CHAPTER 113: YOUR WORDS ARE LETHAL TO ME

Yelena’s voice was soft, doubtful, but edged with something vulnerable as she wanted to know more about what he has to say. A curiousty that she couldn’t ignore emerged from deep inside of her, so as her lips trembled faintly she asked,

"But how, Mika? How can you say that?...Women get older. We age, we lose our youth. That’s simply how it is. Blessed or not, we don’t stay immortal. I am not the same as I was when I was young."

"...So how can you say that I only become prettier as I grow older?"

Her eyes were wide, searching his face desperately for an answer that could ease the quiet ache inside her. But instead, Mika just scoffed lightly, rolled his shoulders, and smirked as if the very question amused him.

"How should I know, Yelena?" He said simply, as if the thought were absurd. "That’s like asking me how the world began, or how many stars really exist in the universe...No one knows. I definitely don’t."

His voice lowered, however, his smirk giving way to something firmer, steadier.

"But what I do know...what I can swear my life on...is that in my eyes, you only grow more beautiful every single year."

"That’s not theory, not wishful thinking, it’s fact...And I’m one hundred percent certain of it."

The way he said it left no room for dismissal, and it disarmed her completely. Her heart trembled against her chest, heat spreading in her cheeks.

As suspicious as she wanted to be, as hard as she wanted to laugh it off, she couldn’t help but slowly, dangerously, start to believe him.

And Mika, seeing the uncertainty wavering into belief in her eyes, pressed further. A mischievous smile tugged at his lips.

"In fact...do you remember." He began, his tone casual. "Back when I was a kid, whenever we walked somewhere together? You probably noticed how I hated holding your hand. I’d either drag my feet behind you or storm off ahead like I was in a hurry."

Yelena tilted her head, thoughtful, then gave a small laugh.

"Yes...I remember. I always thought it was because you were embarrassed. You didn’t want to be treated like a child, so you tried to walk ahead of me as if you were already grown."

He chuckled, shaking his head.

"That was part of it, yeah. I didn’t want to be seen as a little kid hanging off you. But that wasn’t the whole truth."

She blinked, caught off guard by his serious expression. "Then what was it?"

He met her gaze directly, no hesitation, and said,

"As embarrassing as it is admit, Yelena, it was because you were too stunning to be around."

Her breath caught, lips parting.

"Whenever we went out in public..." He continued. "...everyone’s eyes went straight to you. No matter where we were, people stared. Even if you wore a mask to try and hide it, it didn’t matter, your beauty still shone through."

"And every glance, every lingering look, made me feel small. Like I didn’t belong walking beside someone like you. So I walked ahead, or behind, just so I wouldn’t have to see those eyes comparing us."

"...Because next to you, I felt like I disappeared."

Slowly realization dawned on her face, her expression softening.

"So...that’s what it was." She murmured. "That explains so much. I thought you just hated being seen with me."

"Even in restaurants, you always wanted the most private table in the back, away from everyone. I thought it was because you were embarrassed of me."

"No. I wasn’t embarrassed of you." He chuckled softly. "I was embarrassed because of you. You were too much for me to stand beside."

Yelena’s gulped, cheeks flushing.

"And even now..." He admitted with a low sigh. "It hasn’t changed. Not one bit. Even today, walking beside you makes me feel...outshined. Like I’m just a shadow next to you. Like people are silently telling me to get out of the way so they can look at you better."

Her heart twisted at his words.

"Oh, Mika." She whispered, shaking her head firmly. "Don’t you dare think like that. You’re handsome. So handsome. Anyone who can’t see that is blind."

"Oh, I know. I’m handsome." His smirk returned, shameless and playful. "The ladies love me."

She stared at him in disbelief, her face caught between laughter and exasperation. "You shameless brat...!"

"But..." He added more seriously. "No matter how handsome I am, compared to you? There’s no contest."

"...You’ve always been above me in that regard. Always. Even as a kid, I thought you were the prettiest woman in the world."

Her cheeks warmed instantly, her heart stuttering in her chest. He was too shameless, too honest, and yet, she could feel the sincerity radiating from him.

He wasn’t teasing her. He wasn’t playing around.

For once, Mika was laying himself bare before her, and that realization made her pulse race in a way she couldn’t control.

Because if there was one thing she knew—it was that Mika would never, ever lower himself by admitting inferiority unless he truly meant it.

And here he was, telling her that he had always thought her beautiful. Even now.

