Chapter 62 - Blindness

Translator's Note:

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

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Trials and Encounters

 

 

And so, the day of the party arrived.

 

Suno attended the event with the Kunishiro brothers.

 

The party, hosted by Mr. Kantaro Shindo, was held in a grand hotel located in a prime district.

 

As Ren and Aoi stepped out of their sleek black limousine, passersby sighed in awe. When the two walked through the lobby, guests chatting leisurely parted instinctively to make way, gazing at the elegant brothers with admiration. Both men and women alike turned to look, captivated by their presence.

 

There were still nearly two hours before the party began, but Ren and Aoi were scheduled to meet with the eldest son of the Shindo family beforehand. Ren and Mr. Shindo had a longstanding trust, and it seemed that they were already on good terms with each other's families. Although Suno had been invited to join, he felt a bit out of place as a mere acquaintance, and had politely declined.

 

"Suno, would you like to go over the stage layout?"

 

As they walked, Ren turned back to him, pulling Suno from his reverie as he'd been admiring the tall, elegant figures of the brothers ahead.

 

"Oh, yes, sure. I'll do that."

 

"Aoi, could you go ahead to the venue? I'll go with Suno."

 

"That's fine, I'll ask the staff there for directions. I can check things myself."

 

"You're certain?"

 

"I'd like to see the stage size and decide on the performance, so it's better if I go alone. I'll catch up with you both afterward."

 

"Alright, see you later, then."

 

With a nod, Ren headed towards the venue with Aoi, while Suno turned to a staff member nearby to ask about the stage's location.

 

The stage was set in a spacious banquet hall with a refined blend of Japanese and Western aesthetics. Large wooden beams stretched across the ceiling, and the window frames, arranged like lattice doors, were crafted from dark wood. The white walls had a plaster finish, and the floor was carpeted in a light beige rather than tatami. Long tables, draped in white cloths, lined the walls, adorned with floral arrangements in soft pink and cream, lending the space a delicate charm.

 

Suno took a peek from the edge of the curtained stage, observing the elegant banquet hall from above. Even in such a large room, Ren and Aoi's presence was easily distinguishable.

 

"As expected… they really stand out," he murmured to himself, pulling back behind the curtain.

 

Under the faint spotlight, Suno walked across the stage, measuring its width and depth. Once back at center stage, he closed his eyes, envisioning himself performing a piece that suited the day's celebratory tone.

 

"Their newborn is a girl, right? Maybe I should choose 'Harugatsura'*."

 

[T/N: The term "春桂" translates to "Spring Laurel" in English, with 春 (haru) meaning "spring" and 桂 (katsura) referring to the "laurel" tree, a symbol of honor and achievement.]

 

"Harugatsura" is a dance celebrating the birth of a child in early spring, depicting a child growing strong and resilient. Though the performer takes on a feminine appearance to emphasize beauty, the choreography leans toward male stylings, marked by bold, sweeping movements.

 

Unlike the gentle, refined dances of women, the male dance style is more pronounced and direct. It reflects a parent's wish for their child to gain wisdom and resilience to navigate life's hardships—qualities that go beyond gender.

 

In traditional Japanese dance, many pieces require a performer to portray both male and female roles. To be considered a skilled dancer, one must be adept at embodying both, and although many struggle with the male dance style, Suno had been comfortable with both roles since he was young.

 

Learning to perform both, Suno had found himself contemplating his own nature. In a world of blurred lines—between male and female, Alpha and Omega—he often pondered how best to live gracefully, as himself.

 

Then again… he knew he hadn't truly tasted happiness as an Omega…

 

Suno began to dance "Harugatsura" on the stage, still dressed in his Western suit. What started as a mere rehearsal grew in intensity as he got lost in his thoughts.

 

His light jacket fanned out gracefully, and the leather soles of his sneakers squeaked softly on the stage floor. Gazing into the dimness as he moved, he heard only his own breath, loud and steady. Soon, distractions fell away, and he lost himself in the pleasure of the dance.

 

But suddenly, the stage lights went out.

