Chapter 41 - 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.

A Reunion After Three Long Years

 

Aoi's surgery had been a complete success.

 

There were no signs of the rejection they had feared, and each day, Ayase sent reassuring updates that Aoi's recovery was progressing smoothly.

 

If Ren had his way, he would never have left Aoi's side. But fate had other plans for him. Ren had been attending a conference in France and couldn't be there when Aoi first opened his eyes.

 

Adding to this, Ren had recently arranged a meeting with Mikado, but due to a delayed flight back from France, he had to cancel. He felt relieved, thinking it was beyond his control, but at the same time, there was a part of him that was disappointed. That feeling made him feel weak, as if he were being overly sentimental, and he couldn't shake the sense of frustration.

 

For now, however, all his thoughts were focused on Aoi's eyes. As soon as Ren arrived back in Japan, he headed straight for the mansion.

 

Aoi had already been discharged and was recovering at home. Ren's heart raced at the thought of seeing Aoi's eyes—of meeting his gaze for the first time in years. The moment he stepped out of the car, he hurried inside, his steps quick and determined.

 

"Aoi...!"

 

Throwing open the living room door, Ren saw Aoi, who stood up from the sofa the moment he entered. Aoi's eyes were fixed directly on him, and the sight of his younger brother gazing at him with clear eyes caused Ren's chest to tighten with emotion.

 

"Brother...?"

 

"Yes... it's me. Oh, Aoi..."

 

Ren rushed over and wrapped Aoi in his arms, pulling him close as he looked deeply into his younger brother's eyes. Aoi's gaze, like a sky full of stars, met his own—a beautiful deep blue, the same as before.

 

Ren's late mother had eyes that resembled Aoi's, but even she hadn't possessed such a unique, golden hue. This particular shade was a trait only those of direct Kunikiro descent carried in their blood. Perhaps it was the fresh flow of Aoi's own blood that had restored this beauty to his eyes. They were just as Ren remembered from Aoi's childhood.

 

"Aoi... you've gotten your beautiful eyes back."

 

"Yes... Thank you so much, Brother. For everything you did for me."

 

"You don't have to thank me. None of that matters anymore."

 

"You worked so hard, all by yourself, didn't you? From now on, I'll be the one to support you."

 

"Aoi..."

 

Aoi's fingertips brushed Ren's cheek as he spoke. His eyes glistened with tears, and Ren, filled with relief at his brother's reassuring words, felt his own heart soften. Grasping Aoi's warm hand, Ren gently kissed his cheek.

 

When they were children, such affectionate gestures were a common part of their bond. But now, Ren couldn't easily bring himself to touch Aoi, fearing the truth buried deep within him would be disclosed. Aoi, as an Alpha, might sense what Ren had kept hidden for so long.

 

But just this once, Ren wanted to hold him tight. He couldn't help but notice how much Aoi had grown, how he was now nearly as tall and broad as Ren himself. Aoi's strength only made Ren's affection for him deepen, and he pulled his younger brother closer still.

 

Yet, Aoi's next words shattered Ren's momentary peace.

 

"What would you do if I told you I have someone I want to bond with?"

 

——Bond with… someone…?

 

For a brief, dizzying moment, Ren's world wavered.

 

A wave of futility crashed over him, realizing that all the advice he had repeatedly given Aoi might have been in vain. And alongside that, a fierce surge of jealousy and envy seized his heart.

 

——I, as an Omega, am forced to live so restricted, and yet just because he's an Alpha, he can so easily be with his fated partner...

 

——I've never been able to live as I wanted, yet Aoi is still determined to follow his own path, no matter what.

 

But Ren couldn't afford to show his inner turmoil to his brother. He swallowed hard, suppressing his emotions, and spoke in a commanding voice.

 

"...How many times must I tell you? I've forbidden you from forming a bond. If you bond with someone, you'll only be able to have relations with them. You need to be with many Omegas, Aoi, and I cannot allow you to limit yourself."

 

"I've always wondered, Brother... where's your partner?"

