Chapter 67 - 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.

If you’re able to provide me with the Raws of the Novels I need, you'll be the first person to receive my translation of them. You’ll also gain instant access to up to 30 advanced chapters for the novel of your choice.

For more details, you can check out the Raw Provider new page. 

A Fragile Heart

 

 

He wanted to stay like this forever.

 

He wanted to surrender to Kotaro's warmth.

 

But… any more than this…

 

Suno tightened his grip on Kotaro's shirt. Then, forcing himself to pull away, he pushed against Kotaro's arms to put some distance between them.

 

Keeping his gaze lowered, he forced a smile and leaned his swaying body against the railing.

 

"Please… don't make things harder for me than they already are."

 

"What…?"

 

"I've told you before. You're only feeling this way because you're not used to being around Omegas. Don't settle for someone like me just because of an accident."

 

"What do you mean, 'settle'? It's not like that! I…"

 

"Let's end this little bodyguard game."

 

Suno heard Kotaro's sharp intake of breath. Afraid to see his expression, he kept his eyes down, staring at his feet.

 

But contrary to his will, his mouth moved on its own, words spilling out.

 

"You're the son of a prominent politician, a gifted Alpha. There are so many Omegas who'd be a better match for the Shindo family. Meanwhile, I'm just a performer, known for spreading my charms far and wide. People talk behind my back everywhere I go. A young Alpha like you would only suffer in the long run by staying with someone like me. And imagine the trouble it'd cause your father—"

 

"Hold on."

 

"You get it, right? You're the son of Kantaro Shindo. As an important client's son, I was just keeping you company these past few days. Now, please… go home. And don't come back here ag—"

 

"I said, wait…!"

 

Suddenly, his arm was seized, the grip firm and rough.

 

He'd finally made Kotaro angry, it seemed.

 

But that was exactly what he wanted. There was no need for Kotaro to be fixated on someone like him; he should pursue a path worthy of himself.

 

Resigned and relieved, Suno felt his strength drain away. Head bowed, he listened as Kotaro spoke.

 

"Look at me."

 

"Huh?"

 

"I said, look at me."

 

Compelled by Kotaro's commanding tone, Suno raised his face reluctantly, his eyes meeting Kotaro's.

 

Oh…

 

Kotaro wasn't angry at all.

 

He looked at Suno with a gaze full of sincerity, unwavering and deeply earnest.

 

With the sun dipping low behind him, Kotaro looked almost breathtaking, like a vision that could capture him entirely. Despite himself, Suno couldn't help finding that gaze irresistibly precious, feeling himself drawn in by those strong, determined eyes.

 

"Look me in the eye and say those things again."

 

"…"

 

"If you can, then go ahead. Then I'll give up on you, for good."

 

"…"

 

I… I can't.

 

There was no way he could say it.

 

In just a few days, Kotaro had become someone incredibly dear to him. And perhaps it was precisely because he felt that way that he thought he wasn't worthy.

 

The future awaiting Kotaro was dazzling, and Suno couldn't help but doubt whether someone like him belonged at his side.

 

He'd always thought he wanted a brilliant Alpha like Kotaro. Driven by the beliefs instilled in him by his grandmother, he'd been compelled to pass on the legacy of the Suno family by finding an ideal Alpha as his mate. But every Alpha that approached him had only looked down on him. None of them had ever truly seen him as "Masami Suno."

 

Even Aoi, who he'd once admired, had been no different in those early days when he'd been blind.

 

Aoi had been the first Alpha Suno had ever wanted for himself. Yet, steadfast and unyielding, Aoi had rejected the partnership arranged for him and had instead chosen the Omega, Yuto.

 

Suno recalled that day when, driven by envy, he'd sunk his teeth into that fair skin. Even now, he couldn't fully understand that jealousy. But he knew one thing for sure: he'd felt a furious sense of betrayal at having the peace he had always longed for forcefully torn from his grasp.

 

If he couldn't become Aoi's mate, he'd at least stay connected to the powerful Kunishiro family as their Omega. Then he wouldn't have to flatter other Alphas, wouldn't be so easily dismissed by everyone else. Deep down, he realized that, alongside his love for Aoi, he'd thought of such things, too.

 

That's right… I lack confidence in myself. All I have is an ugly, bloated sense of pride…

 

That was why he didn't want to drag Kotaro down with him. He didn't want Kotaro to see how fragile he really was.

 

So he couldn't stay by his side. He was afraid of the disappointment Kotaro might feel if he ever saw through him—

 

"... What is it?"

 

Kotaro's gentle voice broke through, accompanied by a soft touch along his cheek. Only then did Suno realize he had been crying. He tried to look away, but Kotaro cupped his face, holding him still.

 

"... You can't say it, can you?"

 

"... I…"

 

"Why do you keep putting yourself down like this?"

 

"What…?"

 

"You're amazing. …I thought so from the first time we met. Even after everything you've been through, you put my family's well-being first."

