Help, I'm in Another World and All the Men Are Are So Dangerous! [BL]-Chapter 323: A Little Jealousy

Rocco immediately perked up, a smile spreading across his face.

Thanks, Laxus. Hand-holding powers: activate.

"After everything that happened, I didn’t think you’d actually come... I’m really glad you did."

Still playing with Rocco’s hand in his, Laxus began chatting with Feilu, and Rocco quietly listened in.

By "everything that happened," Feilu must’ve meant the kidnapping incident.

After that, the former head of the Don Ferocelli family had been disgraced, the two major families had turned on them, and in the end, the man had been arrested as a criminal.

Rocco had worked hard to convince everyone not to punish Feilu, and it seemed to have worked—Feilu had avoided prison.

But still, the guy had lost his family. Rocco had been secretly worried about him.

That said, from the way he looked tonight, surrounded by close aides and allies, Feilu seemed to be doing alright.

Rocco figured there was no need to worry too much.

Sure, the vendetta from the two great families was still alive and well, but Feilu was clever—he’d find a way to stay ahead of it.

Yeah. Definitely.

While Rocco was feeling quietly relieved, Laxus who is standing beside him, seemed to be experiencing quite the opposite.

His eyes narrowed sharply, and his cold demeanor toward Feilu was starting to feel a little intense—honestly, it was kind of scary.

And it wasn’t just Rocco’s imagination.

When Feilu spoke, Laxus responded with a rare, biting smirk, the sarcasm practically dripping from his words.

"Well, I suppose so. I have to admit, I’m surprised you managed to avoid total ruin. Still, I’m glad someone more competent than the last head took charge. Congratulations, Feilu."

His words were practically lined with barbs.

Even Rocco, who wasn’t exactly the sharpest when it came to subtext, could pick up on the loaded sarcasm.

Laxus was definitely being a little mean—he could’ve just offered a normal congratulations like a decent person.

Rocco gave Laxus’s arm a few light, scolding slaps and turned back to Feilu with a bright smile, hoping to smooth things over.

He figured Feilu probably still felt some guilt toward him, so it was important to show he wasn’t holding a grudge—not even a little.

"Congrats, Feilu. Or wait—should I start calling you Master Feilu now, since you’re the boss?"

Rocco clapped softly as he spoke, and Feilu immediately waved his hands and shook his head wildly.

"Not at all! Please, just keep calling me Feilu, like always, Rocco!"

That title—Rocco—slipped out just as Feilu’s expression briefly darkened.

Even Rocco, normally a bit slow on the emotional uptake, recognized that they’d both remembered the same thing in that moment.

His eyebrows softened in understanding.

Yeah, Rocco hadn’t forgotten either.

Just for a few minutes, they’d managed to be real friends.

Rocco gave a quick glance toward the balcony where that moment had taken place, a small, warm smile curling at his lips.

He reached out gently toward Feilu, who blinked his eyes in surprise.

"I get it. Let’s keep looking out for each other, Feilu. I still think of you as a friend, y’know? And when we’re in ’friend mode’—let’s keep being real close, yeah?"

He wiggled his fingers in a little motion over his chest, subtly directing Feilu’s attention toward the balcony.

And Feilu understood. He smiled, clearly touched, and clasped Rocco’s hand in a firm handshake.

"Yes. I’d like that, very much... Rocco."

He added just the slightest pause before Rocco’s name, his smile teasing but genuine.

It was good to see Feilu acting more like himself again.

Rocco returned the smile, soft and happy—only for Laxus to suddenly frown, eyebrows twitching, as he pulled Rocco’s hand possessively.

"...Rocco. We should go. They’re waiting on us."

"Ah! Right! We gotta hurry!"

Dragged along a bit too eagerly by Laxus, Rocco quickly turned to wave frantically at Feilu.

"See you later, Feilu! Let’s hang out again sometime!"

Feilu waved back, smiling and calling out that Rocco was always welcome to visit.

And as Rocco nodded his head at the invitation, he felt Laxus’s grip on his hand tighten—just a little more than before.

Rocco hurried to keep up with Laxus, who was walking a little faster than usual.

Laxus was holding his hand, so there was no risk of being left behind, but still... it wasn’t the usual gentle pace adjusted to match Rocco’s small steps.

Even he couldn’t help but notice something felt off.

Trying his best to keep up, Rocco pumped his legs with effort and let out a soft, pleading voice.

"La-Laxus! You’re walking a little too fast! I’m gonna get tired...!"

When he said that, nearly in tears, Laxus abruptly stopped in his tracks like he’d just realized something important.

Apparently, the faster pace had been unconscious.

Looking back at Rocco, who was catching his breath with a little wheeze, Laxus quickly knelt down and apologized, clearly flustered. ƒгeewebnovёl.com

"S-Sorry, Rocco...! I know your strides are tiny and you don’t have much stamina, but I went and walked ahead without thinking... I’m really sorry..."

Rocco, swaying weakly from exhaustion, was suddenly wrapped up in a firm hug.

He leaned against Laxus’s solid frame, catching his breath with little puffs, before shifting gears and asking, "I-It’s okay. But... why are we in such a rush? I know everyone’s waiting, but there’s no need to run like that."

He flailed his arms a bit to emphasize his point.

Sure, they were making the big shots—Di Malvento and Del Fiore—wait, but it wasn’t like they had to sprint there.

When Rocco said this, Laxus lowered his eyes, looking guilty as he muttered, "...I’m really sorry."

Rocco wasn’t looking for another apology, though.

What he wanted was the reason.

Laxus was usually calm, composed, and stylish—never in a rush.

So for him to act like this, something had to be up.

When Rocco asked again, Laxus finally looked down, his shoulders slumping as he confessed, "...I got jealous."

That answer was not what Rocco expected.

He blinked his eyes a few times, stunned, before staring wide-eyed at Laxus. "Huh?!"