Chapter 69 - Blindness

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A Father's Blessing

 

 

"I am… truly sorry."

 

In the hallway of the emergency room, Suno bowed deeply before Kantaro Shindo.

 

Behind a partitioned wall, Kotaro was being treated by the doctor. Voices of other patients and crying children echoed through the hall as Suno kept his head lowered, unmoving.

 

"Please, lift your head, Mr. Suno."

 

Kantaro's gentle voice was accompanied by a large, reassuring hand resting on his shoulder. The warmth of that hand reminded Suno of Kotaro's touch, and as the thought settled, he shut his eyes tightly.

 

"I was careless. With strange incidents happening around me, I should have kept Kotaro at a distance."

 

"Mr. Suno… it's enough now. Please, lift your head and take a seat."

 

"…Yes."

 

At Shindo's urging, Suno hesitantly raised his face. Seeing Shindo's features up close, he was struck by how much he resembled Kotaro. When their eyes met, Shindo gave a gentle, sympathetic smile—just like Kotaro's.

 

"I'm sorry..."

 

"You know, my son is stronger than he seems. He'll be all right."

 

"But…"

 

"I am immensely proud that he protected you. I have always taught him, from a young age, that 'an Alpha's duty is to protect the Omega they love.'"

 

"…The Omega he loves…"

 

Suno looked up, startled by Shindo's words.

 

"Has he… told you something about me?"

 

"Yes, well… he spoke to me yesterday. I was planning to observe and see how serious he was, but…"

 

"I'm so sorry."

 

"No, no… but I must admit, I was caught off guard when he mentioned giving up his place at Fort Worth Academy."

 

"What?!"

 

This news took Suno completely by surprise. He blinked, staring at Shindo, who looked away, slightly sheepish, lowering his gaze to his clasped hands as he spoke.

 

"Studying at the same university as the Kunishiro brothers was one of his goals. Just as that dream was within reach, he surprised us all."

 

"What… what did he say?"

 

"He said there was someone he wanted to be bonded with right away. He said he wanted to join society as soon as possible, but as he is now, he doesn't feel capable of protecting them well. So, he's decided to apply to a university in Kyoto to prepare himself properly."

 

"Kyoto…?"

 

"It must be because you're there. He already found an architecture department at a national university and was very determined to convince us."

 

"I… didn't know…"

 

Suno swallowed, his gaze fixed on Shindo's expression. Shindo continued to stare at his own hands, seemingly lost in thought.

 

"That brings me to the question… what do you truly feel for my son? While Kotaro has an assertive personality, he's quite level-headed. I don't think he's simply intoxicated by your Omega pheromones."

 

"...ah."

 

"Kotaro risked his life to protect you. I believe he's serious about this love… but whether that love will flourish depends on your feelings."

 

"…"

 

Hearing Shindo's calm voice, Suno felt his own chaotic heart gradually quieting.

 

Shindo, a man spoken of as the next leader, was showing such respect even to Suno, a simple dancer—despite Suno being the one responsible for Kotaro getting hurt.

 

—As expected, this is Kotaro's father…

 

Suno took a steadying breath and began to speak slowly.

 

"Kotaro is an exceptional young man, someone far too good for me. Every time I felt his affection… truthfully, I was deeply grateful. But he's still a high schooler. When he enters university and grows older, he'll meet many more people. Among them, there might be an Omega far more fitting for him than I am, someone worthy to walk by his side. And so, I thought it best to step back here…"

 

"Hmm…"

 

"But I…"

 

Suno paused, taking a deep breath as if bracing himself.

 

"Even so, I'm drawn to Kotaro. If I may, I would like to ask for your blessing to pursue a relationship with him."

 

"…I see."

 

At his words, Shindo seemed to hold his breath for a moment. Suno clenched his fists on his knees and continued.

 

"In Kotaro's kindness, I've come to recognize my own weaknesses. All this time, I've wrapped myself in pride as the head of the Suno school, determined not to see my own fragile heart. I played the part of strength, looking away from my vulnerabilities."

 

"…"

 

"But Kotaro, he saw me—not as the head of my school, but as myself. He recognized my weaknesses and has been a steady support in this unstable time. He's young, yes, but he's so dependable, so kind, so genuine. I think, perhaps, I started leaning on him more than I should have."

 

"I understand… I understand…"

 

Shindo nodded quietly, and Suno lifted his gaze, meeting his eyes.

 

"I… care deeply for Kotaro. So please, if I may ask for your approval of us—"

 

"Oi… shouldn't you be saying that to me first?"

 

"Huh?"

 

A gruff voice came from a little distance away. When Suno looked up quickly, there stood Kotaro, a flush coloring his cheeks as he watched with a somewhat annoyed expression from the doorway of the treatment room.

 

Despite the thick white bandages around his right hand, Kotaro stood firmly on his own two feet, his usual confident posture intact. Suno sprang up, rushing over to him.

 

"Kotaro! Are you all right? Your injury—"

 

"Of course I am. Just a couple of stitches."

