Chapter 59 - Blindness

Translator's Note:

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Troubles

 

 

The following day, Suno flew to Tokyo as planned, landing at Haneda Airport.

 

With a few disciples, his manager, and a black-suited bodyguard entourage in tow, Suno's arrival in the capital was, inevitably, quite conspicuous.

 

Moreover, dozens of fans from the Kanto area had gathered in the arrival lobby to greet him, creating a lively welcome.

 

Thanks to his increased appearances on television, it seemed that more young people were taking an interest in traditional Japanese dance. In the crowd waiting to see him were mostly female fans of various ages, but here and there, male fans were visible as well. Among them were young men in their twenties, middle-aged, and even elderly fans, who greeted Suno's arrival with enthusiastic cheers and applause.

 

Suno removed his sunglasses, raised a hand in acknowledgment of their cheers, and offered a gentle smile, prompting delighted squeals from the women and hearty applause from the men.

 

His grandmother had disliked this kind of flashy attention. But times had changed since then. Suno believed that to keep traditional arts like his alive and vibrant, such exposure was necessary.

 

And the efforts were paying off. The number of young fans had increased, and audience turnout for his performances had grown significantly. There had been minor conflicts between his longtime and newer fans, but as Suno personally took to television and social media to promote proper theater etiquette to the younger generation, those clashes gradually disappeared.

 

Since assuming the role of head of the family, he'd often heard complaints from the elders, but even they had stopped criticizing him. Lately, some of the older generation had even started using social media as a hobby, creating new bonds with younger disciples through these interactions.

 

The initiatives he'd taken were effective—he was certain of that.

 

He was no longer the person who had been bound by his grandmother's strictures.

 

He now had a path to carve out by his own will, with his own strength.

 

Just then, he felt an unpleasant prickle at the back of his neck, as though someone were watching him.

 

He turned around, his tied-up black hair swaying as he did, but all he saw were smiling fans waving at him.

 

—What was that…?

 

"Suno? Is something wrong? Let's go," his manager Arisugawa, a Beta woman, prompted him.

 

"Ah, yes. Let's go."

 

Suno slipped his sunglasses back on and started walking, though the sensation of an uncomfortable gaze lingered on his back.

 

*

 

Hurriedly, Suno entered the limousine and left the airport.

 

"Take me to the Kunishiro residence. I'd like to greet Mr. Ren first."

 

As soon as he got into the limousine, Suno instructed the black-suited driver, who responded with a low "Understood" and smoothly pulled out.

 

—Wonder how Aoi is doing. He mentioned that Yuto was worried about being infertile… I wonder if he's feeling down about it, too.

 

How many times had he traveled from the airport to the Kunishiro estate by now? Suno gazed idly at the familiar scenery passing by, lost in his memories.

 

For generations, the Kunishiro family, even before Ren became head, had been a major benefactor of Kyoto's traditional arts preservation organization. Because of this connection, Suno had known Ren since childhood. Ren occasionally came to see their performances in Kyoto, and each time he did, Suno would meet with him.

 

They quickly became comfortable around each other. Ren was about the same age as Suno, which may have helped, but more than that, Ren was dazzlingly handsome, an Alpha who was always courteous and kind to Suno. He had a noble dignity that set him apart from the unpleasant Alphas who tried to approach Suno, and this dignity made Suno realize that true elegance was indeed different.

 

Since childhood, Ren has been an exceptional person. Suno had even thought that being loved by an Alpha like Ren would bring him great happiness. Yet, strangely, Suno had never felt romantic feelings for him. Perhaps it was because Ren seemed so high above him that he felt he could never be a match. Suno was quietly content with that understanding.

 

Not long after Aoi was confirmed as an Alpha, Suno was selected as his potential partner.

 

This was when Aoi was fifteen, and Suno was seventeen. They'd only met once then, and Aoi, who had recently lost his sight, seemed wary of Suno, whom Ren had suddenly introduced.

 

But the moment he met fifteen-year-old Aoi, Suno fell in love.

 

Aoi, at that time, seemed slightly sulky, yet as if trying to keep others from noticing, he wore an expressionless mask on his beautiful face. That touch of boyish defiance hidden beneath his beauty immediately captivated Suno.

 

Aoi spoke to Suno politely, but there was a certain stiffness in his voice that only youth could bring. The contrast between his poised appearance and his somewhat unpolished way of speaking made him endearing, charming—and Suno found himself utterly taken with him.

