Chapter 81 - Blindness

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Chapter 81

 

 

That evening, the dining room filled with warmth and laughter.

 

Everyone had gathered, and the evening's gentle celebration had begun.

 

A long dining table, easily able to seat ten, was draped in a luxurious white cloth, more refined than usual. A deep wine-red table runner ran down its center, bringing a touch of understated elegance. The floral arrangements were styled in Christmas hues, and the flickering candlelight—reflected in the polished glassware—wrapped the room in a soft, glowing warmth.

 

It was half past six in the evening. Outside, darkness had already blanketed the world, and the garden beyond the large windows lay in still, velvety shadow. Within the gently dimmed room, mellow jazz renditions of Christmas carols drifted softly through the air, creating a space that felt both refined and deeply comforting.

 

At the moment, they were waiting for Mikado and Kotaro to arrive.

 

Suno, already present, was deep in a lively conversation about entertainment with Dr. Ritsu Ayase, clearly enjoying himself. Aoi and Yuto, who had just spent a rare stretch of relaxed time alone together, entered the room with Shion in their arms.

 

"Sorry, Mr. Ren. Thank you for taking care of Shion…"

 

Dressed in a crisp white shirt and an argyle-patterned sweater, Yuto approached Ren, holding Shion close. Though he had been frighteningly thin after giving birth, Yuto now looked much healthier, his frame having regained a gentle fullness.

 

Compared to his days working as a servant in this house, Yuto now carried himself with a quiet, natural elegance. He usually dressed casually—spending most of his time with Shion—but in his slightly more formal attire tonight, the difference was striking.

 

"It's no trouble. He's been sleeping peacefully the whole time."

 

"He only acts like a little angel in front of you, Mr. Ren. When I try to put him down for a nap, he refuses every time."

 

"Aauu—"

 

Yuto poked Shion's chubby white cheek with a gentle finger, making the baby look up at him with a comically put-upon expression. In return, Shion reached out with his round little hands and patted Yuto's cheeks with a soft, clumsy affection.

 

"…Feels like he's more attached to you than to me, even though I'm his dad," Aoi murmured, coming up beside them with a slightly wistful tone.

 

"You've got the whole Christmas break to make up for it, haven't you?"

 

"I want to, yeah. …Come here, Shion."

 

"Ahh—"

 

"What? Why do you look so unhappy about it? Come on, I'm your papa!"

 

Aoi reached out with a bright, easy smile. But Shion only stared up at him with wide, round eyes filled with suspicion, clutching tighter to Yuto's sweater.

 

Even as he wore a look of rejection, Aoi's expression was sweeter than Ren had ever seen—meltingly tender, like he was savoring even this small heartbreak. The sharp slant of his elegant eyes had softened completely, and the usually bold arch of his eyebrows now curved into an apologetic crease. Ren couldn't help but laugh.

 

"Aoi, since when did you learn to make faces like that?"

 

"Huh? What do you mean?"

 

"Ah… it's nothing. I've just been spending more time with Shion at night lately, since I haven't been going to dinner meetings. That's all."

 

"I'm really grateful. Master Aoi's been so busy lately…"

 

"Sorry, Yuto."

 

With a remorseful voice, Aoi wrapped an arm around Yuto's shoulders and pressed a kiss into his soft, chestnut hair. Yuto flushed bright red and protested, "I told you not to do that in front of Mr. Ren!!" but Aoi just smiled, utterly unfazed.

 

Ren, by now accustomed to the couple's affectionate antics, maintained a composed expression and continued the conversation.

 

"Don't worry about it, Yuto. It's an important time for Aoi right now."

 

"N-no, not at all! It's all for the future, right? And your health is important too, Mr. Ren…"

 

Yuto looked up at him with eyes filled with concern—concern born from shared experience, as Ren too had suffered from the side effects of suppressants. Ren offered a small, reassuring smile and gently shook his head.

 

"Still, don't trouble yourself over me."

 

"…Okay."

 

Just then, the dining room door stirred with a cheerful commotion—Kotaro and Mikado had arrived.

 

The room was spacious enough already, but with the arrival of the vibrant duo, it felt as if a spotlight had been thrown over the gathering, illuminating the air itself.

 

Mikado and Kotaro approached Ren, who was standing by the fireplace with Aoi and the others. Kotaro gave a crisp bow and greeted him with polite formality.

 

"Mr. Ren, thank you very much for inviting us this evening."

 

"I'm glad you came," Ren replied with a warm smile.

 

Kotaro looked up at him, cheeks faintly flushed, still visibly nervous around the Kunishiro brothers.

 

At that moment, Suno, who had been chatting with Dr. Ritsu Ayase at the table, strolled over and lightly touched Kotaro's arm.

 

"Kota, you're late."

 

"Sorry. A senpai from the kendo club caught me right after lecture."

 

"I see, first-years really have it rough."

 

"…Wait a sec—Masami*, aren't you in a really good mood tonight? You haven't been drinking, have you?"

 

[T/N: Suno's first name is Masami, Masami Suno.]

 

"Of course not! I just heard something wonderful from Mr. Ren earlier and couldn't help it."

 

"Huh? What did you hear?"

 

Suno replied in a teasing tone, casting an expectant, sparkling gaze up at Ren and Mikado. Mikado, catching the implication in his look, gave Ren a sidelong glance.

 

Without changing expression, Ren simply said, "Well then, it looks like we're all here. Before dinner, I believe Seta has a little surprise planned."

