Every Mafia's Favorite Girl novel Chapter 119

Chapter 119: "A Lot More Than You Realize"

The moment Jordan stepped into the cool afternoon air outside, another figure emerged from the staircase leading down from the spectator gallery.

Aren was already hurrying down the metal steps toward him, the afternoon sun catching strands of her platinum hair as they danced softly across her features.

Jordan stood frozen for a heartbeat before his voice escaped him.

"Ariana!"

Aren stopped halfway down the staircase, her face instantly lighting up. She raised a hand and waved enthusiastically.

"Jordan! I’m coming!"

She bounded down the remaining steps two at a time.

Jordan found himself moving to meet her halfway before he even realized it.

The instant she reached the final step, emotion overwhelmed reason.

Without thinking, he slipped both arms around her waist and lifted her clean off the ground.

Aren let out a startled gasp as her feet left the pavement. Instinctively, she wrapped both arms around his shoulders to steady herself.

"Ariana, I finished first!" he exclaimed, pure, unrestrained joy radiating through both his voice and the strength of his embrace.

For a brief moment, Aren simply blinked before warmth blossomed inside her chest. She hugged him back without hesitation, feeling the rapid rise and fall of his chest as he struggled to catch his breath after the run.

"Yes!" she laughed. "I saw it! I couldn’t take my eyes off you during the entire course. You really pushed yourself, didn’t you? You’re still completely out of breath."

Hearing those words stirred something unexpectedly warm inside Jordan.

Then he realized what he was doing.

’Wait a minute.’

’I’m holding her?...’

’...and I’m entirely drenched in sweat.’

His eyes widened.

He immediately set her back on the ground and hurriedly took a step backward, the tips of his ears already burning crimson.

"I’m... I’m terribly sorry!" he blurted. "I was just... really happy to see you. I must be covered in sweat. I’m very sorry."

Aren paused, momentarily caught off guard by the abrupt retreat. Then, realizing what had embarrassed him, she waved both hands dismissively.

"It’s completely alright! I don’t mind at all. It’s only natural after a run like that. You did amazing!"

Jordan let out an awkward laugh.

"...Thanks."

A shy smile escaped him despite every effort to hide it.

"It’s because you were here today..." His eyes softened. "...Watching me."

Then a teasing note entered his voice.

"And... thanks for looking out for me, by the way."

Aren blinked.

"Hm?"

Jordan chuckled.

"I doubt Ricci could’ve finished that entire cookie box by himself."

Aren stalled.

For one long second, her expression remained perfectly blank before realization struck.

’...I’ve been caught.’

A faint blush crept onto her cheeks. She scratched them nervously, trying her best to sound innocent.

"Well... it was the least I could do. But... judging by how enthusiastically Ricci was eating those cookies..."

A giggle escaped her.

"I actually think he probably could’ve finished the whole box."

Jordan couldn’t help laughing. The image of Ricci greedily devouring dozens of cookies was entirely believable.

Before either of them realized it, Aren had gently slipped one arm through his.

"Shall we go get you something from the kitchen?" she asked brightly. "I’d like some tea before my turn too."

Jordan glanced down at the small arm looped so naturally around his much larger one.

Warmth settled quietly inside him.

"Of course. Let’s go get ourselves some tea."

They began walking side by side along the stone pathway together, the noise of the competition gradually fading behind them.

After several moments, Aren stole a quiet glance at him.

’Must I truly stop being friends with Jordan?’

’But... being close to him like this feels really nice.’

Before the feeling could settle any deeper, she tapped lightly on his arm.

"Was there anything particularly difficult about the course? Any advice for me?"

Jordan looked over, considering the question seriously.

"The pipes in the second sector. You’ll be crawling, dodging incoming fire, and engaging targets almost simultaneously. It’s probably the section that’ll slow you down the most."

Then another memory surfaced, and his expression became more serious.

"...Actually, I think I noticed something strange during the final sector."

Aren’s attention sharpened immediately, though she carefully kept her voice casual.

"What was it?"

Jordan frowned thoughtfully.

"I think I saw a rifle barrel inside one of the mock buildings."

’Right side.’

’Two-story structure.’

’Blue container behind it.’

’Ariana?!’

"Ow! I’m the baby of the family! You’re the eldest brother! You should be serving everybody!"

Standing beside them, Aren watched the brothers descend into complete chaos.

’...This is just like my squad.’

’They used to argue exactly like this every day.’

A laugh quickly escaped her.

Stepping between them, she wrapped both hands around Jordan’s arm and gave it a soft tug.

"Come on, Jordan. Let Oscar enjoy being the baby once in a while." Her eyes shifted briefly toward Oscar before returning to Jordan. "You should know that Oscar’s been rooting for you this whole time. A lot more than you realize."

Jordan went completely still.

Part of him stubbornly insisted that Oscar had somehow become far too close to Aren in only a single afternoon.

Yet beneath that gentle smile, those words and that soft tug...

He found himself completely unable to refuse her.

"...Okay."

He released Oscar’s ear in surrender.

"I’ll go ask Mrs. Sarno for some tea and pastries."

As he walked away, one helpless thought drifted through his mind.

’How does she keep turning me into a golden retriever so effortlessly?’

Only after Jordan disappeared around the corner did Oscar lean closer. Glancing around cautiously, he cupped one hand beside his mouth.

"Hey, Ariana... Are you seriously sure you want to face that sneaky shooter guy all by yourself? I know that we don’t know exactly where he hides yet, but what if he actually kills you? That’s insanely dangerous."

Aren nodded calmly.

"I am sure, Oscar. I might have an idea about his location, but I still need to verify it myself."

Oscar’s eyes widened.

"You do?"

"Yup. I just need you to block his escape and catch him."

Oscar let out a heavy sigh.

"That part’s easy. You can leave it to me. But still..."

He glanced away, a faint, embarrassed flush creeping onto his cheeks.

"...just... be careful in there, alright?"

Aren didn’t notice the faint blush coloring Oscar’s face. But the kindness in his words, she understood completely.

Reaching up, she gently patted both of his shoulders.

"Don’t worry, Oscar. I’ll be very careful."