Jo's eyes was widened and he swallowed and he was shaking right now.
"B-but how?! So you are one of the people who knew my secret identity…"
"I heard that people might be assuming that it was you.. based on my observations, so, you have been wearing long sleeves just to hide that watch on your right hand?"
"Li… I can expla-"
Li grabbed his right hand and pulled his sleeve. It was the same watch that dark was wearing.
"Then explain this…"
Jo couldn't speak anymore. He was very frustrated. He could've even ruined her day.
"Are you mad at me? It seems like I've ruined your day"
"I'm not mad but please explain! Don't try to dodge my question!"
"I'm not. I'm afraid-"
"Just fucking tell me you coward!"
Jo swallowed once again, was left no choice. having to tell the truth to li, but he was a hesitant.
"li... im so sorry. but its really too dangerous! are you really sure that you wanted to know who am i really i..?"
"as an elected governor at this young age, i can handle the affairs of my own city. i have the right to know the truth because that's how a good leader should be!" li declared.
he sighed. now actually showing his watch that he use to transform into his alter-ego.
"..." li was too stunned to speak. "atleast you're honest to me now. i wouldn't mind at all if you put me at risk. because i just realized, my mom once prepared me for these circumstances. and i was trained aswell, to keep everyone's secrets."
"but... don't you know... that.. if i put you at risk then it means, you will have a higher chance to be in danger. and if you're already in danger then you might possibly get threatened by anyone to force you to reveal my secret identity nor attacked by evil people and die on the following day. and i don't want that to happen because, seeing you being put at risk hurts me alot than getting a huge scar." jo explained.
"you don't have to worry about me. though im already a former aristocrat, i would always apply what i learned back from my aristocratic trainings and lessons. yeah.. you know... my clan's a tyrant nor dictators who enslaved everyone here in the past, but my mom... she thought me what's right and what's wrong... as the elected leader of this city after clan were thrown to another land, my responsibility is to help my own people and not just that, when time of danger comes, i should be there. to keep this city in good hands." li tried to convince him its okay.
"but-"
"well... i'm so sorry..."
"for what..?"
"when i just want you to tell you the truth about this rumors you know... when i just wanted to know if you're fine... instead of leaving you alone, i ended up starting a fight with you-"
"i understand... but im so sorry aswell, for to you know, uhm. yeah i did raised my voice at you, don't i?"
"forget it, its all a complicated talk."
"but, why would you wanna know who am i in my secret life? even though you're my best friend, you're not supposed to know this forbidden secret."
"indeed. but i have so many reasons to do that. not to mention that, as the agent of truth, my duty is to clarify and to investigate rumors before confirming. second, i wanted to prove to you that i can be a worthy friend than you anticipated. you did not broke my trust, i wanted you to know that i wanna do my best to do the same thing. and now, im testing you and me to see if we can keep this secret from anyone." li explained again. "don't worry, i won't let my clan know about this forbidden secret. you know how evil they are. i promise you that your secrets are safe with me and i guarantee you that this secret will be kept only for you and for me."
"promise?"
"your best friend knows best. promise."
they both did a pinky promise not to tell each other's secrets. a shame that li is shouldering so many responsibilities when she's supposed to study first instead of being the leader. good thing its only a city. not the whole country.