Our Summer Isn't Over Yet - Chapter 71

After his mother’s permission, Dylan soon moved into his uncle Graham’s house. And he entered the Naval Academy, which he had longed for so much.

It wasn’t all fun and games at the school he entered with his cousin Rodrigo. Dylan didn’t excel as much as he had dreamed of in the more demanding studies.

In a way, it was only natural.

Dylan, who came from the countryside and hadn’t learned anything before entering the school, had limitations in keeping up with other students who were older and had learned more than him.

Nevertheless, Dylan didn’t give up. He woke up and studied when others were sleeping, and he studied by squeezing in time while eating.

As a result, Dylan became the top student in his grade. It happened two years after he entered the school.

“Dylan Davy, he’s a monster in many ways. To beat all the famous kids in the capital in just two years.”

Elio, with Rodrigo next to him, checked the grades posted on the bulletin board and chuckled.

“It’ll be a piece of cake for you to reach the top position after graduating from school, right? Your praises are endless. It’s as if the Duke saw your tactics and coveted you so much that he wanted to take you to the army?”

“I don’t think it’s that much.”

“No, even the upperclassmen don’t usually admit it, but you’re a true navy man sent by God, right?”

When Dylan gave an awkward smile, Elio patted him on the shoulder and laughed heartily.

Rodrigo, who couldn’t join the conversation between his older brothers, began to whine. Elio playfully ruffled Rodrigo’s hair.

“Rodrigo, are you going to be so grumpy when your brothers are talking?”

“……I’ll be quiet.”

“Okay, good Rodrigo. By the way, I heard you’re going to see your parents to celebrate being the top student. When are you planning to leave?”

When Rodrigo stopped whining, Dylan answered Elio’s question.

“Maybe in two days?”

“Wow, you’re finally going to your house. Your parents always came here to see their son who doesn’t come home.”

“That’s why I’m going.”

“Have a good time with your parents.”

Elio said that to Dylan.

However, unlike what he said, Dylan’s trip to see his parents did not exist.

On the day of the scheduled departure.

Rodrigo, who was usually never sick, caught a fever. Graham told him not to worry and go see his parents, but Rodrigo wouldn’t let go of his brother.

“Brother, don’t go. I’m sick.”

Dylan, who was bothered by his younger brother holding on to him and saying things he usually didn’t say, couldn’t decide what to do.

“I’ll be back soon. Uncle said he’ll be here soon too, so you won’t be alone for long.”

“Why? Aunt and Uncle always came, but why are you going this time?”

“Rodrigo.”

“You don’t have to go now. Are you going to leave me when I’m sick?”

When he even started crying, Dylan had to give up his plan.

Dylan went to the nearby post office and connected to the post office in his hometown. It was quite a while later that he was able to talk to his mother.

His mother’s voice was full of excitement.

-Dylan? Haven’t you left yet?

“Mother.”

-I was so surprised to hear from the post office that you had contacted me. Is anything wrong?

Dylan, who was about to say something, quickly denied it.

“No. There’s nothing like that.”

-That’s a relief. Oh, right, Dylan. I’ve prepared a lot of things you like. It’s been a while since you’ve been home, right?

“……That’s right.”

-And I bought a necklace that can hold your portrait. Can you feel how much your mom misses her son?

The static noise grew louder, as if the connection wasn’t good.

Dylan clenched his fist tightly at his mother’s words that he could barely hear in between.

Dylan, I wanted to hear your voice, but it doesn’t seem like I can. Well, I guess it doesn’t matter since I’ll see you soon? Come carefully.

“Yes…….”

I’ll be waiting, my son. Mom loves you the most in the world. Max! You should tell Dylan that you miss him too. Oh, you bought something like this again? Why did you buy a wooden doll that a seven-year-old would like?

The affectionate voices of his parents were heard from beyond the communicator.

Don’t you remember our son’s age?

He liked this when he was young and still likes it now. When we went last time, he liked it so much when I gave it to him as a gift, right?

That’s because Dylan pretended to like it so you wouldn’t be upset! Give it to me. Buy another gift!

Shall we go together?

Soon after, the communicator turned off, but it felt like the laughter of his parents was still lingering in his ears.

Dylan jumped up from his seat and ran.

It wouldn’t be too late to leave now. He felt sorry for Rodrigo, but he wanted to go home, which he hadn’t been able to return to for two years.

He returned to the Miller mansion and hurriedly packed the luggage he had unpacked.

He carefully put in the report card that his parents would be happy to see. As he packed all his luggage and left the room, he faced his uncle Graham, whose face was pale.

Graham’s face, looking at Dylan coming out of the room, showed complex emotions such as relief, anxiety, and fear. His uncle stammered and stroked Dylan’s head.

“Thank goodness, thank goodness. You haven’t left yet.”

“Uncle?”

“Dylan, listen carefully. Murad just invaded.”

“Yes?”

“The exact situation hasn’t been grasped yet, so it’s complicated. Don’t go anywhere and keep waiting here.”

“But I’m going to see my parents today…….”

“Dylan, be good, okay? I just talked to your sister, and she said she doesn’t want you to come in a dangerous situation.”

He couldn’t understand why his parents, who had been so excited about their son coming just a moment ago, were saying this all of a sudden.

As if noticing that Dylan couldn’t believe it, his uncle grabbed Dylan’s shoulders tightly and urged him.

“Dylan, let’s go when the situation gets better. I’m your guardian while you’re here.”

Dylan reluctantly nodded at his uncle’s trembling touch.

At that time, Dylan thought of this situation lightly. It was the normal thought process of a fourteen-year-old boy who had never experienced war. However, not long after, Dylan realized the seriousness of the situation.

It was because of the news that the Murad army, rushing into Hippoly like crazy, had seized the village where Dylan had lived, right next to the border.

According to the news prominently featured in the capital’s newspaper, all the men in the village were killed, and the women were taken hostage to Murad.

Dylan didn’t believe it.

Even though he cried and begged to go see his parents, his uncle wouldn’t let him go. It was only natural.

Since the village had already been devastated, Dylan’s father would have died, and his mother would have either died or been taken hostage to Murad.

Nearly a year later, all that came into Dylan’s hands was his father’s unrecognizable body and a small wooden doll held in his hand.

After that, Dylan stepped onto the battlefield himself at the age of fifteen.

He did anything to survive, and he did anything to gain power. Because he couldn’t breathe if he didn’t do even that. He had to do it.

But all that was left was the death of the few remaining family members.

Rodrigo died because of Dylan’s choice, and his uncle followed his son to death. He was left alone in a world with no bloodline left.

As memories flooded in, Dylan let out a faint groan. Mia, who was sleeping next to him, moved slightly in her sleep at the sound.

He, who had been staring blankly into the air with empty eyes, turned his gaze to the small being lying next to him. The painful memories from just now disappeared like the ebb tide.

Dylan muttered in a hoarse voice.

“……Was it a problem that I met you at that time?”

Dylan Rihart, who had lost everything without being able to protect a single precious being, yet had a stronger desire for life than anyone else, had his life changed when he met Mia Blair, who would abandon her life if she achieved only one goal.

At first, it was pity.

There was also admiration for her who had survived alone in a foreign land.

Then, it was heartbreaking.

Why was she in such a hurry and so anxious that she hid her story, couldn’t even smile comfortably, and lived wearing a mask?

As time passed, he naturally became curious about Mia Blair.

The only thing she wanted was to find her parents and go home. He couldn’t read her thoughts at all.

His head was full of her.

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