Weed ~The One’s Gardener~ - Chapter 109

Weed smiled gently. He was still as naive as ever, but he didn’t answer. But he wasn’t flustered by the question either. He blushed shyly but didn’t look away.

Hana met his golden gaze.

When she returned his smile, it deepened. Through his slightly curved eyelids, she could see the burning intensity in his eyes. She was overwhelmed with even more affection than the shy and fluttering feelings she had experienced at that time.

“I love you.”

Her heartbeat reverberated all the way to her fingertips. Even though she was only holding his hand, not wrapped in his arms, it felt as though the rhythm of her heart was echoing loudly between them. The sensation was so overwhelming that it seemed her heart might burst from her chest.

Hana’s face turned bright red, and she found herself almost wanting to look away. The words came out short and intense.

How would she respond to this?

There was only one thing to say.

“I love you too.”

For some reason, her throat tightened. Why did she want to cry again? Why was she showing tears now? It was such a beautiful moment. Hana gently stroked the wet corner of his eye. As he slowly lowered his head towards her, Hana closed her eyes while replying.

They would share so many more stories in the future. What was the point of getting emotional over just a few words?

Still, everything felt perfect.

Because from now on, she would always be by his side.

* * *

IF: Side Story — What if Hana Had Erased Weed’s Memories First?

“Weed! What are you doing?! What should I do? What should I do?”

Hana jumped up, stomping her feet, and rushed toward where the broken wand had fallen. Before she could reach it, however, Weed grabbed her with alarming strength. His grip on her arm was unyielding, pinning her in place.

She couldn’t move an inch, no matter how much she struggled.

“Didn’t I say I would do things my way?”

“Weed! Let me go!”

“No! Even if I listen to you, you will leave me behind!”

“Weed! Ah!”

Hana was suddenly lifted into the air. This was the first time Weed had acted so forcefully!

“Let me go!”

“No! I will take you back.”

“Please, put me down! Oh no, that wand…!”

“…Hate me.”

“Let go of me!”

“Rather, hate me. I will not let you go.”

“Weed!”

Weed pressed his lips tightly together. They were both acting on their own desires. There was no compromise. And in this game, it was clear that Hana would lose as she was weaker than Weed.

The forest couldn’t stop Weed’s steps. He walked briskly while lifting Hana as she struggled. Her feet were dragging as they moved away from the place she had just come. Her long, beautiful hair fluttered in the night breeze.

“Weed!”

No matter how loudly she yelled, he remained silent. Weed stubbornly kept his lips sealed.

Hana struggled to break free. His firm grip didn’t waver, and he held her even tighter. She had never felt this frustrated at being weak before.

If she were to be taken back now, it would be a huge problem!

She was losing in strength. Naturally, in this situation, Hana thought of someone who could match Weed’s strength, and only one person came to mind.

‘Void!’

She didn’t say it aloud. Hana squeezed her eyes shut and called it again in her mind.

He would surely help.

After all, this was something Void wanted as well.

‘Void, I know everything! Answer me!’

[ Yes, you called. ]

‘What should I do? I’ve been caught! We’re going back the way we came. Weed won’t listen!’

[ Indeed. He’s a truly unpleasant one. I don’t understand why you like him so much. ]

The tone was clearly displeased. Void never liked being called when Weed was around. This time was no different. But Hana didn’t call Void to confirm again that he hated Weed. She hurriedly conveyed her message.

‘I need to do it now. I can’t go back like this!’

[ What will you do? ]

Hana looked up at Weed while still in his arms.

His expression was strained, his glistening eyes betraying an emotion so raw it seemed he might cry at any moment. Normally, when she looked at him like this, Weed would meet her gaze and smile without hesitation. But now, he deliberately avoided looking at her, only biting his lip.

Their time together had been short. They didn’t have many shared memories, though did time really matter? Every moment they had shared was precious, and she couldn’t bear the thought of discarding any of it.

It felt presumptuous to think about erasing someone else’s memories, especially ones that didn’t belong to her. No, it was more than presumptuous. It was an ungrateful act. If someone erased her memories without permission, she would be uncomfortable with it as well.

The truth was, Hana didn’t want this. She had wanted him to remember her.

At first, she was drawn to the idea of the sacrifice fulfilling its purpose and being honored even after death. Regardless of the relationship she had with Weed, it was clear that every life that was extinguished made him cry as if the heavens themselves were falling.

But she also knew the facade.

What would it matter once someone dies? There was no way for her to verify that. Still, this was the only way. A precious memory shared with someone could turn into a painful burden if that person were no longer there.

Hana bit her lip and squeezed her eyes shut.

It would be a lie if she said she wasn’t sad. But…

‘Erase it now.’

[ Now? ]

Right now.

She wanted all the memories related to her to be erased. To make it so they were complete strangers.

If all memories were erased, Weed wouldn’t know she was someone summoned from another world. He wouldn’t know she was a sacrifice. He wouldn’t know that his heart would break once the sacrifice died. If that were the case, he wouldn’t be trying so forcefully to bring her back.

‘Yes, now.’

She didn’t want him to be hurt. She didn’t want to see him crying in sorrow like that.

So, she made the decision.

However, she didn’t want it to happen while he was right in front of her.