Her heart trembled at the weight of it.

He leaned in slightly, his voice gentler than she’d expected. "Now...do you at least believe me?" His eyes searched hers, patient but unyielding. "When I say this is the truth, or do I need to keep going? Bring up more of the past? More reasons for you to trust me?"

"...Because I will, if that’s what it takes."

Her breath caught. The sincerity in his tone rattled her defenses. And quickly, she shook her head, cheeks flushing.

"No...no, there’s no need." She said, her words tumbling out fast. "You’ve already said enough. Too much, actually. I can’t handle any more of these...shameful examples you’re dragging up."

She tried to sound indignant, but her voice betrayed her, softer than usual, as if embarrassment clung to every word.

When she finally dared to meet his gaze, it wasn’t with defiance, but with something gentler, almost trembling.

"I never knew..." She whispered. "...that you thought of me like this...that you looked at me in that way, Mika."

"Of course you didn’t." Mika let out a long breath, almost a sigh. "Because I never said it."

He gave a half-smile, one corner of his mouth tugging upward, though his eyes remained serious.

"I kept it to myself, because if I told you too often, your head would swell so much you wouldn’t be able to walk through doors. You’d lord it over me every chance you got."

He shook his head faintly.

"So I bit my tongue. For years, I held it back. But now..." His expression softened, gaze deepening. "Now, when you’re looking at yourself with doubt, when you’re thinking you’ve lost something you never lost...I can’t hold it back anymore. You needed the truth, and I had to give it."

"...So, how do feel now that I’ve said everything I wanted to say? Do you feel any better?"

For a long moment she was silent, stunned. Then her lips trembled faintly, and she whispered, almost in disbelief.

"Strangely...my heart feels lighter. The weight I’ve been carrying, it’s gone...Just like that."

Her eyes softened, shimmering as she leaned down a little, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Mika...it’s dangerous. The power you have over me. Just a few words from you and the worries I’ve had for years vanish. A few words...and I feel like I’m back to my prime again."

"I feel like I could look in the mirror and see myself the way I used to. No...even better. Right now, when I look into your eyes, I feel like I’m glowing. Prettier than I’ve ever been."

Her lips curved into a small, embarrassed smile as she admitted.

"You’re my lifeline, Mika. If I ever feel insecure again...if doubts ever creep in...I’ll only need to hear you say something kind, and I’ll be fine." She tried to laugh it off lightly. "Maybe I’ll just demand compliments from you every time I feel down."

Mika chuckled, raising a brow at her. "Oh? Then by that logic...if I were to insult you, if I said something cruel, it would cut just as deep, wouldn’t it?"

Her eyes widened in alarm before she immediately covered his mouth with her hand, leaning close, her expression stern despite the flush still warming her cheeks.

"Don’t you dare, Mika. Don’t even think about it. If you ever said something like that, something I already secretly fear, it would destroy me."

"Don’t you realize? Your words...they matter too much to me now. In the past I could fight back, laugh it off, spar with you like always. But now?" Her eyes softened, almost pleading. "Now I can’t. Your words hold too much power over me. Please, Mika...be careful with them."

He couldn’t help but laugh at her seriousness, though it was a gentle laugh, filled with warmth.

"Alright, alright. I’ll go easy on you. Since you’re getting older, and your bones are weaker, I’ll treat you kindly from now on. I won’t fight you so hard."

The smile she had froze instantly. Her lips twitched, her brow furrowed, and with an indignant growl she grabbed him by the neck and yanked him into a chokehold, rubbing his head roughly.

"You brat! Who’s getting old, huh? Who’s bones are weak? Not me!" Her grip tightened, though her laughter trembled through her mock anger. "Didn’t you just say I was growing more beautiful every day? I’ll believe those words until the day I’m a grandmother! Even then, I’ll hold my head high because of what you said!"

"...So don’t you dare make fun of me!"

Mika winced and laughed at once, half choking under her playful wrath, half delighted. Seeing her so alive, so fiery again, it was everything he had wanted.

"Alright, alright! I take it back! You’re beautiful, Yelena, whether now or as a grandmother! You’ll always be gorgeous in my eyes!"

Her grip loosened, her arms softening around him as she smirked proudly, but her eyes shone with relief. And Mika, feeling the warmth of her body pressed against him, couldn’t help but smile in quiet satisfaction.

She felt better now. She believed him. That was all he wanted.

•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°

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