They Hated Me in My First Life, But Now I Have the Love System

Chapter 413: Comparison with Carl

He was projecting again, and it left a bitter taste in his mouth.

It made him feel a quiet kind of shame.

Nnenna had at least become a friend, if nothing more, to him. And it wouldn’t be fair to her if their renewed bond was poisoned by ghosts and grief. She deserved more than to be a stand in for someone he had lost.

He remembered how he had left Lionara months ago without saying a word to her. He had been too wrapped up in his own disappointment and urgency. No farewell. No explanation. Just silence.

Arthur glanced at her again, his expression unreadable.

He didn’t know if she would forgive him this time, or if he even deserved it.

“Nnenna,” he called out.

The cold edge in his voice was still there, but dulled. Not many would notice the change, but it was there. Subtle. Almost hesitant.

Nnenna turned slightly, her face composed, polite. She wasn’t sure what to say to this unreliable friend, if he even considered her a friend. So she simply gave a small nod in greeting. Civil. Distant.

Arthur’s frown deepened, just a shade.

It wasn’t the kind of greeting she gave Carl.

Carl got smiles. Questions. The kind of warmth that made Arthur feel like an outsider even when he stood right in front of her.

What did Carl have that I don’t? The thought was bitter, uninvited.

on his shoulder, dressed in pristine white, arms crossed,

you,” the miniature Arthur said flatly. “You vanished without a word, and now

forcing his expression

anything,” the voice went on. “And you’re acting like you deserve the same warmth

It wasn’t like him to dwell. But this time, it stung more than he

she was just being polite. Maybe she really

did that bother

for him, the little version of himself was persistent. It popped right back onto his shoulder, arms crossed, eyes full

and warm. Who wouldn’t want to be around him?” the mini Arthur in white

stunned. What

off, literally gave his head a sharp jolt, but before he could even recover, another version of himself appeared on his other

it. “What… are you the negative

second version didn’t answer. The first one, still in white, waved its tiny hands rapidly like it had been waiting for that

doing better lately, haven’t you? The

a brow. Was he really being lectured by a

with all the seriousness in the world, “you’ve got to keep it up. Do better. Be better. That way

unsure whether he was losing his mind, or if his

his shoulder. “You don’t even exist. So

“Suit yourself. Just don’t complain

jab, the little guy and the other one vanished, poof, like

his thoughts… only to realize the hallway was completely empty. Somto and Nnenna

He stood there, speechless.

could understand

That stung more than he expected. It wasn’t like Somto to just leave him hanging like that. Then again, he had been