Not even five minutes after Asakura-san left, the doorbell rang. Thinking it must have been him returning because he forgot something, I opened the door without checking beforehand.
“Asakura-san did you forget… something?”
My voice slowly faded, the last word coming out as a little more than a whisper. There, in front of me was not Asakura-san, but Kurosawa-san. His posture was rigid and his expression looked dejected.
“Kurosawa-san! Why are you here?” I asked while inviting him inside.
“I had something to talk to you about.” He replied quietly. Even his voice sounded rather gloomy.
“What a coincidence. I also wanted to speak to you about something.”
“Is… is that so.”
He gave me a faltering smile. Though he was trying hard to hide it, I could see the flicker of pain in his eyes. He somehow made me think of a wounded puppy.
“Should I get you something?” I asked, trying to put my thoughts in order before continuing.
“No, I’m good.” He shook his head, then pulled out a few sheets of paper from his bag. “I read what you’ve sent me and it’s good. The plot is evolving nicely. I only had a few remarks, you have them here.” He finished, handing me the papers.
“T-thank you, Kurosawa-san.” I said, taking the papers from him. “I didn’t expect you to finish reading it so soon. It’s only been two days since I sent you the chapters.”
“I… I wanted to get it done as soon as possible.”
“I see. Well, if there is nothing else, I have something to…”
“Masato-sensei, wait!” he interrupted hurriedly. “I have something else to say.”
I stared at him quietly for a moment, then nodded my head slowly.
“Go on. I’m listening.” I leaned back into my seat. There was no need to be impatient.
“Uhm, I wanted to tell you personally that…” he shifted uncomfortably, his eyes avoiding to look into mine. “I will talk to Kota-san today to replace me as your editor. Today is my last day in the company.”
His words fell like the crack of lightning and the booming of a thunder echoed inside my head. His last day in the company? He won’t be my editor anymore? What was happening?
“Kurosawa-san, what is the meaning of this?”
I could hear my voice trembling and even my hands were shaking slightly. This was just too unexpected. Out of the blue he simply decided to quit and run away? That’s preposterous! As if I would allow him to do that. Before he could open his mouth and give me a reply, I continued speaking. Though my voice wasn’t loud, it sounded sharp and cold like a sword’s blade.
“Did you forget we are a team? How could you just decide to give up the task and run away?”
“I am not running away.” He interjected, his voice sounding slightly desperate.
“Then what are you doing? Preparing to go on a soul-searching journey or something?”
“I… I’m leaving this task for someone better than me. Because I…”
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
“Who are you to decide who is better than you at this job?” I snapped, raising my voice a little. “Kota-san chose you for this and named you as my editor. That means there is no one else in the company better at it than you. So why would you say that?!”
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Without giving him a chance to react, I jumped from my seat and tugged at his arm sharply. Clasping both palms over his face, I brought him closer until we were on eye level.
“You! Say that again!” I demanded.
His eyes widened in astonishment and with a loud gulp I heard him swallowing his cry of surprise.
“Masato-sensei, I… I… I am…”
In the end, I couldn’t hear what exactly he was, because the next moment that annoying sound broke out again. This time it was even louder, followed by more pronounced whispers. The noise grew gradually, until it finally culminated in a booming voice.
I AM WORRIED! I AM WORRIED YOU’LL HATE ME, THAT YOU WILL NEVER WANT TO SEE ME AGAIN IF I TELL YOU THE TRUTH. YOU’LL GROW TO DESPISE ME IF YOU KNOW JUST HOW MUCH YOU MEAN TO ME. I JUST WANT TO HAVE YOU FOR MYSELF, TO BE THE ONLY ONE WHO KNOWS EVERYTHING ABOUT YOU. I WASN’T SUPPOSED TO, BUT SOMEHOW MY EYES ENDED UP FOLLOWING YOU CONTINUOUSLY. EVERY MOVEMENT, EVERY WORD, EVERY ONE OF YOUR LITTLE GESTURES… EVERYTHING IS ENGRAVED IN MY MIND LIKE A PICTURE THAT WILL NEVER FADE. I THOUGHT I COULD BE HAPPY WITH JUST THAT, BUT SOON IT WASN’T ENOUGH JUST TO LOOK AT YOU. I WANTED TO TOUCH YOU, HOLD YOU, KISS YOU AND MAKE YOU ONE WITH ME. THAT’S WHY IT’S NO GOOD. THAT’S WHY I’M LEAVING. I… I….
