Chapter 65 - 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.

A Large Palm

 

 

The next day, Suno was at the Suno school's dojo in Tokyo, playing the shamisen*.

 

[T/N: The shamisen (三味線), also known as sangen (三絃) or samisen (all meaning "three strings"), is a three-stringed traditional Japanese musical instrument derived from the Chinese instrument sanxian. It is played with a plectrum called a bachi.

The shamisen is used in various forms of Japanese music, such as bunraku (puppet theater), kabuki (traditional drama), and min'yo (folk songs). Its music can range from delicate and soothing to energetic and intense, depending on the style and performance. The instrument is especially associated with storytelling and traditional theatrical performances.]

 

With no one else around, he played freely, closing his eyes to immerse himself in the music. Dancing was satisfying, but there was a different, quiet joy in plucking the strings, feeling each note resonate through him.

 

Lost in the timeless melodies of traditional music, he played on, unaware of the time passing.

 

After working up a light sweat, Suno noticed Arisugawa peeking in through a crack in the sliding door. Tilting his head in invitation, he motioned for her to come in. Arisugawa stepped in quietly.

 

"Sorry to interrupt. I just wanted to say…"

 

"What is it?"

 

"Well, Kotaro Shindo has arrived…"

 

"W-what? Kotaro is here?"

 

Yesterday at the party, Kotaro had said, "I'll protect you." Suno couldn't help but think those words were just a passing promise. But now, taken by surprise, he was momentarily at a loss for words. Seeing his hesitation, Arisugawa cleared her throat and added:

 

"Actually, he's already been here... for a while."

 

"What? Since when?"

 

"He's been here for about twenty minutes now… He said he'd wait until you were done with your shamisen practice."

 

"Oh…"

 

Suno set the shamisen down gently on the tatami mat and rose from his seat. At that moment, the sliding door opened wide, revealing Kotaro standing next to Arisugawa.

 

"Oh… You really came."

 

Kotaro was in his school uniform today. The light gray trousers with a fine checkered pattern and the short-sleeved white shirt made it all too clear that he was still a high schooler.

 

Kotaro wore a slightly stern expression, but when he saw Suno, his large eyes softened almost imperceptibly.

 

"...Am I not supposed to be here?"

 

"Oh, no… Thank you for coming."

 

"You could've stayed seated, you know."

 

"Yeah, I went to the hospital yesterday, got some medicine and a pain reliever, so I'm feeling much better."

 

"...Good to know."

 

When Suno glanced around, he realized Arisugawa had quietly slipped away. Probably lurking somewhere to eavesdrop, he thought with a wry smile, as he gestured Kotaro further into the hall. Kotaro looked around with curiosity, slinging his large sports bag over his shoulder as he walked closer to Suno.

 

"So, this is where you practice traditional dance?"

 

"Yeah, I guess most people don't get to see places like this that often."

 

"It kind of reminds me of a kendo dojo. The smell of wood… it's calming."

 

"Heh, glad you think so."

 

The raised stage was about six tatami mats wide, with a smooth wooden floor. Suno seated himself on the platform's edge, beginning to store away his shamisen, while Kotaro explored, peeking out at the garden through a shoji* door and examining the stereo and old records they used in practice.

 

[T/N: A shoji is a door, window or room divider used in traditional Japanese architecture, consisting of translucent (or transparent) sheets on a lattice frame.]

 

"You can play the shamisen too?"

 

"Hm? Yeah. Sometimes I play for my students during lessons."

 

"Oh… that's amazing. …Really… awe…"

 

"Hm?"

 

Suno paused, looking up at Kotaro, who seemed to be struggling with his words, his face now tinged with a slight blush. Kotaro turned his head away, muttering gruffly.

 

"You looked… really cool while you were playing."

 

"Huh?"

 

"I-I don't know anything about music, alright? I quit piano when I was a kid because I was terrible at it… So, well, yeah, I thought it was pretty amazing…"

 

Kotaro turned his back, clearly flustered. For a moment, Suno was taken aback, but as he watched the broad-shouldered figure in front of him, his heart skipped a beat.

 

Alphas had often tried to charm him with sweet words, but he'd never been complimented so awkwardly and sincerely before. Kotaro, who knew nothing of concealing his thoughts or embellishing his words, struck something deep within him.

 

Pressing a hand gently to his chest, wrapped in a deep green kimono, Suno felt a small flutter.

 

"...Thank you."

 

"..."

 

His fingers trembling slightly, Suno carefully placed his shamisen in its well-worn black leather case and closed the lid. When he looked up at Kotaro again, Kotaro's cheeks were tinged with red as he turned his gaze away once more. His shy reaction was so endearing that Suno let out a small chuckle.

