Chapter 45 - 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.

His own Happiness?

 

It had been about two months since Ren had started teaching Aoi the ropes at the main office.

 

Ren found himself feeling more invigorated than usual, diving into work with fresh enthusiasm. It was the first time Aoi had seen him in action, and Ren couldn't help but want to impress, pushing himself to show just how capable he was.

 

Seiba, who was always by Ren's side, seemed to be watching him with a look of quiet reflection.

 

Since that day, Ren had also been in contact with Mikado once a week.

 

Though their initial connection was a simple arrangement for a private dinner, Ren had decided to use his personal phone instead of his work computer to correspond with Mikado, considering it inappropriate to handle personal affairs through professional channels.

 

Although they had agreed to meet, Ren's schedule revealed no free time for a while. Apologizing for the delay, he sent a message, to which Mikado quickly responded.

 

His reply was considerate, saying he was willing to wait as long as needed and expressing concern for Ren's well-being. While the exchange was formal and businesslike, Ren could feel Mikado's thoughtfulness, and and it was somehow very soothing. The simple act of communicating with Mikado, even through messages, made him feel closer and strangely content.

 

What started as a discussion to plan their meal had turned into a regular exchange, with Mikado frequently sharing updates on his work.

 

Mikado, often involved in projects such as rare metal excavation and oil platform construction overseas, appeared to be incredibly busy himself.

 

Even amidst his workload, Mikado occasionally sent breathtaking photos—one of a sunset over the Atlantic, another of dolphins swimming beside his ship, or a candid shot of his hand holding a beer with his crew on deck. Just looking at these pictures made Ren's heart race, lifting his spirits.

 

The fact that Ren had been able to confide in Aoi and that his interactions with Mikado had deepened—perhaps these changes were already softening Ren's usual demeanor.

 

"Brother, did something good happen?"

 

It was during a late lunch with his younger sibling when Aoi suddenly asked. Ren, caught mid-bite with his sandwich, choked slightly before hurriedly taking a sip of his latte from the paper cup.

 

"N-No, not really… What makes you think that?"

 

"I don't know, you just seem to be in a better mood lately."

 

"Huh? Do I usually look that upset?"

 

"Not upset, exactly, but you often have a serious expression. Lately, though, the wrinkles between your brows have disappeared."

 

With that, Aoi lightly tapped Ren's forehead. Ren squinted, slightly frowning at the gesture, before gently grasping Aoi's hand.

 

"Stop that."

 

"Are you still taking your meds?"

 

"Yes, of course. Even if I hand over the company to you, I can't stop taking the suppressants. It would interfere with work."

 

"But if I take over more of the workload, you could take it easy, right?"

 

"…Maybe, but—"

 

"You can give me a tighter schedule if it helps me learn faster."

 

While Ren appreciated Aoi's consideration, he felt guilty for pushing his younger brother, who was technically still a student, to take on so much responsibility. Rushing Aoi's learning process wouldn't be efficient. Ren squeezed Aoi's hand on the table and gently reassured him, "There's no need to hurry."

 

"Besides, you should cherish your time with Yuto. He's probably feeling down after the last heat, right?"

 

"...Yeah, he is."

 

While an Omega's chances of conceiving during their heat aren't always guaranteed, there's typically a high probability especially when they're with their fated pair. Unfortunately, Yuto hadn't yet conceived.

 

Though Yuto was physically young and healthy, the suppressants he had taken for so long were now affecting his fertility. Ayase Ritsu had mentioned the possibility that the medication had made it difficult for Yuto to conceive.

 

Naturally, Yuto was devastated by this reality. He felt an overwhelming sense of guilt, believing he had failed to provide Ren with an heir to the Kunishiro family, blaming himself for being unable to fulfill his role.

 

Ren had frequently urged Aoi to secure an heir, and Yuto, always by Aoi's side, had undoubtedly witnessed Ren's persistence.

 

Now, with Aoi aware of Ren's true situation, Ren found he was no longer as anxious about the succession as he once had been. He had reassured Yuto that there was no rush, but perhaps Yuto still lacked the emotional space to fully accept Ren's words.

 

Furthermore, Yuto still seemed sensitive to the difference in their social status. It was as if his entire sense of purpose had shifted, and he now believed his only value lay in bearing the Kunishiro heir.

 

Ren knew Aoi would never neglect Yuto in such a state, but Yuto was still highly attuned to Ren's actions as the head of the family. Ren often thought to himself that he needed to find time to sit down and have a proper talk with Yuto.

 

As fellow Omegas, there were many things they could understand about each other. Ren wanted Yuto to live in a way that fulfilled his own desires. That's why he continued to give Yuto responsibilities around the estate, hoping he could find his own path.