Kurosawa-san’s inner voice was yelling loudly in my head, his thoughts pouring one after another, till my mind could no longer comprehend them. Then, I heard a timid whisper coming from him. The soft sound contrasted greatly with the loud echo his words had in my head. So different, as if they were two different people.
“I’m… no good, Masato-sensei. I’m no good to stay by your side.”
“Just as I thought.” I said with a sigh, taking back my hands and releasing his face. “Those are not your true feelings, are they? Why aren’t you being honest with me?”
“Masato-sensei, what do you mean?” He stopped, realization dawning on him a second later. His eyes widened and he looked downright frightened. “I thought you couldn’t… I thought you couldn’t hear…”
“I couldn’t. Until now.” I sighed despondently. “Amami-chan said you have a tendency to run away but I didn’t expect you to be this cowardly.”
“Sis? What did she…”
“It doesn’t matter what she said or didn’t say. What matters is what you yourself think and feel.”
We stared at each other for a few moments. The silence stretched until I could feel the rising pressure stifling my breath and my throat tightened. I swallowed heavily and clenched my teeth. This was it! It was now or never! The next second I grabbed him by the shirt with both hands and yanked him closer.
“So…” I began, my fervent stare boring into his startled eyes. “How do you feel about me?”
“I… I…” He faltered.
“You. Yes you… You what?!” I snapped, shaking him.
At that moment I wanted nothing more than to continue shaking him until his brains rattled into proper order. It was the first time in my life when I was losing my composure to this degree.
“I like you!” He finally blurted out, gaping at me entranced.
I like you very much! His thoughts followed.
Indeed, thoughts were still more honest than words, but it was better than nothing at all.
“Then, why are you running away from me? Why have you been avoiding me and why do you want to leave the company?” I fired question after question, still clinging tightly onto his shirt.
His expression turned painful and his eyes watered slightly.
“But… But even if I like you, Masato-sensei, you don’t like men so I know you won’t…”
“I like you!” It was now my turn to cry out.
I saw his eyes widening until they became round like saucers. His mouth opened in a silent exclamation; his entire expression screamed astonishment and disbelief.
Seeing him so quiet and muddle-headed, my lips curved into a smile. I even let out a low chuckle.
“I know it must seem like a shock to you. Believe me, it was a shock for me as well when I finally realized my feelings. I spent so many years hiding myself away from people, hardening my heart until it became a block of ice. But ever since I’ve met you, Kurosawa-san, I’ve changed. Bit by bit, slowly and gradually, like spring coming after winter, my heart melted and I began feeling things I’ve long forgotten. I don’t know exactly when it happened but, along the way I have fallen in love with you… Rintarou.”
I stopped to take a deep breath. Pouring out my feelings like that felt both scary and refreshing, creating a stormy mixture of emotions inside me.
I looked up at him and saw his gaze flickering with passion. His feelings were engraved on his face, clearly and openly for me to see; love, yearning, tenderness, and a wish to protect. However, there was also a glint of raw desire, hidden somewhere beneath that veil of innocence. Feeling that fire in his stare made my face blush a bright red and I lowered my head, bumping my forehead against his chest.
“Will you really abandon me, Rintarou?” I mumbled softly, my fingers gripping his shirt tighter.
Those words appeared to have sent a jolt through his body. I could feel him quivering and the next moment a pair of strong arms were wrapped around me. He held me tightly, pressing my body into his chest as if wanting to absorb me into his very soul.
