Chapter 40 - Blindness

Translator's Note:

Hello, I hope you've all been doing well.

Here you go, and I wish you a good read.

And, as I said before, if you wish to read ahead, you can head over to my Patreon to get early access to all the translated chapters.

The One I Dare Not Meet

 

That day, after completing a series of procedures at the Ayase hospital, Ren dragged his exhausted body back to his private quarters. This was his personal residence on the top floor of Kunishiro Holdings headquarters.

 

Unlike the grandeur of his executive office, this space was quite simple. There was a large window offering a panoramic view of the city at night, but no luxurious sideboards or reception furniture adorned the room.

 

The spacious living room, decorated in white tones, housed only a large wall-mounted television, a two-seater sofa, and a small glass table. Ren rarely cooked, so the kitchen was sparse, and the sleek silver refrigerator held little more than bottles of Perrier.

 

Occasionally, Seida, in a motherly fashion, would bring him traditional Japanese meals, but this was Ren's private sanctuary. Even Aoi had never been invited here. In truth, Ren found this place far more peaceful than the family estate, where numerous servants shared his living space.

 

After a quick shower, Ren bypassed the living room and headed straight for the bedroom. Lying down on the king-size bed, he sighed as he gazed up at the high ceiling.

 

"...When should I tell him about the surgery? Aoi seems to be avoiding talking to me lately..."

 

As Aoi's twentieth birthday approached, Ren had been trying to find a suitable omega partner for him. Since Ren couldn't have children himself, he needed Aoi to carry on the family line.

 

However, his impatience had gotten the better of him, and he had become insistent on discussing potential partners with Aoi, which had led Aoi to dislike the topic completely.

 

Even so, the issue of succession was something Ren had to rely on Aoi to resolve. Aoi needed to be with as many omegas as possible. Ren still wasn't sure what kind of person Aoi preferred, but he had carefully selected partners who were not only beautiful but also highly talented.

 

Ritsu Ayase was one such candidate. Ritsu had not only a striking appearance but also a brilliant mind and talent. He was well-respected by the hospital staff and dedicated to his research.

 

Though Ren knew Ritsu well from their long-standing relationship, there was one flaw—Ritsu's somewhat uninhibited nature when it came to matters of intimacy. Still, if Aoi took a liking to Ritsu, Ren would still welcome their relationship.

 

Yet, Aoi still refused to be with an omega.

 

Ren was becoming increasingly frustrated, while Aoi remained stubborn, seemingly intent on finding a partner on his own. This was proving to be a major headache for Ren.

 

"...Could it be that he's already in love with someone? Who could it be...?"

 

Ren murmured to himself, letting his thoughts drift to Aoi's social circle. But, realizing that he hadn't had a proper conversation with Aoi in years, he became painfully aware that he knew next to nothing about Aoi's friends.

 

The one person Ren couldn't help but think of was Haruhito Mikado. Feeling a sharp pang in his chest, Ren clutched at his heart and turned onto his side on the bed. His eyes fell on the jacket tossed carelessly at the edge, with his smartphone peeking out from its inner pocket.

 

"..."

 

It had been about a year since Ren had provided substantial financial support to Haruhito.

 

Haruhito, forgoing university, had taken over as president of his father's company at the young age of eighteen. Ren's mind wandered to their first email exchange, under the pretext of formal greetings for the transition.

 

A simple, businesslike message with a brief outline of a new venture and the usual polite pleasantries about maintaining good relations—yet even knowing it was likely not written by Haruhito himself, Ren's heart had raced, tightening painfully.

 

The decision to provide financial backing wasn't solely because it was Haruhito. The proposal Haruhito had attached—concerning a rare metal mining project—was genuinely excellent, and Ren saw it as a valuable investment.

 

In reality, the venture had been a tremendous success. "MDC (Mikado Drilling Contractor)" had reversed decades of poor performance, and Ren felt a strange sense of pride, satisfied with the tangible impact his support had made on Mikado's business. It made him feel an awkward but undeniable happiness.

 

As their business communications increased, Mikado began expressing a desire to meet in person and offer his thanks. Every time Ren's secretary, Seiba, relayed this message, Ren would insist on declining. He was busy, after all. Mikado must be as well. There was no need to force a meeting. Again and again, Ren had asked Seiba to relay that exact message. But Mikado remained persistent, unwilling to take no for an answer.

 

Eventually, Seiba had given in. Without Ren's consent, he went ahead and scheduled the meeting. "Continuing to refuse would be rude at this point. Unless there's something you're not telling me? If there's a reason, I think I deserve to hear it properly," he had scolded him. And so, against his wishes, a meeting with Mikado had been arranged.

 

"I have to worry about Aoi's surgery... I'm going to be too busy for this. I don't have time to see him..." Ren muttered under his breath.

 

But the more he tried to push thoughts of Mikado out of his mind, the more that face came rushing back to him. All Ren could remember was Mikado's face from his high school days, but just the memory of that boy—the intensity of his presence, his intoxicating scent, the sound of his refreshing voice—was enough to set Ren's body alight.

 

I want to see him... How has he grown?

 

"Ugh…"

 

As if ashamed of the way his body responded, Ren bit down hard on his bottom lip. His cheeks flushed, and an unbearable ache spread from deep within.

 

No... I can't meet him. I can't face him…

 

"Damn it... Why is this happening...?"

 

Ren groaned as he lay face-down, struggling to control his trembling body, now unbearably taut with arousal. He longed for Mikado, but if they met, Ren knew he would never be able to maintain the composure expected of an alpha. That was something he absolutely could not allow.

 

"Ha... ah..."

 

But the more Ren resisted, the more intensely his instincts cried out for Mikado. The anxiety of knowing that Masachika might have uncovered the truth only fueled the longing, making Ren ache for Mikado's presence even more. His heart stirred restlessly, craving him close.

 

The day of their meeting was fast approaching.

 

Even as Ren was consumed by this maddening yearning, he still could not permit himself to see Mikado.

 

Torn between these irreconcilable emotions, Ren could only find a fleeting, hollow relief in comforting his stiff arousal using his pale fingers.

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