Help, I'm in Another World and All the Men Are Are So Dangerous! [BL]-Chapter 142: Chasing the Rabbit

It soothed his otherwise chaotic mind, easing the madness that constantly threatened to overtake him.

For the sake of his own peace, that strange form of emotional stability was something he couldn’t afford to lose.

Laxus vowed silently.

He would make Rocco Di Malvento his—completely and utterly.

To ensure that, he needed to eliminate every potential trouble before they could even arise.

...

After the meeting ended, Marcus and his associates became even busier than before.

Apparently, while Rocco had been asleep, their discussions had gained momentum, and they had drawn closer to uncovering the identity of the so-called mastermind.

Now, the investigation was in full swing.

Rocco had half-heartedly volunteered to join in, saying, "Let me help too!" Unsurprisingly, his offer was promptly shot down.

The response was a firm, "You just stay put and behave yourself."

It was painfully clear they considered him a nuisance, leaving Rocco feeling dejected.

With nothing else to do, he thought he might as well lounge around lazily.

However, just as he resigned himself to boredom, an unexpected change occurred in their daily lives.

To everyone’s astonishment, two rival families, who had long maintained a mutually hostile relationship, formed a public alliance.

It wasn’t quite as dramatic as a formal treaty, but rather, a reconciliation of sorts.

Both families began actively participating in each other’s gatherings, showcasing their newfound camaraderie to the outside world.

It was almost as if they were making a deliberate effort to display the unity of the two families to someone.

This change meant that Laxus no longer had to sneak around to infiltrate the Di Malvento estate.

In fact, both families—especially Sylas and Laxus—could now openly meet face-to-face.

As someone who wholeheartedly supported the relationship between the two—destined, in Rocco’s opinion, to blossom into a passionate romance—this development made him genuinely happy.

At least, that’s what Rocco thought initially.

However, now, standing in the middle of the chaos, he couldn’t understand how things had turned out this way.

"Why... why is this happening to me?"

"Hey there, Rocco! You look absolutely adorable today!"

"Can I join you for a little bit?"

"Wow, those flowers are beautiful. Did you grow them bu yourself, Rocco?"

Why? Why? Why is Laxus paying attention to me?

Once again, Rocco found himself panting heavily, after desperately trying to escape from Laxus’s relentless pursuit.

He crouched in a dense thicket, catching his breath, as he reflected on the past few weeks.

It had been about a month since that fateful meeting.

Ever since the Di Malventos and Del Fiores began openly interacting with each other, Laxus had taken full advantage of the situation and started visiting the Di Malvento estate regularly.

At first, Rocco assumed Laxus was coming to visit Sylas.

Wanting to stay out of the way, he kept a low profile and played the role of a background character.

However, for some reason, Laxus started seeking Rocco out every day, going out of his way to interact with him.

Laxus would show up with a bright smile, unfailingly presenting Rocco with gifts and involving himself in his life.

Rocco found it unnerving. Laxus’s true intentions were impossible to decipher, and the uncertainty of it all was genuinely frightening.

Rocco could tell Laxus was up to something—that much was obvious, even to him.

But why?

Even if romance wasn’t the motive, Rocco couldn’t understand why Laxus would target him.

If Laxus had some scheme, Sylas would be the logical target.

After all, Sylas was the Heir of the Di Malvento family, someone with valuable information and influence.

In contrast, Rocco considered himself a mere insignificant extra—a second son, a minor character with no special role.

He had no useful information and had never been entrusted with any of the family’s missions.

From the perspective of both his family and outsiders, he was utterly useless, someone with no strategic value.

So why was Laxus so enthusiat on involving himself with Rocco?

"Rocco," came Laxus’s voice.

"Eek!"

Rocco was lost in thought, trying to untangle the mystery of Laxus’s intentions, when suddenly the bushes rustled.

Laxus appeared, parting the foliage with his hands.

Startled by the sight of Laxus’s cheerful, smiling face, Rocco leapt up in fright and landed on his rear in the grass.

Laxus crouched down in front of him, tilting his head slightly as if confused.

"That’s so mean, Rocco. Why do you always run away from me?"

Rocco felt like a villager in a game of tag, cornered by the monster.

He trembled with his tears began to welling up in his eyes.

Seeing this, Laxus blinked in confusion, his expression growing even more puzzled.

Laxus’s eyes betrayed his complete inability to understand why Rocco was scared or uncomfortable, and that lack of comprehension was even more terrifying.

"W-Why are you chasing after me...?"

Rocco, trembling in fear, managed to choke out his question.

Laxus blinked once, his expression blank with surprise, before letting out a small, amused laugh.

Rocco stared at him, confused.

Had he said something funny?

He kept silent, waiting for Laxus’s answer.

Laxus’s eyes narrowed slightly, his amusement evident, and he leaned in closer, whispering in a voice that was strangely sweet and honeyed, almost intoxicating.

"Why? Because I like you, Rocco. Isn’t it obvious?"

"...Huh?"

Startled by Laxus’s sudden proximity, Rocco instinctively leaned back.

The sight of Laxus’s strikingly handsome face up close rendered him momentarily dazed.

His thoughts scrambled, and he couldn’t help but let out a soft, involuntary noise as the tension in his body drained away.

However, the realization of what had just been said quickly snapped him back to reality.

Rocco jumped backward with a start and glared at Laxus.

His eyes burned with a mix of indignation and embarrassment, and his entire being radiated a stay away! aura, like a cornered cat hissing in defiance.

"D-Don’t saying something like that again! I told you last time—I’m not falling for it this time!" Rocco stomped his foot, his frustration spilling over.

His face was flushed a deep red, though he firmly convinced himself it wasn’t because of Laxus’s flirtatious words. freewēbnoveℓ.com