After a few seconds of silence, he pushed himself away slightly. With a gentle touch he grabbed my chin and raised my head. Our eyes met and I felt like a strong magnet had caught me. I was unable to look away. My answer was right there, in his deep, clear eyes. Reflected into the lustrous black of his pupils there was only one person: me. It was as if I was his everything.
I felt his gentle touch across my face and I instinctively held my breath. His warm finger traced my skin, from the corner of my eye all the way down to my lips. The sensitive skin tingled and shivered at his touch and the breath I’ve been holding slipped away from me.
As if acting on a signal, he caught my breath with his mouth, his lips pressing down against mine. It was slow at first, then it became more ardent. His arms caught me in an even sweeter embrace than before, while his tongue traced and licked my trembling lips. His mouth was like an army conquering a new territory; nipping, biting, licking and sucking, all in a hazy succession and leaving behind traces of its devastation. His advancing tongue was chasing mine continuously, not allowing it one moment of rest.
This was a completely different Kurosawa-san. As if a switch had been pressed, he became someone else; someone who was passionate, domineering and possessive; someone who could create jolts of passion with a single touch. Still, I could hear his heart beating with the same love and devotion, and his caresses were just as gentle as before. Right now, Kurosawa-san was showing me different sides of him, exposing himself little by little, trusting me to accept all of him. In the end isn’t that what love means? To trust the other person to accept everything about you?
After several minutes, we were both out of breath, gazing at each other with a mixture of emotions. He pulled me closer, breathing softly into my ear.
“Keita… Keita… Keita…”
This fluttering whisper caused a shiver to course through my body and I felt like I was about to melt into a puddle. With each time he called my name my heart felt fuller and fuller; his words were like small droplets of water that were falling inside a half empty glass. It felt both wonderful and tormenting. I never knew that someone’s voice could carry such feelings and cause so many reactions to a person’s body. I had to hold onto him tightly for fear of collapsing.
“Keita, I’m sorry. I will never leave you. I’ll stay by your side, for however long you wish me to.”
“En.” I nodded my head, feeling extremely muddlehead and weak-kneed. “I’ll hold you to it. So never act stupid again.”
“En. I won’t.”
His voice carried a warm smile. He kissed the top of my head and glanced down at me. I bet my face was quite a spectacle at that moment, all red and flushed with embarrassment.
“But Keita, I am curious about something. How come you could hear my thoughts earlier?”
That’s right! I almost forgot about that. But I really didn’t know how to answer. The truth of the matter was that I didn’t know if I would be able to do it. I simply took the risk and tried it.
“To be honest, I am not quite sure either. The only thing I did was touch your face.”
“Then what about now? Can you hear something now?” He asked, suddenly cupping my face closely, making our noses bump into each other.
“Too… too close, Rintarou.” I muttered, blushing furiously.
“Eh?! Earlier we were even closer, so what are you being all embarrassed for now? If you’re like this just because of a kiss, then how are we supposed to do… that later.” He blinked at me innocently.
Thinking about what he was insinuating I felt like my soul was just about to escape from my body. My face turned into a spectacular shade of red, and even my ears and neck were flushed with a bright pink.
“Stop talking nonsense.” I said through gritted teeth, trying to shy away from his intense stare.
“Keita, what are you saying? How is this nonsense?! Isn’t it normal for couples to…”
“Enough about that! You pervert!” I snapped, pushing myself away from him and bristling like an angry cat. “You stay away from me!”
“But I can’t. I want to kiss you.” He pouted, stepping closer.
“Out of the question! Once was enough for now.” I threw at him resolutely, trying to maintain a safe distance from this dangerous creature.
“Eeeh?! But I want more! Keita, don’t be so unreasonable.” He whined loudly.
Perhaps I have been too trusting before in thinking he was an innocent puppy, when he was in fact a wolf in disguise, just waiting to devour its prey. I guess that kiss earlier was simply a preview for the things that would follow.