 

"Is that so…? Haah…"

 

"What? Would you have preferred I was more seriously injured?"

 

"Of course not! I'm just relieved, that's all!"

 

"Then why are you getting mad?"

 

In that moment—

 

Kotaro had apparently tried to grab the bodyguard's knife when it was thrust at him, twisting the man's wrist to disarm him. But the bodyguard, older and more experienced, saw through Kotaro's counter and slashed upward, injuring Kotaro's hand.

 

The blood from earlier had been Kotaro's.

 

But despite the injury, Kotaro hadn't backed down, grabbing the man's wrist with his injured hand, slipping close, and striking him hard in the solar plexus with his elbow. Struck at a vital point, the stalker had collapsed on the spot.

 

Soon after, one of Suno's apprentices and Arisugawa, hearing the commotion, arrived on the scene, and the situation was quickly handed over to the police Since Kotaro's hand was bleeding profusely, he'd been taken to the hospital immediately, while Suno stayed behind to give a statement before hurrying to Kotaro's side.

 

"…It must have hurt, bleeding that much…"

 

"It was nothing. How many years do you think I've held a bamboo sword?"

 

"But still… it was reckless! Provoking a man with a knife…! I thought my heart would stop."

 

"Yeah, well, wasn't he asking for it? The stalker had the nerve to get all smug."

 

"Even so…"

 

Behind them, a soft chuckle sounded. Shindo, having listened to their exchange, rose and walked over.

 

"Well, two or three stitches isn't that bad."

 

"But, thinking of how it could have been worse…"

 

"I told you, my son isn't that easily defeated. He's trained in more than kendo, after all. He won't go down so easily."

 

"…Right."

 

Suno felt almost disarmed by Shindo's calm attitude toward his injured son. Seeing the strong trust Shindo placed in Kotaro, Suno looked up at the Shindo father and son with admiration. The way they'd raised him was different—truly the education of an Alpha from a noble lineage.

 

Seeing this, Kotaro's tone turned indignant again.

 

"Besides, you told my dad before you told me."

 

"Told… what? Wait, how long have you been listening to our conversation?"

 

"Probably most of it. You both looked so serious that I couldn't just interrupt…"

 

"I… I see."

 

Shindo chuckled again, patting his son on the shoulder. Looking warmly at Suno and Kotaro, he spoke with a slow, steady voice.

 

"If your feelings for each other are firm, I have nothing more to say. Please, take care of my son."

 

"Oh… yes! I humbly ask for your guidance as well!"

 

"And Kotaro, if you wish to redo your entrance exams to be with Suno, then do so. But make sure you pass. Got it?"

 

"Yeah, I know. Wait… you're really okay with this? I thought you'd oppose me seeing Suno."

 

"Well, of course I was surprised and a little worried. All you've ever cared about was studying and martial arts, and suddenly you declare you've found your destined mate? On top of that, it's the Masami Suno? I was stunned. Do you know how many years I've admired him?"

 

"Huh?"

 

"What?"

 

Suno's eyes widened at Shindo's unexpected confession, and Kotaro looked equally surprised. Shindo, realizing their expressions, turned slightly red and shrugged.

 

"I've always loved the dances of the Suno school and supported them whenever possible. I've known of you for a long time. But that performance at the twenty-sixth generation succession ceremony… it was truly breathtaking. How should I put it… your expression, having decided to carry on such a venerable legacy at such a young age, was chillingly beautiful… just remarkable. Oh, but don't tell your mother about this."

 

"Understood. But, seriously, Dad? You like Suno that much? Wow…"

 

"What's with that 'wow'? And listen, don't you dare tell your mother. Or Ryotaro!"

 

"Yeah, yeah…"

 

Shindo warned his son, who was clearly taken aback, with extra caution. Suno, feeling both relieved and warmed by their conversation, finally found a smile returning to his face.

 

"Life's full of surprises… never would've thought my son would be your pair. Truly, you never know what life has in store."

 

"Yes, indeed… Thank you so much for always supporting me."

 

"Oh, no need to thank me. I deeply resonate with how you protect traditional arts in your own way. Oh, by the way, I follow you on social media."

 

"Really? Thank you so much…"

 

"Of course. I'll continue to support you with all my might."

 

"Thank you. I look forward to working together both professionally and personally."

 

Just as the two continued bowing in thanks, Kotaro's voice stretched out with impatience.

 

"All right, enough already. Dad, you can head home. I'm taking Suno back."

 

"Oh, yes, you should. Go ahead, Kotaro."

 

"But it's late already. I can just take a taxi…"

 

"No. That guy might not be the only one who's after you. It's safer if I go with you."

 

"…All right."

 

Kotaro wrapped an arm firmly around Suno's shoulders, his tone leaving no room for protest. Watching this, Shindo nodded, a look of quiet pride in his eyes.

 

Feeling a mix of gratitude and slight embarrassment, Suno bowed once more to Shindo before slowly departing the room.

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