Chapter 52 - Blindness

Translator's Note:

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

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Sharing a Room with Someone

 

"…Nn…"

 

Sensing the bright light beyond his eyelids, Ren let out a small groan and stirred groggily. He slowly opened his eyes, which felt heavy and resistant, to see a mess of crumpled white sheets. It seemed he had fallen asleep on his stomach.

 

"…Ugh… My body feels so heavy…"

 

He tried to push himself up, but the overwhelming fatigue that clung to his body made him collapse back onto the bed. Struggling to recall what happened, Ren's foggy mind raced until he suddenly remembered with a start.

 

—That's right… I was with Mikado…

 

Managing to lift only his upper body from the bed, Ren glanced around but couldn't see Mikado anywhere in the room. A thin blanket was draped over his naked body, and as he moved, it slipped off his shoulder. He looked down at himself and noticed the many red marks scattered across his pale skin.

 

Slowly, memories of the intense passion from last night began to surface, and Ren's cheeks flushed at the thought of it, at the marks left behind by that fervent exchange.

 

"Mr. Ren? You're awake?"

 

"…Ah."

 

Standing in the doorway was Haruhito Mikado. Just the sight of him made Ren's heart race and his body grow warm.

 

"…Oh, um… Good morning."

 

"Good morning."

 

Mikado approached the bed with a gentle, fresh smile, sat down beside Ren, and kissed him softly on the cheek. His gaze was full of affection as he asked, "How's your body feeling?"

 

"…I-I'm fine… Just a little sluggish."

 

"I see… I'm sorry, that's my fault."

 

"N-no…"

 

Feeling flustered and embarrassed, Ren couldn't meet Mikado's eyes. But then, noticing Mikado wearing different clothes from the night before, Ren found himself staring intently.

 

Mikado was dressed in a simple black long-sleeved T-shirt and dark jeans. While casual, the outfit highlighted Mikado's excellent physique, making it hard for Ren to look away. It was the first time Ren had seen him in anything other than a suit.

 

His usually neatly styled black hair was now tousled and carefree, giving Mikado a much younger appearance.

 

"…That outfit…"

 

"Oh, one of my subordinates brought it for me. I figured I needed a change of clothes."

 

"…Huh?"

 

"You might not remember, Mr. Ren, but it's been five days since then."

 

"…Five days!?"

 

Ren's eyes widened in shock as he quickly turned to the digital clock by his bedside.

 

Sure enough, five days had passed since he first brought Mikado here. Ren paled.

 

"W-what about work!? And Aoi!? There was supposed to be an important international meeting yesterday…!!"

 

"Mr. Ren, please calm down."

 

"Five days!? I've been here with you for five whole days… d-doing… t-that…"

 

He wanted to directly ask, "Have we really been lost in desire for all that time?" but couldn't bring himself to say it out loud. His face flushed a deep red, and he clammed up.

 

Mikado scratched the back of his neck, looking slightly awkward, before replying, "Uh… yeah, pretty much."

 

"You were feverish the whole time, Mr. Ren… I mean, we weren't at it constantly. You slept a bit, drifted in and out, and, well, you… uh, would ask for it…"

 

"M-me!? I did that!?"

 

"Please don't look so horrified. That's just how heat works."

 

Mikado let out a sheepish laugh and gently patted Ren's head with his large hand. Ren instinctively swatted it away and tried to get out of bed to change and head to his office—but his body wouldn't cooperate. He slumped back down, helpless. Mikado hurriedly wrapped a robe around him and helped him sit up.

 

"I didn't get your permission, but given the circumstances, I contacted Aoi and explained the situation."

 

"W-what!? You told Aoi…?"

 

"I told him you weren't feeling well and would need to take two weeks off. He covered for you at the meeting with some support from Mr. Seiba. Everyone's been worried about your health, Mr. Ren."

 

"…How could this happen…"

 

"Actually, they were surprised you managed to keep going this long without collapsing. They all agreed you should take this time to rest."

 

"…I see…"

 

Seiba had been by Ren's side for so long, observing his work. With Seiba's guidance, Aoi would have handled everything seamlessly… Ren felt a sense of relief, but at the same time, he couldn't shake the awkward feeling that Aoi now knew about everything.

 

That his younger brother knew Ren had spent five whole days consumed by desire… There was no way he could remain calm knowing that. As Ren tightened the belt of his bathrobe, he finally managed to stand up.

 

"…So, um… What did Aoi say?"

 

"Well… 'That was fast, for you.'"

 

"Huh?"

 

Ren blinked, not quite understanding Aoi's words. Mikado, looking slightly uncomfortable, continued.

 

"I'd been consulting with Aoi about my situation with you. I was convinced you hated me."

 

"Hated you…?"

 

"Well, with how coldly you treated me, I thought that was obvious."

 

"Ah… Yeah, sorry about that…"

 

"No, no, once I understood why, even your harshness became… endearing. Ah, sorry! I didn't mean to say it like that!"

 

Ren must have unconsciously glared at Mikado, still uncomfortable with being called "endearing." Mikado immediately bowed his head, apologizing.

 

"And then?"

 

"I asked Aoi for advice about how two Alphas could get together… whether you had someone special already… or even if it was possible for me to become an Omega…"

 

"…Ah, that's why Aoi said that to you."

