Chapter 56 - 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.

First Part

 

The author has something to say:

I'll be posting two bonus stories from Haruhito's perspective.

 

-

 

It seemed he had dozed off.

 

Haruhito Mikado awoke to the sunlight filtering through a gap in the curtains.

 

The soft feel of luxurious sheets, the faint scent of sweetness in the air. Haruhito shifted slightly and gazed at the white back lying beside him.

 

Sleeping next to him, with his back turned toward him, was Ren Kunishiro, the untouchable flower Haruhito had admired since high school.

 

Ren possessed a beauty that seemed almost otherworldly, a face so stunning that it was hard to believe he was of the same Eastern descent. He radiated an overflowing intellect and a rare charisma that made him a dazzling presence—this was Ren Kunishiro.

 

Now, Ren lay beside him, peacefully asleep. The fact that this dreamlike moment was actually real sometimes felt too surreal to grasp. How could he, who once could barely manage a conversation with Ren, now be closer to him than anyone else?

 

"…Mmm…"

 

Ren's smooth white nape was framed by his striking golden hair. The slightly longer strands curled gently, and their softness invited Haruhito to stroke them endlessly, their silken texture tangling effortlessly around his fingers. The graceful line from Ren's elegant back to his slender waist was nothing short of art. Haruhito found himself momentarily captivated by the sight.

 

The first time he undressed Ren, he had been taken aback by how slender and alluring his body was, a sight that had ignited an overwhelming excitement within him. Ren's long limbs and the graceful contours of his beautifully toned physique were enhanced by just the right amount of muscle. Haruhito could never understand why Ren seemed ashamed of his body, but the memory of Ren's shy demeanor when exposed only made Haruhito fall for him even more.

 

Turning toward Ren, Haruhito propped himself up on an elbow.

 

As if in response, Ren shifted, rolling onto his back.

 

"Mr. Ren?"

 

There was no sign that Ren would wake anytime soon, only the soft sound of his steady breathing. Gently, Haruhito brushed a fingertip over Ren's closed eyelids, causing his long lashes to flutter and his brows to knit slightly. The sight was so endearing that Haruhito couldn't help but chuckle softly.

 

Ren's face was perfectly sculpted, so much so that when silent, it gave off an air of intimidation. His sharp gaze held a regal dignity that allowed no one to easily approach him. Haruhito had been daunted by that countless times. Frustrated by his inability to be anything more than an admirer, he threw himself into his studies and took over his family's company. But even then, he never felt as though he could catch up to Ren, leading to years of bitter discontent.

 

Each time Haruhito tried to get closer, Ren would respond with cold indifference, as if Haruhito were beneath his notice. Those moments left Haruhito feeling humiliated, consumed by emotions he knew an Alpha should never feel toward another. Not understanding the source of his own feelings, he spent years in turmoil.

 

Whenever Haruhito saw Ren in newspapers or magazines, or felt his presence at a party, his body would ache with desire. Despite Ren's untouchable, god-like status, Haruhito had longed to hold him. Countless times he had lost himself in fantasies of overpowering Ren, fantasies he indulged in more than he cared to admit.

 

It was wrong to lust after Ren Kunishiro, an Alpha among Alphas. Haruhito had told himself that over and over again.

 

But no matter how hard he tried, his instincts continued to rage, his body yearning for Ren, shaking his soul to its core.

 

The joy he felt when he finally understood the truth was indescribable.

 

Ren Kunishiro was an Omega. Moreover, he was Haruhito's one and only fated pair—his soulmate.

 

At the same time, Haruhito learned of the deep pain, loneliness, and fear Ren had carried all this time. Despite shining like the radiant sun, Ren had kept a monumental secret buried within his heart for so long. Even from Aoi, Ren had concealed this truth, continuing to fight his battles alone. Each time Haruhito thought of Ren's past, his chest ached.

 

The desire to protect Ren only grew stronger with time. Even after bonding and Ren having opened up his body to him, Ren still remained an awe-inspiring figure, someone to be revered as the one and only "Ren Kunishiro."

 

I want to make Mr. Ren happy.

 

Haruhito knew he must grow stronger to protect him. Though Ren wasn't someone who needed to be sheltered, Haruhito wanted to be a constant source of strength, allowing Ren—who had walked such a rigid path—to finally rest when in his presence. Every time he saw Ren's peaceful, vulnerable sleeping face, he would make that vow once more.

 

"…Ren."

 

Without realizing it, Haruhito had called out Ren's name.

 

He couldn't imagine addressing Ren so casually while he was awake, but overwhelmed by a sudden surge of emotion, the name escaped his lips.

 

The next moment, Haruhito flushed bright red, rolling over the bed in embarrassment.

 

—Ahhh! No way, no way...!! I want to call him by just his name one day, but right now it's impossible...!! It feels way too daunting...!!

 

As Haruhito covered his face, taking deep breaths in an attempt to calm down, he heard a curious voice from beside him.

 

"…Haruhito?"

 

"Wha—!? Oh, g-good morning!!"

