Chapter 66 - Blindness

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Unadorned Words

 

 

From the next day on, Kotaro visited Suno nearly every day for four days.

 

At first, Kotaro had been tense and quiet, but over those four days, he gradually seemed more at ease.

 

They spent time together—strolling through the garden, or simply sharing the same space, Kotaro studying his textbooks while Suno worked on his writing. They were mindful of each other, but an unexpected ease filled the air.

 

Even when alone together indoors, Kotaro didn't press himself on Suno, nor did he seek anything from him. Unlike other Alphas, some of whom had approached Suno with ulterior motives or even tried to manipulate him, Kotaro was genuine and unassuming. He was pure-hearted, as if he were an entirely different species.

 

When Kotaro would leave dutifully each evening before dinner, Suno felt something warm growing quietly within him.

 

He found himself wanting to see Kotaro again, wanting him to be by his side tomorrow as well… but he forced himself to ignore these feelings, pretending not to notice.

 

*

 

On that day, Suno was walking through the garden without his crutches, supported by Kotaro's arm.

 

The Kanto training hall was lush and spacious, with a grand garden enclosed by clay walls, exuding the elegance of a high-end inn or tea house. It was meticulously maintained to be ready for gatherings or banquets at any time.

 

They walked along the gravel paths, past vibrant green moss-covered mounds and a wide pond with koi swimming peacefully. Kotaro supported Suno while looking around, visibly intrigued. A refreshing breeze rustled the bamboo leaves, defying the peak summer heat, and Suno stole a quiet glance at Kotaro's profile.

 

—The more I look, the more striking he becomes… If he were to step into high society, surely he wouldn't be left alone. Then again, perhaps he isn't left alone even now…

 

"What?"

 

"Ah! N-No… It's nothing. You're in your school uniform again today, but aren't you on summer vacation?"

 

"Oh, yeah… just had a question for my homeroom teacher."

 

"Oh, you're so diligent. You're preparing for entrance exams, right?"

 

"Well… I actually already got in by recommendation."

 

"Oh? Really? Which school?"

 

"Fort Worth Academy University. It's where Mr. Ren graduated, and I hear Mr. Aoi is currently on leave from there."

 

"That's impressive! You must be really smart."

 

"Well… kind of. I also did well in kendo competitions, and my dad's been strict about my studies since I was a kid."

 

Kotaro's cheeks reddened slightly as he spoke in his usual blunt manner.

 

Fort Worth Academy was a prestigious institution, spanning from elementary school to university. For Kotaro to have entered the university from an external high school, he must have achieved excellent grades. Suno could imagine how proud Kotaro's father, Mr. Shindo, must be.

 

—But… the Kanto*, huh…

 

[T/N: Suno is from Kyoto. The Kanto region, specifically Tokyo, is not very close to Kyoto. They are located in different regions of Japan—the Kanto region for Tokyo and the Kansai region for Kyoto—and are separated by roughly 450 kilometers.]

 

Suno felt both happy for Kotaro and a twinge of sadness at the thought of him going far away.

 

"Did you go to school? You seem a bit… detached from ordinary life."

 

"Haha, I get that a lot. I did go, at least through high school. My grades weren't particularly great, though."

 

"Oh? Really…?"

 

"Seeing you makes me nostalgic for my own uniform days."

 

"Uniform? Like a gakuran*?"

 

[T/N: A gakuran (学ラン) is a traditional Japanese school uniform for boys, typically worn by middle and high school students. The name combines "gaku" (学, meaning "study" or "student") and "ran" (蘭, which refers to the Dutch style that influenced the design).]

 

"That's right."

 

"A gakuran…"

 

Kotaro murmured thoughtfully, gazing down at Suno. When Suno tilted his head, puzzled, Kotaro looked away again and guided Suno toward the red bridge over the pond.

 

"So, you've been doing Japanese dance since then?"

 

"Pretty much. I was already on stage before I really understood what that meant."

 

"Wow… that's amazing."

 

"What about you? Are you going to follow in your father's footsteps and become a politician?"

 

"No, that's my older brother's role. Dad said I'm free to do what I want."

 

"That sounds nice. What do you want to do?"

 

"Architecture."

 

"Architecture, huh… that's pretty cool."

 

"I want to build something massive, something that will go down in history."

 

"Something massive… haha."

 

"H-Hey, what's so funny?"

 

"Oh, nothing. I think it's a wonderful dream."

 

"…"

 

Kotaro looked slightly embarrassed as he watched the koi swimming in the pond below.

 

To Suno, who had only ever known one path in life, Kotaro's determination to choose his own future shone brightly.

 

The path Suno followed had always been clear, and he had no regrets. He had loved performing since he was a child and had always known he had a gift for it.

 

And yet, he found himself feeling admiration for Kotaro, who was choosing his own path with conviction.

 

Unconsciously, Suno found himself staring into Kotaro's strong and resolute eyes.

 

Noticing Suno's gaze, Kotaro's cheeks flushed, and in a slightly defensive tone, he asked,

 

"W-What? Did I say something weird?"

 

"No… I just thought it's nice to be young."

 

"Huh? What are you talking about? You're young too."

 

"Well… maybe."