 

"That… that was just my job."

 

"You're young, yet you are leading the Suno school and are admired by so many students..."

 

"But I'm not…!! I'm not some amazing person like you think I am! How many times do I have to say it?!"

 

Overwhelmed with his pain and sorrow, Suno found himself shouting without realizing it. But Kotaro didn't flinch. He continued to gaze at Suno with calm, steady eyes.

 

"Why… why do you care so much about me…?"

 

"Because you're exactly the kind of person I want to protect."

 

"...What?"

 

"You've been through so much, yet you're never even allowed to show fear. You hide behind the mask of 'Head of the Suno School,' fighting battles only you know of with that slender body of yours, always wound up tight. …But you don't really want to live like that forever, do you?"

 

Kotaro stood right in front of him, brushing a tear from Suno's wet cheek with his thumb.

 

Then, his eyes softened, and he offered Suno a gentle smile.

 

Seeing Kotaro's smile for the first time, Suno's eyes widened. It was soft, mature, and so kind that it made his chest ache.

 

"You might think it's crazy for a high school kid to say this, but… I want to be by your side because you're like that. I want to stay close and protect you."

 

"... By my side…"

 

"Yeah. I want to protect you because I love you. That's all there is to it."

 

With those words, Kotaro gently pulled him into another embrace. Suno, still a bit unsteady, let himself be held, feeling the warmth of Kotaro's arms surrounding him. And in that comforting embrace, he found himself sobbing freely once again.

 

"Y-you're so… so cheeky…"

 

"Yeah, guess I am."

 

"And you're just… a high school kid… how can you think… you understand anything about me…"

 

"Well, I don't know everything yet. But that's why I want to learn. I want to know all about you."

 

"Talking nonsense again… you really are just… such an idiot…"

 

"Haha, first time anyone's called me that."

 

"This is no time to be laughing! …Seriously… what am I supposed to do with you…"

 

Kotaro's voice carried a trace of amusement as he held the tearful Suno close.

 

With every hot tear that Kotaro's white uniform shirt absorbed, Suno felt Kotaro's words seep into his heart. The warmth of Kotaro's large hand, gently rubbing his back to soothe him, was so comforting and tender. Suno let himself stay there, pressed against Kotaro, until his sobs finally subsided.

 

"...You could have gotten plenty of Omegas if you just left me alone… don't blame me if you regret this later."

 

"There's no way I'll regret it. Wait… does that mean… about us…"

 

"…"

 

Suno sniffled and lifted his head slightly, looking up from within Kotaro's loosened arms. His face was probably a mess from crying so hard, but for once, he couldn't bring himself to care.

 

Kotaro's large eyes were gazing back at him, waiting for an answer, his expression especially endearing. Suno, wiping his tear-streaked eyes, let out a small laugh.

 

"... I guess… I've lost, haven't I?"

 

"Eh…? Really?"

 

"B-but… jumping right into being mates, I… I can't handle that all of a sudden…"

 

"I-I get it! Really…? You mean it?"

 

"Y-yeah, I mean it."

 

"Whoa… really…! Wow, this is incredible, I'm so happy…!"

 

Overwhelmed, Kotaro let out a deep sigh of relief, only to immediately pull Suno into an even tighter hug. He held Suno so firmly that Suno felt he might lose his breath, his toes barely touching the ground.

 

"Ow… you're hurting me… my leg's still sore, you know…"

 

"Oh! S-sorry! Are you okay?"

 

"… I'm fine. …You're really strong, aren't you?"

 

"Well, yeah. I'm an Alpha, and I've got good genes."

 

"Right…"

 

"If your leg's hurting, let's head back to the training hall soon."

 

"Yeah…"

 

Suno hesitantly took the hand Kotaro offered him. Though Kotaro had been supporting him all the way to this place, there was something strangely nerve-wracking about taking his hand now. Somehow, it made Suno feel shy, and he hesitated.

 

Then, once more, Kotaro pulled him close. Flashing a bright smile, he took Suno's hand and started walking back.

 

"You know… you're really…"

 

"Hey, I have a name, you know—it's Masami."

 

"Masami… Can I call you that?"

 

"Y-yeah, that's fine."

 

"Wow… really. That's great."

 

"... You could call me Mr. Suno, if you'd prefer."

 

"Huh? No, Masami is better. I'll call you Masami."

 

"…that so."

 

What is this feeling…? Is it really okay, this happiness that feels like a dream…

 

As their shadows grew longer and the evening deepened around them in the garden, Suno walked with Kotaro, feeling a fragile joy settle in his heart.

 

What if it's all a dream? …I've never felt this way before, and it's almost frightening…

 

Suddenly, a chill prickled down his spine.

 

That unmistakable gaze—burning, unsettling—was upon him again.

 

He stopped, frozen in place, his eyes darting toward the rustling bamboo grove and the distant, faintly lit training hall.

Last Chapter | TOC | Next Chapter