 

From where he had been waiting discreetly at the entrance, Seta now moved gracefully to the window. Standing tall before the wide panes of glass, he gave a deep, formal bow.

 

As always, he wore his butler's uniform impeccably. Pinned at his chest was a festive tack pin shaped like a Christmas wreath, catching the candlelight with an elegant sparkle.

 

"Ladies and gentlemen, may I ask you to turn your attention toward the window."

 

"Ooh, what could it be? I'm excited," Yuto said with a bubbling voice, which made Shion squeal happily in response.

 

As everyone began to gather slowly at the window, Seta watched them with quiet satisfaction and spoke in a rich, clear voice.

 

"This year has been more joyful than ever, and all of us in the staff are truly delighted. With Master Aoi's restored vision, Master Yutoa's pregnancy and the safe birth of young Shion, and the recent happy news of Mr. Suno's own pregnancy—we've been blessed with one wonderful thing after another. I must say, it's been a busy but heartening season."

 

"You don't need to call me 'Master'," Yuto cut in lightly.

 

Seta glanced at him out of the corner of his eye. "Please remain silent."

 

He continued smoothly:

 

"To celebrate Master Aoi's returned sight, and to offer something truly beautiful for young Shion, born just three months ago, we've been preparing something special for tonight. Please, enjoy."

 

With that, Seta raised his hand in a graceful arc.

 

A collective gasp followed.

 

In an instant, the world beyond the glass transformed into a sea of stars.

 

The entire garden, tree by tree, had been adorned with glittering lights that shimmered and danced.

 

The illumination was unified in a palette of warm hues, flooding the once-darkened grounds in a golden, dreamlike glow.

 

"It's incredible…! So beautiful…!"

 

Aoi's deep sapphire eyes sparkled with awe, and for once, he sounded like an excited child.

 

Beside him, Yuto gazed up at his profile with quiet happiness, even as he admired the view.

 

Then Yuto leaned into him and gently passed Shion into his arms. Aoi, eyes glistening with emotion, held Yuto and Shion in his gaze as he carefully lifted their tiny son.

 

Looking out at the lights together, he whispered softly,

 

"Shion, look. Isn't it amazing? All this light… it's like magic."

 

Shion responded with a sweet, delighted coo, as if he truly understood what his father was saying.

 

Aoi smiled—a soft, overflowing smile that could melt the coldest heart.

 

"That's right, isn't it?" he replied tenderly, both of them laughing together in the glow of the lights.

 

"Aoi's become quite the doting father," Mikado murmured from beside Ren.

 

Ren glanced up at him with a faint smile. "He has. He's just too cute."

 

"As much as I love seeing you fawning over Shion, what I really can't get enough of is how your eyes go all soft when you're watching Aoi," Mikado whispered, his voice low and teasing.

 

"What—whose eyes are going soft?" Ren hissed, flustered.

 

"I'm saying you're the cutest when you're watching Aoi going crazy about Shion."

 

"—!"

 

Mikado leaned in close to Ren's ear, voice low and sultry, and Ren's body flinched involuntarily.

 

Flushing, Ren scowled and pushed Mikado's chin up with a firm hand. "Shut it."

 

"S-sorry."

 

"Really… I haven't even told Kotaro yet. Keep your hands off in public."

 

"I know, I know. But… we might've already been seen."

 

"What?"

 

Just a little behind the group gathered at the window—where Aoi and Shion were laughing—stood Suno, Kotaro, and Ayase.

 

Ayase had a knowing grin spread across his face, Suno's eyes had been gleaming all day, and Kotaro… was fidgeting, gaze darting in every direction like he'd just witnessed something he absolutely shouldn't have.

 

Ren sighed as the situation clicked into place.

 

"Oh, how radiant… Mr. Ren, I'm so happy for you. That man, he's the one, isn't he? Hahh… what a fine body he has. That face, so full of charm… young and fresh… ahh, just adorable. The perfect match for our beautiful Ren. And at night, the two of you must… hahh, hahh… ohhh…"

 

"Dr. Ayase! Could you not get so excited? There's a baby right there!"

 

"Ah—sorry… haah… just thinking about it makes me—oh, I'm drooling."

 

"D-Don't imagine it!! It's disgusting!"

 

Ren practically recoiled as Ayase, actually drooling, calmly wiped his mouth with a finger.

 

Kotaro was already in full panic mode. "Wh—what? What's going on? What does that mean? Huh?!"

 

Ren glared daggers at Mikado. "This is your fault."

 

"Oops, my bad. You and the lights were just too beautiful together."

 

"Tch. I was planning to tell him properly after this."

 

"W-What are you planning to tell me…?" Kotaro asked, his voice trembling, slipping out of formal speech in his confusion.

 

Suno giggled beside him, amused by his flustered state.

 

The gentle warmth of this behind-the-scenes exchange soon reached Aoi and Yuto as well. Still bathed in the glow of the lights, their smiles turned tender as they looked back.

 

Even Ayase, though still blushing faintly, narrowed his eyes against the brightness, watching Ren with a gaze filled with affection.

 

After all—

 

There was once a time when it was just Aoi and Ren, spending Christmas alone in darkness.

 

But now…

 

Now, they were surrounded by people they trusted with all their hearts.

 

And within Ren's heart, there was not a trace of shadow—only golden light, like the illumination that lit the garden.

 

—This feeling… this must be what people call happiness.

 

With that quiet thought, a soft, contented smile curved Ren's lips.

 

'Blindness – Christmas Special' The End

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