 

At just twenty-three, Suno was certainly still young. But as an Omega dancer who had inherited the family tradition and taken on students at a young age, there were many things he had witnessed—things he often wished he hadn't.

 

Due to his upbringing and experiences, he found it hard to understand what "youth" was supposed to be. Perhaps that was why he found Kotaro's straightforward nature so dazzling and endearing.

 

"In that kimono, you look a bit older. But when we first met, you seemed around my age."

 

"Did I? The first time… Ah."

 

Suno's mind went back to their first meeting—the moment he was almost attacked. Without realizing it, his expression tensed. Kotaro, noticing, quickly said,

 

"Oh, sorry… I didn't mean to bring that up."

 

"It's okay."

 

"No, it's not. I'm sorry."

 

"N-No, it's fine…"

 

Kotaro leaned closer, looking at Suno with concern. His gentleness left Suno uncertain how to respond.

 

Standing on the red bridge, Kotaro's figure framed against the sky and bamboo leaves stirred something in Suno.

 

The strength in Kotaro's gaze was strikingly beautiful, and Suno felt his instincts stir as that look pierced through him. Feeling suddenly flustered, he looked away.

 

"It's really fine, you know. So please, don't look at me like that. It wasn't the first time, after all…"

 

"Not the first time? W-What do you mean by that…?"

 

Kotaro's expression grew even more solemn. Before Suno could regret the slip, Kotaro gripped his shoulders and looked him intently in the face.

 

"What do you mean?"

 

Faced with Kotaro's intensified question, Suno shrugged, resigned.

 

"Well… I am an Omega, after all. Sometimes, attracting Alphas is… inevitable. And as a performer, there are… situations. But nothing ever went all the way. So please, don't look at me like that."

 

"'Didn't go all the way'? That's not the point…"

 

"I know. But a generation ago, things were even worse. Thankfully, times have changed, so things are better now."

 

"But still…!"

 

"Well, I've also trained a bit in martial arts, to protect myself. That's why, in the end, I managed to get through it this time, too."

 

Suno gave Kotaro a reassuring smile, but Kotaro's expression remained tense. If anything, his face looked even more troubled. Under Suno's hand, Kotaro's arm seemed to tremble ever so slightly. Suno could only look back, uncertain.

 

Then Kotaro slowly placed his hand over Suno's.

 

"…If I… were more of an adult."

 

"Huh?"

 

Kotaro's voice was low and heavy, as if holding back something. His piercing eyes, tinged with frustration, met Suno's, and he said,

 

"If I were an adult with power like my dad… I'd make you my mate right now, so no one like that could come near you again."

 

"W-What…?"

 

Mate?

 

The word made Suno's heart pound wildly. Unaware of Suno's reaction, Kotaro clenched his lips in frustration and looked away toward the pond.

 

"I mean, if a strong Alpha with influence was your mate, no one would dare to mess with you."

 

"Well… that might be true."

 

"Damn it…"

 

"Hey, w-wait. What are you saying?"

 

"Huh? I…!"

 

Kotaro seemed to realize what he'd just said, and his face flushed a deep red, heat spreading visibly across his skin.

 

Suno had sensed Kotaro's interest in him, but to be told outright that he wanted to be his mate was beyond anything he'd imagined. Suno, equally red, felt his fingers tremble.

 

Stay calm… Don't get swept up. I'm an adult—I should be the one handling this…

 

Suno took a steadying breath and composed his expression, trying to project the poise he'd refined on stage. Lightly patting Kotaro's arm as Kotaro stared down at the pond, he said with a gentle smile,

 

"You're an Alpha, and you're still young. Meeting an Omega like me—it's your first time, isn't it?"

 

"Yeah… but still."

 

"And when not used to Omega pheromones, it's easy to get overwhelmed and end up feeling like that."

 

"Hold on—"

 

Kotaro's low voice cut him off, his gaze piercing.

 

"I'm not like that."

 

"But… you're still in high school—"

 

"My age doesn't matter!"

 

"Oh…"

 

Kotaro's hand wrapped around Suno's waist, pulling him close until their bodies pressed together. The warmth of Kotaro's young, strong body and his Alpha pheromones made Suno catch his breath.

 

The large hand on his waist, the feeling of being held by Kotaro, left Suno feeling unexpectedly vulnerable.

 

He'd told himself Kotaro was still young, still in high school, still just a kid. But the Alpha scent surrounding him was unmistakably that of a grown male.

 

"I… I'm serious."

 

"S-Serious? We've only known each other a few days…"

 

"Time doesn't matter! Since the first moment I saw you, I've felt… felt…"

 

In the next moment, Kotaro squeezed Suno tightly in his arms.

 

Kotaro's heartbeat, pounding against Suno's shoulder, echoed in his ears. It was so precious that Suno's heart throbbed painfully in response.

 

"Kotaro…"

 

"I love you."

 

"…"

 

"I don't want any other Omega but you. I don't want anyone else touching you. I want you to be mine."

 

"What…?"

 

"I love you. I love you."

 

Those simple, unadorned words of love sent a sweet shiver through Suno's whole being.

 

Pierced straight to the heart, he found himself unable to respond.

 

Slowly, Suno lifted his trembling arms and wrapped them around Kotaro's back, clutching his uniform shirt.

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