 

"Yes, exactly. I always showed my weak and helpless side in front of Aoi… so when he said 'That was fast,' it was because he knew how much I struggled."

 

"…I see."

 

It seemed Aoi and Mikado had a deeper connection than Ren had realized. He recalled Aoi once telling him, "You should find your own happiness too, brother." Understanding that Aoi had been looking out for him in his own way made Ren feel both a little embarrassed and a quiet joy.

 

As Ren pondered this, another question suddenly came to mind.

 

"Come to think of it… When Masachika attacked me, why were you there?"

 

"Ah, that day…"

 

Mikado's expression tightened, clearly recalling the horrific scene he had witnessed. His face seemed more wounded than Ren's, as if he had been the one who suffered through that event instead.

 

"I arrived at the company building just before our scheduled meeting, and I happened to run into Mr. Seiba."

 

"Seiba?"

 

"Yes. He apologized for canceling the meeting so often and mentioned that you were feeling nervous inside the CEO's office."

 

"That guy…"

 

"He also suggested that I go pick you up. So, I went to your office directly."

 

"…I see."

 

Mikado, his face still filled with tension, placed his hands on Ren's shoulders. His worried expression made Ren feel a surge of affection, and he instinctively reached up to touch Mikado's cheek.

 

"…Why are you making that face?"

 

"Well… I nearly killed him. If you hadn't stopped me, I would've beaten that man to death."

 

"You really are quick-tempered."

 

"I'll never let you go through something like that again. I'll stay by your side, as much as I can."

 

"Wait, you've got your own responsibilities. You don't have to worry about me that much."

 

"No. You're my mate now. I won't let another Alpha touch you."

 

Beneath Mikado's usually calm gaze, a sharp glint of possessiveness flickered. His eyes, unusually fierce, made Ren's heart race even faster. His cheeks flushed with heat, and he found himself unable to tear his eyes away from the raw, primal expression on Mikado's face.

 

Hearing Mikado declare "You're my mate now" filled Ren with an overwhelming joy, as if his soul had been tethered to Mikado's in the most profound way. He felt a deep, unending happiness, so powerful it almost brought him to tears.

 

However, Ren wasn't one to easily speak sweet words in moments like these. His voice, laced with thorns, responded instead.

 

"Don't treat me like your possession."

 

"Ah, you're right. I'm sorry…"

 

"...Even without you saying so, I never intended to let any other Alpha touch me."

 

"Wha…"

 

At Ren's offhand comment, Mikado's face lit up. Before Ren could react, Mikado pulled him close by the waist and swiftly captured his lips.

 

"W-wait!"

 

"Ha… Why do you always say such adorable things?"

 

"Huh!? I didn't—"

 

"And why won't you call me by my name anymore? You've been avoiding to do so."

 

"W-what? Well…"

 

"Just yesterday, you were calling it out so many times."

 

"Mm…"

 

Mikado's lips trailed down to Ren's neck, brushing against the mark that symbolized their bond. As Ren shivered from the light bites, Mikado's hands deftly undid the robe's belt.

 

"Hey…!! I was going to take a shower… nn…"

 

"We've already showered together a few times, haven't we?"

 

"…What?"

 

"Don't you remember? You wanted me so badly in the bathroom that I couldn't resist…"

 

"Aaaah! I don't want to hear it! Shut up, you idiot!"

 

Blushing furiously, Ren tried to push Mikado away, unsure whether to be mortified or embarrassed. But Mikado easily caught Ren's hands, pulling him into a strong embrace.

 

Just then, a cheerful beeping sound came from the kitchen, and Mikado suddenly raised his head, as if remembering something.

 

"Oh, right. I made breakfast. Would you like some?"

 

"Wait, I thought we didn't have any food…"

 

"Seita brought some groceries the other day."

 

"Seita? So, he knows about this too?"

 

"Well, it's been chalked up to 'ill health,' but… he did bow deeply and ask me to 'take care of Mr. Ren, please.'"

 

"...I see."

 

Given how much Seita had cared for him since childhood, Ren had always felt that Seita had an idea about many things already. Perhaps it was time to tell him everything. With that thought, Ren followed Mikado toward the kitchen.

 

"…It smells good."

 

"I travel a lot by sea for inspections, so I picked up some cooking skills during my trips. All I made this morning is vegetable soup and some bacon and eggs, though."

 

"Hmm…"

 

"Sailors are always friendly, so it's fun to cook together and chat in the kitchen. Ah, coffee or tea?"

 

"Tea, please…"

 

Mikado smiled brightly and busied himself at the kitchen counter, moving with practiced ease as he prepared breakfast.

 

—This feels… strange.

 

Mikado, who Ren had longed for for so long, now stood in his kitchen, cooking for him—a kitchen Ren himself had hardly ever used. It was an unfamiliar sight, something Ren had never imagined would be part of his life, yet it was unfolding right before his eyes.

 

—Having someone around… is quite nice.

 

As Mikado continued to chat while smiling at him, Ren couldn't help but smile back, sitting on one of the stools at the kitchen counter.

 

And so, Ren took his first bite of Mikado's homemade meal.

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