"Oh, hello there." Rise waved his hand slightly. He noticed Kamille not letting him go, so he stood in place. not pushing him away.

Mitchel’s expression became complicated, his gaze shifting from Rise to Kamille before it stopped at Kamille. His eyes filled with uncertain emotions that Rise could not quite put into words.

"Guild Leader Kamille..." Mitchel called Kamille’s name, not sounding like a greeting but more of a forceful one.

Rise frowned, finding something amiss. His attitude was strange. Was it because he saw them hugging? But so what? It was none of his business.

"Watch your tone, Mitchel." Rise berated him and then withdrew his gaze. He looked at Kamille, gaze quickly softening. "Uh, let’s continue this in your room."

His voice was in normal range but sounded ambiguous to anyone hearing it. It was especially so for the particular esper watching them now.

Rise did not know why Kamilel was suddenly not letting him go, but as much as he wanted to hug here... They had an audience already. It was inconvenient, too.

He could only rub Kamille’s back to placate him.

Rise did not notice how Mitchel’s expression dropped, and his hands clenched and trembled upon hearing what he said.

Kamille did not want to be unreasonable either. However, he found this Mitchel truly displeasing. He nodded and leaned to kiss the top of Rise’s head, ignoring the fuming Mitchel outside.

Rise closed his eyes slightly before opening them again. He looked up and gave Kamilel an assuring smile. Even if he did not know what it was, giving him assurance was nothing for a harmonious relationship, right?

The two then finally withdrew from their embrace. Still holding each other close as they exited the elevator, facing Mitchel up close.

Rise met Mitchel’s somewhat reddened gaze.

"What’s up with you?" Rise asked with a bit of concern.

In any case, they were friends. Although this guy always pestered him to join his guild, he was only slightly more annoying than others.

Mitchel stared at him but did not answer. Just as he was about to ask why he was staring so much, Rise’s view was suddenly obstructed. He looked up and saw Kamille suddenly shielding him from Mitchel’s gaze.

Mitchel’s jaw tightened, and he glared at Kamille.

Rise frowned slightly, his gaze shifting to the two espers. If he had not realized yet by now, then he was an idiot. What? Was Kamille jealous of Mitchel? But why?

As someone who only saw Kamille as a potential lover, Rise’s eyes were always only focused on the esper to even care about others. He truly had no clue what was going on with Mitchel.

"You..." Mitchel pointed at Kamille. "Since when?"

Rise was shocked to say the least. He became displeased at once. He was about to say, ’Don’t talk to my Guild Leader like that!’ But then Kamille beat him to it.

"I don’t see the need to discuss our affairs with you."

Rise blinked and inwardly smiled. So he was right. Kamille was jealous, after all.

He nodded, quickly supporting Kamille.

"When we hooked up had nothing to do with you, right?"

In short, mind your own business!

Kamille’s lips curled slightly. Micthel was the opposite; his lips twitched and he now stared intensely at Rise.

"Why... him?" he asked in almost a whisper. Rise could see he had a lot to say, but for some reason was holding it back.

Kamille’s smile fell, and his crimson pupils flickered. Rise was alarmed. No. They could not fight here.

Rise took a deep breath. He had to finish this farce immediately.

"I don’t think I need to answer you. But I also ask, why not him?" He ignored the complex emotion that flashed past those eyes. "I know your concern about me as a big brother or whatever. But I already grew up. What relationship I have now is none of your business."

Rise felt the need to be blunt.

"Big brother?" Mitchel blinked as though he could not believe what he just heard. "Do you think I saw you as a little brother?"

"Otherwise?" Rise tilted his head.

Mitchel looked at him, no, stared at him deeply. Then, seeing Rise was not joking, he suddenly let out an incredulous laugh. It was a laugh that was both agonizing and yet confusing.

"What’s wrong?"

Mitchel’s laughter gradually ceased. His expression twisted, and he rubbed his face. "Big brother..." he murmured as though the prospect were unbelievable.

Rise was about to say something again when Kamille intervened. He draped his arm around Rise and pulled him closer, but they were already close enough, and Rise slammed into his toned chest.

He could not say he did not like it, though.

"I’ll take care of Rise, your concern won’t be appreciated." Kamilel did not wait for Mitchel to say his piece, and he looked at Rise. "Let’s go back."

Rise blinked and belatedly nodded his head.

So... he was jealous after all.

He let Kamille take the lead. Rise looked back and met Mitchel’s gaze. The other was only staring at him, with complex emotions.

Rise was curious, but as he was with Kamille, he had no time to care about the others. He soon wrapped his arm around Kamille as they took the route towards the other building where the esper was staying.

For a moment, he did not care much about whether they were seen by the others. What plan? Rise was suddenly filled with bravery.

They even kissed in front of the protagonist! Of course, it was only for a moment. His confidence last time had cost them greatly, so he could not afford to be careless again.

As they walked away, Mitchel’s gaze never left their backs, watching as they finally went out of his sight. Only then did Mitchel let out the breath he was suppressing.

He found it truly ridiculous. So all along, Rise thought he was treating him as a little brother? Mitchel knew Rise only loved fighting and seemed oblivious to his advances, but Mitchel never hid his feelings.

So, it turned out that was what he thought.

[Because you’re a coward.]

Mitchel was startled and looked around. His frustration almost left him because of the sudden voice.

"Who’s there?"

[Do you want to get Rise?]

Mitchel frowned. He looked around once more and activated his mana to sense his surroundings. However, he could not feel anyone around him.

[If you want to get Rise... I can help you, Mitchel.]