I Just Wanted to Avoid Death - Chapter 113
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Eldis rushed forward and embraced Yeshion tightly.
“Yeshion, Yeshion…”
Eldis repeatedly called out Yeshion’s name, tightening his hold as if he’d recovered something precious he had lost.
‘…W-what’s going on here?’
Of course, Yeshion couldn’t hide his bewilderment, helplessly fluttering his arms. But Eldis’s embrace was too firm for him to escape, leaving him no choice but to remain still.
It was strange.
This was clearly the moment Eldis was supposed to approach in anger. Yet instead of anger, he appeared sorrowful, holding onto Yeshion while trembling.
Questions filled Yeshion’s mind, but he still couldn’t push Eldis away.
“You…It really is you…”
The suppressed voice sounded like that of a man who had barely found something long missed.
That voice sounded so unbearably sad that, rather than pushing him away or asking questions, Yeshion chose to comfort him first.
“What’s wrong, Archpriest?”
As Yeshion gently stroked Eldis’s back, Eldis’s arms tightened around him even more.
“Ugh…! Wait— Archpriest, it’s h-hard to breathe!”
Last time Eldis had strangled him to death—was he planning on killing him with a hug this time? Yeshion frantically patted his back to signal him to let go, at which Eldis finally relaxed his grip slightly.
Eldis drew back just enough to look at Yeshion’s face, still holding loosely around his waist.
Platinum hair he’d always thought was beautiful as it scattered gently in the breeze. Confused golden eyes, darting around, uncertain of what was happening. Flawless pale skin, and cheeks tinged red.
How long had it been since he’d last seen Yeshion looking so healthy? Eldis bit his lip, overwhelmed by inexplicable emotions.
Caressing Yeshion’s soft cheek gently with his thumb, Eldis spoke in a low, mournful voice.
“I missed you.”
“…Me?”
‘But why on earth…?’
Yeshion’s heart started pounding.
It was undoubtedly the nineteenth life, yet Eldis was acting as though he clearly remembered him.
As if Eldis, just like Yeshion, had returned through time.
“You died.”
“…..”
“You died healing me… after I was stabbed.”
Yeshion’s mouth fell open in shock.
“H-how do you…know that?, A-Archpriest?”
At that moment, Eldis’s eyes sharpened with clarity. Yeshion’s reaction had revealed that he, too, remembered everything.
“…Perhaps God helped us.”
“…..”
“I vowed that if given another chance, this time I’d definitely protect you.”
Eldis moved his hand from Yeshion’s cheek, gently grasping Yeshion’s hand. His large fingers slipped into the spaces between Yeshion’s, interlocking them firmly.
As Yeshion lowered his gaze slightly, looking at their intertwined hands, Eldis’s deep voice echoed above him.
“This time, I won’t let you die.”
“…..”
“I’ll remove anything that threatens you.”
It was as if Eldis was saying he’d gladly let Yeshion use him.
Yeshion raised his head to meet Eldis’s gaze, unknowingly swallowing dryly.
‘How strange…’
How was it that words from this man, whose feelings had always been hard to read, could bring such relief?
Simply hearing those words seemed to wash away all the anxiety buried deep within him.
* * *
“So… You remember everything…?”
Though Yeshion had doubted it at first, Eldis really did remember everything that had happened in the past.
“Yes. I don’t know exactly why, but I remember it all clearly. Even that bitter winter when I died by your grave.”
“You died by my grave? Wait, what do you mean by that?”
Surprised, Yeshion asked again, but Eldis only offered a faint smile. He didn’t seem in the least bit inclined to answer.
When Yeshion frowned at the following silence, Eldis finally spoke.
“The past isn’t important anymore. All that matters now is that you’re right here, alive again, and we’ve been given a new chance. Though, I didn’t expect you’d remember the past as well.”
Eldis seemed pleased as he spoke, causing Yeshion’s lips to part silently.
Why was Eldis remembering everything this time around?
‘…Thinking won’t give me answers.’