 

This young man, true to his title as "Ren Kunishiro's brother," had an ethereal beauty. Even when blind, he still carried a quiet strength, never letting it seem like a vulnerability. That left a lasting impression on Suno.

 

But Suno, by then, had already grown into an essential dancer in the Suno school, and his schedule was full. His grandmother's health was beginning to decline, so he didn't have the freedom to visit Aoi whenever he wanted.

 

Aoi, for his part, never came to see him either, and Suno understood why. Aoi was young, blind, and naturally more cautious than others. Not knowing what Alpha or Omega pheromones were like, it was unlikely he'd feel any bond with a partner candidate he'd suddenly been introduced to.

 

Though Suno occasionally heard updates about Aoi from Ren, Aoi always felt distant. Yet, the more remote Aoi seemed, the more Suno's idealized image of him grew.

 

At some point, Suno began to wonder if he was in love with the real Aoi or merely with the image of "Aoi Kunishiro" he had built up in his mind.

 

As Aoi's coming of age approached, Suno began to feel a sense of urgency. It had been two years since he'd taken over as head of the family, and he was frequently pressured by those around him to find a mate and secure an heir.

 

But in the end, Aoi chose Yuto.

 

Aoi never chose Suno.

 

—...Clinging to the past isn't cool, but… just once, I wish Aoi had held me just once.

 

Even now, Suno still held affection for Aoi, but it was futile. Not only did Aoi say he disliked Suno's scent, but he was now Yuto's mate. There was nothing to be done. Yuto, with his earnestness and endearing nature, had Suno's admiration as well. He felt almost as though he'd gained a younger brother, appreciating how Yuto relied on him so openly.

 

Suno now understood Aoi's choice. Looking back, he was glad Aoi chose Yuto. Although, he wondered if he would have felt this way had Aoi chosen a different Omega.

 

While he was lost in thought, Arisugawa, who had been sorting documents on her briefcase, stopped her work. Assigned to Suno as his manager from the day he became head of the family, Arisugawa's straightforward and candid nature made her feel more like a friend than a manager.

 

"Hey, Masami, I was sorting through fan letters, and we got another one of those again."

 

"Huh? Again?"

 

"Yes, again. Seriously, how many of these have we received by now? It's time to report this to the police."

 

"Hmm, yeah, maybe... But it's just letters, so—"

 

The envelope was addressed to "Mr. Masami Suno" in elegant calligraphy, with no return address or sender's name.

 

Since a few months ago, these envelopes had been arriving sporadically, now as frequently as every three days.

 

Inside, the white letter paper was always blank.

 

While it was a bit unsettling, Suno hadn't paid it much mind. But lately, the frequency became unusual, and seeing how worried people around him, like Arisugawa and his fellow disciples, were becoming, he was finally starting to consider taking it seriously.

 

"It's probably blank again today," he joked. "Just an overflow of unexpressed feelings they can't put into words~"

 

"Uh, I really don't think it's funny! It's creepy!! We need to do something about this right now!"

 

"Alright, alright. I'll go to the police when I get back to Kyoto."

 

"Oh, you're not planning to go, are you? Come on! What if something actually happens?!"

 

"Okay, okay," Suno replied with a hint of amusement.

 

As always, he opened the envelope and pulled out the white letter paper inside.

 

"...Hm?"

 

As usual, there was nothing written on it.

 

But today was different.

 

A long strand of hair was taped to the center of the page.

 

"What… is this…?"

 

"Yikes!! What is that?! Whose hair is that?! Wait, Masami, that's not yours, right?!"

 

Suno fell silent.

 

Curled delicately, the strand of hair was wound to fit inside the page, spiraling neatly. Its color and length unmistakably resembled his own. The meticulous placement gave Suno an eerie sense of the intense fixation directed at him, sending a chill down his spine.

 

—What is this…? Gross...

 

"Let's go to the police and have them do a DNA test!"

 

"I told you I don't have time. After the tour in Kanto, we'll go to the police, okay?"

 

"But… it's seriously creepy…!"

 

"Just ignore it. If we respond, it'll only encourage them. Best to stay silent."

 

"Even so…"

 

Seeing Arisugawa's anxious expression, Suno let out another sigh.

 

—Why do people like this keep gravitating toward me…

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