Rocco.