 

"…"

 

Ren blinked heavily and gazed up at Haruhito, his red lips slightly dry as he muttered a quiet "good morning."

 

"…Good morning. You slept soundly, didn't you?"

 

"…Yeah… Hey…"

 

"Yes?"

 

Ren's pale cheeks were tinged with a faint blush as he looked up at Haruhito, but suddenly, he turned his head to the side, avoiding his gaze. Puzzled, Haruhito leaned closer, trying to catch a glimpse of Ren's averted face.

 

"What's the matter?"

 

"…I don't mind. If you want to call me by just my name, go ahead."

 

"Huh?"

 

"I've been thinking for a while now that the formal speech and the 'Mr.' this 'Mr.' that, is starting to feel a bit excessive."

 

"…W-What? But, um…"

 

—Did he hear me…!?

 

Haruhito's face turned an even deeper shade of red.

 

Ren slowly sat up, running a hand through his slightly tousled golden hair and letting out a sigh. Just hours ago, he had been writhing in sweet abandon, and yet now, with such an elegant and languid movement, Ren seemed as regal as ever, leaving Haruhito quietly awestruck.

 

As Ren bent down to pick up the bathrobe from the floor and slipped it on, Haruhito couldn't help but stare at his back. Then, Ren turned his head to glance at him.

 

"…Why are you just sitting there silently?"

 

"Oh… But, calling you by just your name and dropping the formalities feels… too overwhelming…"

 

"Enough with this ridiculous talk. You're my fated pair. You can relax a bit more around me, can't you?"

 

"R-Right…"

 

—To think Mr. Ren would say something like that to me. It's more than I could've ever dreamed of. I've always wanted to be this close, but… but…

 

"R-Ren…"

 

"…"

 

Haruhito broke out in a cold sweat under Ren's intense stare. Though Ren's expression was sharp, he noticed the faint flush on his cheeks, but calling him by his name still felt impossible.

 

"I-I'm sorry… I still can't do it face-to-face…"

 

"…Yeah, I don't know how I feel about it either."

 

Ren averted his gaze, his expression tinged with embarrassment, a sight so endearing that Haruhito couldn't help but close the distance between them and pull Ren into a tight embrace. It was so much easier to act than it was to find the courage to speak. As he ran his hand over Ren's back, feeling the warmth of his body through the soft bathrobe, Haruhito struggled to calm his rising desire.

 

"Let go, I want to take a shower."

 

"…Okay. But, can we stay like this a little longer?"

 

"…What? Oh… okay…"

 

Dropping the formalities made Ren feel even closer. When Haruhito glanced at Ren's face, he saw him looking back with an unusually honest expression. The sight made him happy, and he leaned in, whispering in a low voice.

 

"Tomorrow, I have to go on an inspection of the East China Sea gas field again. I'll head back home tonight to prepare."

 

"…Ah… I see. Do what you want."

 

"I love you, Ren."

 

"Ugh…"

 

Ren's face flushed bright red, and he glared at Haruhito with an expression of mixed emotions. Haruhito wondered if he had overstepped, but before he could dwell on it, Ren leaned gently into him. Startled, Haruhito placed a hand on his shoulder.

 

"…This isn't bad."

 

"R-Really? You're not mad?"

 

"Why would I be mad? …It feels really nice."

 

"I-I see…"

 

Mikado tilted Ren's chin up and planted a soft kiss on his crimson lips. With a playful glint in his eyes, he slid his hand inside the opening of Ren's robe, fingers brushing against his bare skin. Ren's body trembled under his touch, the sensation both tantalizing and intimate.

 

Ren's skin was impossibly smooth, more delicate than any man's should be. It clung to Mikado's fingertips in a way that was deeply sensual, every slight touch sparking desire. Mikado couldn't help but let out a sigh as the need within him grew more and more, already feeling a stirring between his legs.

 

"Ah... I can't. Just touching you makes me want you all over again… Calm down, Mikado…"

 

"You're full of energy, aren't you? You're off for two weeks of inspection, will you be okay?"

 

"I'm not okay, but work will keep my mind off things… somehow."

 

"..."

 

Ren glanced at Mikado's already aroused state, a faint blush dusting his cheeks as he let out a small sigh. Then, a little shyly, he looked up and said, "Let's shower together. I'll... take care of it for you."

 

"Wha—!? Are you serious!? You're really okay with that!?"

 

It was rare for Ren, who was usually so reserved, to suggest something like this on his own. Overwhelmed with joy, Mikado unconsciously slipped back into formal speech. Ren let out a quiet chuckle as he smoothly untied the belt of Mikado's robe.

 

"It's fine. I've gotten used to this... with you."

 

"I-I see... Wow, can I even handle this..."

 

"Don't get too carried away. We've got breakfast with Aoi and the others in thirty minutes."

 

"Oh, right."

 

With a wry smile and a glint of mischief in his eyes, Ren took Mikado's hand, leading him to the elegantly designed bathroom.

 

And so they shared a passionate, intimate time together until the very last moment.

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