 

"W-what...?"

 

There was no hesitation in Aoi's eyes. His gaze was steady, as if he had already uncovered Ren's secret.

 

Ren's breath caught in his throat. His whole body tensed under Aoi's calm, unwavering stare.

 

——Could Aoi have already guessed...?

 

The fact that Ren had raised his voice in response to Aoi's question only made him feel more ashamed. But even now, he couldn't let the truth slip. He didn't know how much Aoi had pieced together, but Ren had to maintain the mask of an Alpha just a little longer. At least until Aoi had gained the strength to stand on his own, both in his social and professional life... only then could Ren reveal his true self.

 

As Ren returned Aoi's gaze, as serene as the still waters, a faint dizziness swept over him. The golden eyes, as deep and beautiful as the indigo sea, seemed to pierce through him, and Ren felt an almost primal fear.

 

He had always known that Aoi's sense of smell had sharpened to compensate for the loss of his sight. That was why Ren had made countless efforts to conceal his Omega pheromones... yet still...

 

Turning on his heel, Ren made to leave the mansion, attempting to escape Aoi's penetrating gaze. But when a shadow blocked his path, Ren was left utterly speechless.

 

"...!"

 

"I'm sorry. The door was open, and... I didn't mean to overhear."

 

That cool, low voice sent a sweet thrill through Ren's ears.

 

The figure standing before him was none other than the soul mate he had longed for all this time.

 

——Thump... thump... thump...

 

Ren's heart pounded loudly in his chest, the rapid rhythm almost deafening. Heat slowly spread throughout his body, and a growing sense of panic began to take hold of him.

 

——Why, why here... of all places...?

 

As Ren stood frozen in shock, Mikado's pitch-black eyes locked onto his. There was a strange mix of anxiety and exhilaration within those intense eyes, a gaze that stirred something deep within Ren. How familiar it felt.

 

Mikado had grown taller, standing above Ren now. It wasn't just his height; his broadening chest and poised posture exuded the presence of a true leader, the head of a company.

 

The suit he wore fit him perfectly, exuding the confidence of an adult. Yet, in his eyes still danced the lively light of a boyish spirit.

 

Ren had been so relieved when their meeting had been canceled, he'd forgotten that Mikado was also Aoi's close friend. He should have anticipated that Mikado would come to visit Aoi, now that he had regained his sight...

 

Ren, still reeling from his encounter with Aoi, was thrown into further turmoil. His knees nearly gave way beneath him, but Mikado quickly reached out to steady him.

 

A large hand with long fingers—a hand Ren had often imagined while comforting his aching, yearning body—was now right there before him. How easy it would be to collapse into those hands, to find comfort in them. How happy he would be... Ren forcibly suppressed the sudden surge of longing that threatened to overwhelm him.

 

"I'm sorry for showing up unannounced. Mr. Ren, I have wanted to meet you so badly. I know how busy you are, more than anyone, but I—"

 

"Move."

 

"Huh...?"

 

"Just move. I don't have time to sit around and chat with you."

 

——I wanted to see you. I've wanted to see you for so, so long...

 

Ren's instincts and heart were in perfect sync, longing for Mikado. But the words that left his mouth were cold, detached. The Alpha mask he had worn for so long automatically pushed Mikado away.

 

Despite the troubled expression in Mikado's eyes—a gaze that Ren found unbearably precious—Ren's icy voice and heartless words kept pushing him away, even though deep inside, all Ren wanted was to see him, to be with him.

 

"I said, move! I'm tired. I don't want to see anyone right now."

 

"... I see... I'm sorry."

 

——Stay with me. Hold me. I want to be close to you, to be loved by you...

 

Even as Ren glared at Mikado, who lowered his eyes and stepped aside as if afraid, his very instincts screamed out for Mikado's embrace.

 

——Look at me. With those eyes, look only at me. Want me more... want me so much more...

 

Suppressing his Omega instincts with sheer willpower, Ren fled the scene, desperate to escape.

Last Chapter | TOC | Next Chapter