 

The sound of the current cutting off echoed through the empty stage, and Suno froze.

 

"What… a power outage?"

 

No, it didn't seem to be a blackout. Light from the party venue still spilled through the curtain, and the murmur of guests hadn't changed. Cautiously, Suno began moving toward the control panel at the side of the stage.

 

But—he realized too late—there was someone behind him.

 

A large figure grabbed him from behind, clamping a hand over his mouth.

 

Suno tried to struggle, but his assailant was powerful, pinning him in place. Pushed down by the heavy body behind him, he felt himself about to topple.

 

Who the hell…?! Damn it…!

 

He braced himself, but the man swept his legs out from under him and shoved him down to the floor. Pain shot through his ankle, but he had no time to worry about it. Suno fought desperately, trying to shout, but his attacker forced a cloth into his mouth, muffling his cries.

 

"Mmm—!! Mmgh…!"

 

In the pitch dark, the man's hot, ragged breath brushed against Suno's face, carrying a faint whiff of tobacco. The man's hand gripped his throat, pressing him down as he roughly reached to pull at Suno's clothes.

 

The sound of fabric tearing, his sunglasses flying off somewhere in the dark, and then—he felt something slimy press against his chest. Terror and fury surged through him, his whole body shaking.

 

No…! This can't… I can't let this happen!

 

Mustering every ounce of strength he had, Suno drove his knee into the man's groin, landing a solid blow. The man gasped in pain, his weight shifting off Suno for a moment.

 

Quickly, Suno wriggled free from beneath him and blindly kicked out, striking something hard—perhaps the man's face or shoulder.

 

Thrown off balance by the kick, the man staggered and retreated into the backstage darkness. Suno heard his heavy footsteps fading away, and he quickly spat out the cloth, coughing violently.

 

Desperate to escape the darkness, Suno crawled toward the control panel. He reached for the small blue power light and flicked the switch.

 

A soft click, and light flooded the stage. Suno let out a long, trembling breath.

 

"Haa… haa… haa…"

 

I was attacked… here… of all places… and right before a celebration party…

 

Looking down at himself, he saw his torn shirt hanging off his shoulders, baring his pale skin. His sunglasses lay on the opposite side of the stage, and the cloth that had been forced into his mouth had fallen nearby.

 

It was… my handkerchief?

 

Suno recognized the fabric instantly—a gift from his students when he'd become head of the school, with a special weave and his family's crest. He hadn't seen it for a while, and now here it was, soaked in his own saliva, lying on the floor. Waves of nausea rose sharply within him, and he clamped a hand over his mouth.

 

What… what is this…? Why did this happen to me…?!

 

As he fought the nausea, tears pricked his eyes. He wiped over the places he felt the man's touch, using the remains of his torn shirt. But the humiliation and terror of the sudden attack refused to fade, casting his mind into a dark spiral.

 

Still crouched in that spot, he heard movement near the stage door. Suno instinctively tensed, ready to defend himself.

 

"Is someone there?"

 

It was a young man's voice.

 

Suno's body tensed in surprise, and he tried to stand up to flee.

 

"Ouch…"

 

A sharp pain shot through his left ankle, and he crumpled to the ground. His ankle must have twisted during the attack. Grimacing, he tried to lift himself up as light footsteps approached.

 

Turning with a jolt, he saw a tall young man standing there, looking at him with a curious expression.

 

Even just standing there, the young man exuded a magnetic presence. His features were finely chiseled and handsome, his healthy complexion radiant. His short, lustrous black hair, strong arched brows, and piercing double-lidded eyes all lent him a strikingly masculine aura.

 

As the young man saw Suno, worry spread across his face, and he rushed over. The sudden softness in his expression left Suno momentarily captivated.

 

"Hey, are you okay?!"

 

"Huh?"

 

"Your clothes… what happened to you?!"

 

The young man immediately took off his jacket and draped it over Suno's shoulders, his gaze filled with concern. The way he looked at him made Suno's heart skip a beat.

 

This man… he's an Alpha

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