Help, I'm in Another World and All the Men Are Are So Dangerous! [BL]-Chapter 228: Jealousy and Embarrassment

Rocco understood, since Ragar had a similar build.

Still, why was it that the more muscular someone got, the more pronounced their chest became?

Well, not that it was a bad thing.

Rocco did find the firm, sculpted chests of strong men oddly comforting to nuzzle against.

But, in any case—

The rumored "date partner" was actually the Crown Prince.

That was the truth behind this whole misunderstanding.

Looking back on everything, Rocco realized just how ridiculous his jealousy-fueled assumptions had been.

Rather than feeling regret, though, his embarrassment was so overwhelming that his face feels burning.

Is it even possible to jump to conclusions this badly?

No, right?

Which meant that Rocco had been so panicked, his ability to think rationally had completely shut down.

Ugh, I could die from embarrassment...

As Rocco silently writhed in shame over his mistaken jealousy, Laxus—who was still holding him tightly—suddenly tilted his head and blinked.

"We got a little sidetracked, but... now that I think about it, Rocco, why are you even here? Did the letter not arrive? I sent one saying I couldn’t play today..."

"No, I got it... I read it properly..."

Then why? Laxus’s round eyes silently asked.

Rocco clamped his mouth shut.

Th-there was no way he could actually say it out loud...

That he’d rushed over here because he was jealous...

Absolutely no way.

Ignoring the Crown Prince, who was loudly complaining, "Hey, I’d like to speak with my bride too!", Rocco glanced up at Laxus.

His cheeks flushed red as he hesitated, then continued speaking.

"...Because I was sad. Usually, we would always play together... But then, I saw it the other day. The prince and you... were on a date. That’s when I thought—you had been taken away from me."

His mind was hazy, clouded by embarrassment, and the only words he could string together came out in broken fragments.

The memory of that day flashed vividly before his eyes—the moment he believed Laxus had been taken away.

His ears began welled up and spilled over uncontrollably again.

If he kept this up, Laxus would surely think he was annoying...

He had to stop crying.

Even as he roughly wiped at his eyes, the tears wouldn’t stop.

The more he tried to brush them away, the faster they flowed, large droplets soaking his cheeks.

After several seconds, he realized Laxus still hadn’t responded.

Slowly, he lifted his head—

And his eyes widened at the expression he saw.

"—No way."

Laxus had only uttered two words.

But his face was far more expressive than usual, his cheeks flushed a deep red.

With those rare, burning cheeks still exposed, Laxus blinked down at Rocco and murmured,

"Rocco... were you jealous?"

The unexpected words left Rocco completely stunned, his eyes and mouth hanging open in shock.

What... did he just say?

The words echoed in his mind, and the next moment, embarrassment hit him like a tidal wave.

His entire face turned red.

Wait, what had he just done?!

He hadn’t meant to admit it!

He had only been thinking it, keeping it to himself.

But in the end, he had confessed it outright—he had been jealous because he thought Laxus was being taken away.

Panic surged through him.

He frantically shook his head and wriggled out of Laxus’s arms, putting some distance between them.

It wasn’t because he didn’t want to be close to Laxus anymore—he just couldn’t handle it.

"Th-That’s not it! It’s not—It’s not like that! Not at all!"

With an exaggerated huff, he declared his denial.

A few meters away, Laxus watched him, eyes filled with barely restrained delight.

This was bad.

It was completely obvious.

The more he denied it, the more certain Laxus became.

Laxus was absolutely convinced now—Rocco had been jealous.

His face burned hotter, and he lowered his gaze, trembling from sheer embarrassment.

From an outsider’s perspective, he must have looked like an absurd, foolishly dramatic idiot, jumping to the worst conclusions.

It was mortifying.

Utterly humiliating.

If anyone else had seen this, they would be laughing their heads off.

Still trembling, unable to move from sheer shame, Rocco suddenly sensed someone approaching.

Through his downcast vision, he saw a pair of feet stop right in front of him.

Then, without warning, that person knelt down—

And pulled him into a tight embrace.

"...!"

"Rocco, Rocco... Ah, you’re just too cute... My precious Rocco...!"

As expected, the one who had pulled him into a tight embrace was none other than Laxus.

Well, given the situation, Laxus was really the only person here who would suddenly hug him like this.

...Although, if it were that perverted prince, maybe...?

No, no, even if the guy was a total weirdo, he was still a prince.

There was no way he’d do something like that.

Yep, definitely not.

He also made the executive decision to ignore that "bride" comment from their first meeting.

Nope.

He heard nothing.

Got it?

"Rocco, Rocco... So, you thought that this damn pervert— I mean, His Highness, the Crown Prince—had taken me away from you? And that made you sad? You got jealous and sent me all those letters. Is that what happened? Aww, I see, I see."

"...Ugh... Uuuu..."

Why did he have to put it into words?!

That was the worst.

Did Laxus know how humiliating this was?

He had to know!

Rocco trembled, shaking with embarrassment, his face burning.

Just before he could swing his fists in frustration, Laxus let out a quiet murmur, his tone suddenly serious.

"But, but... I was suffering too, you know. His Highness suddenly came up with this absolutely insane, ridiculous, idiotic plan, and I had to play along to keep him away from you... I was trying my hardest to protect you! But of all times, Rocco, you just had to be extra bold then!"

"Huh? Aeh? B-Bold?"

"Do you have any idea how rare it is for you to send me letters?! I wanted to charge in with a whole bouquet of flowers, scoop you up, and smother you with hugs! Honestly, I even thought it was an invitation for something more! But instead, I had to act all distant and cold toward you! Do you know how agonizing that was?! I swear, I lost count of how many times I wanted to die from despair!"