 

"W-What's so funny?"

 

"Nothing… Really, did you come all this way to be my bodyguard?"

 

"That's right! Besides, it's way too reckless of you to be in a place like this all by yourself."

 

"Hm… Well, Arisugawa is in the next room, and my students come and go frequently here."

 

"Which means anyone could easily make off with your belongings."

 

"Well, I suppose that's true… So the stalker is likely someone close to me, isn't it…"

 

It was only recently that suspicious letters had started arriving for Suno. But when he thought of his new students, none came to mind as likely to do such a thing. Apart from the students, the training hall in Kyoto saw a lot of people come and go, including those handling costumes and music.

 

But Suno had long relationships with all of them, with some even dating back to his predecessor's time. He held trust that went beyond mere acquaintance; it was unsettling to suspect people he had always considered close. Lowering his gaze with a sigh, he set the shamisen case on the floor.

 

Kotaro approached him, extending a large hand.

 

For someone younger, his hand was remarkably masculine and broad, with long fingers. The calluses at the base of his ring and pinky fingers looked like they came from kendo, hardened by dedication to his practice. The roughness felt like an honest testament to Kotaro's seriousness and sincere devotion.

 

"...You have big hands."

 

"Huh?"

 

"Oh… um, it's nothing. What is it?"

 

"Well… I thought you could give me a tour of the garden or something. Might help you relax a bit?"

 

"Oh…"

 

"I-I mean, I'm the one who wants to see it, okay?! It's such a huge garden—it's kind of rare to see."

 

"Sure, that sounds good."

 

Hesitantly, Suno reached out his hand, and as his fingertips brushed Kotaro's, Kotaro's hand twitched slightly. But soon, he took Suno's hand in a firm grip, gently pulling him closer.

 

Looking down at his own hand enveloped in Kotaro's, Suno felt a sense of safety, as if he were being held securely by something larger. Kotaro's hand was slightly warm, and the sensation of his fingers, slightly damp with sweat, felt fresh and strong.

 

"...You have such a beautiful hand."

 

"..."

 

"With these small hands, you…"

 

The warmth of Kotaro's fingers as he stroked Suno's hand, and the intense gaze that met his, pierced right through Suno.

 

—No… I need to keep my composure…

 

To Kotaro, Suno was likely just the first Omega he had ever encountered. Kotaro was young, and he had no resistance to Omega pheromones. Surely, his interest in Suno was simply due to that… or so Suno's rational mind whispered.

 

But at the same time, Suno couldn't deny that he, too, was drawn to this beautiful, steadfast young Alpha. Kotaro, with his gentlemanly manner, awkward yet kind, was an Alpha like no other Suno had met. To feel such interest from someone so genuine and admirable… it was anything but unpleasant.

 

If only… he could melt into those powerful arms, exchanging soft words of affection. To become Kotaro's one and only Omega, to be cherished deeply—it was a dream that Suno's instincts craved.

 

Yet surely, in time, Kotaro would be surrounded by proposals from well-matched Omegas. A respectable high schooler like him deserved a partner of similar standing, and Suno, as someone from the performing arts world, hardly seemed appropriate.

 

Suno pressed his lips tightly together, looked up at Kotaro with a strained smile, and said teasingly:

 

"It's rude to call someone older than you 'small,' you know."

 

"...Oh, uh, yeah. But small things are… small, you know? Can't help that."

 

"Maybe you're just a bit oversized? Kids these days sure grow well."

 

At this, Kotaro furrowed his brows slightly, probably irritated at being treated like a child, but Suno thought that keeping some distance was for the best.

 

However, without a word, Kotaro grasped Suno's hand firmly, pulling him up as he tried to stand. As he gazed into Suno's eyes, now closer, he said,

 

"Yeah, I am. And I'm a lot bigger than you."

 

"Huh? Uh, yeah… guess so."

 

"You're definitely older, and you're this famous head of a prestigious school, with all this pride and stuff, but—"

 

"...Yes?"

 

Confused, Suno tilted his head slightly, still looking up at Kotaro. With that same irritated expression, Kotaro tightened his grip on Suno's hand.

 

"I don't care what kind of face you show to the world. So, at least when you're hurt, when you're down because of some stalker, it wouldn't kill you to lean on someone like me, would it?"

 

"…What?"

 

Kotaro's gaze was unwavering, intense like sunlight, and Suno felt his pulse quicken in response, a warmth rising within him in time with his racing heart.

Last Chapter | TOC | Next Chapter