 

—There's still so much to be done…

 

Ren tousled Aoi's hair, who sat beside him with a worried look on his face, and gave his younger brother a reassuring smile.

 

"...It's an Alpha's duty to protect their mate, too. Just love Yuto the way you always have, there is no need to rush things."

 

"Yeah... thank you."

 

"It'll be fine, Aoi. Ayase has plenty of skilled doctors. If you keep making a face like that, Yuto will only worry more."

 

"...You're right. I need to pull myself together."

 

"If you need to vent, I'm here. Come on."

 

Ren opened his arms slightly and turned toward Aoi. Aoi looked a little taken aback, but then his expression softened, a gentle smile spreading across his face. A bit embarrassed, he leaned into Ren, hugging his chest tightly as they sat together on the couch.

 

As Ren gently stroked Aoi's platinum blonde hair, he closed his eyes. Aoi pressed his nose into the crook of Ren's neck, taking in his scent.

 

"...You smell sweet, Brother. It's nostalgic."

 

"Oh? Even with the cologne, you can still tell?"

 

"I can. I've always loved your scent."

 

"I see."

 

"You've been on suppressants for a while too, haven't you? Does that mean... you might also have trouble conceiving?"

 

"What?"

 

Aoi pulled back slightly, his sapphire-gold eyes looking intently at Ren. Realizing what Aoi meant, Ren faltered. "Well... that might be true. But it's not a problem for me. I've never wanted to have children."

 

"...But what if someday, you meet someone you can truly open your heart to?"

 

"..."

 

Suddenly, an image of Mikado's smile flashed through Ren's mind.

 

"I think you're more of an Alpha than anyone I know, Brother. But... are you sure you want to stay this way forever? What if you meet someone you want to be with?"

 

"It's fine. I've told you, the men of the Kunishiro family don't need that kind of romanticism."

 

Ren placed a hand on Aoi's shoulder, as if to convince himself as well. Aoi, however, looked like he wanted to say more.

 

"I have you, Aoi. You have Yuto. You're both young, and I'm sure together, you'll raise a strong heir one day."

 

"But—"

 

"Even if I hand over the CEO role to you, it doesn't mean I'm retiring. If I can keep working on things I enjoy, that's the best life I could ask for."

 

"..."

 

Even if Ren's bond with Mikado would deepen, he intended to continue hiding the fact that he was an Omega. He had silently made this resolve.

 

Although he was already twenty-five, and undeniably feeling something akin to a first love for Mikado, Ren couldn't allow himself to indulge in such sweet, sentimental thoughts.

 

"As the head of the Kunishiro family, I'll keep—"

 

"Brother... what if you stopped thinking that way, just for a moment?"

 

"...What?"

 

Aoi's sudden, forceful tone took Ren by surprise. Rarely did Aoi speak with such intensity, and Ren blinked, staring at his brother.

 

"You're 'Kunishiro Ren,' sure. In a way, you're an almost symbolic figure. But that's not all you are. You've worked so hard for me and for the company. Don't you think it's about time you started seeking your own happiness?"

 

"Happiness... you say..."

 

—What would happiness mean for me?

 

The more Ren thought about it, the more uncertain he became. His life had been defined by two goals: hiding the fact that he was an Omega and living as an Alpha, and supporting the family for Aoi's sake. He had never stopped to consider what happiness meant for him personally.

 

"If you found someone you could truly open your heart to, why not become their mate? That way, you wouldn't need to keep taking suppressants."

 

"…I suppose that's true…"

 

"If you were to mate with someone, your Omega pheromones would only attract your Alpha partner. You wouldn't have to suppress them with drugs anymore. And when I take over as head, you could take time off work. Even if your heat comes, it wouldn't be an issue."

 

"…Yeah."

 

Watching Aoi speak so earnestly, Ren realized something.

 

—Could Aoi be suspecting something about Mikado? The two of them are close friends. Did Mikado say something…?

 

Imagining the conversations that might have passed between them, Ren let out a small, wry smile and patted Aoi's head.

 

"Well, don't worry about my personal life. Just working with you right now is enough to make me happy."

 

"Brother…! I'm genuinely concerned for—"

 

"All you need to worry about is Yuto. …Now, let's get back to work."

 

"…Alright."

 

With a slightly reluctant expression, Aoi downed the coffee from his paper cup and took a deep breath, as if trying to reset his focus.

 

Ren appreciated his brother's concern, but having spent so many years isolating himself from close relationships, the idea of suddenly growing intimate with someone filled him with a vague sense of fear. It was as if he might drown in emotions he hadn't yet fully acknowledged—deep, swirling feelings that he had avoided facing for so long.

 

—Pathetic, for someone my age.

 

As he walked beside Aoi, talking about work, Ren allowed himself a small, self-deprecating smile.

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