“Keita, what are you thinking about in broad daylight? You’re blushing so much. Are you perhaps thinking about naughty things? And yet you won’t even let me kiss you.”
He grinned teasingly, catching up with my faltering steps. In less than two seconds I was trapped again in his embrace and he kissed the side of my head gently. His low, mellow voice drifted into my ears, sipping tenderness all the way down to my heart.
“I don’t mind waiting, Keita, so there is no need to worry. We’ll take it slowly until you get used to everything. After all, we have a whole life ahead of us to enjoy each other.” He smiled down at me lovingly.
“En. We have many years ahead of us to make beautiful memories together.” I agreed, my tone warming up considerably and I returned his loving gaze.
During that warm summer evening, a soft whisper drifted out into the wind. It flew off towards the sky, being witness to a kiss and carrying with it our solemn promise to each other.
“I love you.”
END
A/N:
With this, the main story is now concluded! Following this, there will be three short extras. After that, the story of Keita and Rintarou’s blissful romance will be finished =^.^=
I hope you enjoyed the story so far. If this story made you smile or feel something, even if just a little, then I will be very happy ^^ 💕
While writing this story I had so many ideas of what to say at the end of this last chapter, but now that I’m here… I can’t think of anything to say XD My ideas have left me and I can only say thank you for sticking to this little story until the end. I hope we will meet again soon! ^_^ 😊
It was a very beautiful ending! I look forward to the extras!! (≧▽≦)
Thank you for the chapter!!! ❤️❤️
Thank you very much! I am so very happy you enjoyed it ~ ^.^ ~
The extra chapters are rather short but fluffy
❤️❤️❤️
This was too cute!
I am fully happy and satisfied with the amount of fluff and happiness this story brought me.
thanks so much for all your hard work! <3 <3
Soooo very happy to know that!!! =^.^= You have no idea XD
Your feedback has been wonderful and thank you for reading! <333
Hope to see you on my next stories as well ^^ <3
The story is really good and made me feel a lot and that ending was really good , waiting for the extras … Thank you ♥️♥️
It makes me very happy to know you liked it and especially that it reached your heart! <333 Thank you for reading! Extras coming soon ^_~
Thank you! I enjoyed the story very much and look forward to more of your work. ❤
Thank you for reading and enjoying the story!!! ❤❤❤ Will keep up the good work ^_~
This was such a wholesome story! I’m feeling all floofy like a cloud, UWU
So happy to know that ^.^ <3
Aww, what a sweet ending~ (๑°꒵°๑)･*♡
Thank u for sharing your story! I loved it!
I am so very happy to know that! Thank you for your wonderful feedback. I really appreciate it! 💜💜💜
Ahhh I stayed up so late. But it was good, I regret nothing! Thank you for your hard work author! 😆😁👏👏👏
Thank you as for for reading until the end, despite the very late hour 😄 I am so happy you liked it! <333
Awwww hahaha I can’t stop grinning. How sweet~~ mmmmh (▰˘◡˘▰)
I am so happy to know that 🤭 😆 Hope you will enjoy the extras as well ❤
So beautiful the ending.
And our Rin-chan turned out to be a perverted wolf in disguise after all, kkkk.
It’s a shame there aren’t any professional hot details. Hehe
But I liked the sweet and cuddly love of these two.
Thank you so much!
Yep, he isn’t just an innocent puppy, but a dangerous wolf when it comes to his Keita 😏 🤭
I honestly tried… writing those details… I failed miserably. I couldn’t make them sound… professional or even good so, in the end, I had to reluctantly give up sighs Maybe if one day I manage to make it work, I’ll write an extra
🤔
I must admit it took a while to get into it. But then I couldn’t put it down. The relationship didn’t feel forced at all. It felt natural and it evolved at a nice pace. Simple and lovely. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you also for reading and for not giving up on it despite not hooking you from the start! It means the world to me 🥰Also, I am happy you enjoyed my babies’ simple, cute, little story 🤗❤️
Sigh, my heart. How lovely