CHAPTER 358: THE LIE AND THE PROMISE

The Lie and the Promise

Leon stiffened.

Her entreaty stabbed right through him, but his throat constricted tightly. His mouth opened, but no response issued forth—no no, no yes. Only silence.

And that alone was louder than words.

Mia’s breath caught. Her mouth opened wide, trembling, as her eyes held to his face, begging, searching, afraid of what she already sensed clawing its way up from the depths of her chest. Her lips trembled, her fists clenched at her sides, but she couldn’t move.

Neither said a word for a beat. The air between them grew heavy, thick with foreboding.

Then—her mother’s white face, thin and barely recognizable, appeared in Leon’s mind. He recalled the burden Mia bore, her hopeful expression now mimicking that deathbed despair. His chest constricted so hard he feared his ribs would splinter beneath the strain.

And then... something snapped within him.

Leon took a hard breath, balled his fists, and pushed his voice through.

"Yes. I have a way."

Mia’s eyes flew wide. Pleading look disappeared in a flash, to be replaced by stunned rigidity. Her lips parted, but nothing emerged. She stood there, staring at him, as if the ground beneath her feet had dissolved.

Leon cocked his head a little, forehead furrowed. "Mia? What is wrong? Why are you staring like that?"

Her lips quivered, her voice barely above a whisper. "...Leon... are you actually telling the truth?"

His throat functioned. He took a fraction of a second to hesitate before smiling. A firm, determined smile. "Yes. I will."

The words shattered her. In the very best way.

Bliss erupted across her face, and tears glinted in her eyes. With a strangled sound, she launched at him, arms hugged tight around his neck. "Leon! I—I’m so happy! Thank you... thank you for curing her!"

Her voice was trembling, overflowing with relief. She pressed her face into his chest, holding on like she’d never release him.

Leon held her back with just as much intensity, but his smile faltered behind her hair. He breathed into her ear, quiet and low, "There’s no need to thank me... and forgive me, my love."

Mia let out a trembling, half-choked laugh, face pressed against his chest. "Idiot... don’t say that." She only hugged him tighter.

But just as he adjusted to the warmth of her hold—

A wary, uncharacteristically relaxed voice woke up in his head.

Hey, bro.

Leon tensed. His heart jolted.

"...Yes?" he replied silently, shielded from Mia.

Just checking. you vowed Mia you’d be nice to her mother. But speak straight, do you actually have a plan?

His forehead creased in frustration.

"Of course, you idiot. Why else would I have made that vow if not?" he retorted in his mind. "Do you think I’m dumb enough to destroy her with false hopes? Now for goodness’ sake, give me something of value—some treatment, some pill, some technique, something you’ve found."

The voice wavered for a second, almost uncertain. Then it resumed.

...For your information, I don’t have any pill, any miracle, any treatment that can cure her.

Leon’s world fell apart. His arms stiffened around Mia. His mind became a blank.

"...What—what the hell are you saying?" His mental voice trembled.

Mia shifted slightly within his arms, not sensing the tempest behind his eyes.

"I know I’m funny sometimes," Leon growled in his mind, voice cracking, "but that doesn’t make our connection a game, shit. We’re friends—brothers, even. Don’t play some twisted trick on me now. I’ve already promised her. I can’t—I won’t—make her cry like that. So tell me you’re lying!"

The system’s voice sighed, deep and absolute.

Bro, I swear to you. I’m not lying. I don’t have a means to save her. Please... believe me.

Leon’s stomach lurched. His hands shook weakly against Mia’s back.

"One more time," he demanded, voice rough. "One more time, tell me it isn’t true."

The response came, heavy and firm.

Dead serious.

Leon’s control broke.

"Fuck!"

The curse ripped out loud this time, tearing from his lips before he could catch himself. The word rang harshly through the room.

Mia jolted, recoiling with wide eyes. "Leon? What... why are you swearing?"

Too late, Leon clamped his lip between his teeth, anger simmering within. He gritted a strained smile, his eyes concealing the tempest. "Ah... nothing, sweetheart. Don’t mind me." He laughed, stiff and unnatural. "I was just. saying you’re so intoxicating, I feel like sniffing you the entire night.

Her cheeks reddened immediately. "Y-You..." She playfully slapped his chest, narrowing her eyes at his provocation. "You’re shameless!"

Leon chuckled softly, relief flooding his fabrication. He hugged her again, burying his face in her hair to conceal the agony in his eyes.

But the voice of the system was not done.

Good save, dude. But come on... how do you intend to cure her mother? You can’t bluff indefinitely.

Leon’s smile wavered, his eyes glazing over as he muttered under his breath, "Then you figure it out. I already promised her. So give me something. Anything."

The system went quiet. Too quiet.

Leon’s chest hurt. He relaxed his grip on Mia, just a little bit. She leaned her head up against him with a gentle smile, tracing her fingers over the curve of his cheek.

"By the way, darling... when are you going to visit my mother? Tell me, please. I even asked Nova to set it up—you’ll cure her, I’m positive you will."

Her expectant eyes pierced him through.

He smiled, though within him was fear drowning.

If the system really has no means, then... should I be honest with her?

He swallowed, his mind reeling. If she asks why I told her I could... I’ll just say I wanted to comfort her heart, for a little while. But... damn it... can I really dash her hope like that?

His trance must have been visible, because Mia gently shook his arm. "Darling... hey, darling. Where are you losing your way to? What’s the matter?"

Leon blinked, refocusing on her face. "...Nothing."

"Then tell me," she coaxed softly. "When will you treat her? What do you need? Just tell me."

Leon glared at her eager eyes, and his chest seethed. He took a deep breath, his voice husky.

"Mia... I have to tell you something. And I’m sorry."

Her face went white, shock passing over her face. "Why... why are you sorry?"

Leon clenched his jaw. He took another breath, steeling himself. "I’m sorry because—"

Hey! Hey, bro! The voice of the system hit his head, urgent. Wait! I’ve got something. A means of healing her mother.

Leon’s words hung in mid-air, eyes flicking wide. A wave of shock and relief swept through him. "What—serious?" he bellowed in his mind.

But his mouth moved too, his voice spilling out loud.

"What?! Really?!"

Mia blinked at him, caught off guard by the sudden explosion. Her eyes narrowed with suspicion. "Darling... really? What do you mean by that?"

Her voice was low, questioning, shaking with the frantic hope she was too afraid to voice.

Leon swallowed, his heart thumping in his ears.

And the air between them chilled again.