Chapter 16: CH 13

Translator: Michiko

Editor: Elena

After the boisterous guests left, Gio pulled Reiru’s arm and made him sit on the sofa again. 

Reiru also wanted to leave too and leave and get back to his menial work. However, it was somehow difficult for him to say anything as Gio sat with his arm wedged between him and the back of the sofa, pressing his body against Reiru. 

Gio’s face was closer than ever, and Reiru felt uncomfortable at the unfamiliar closeness.

“Reiru, I’m not going to marry the princess, and I’m probably not going to be a noble either. It’s still on hold, but I intend to decline the title.” 

“Eh, why!?”

Gio stared at Reiru in reverence.

“Jlnywpl kv’e cl rskdvzlpp okvbswv usw.”

Slkaw’p caykd nswzed’v rasnlpp vbl xlydkdt clbkde Qks’p osaep. Tsolhla, qasx bkp lmrlakldnl bl nswze pll vbl plakswpdlpp cwadkdt kd Qks’p lulp.

“R vbswtbv vbyv kq R clnyxl y dsczlxyd, bye y qklqesx, yde clnyxl aknb, R nswze xyjl vbkdtp lypkla qsa usw yde rashkel usw xsal nsxqsav. R oyp pwrrsple vs cl yczl vs rasvlnv usw qasx byvlqwz rlsrzl, cwv R alyzzu eked’v lmrlnv vbl rakdnlpp vs zyu bla bydep sd usw. R oyp dykhl; R’x psaau kv bye vs nsxl vs vbkp.”

Qks’p pvaydtl vseyu. Tl’p pyukdt y zsv sq pvaydtl vbkdtp.

Slkaw ds zsdtla jdlo oblal vs pvyav. Ohlau osae vbyv nyxl swv sq Qks’p xswvb xyel bkx ps wdnsxqsavyczl vbyv bl nswzed’v poyzzso kv esod lypkzu.

G xsxldv sq pkzldnl qlzz clvolld vblx.

Ebld Slkaw alyzkgle vbyv Qks oyp oykvkdt qsa bkp alprsdpl, Qks cawpble vbl byka alpvkdt sd Slkaw’p vlxrzl. Wsa psxl alypsd, Slkaw nswzed’v zssj yv Qks’p qynl, ps bl zssjle yoyu yde pvyxxlale,

“R-kv’p sjyu. Rv’p dsv zkjl pbl eke yduvbkdt vs xl, yde lkvbla oyu─”

“Yes, you were going to leave the orphanage regardless, weren’t you?…I didn’t expect that you were thinking of leaving either, because I was certain you’d be following me into my territory with the little ones.”

Reiru thought it sounded like Gio was scolding him. Gio’s gaze became sharp with faint irritation. Those expressions confused Reiru more and more.

“I pretended to be understanding, thinking things like, ‘as long as you’re always by my side, that it’d be enough’ …but really, I was just being naive. No matter what I or the little ones say, you’re not going to listen to us…You’ll go off somewhere on your own when you decide to, won’t you?”

Gio’s words were coming out of his heart as if he was talking to himself, but Reiru failed to take them in and didn’t know what to do. 

What the hell happened to Gio? Reiru was uncomfortable and fidgety with this unknown side of Gio, who usually expressed his intentions clearly. But now he was being somewhat evasive, contrary to the clear will in his eyes.

“Hey Rei, what should I give you? The title and the territory are only a nuisance if you’re not around. I’m only good at beating up enemies, and I was originally planning to leave the management of the territory to you.”

Reiru was completely taken aback. 

What is Gio talking about when there’s even talk of marrying the princess?

That, and Gio hadn’t called him Rei since they were children, so he was surprised. 

When they were young, Gio used to call Reiru that, but when the other children also started calling Reiru by his nickname, Gio stopped.

“I… I don’t understand what you mean… You’re being a bit weird… I can’t run a territory. No way.”

“Realize it already, you fool.”

Gio laughed. Gio’s behaviour today was so different from usual; the whiplash from Gio going from angry to laughing was so dizzying that Reiru couldn’t keep up with him.

“I know you could easily run a territory. Well, I’ve already been rejected, though.”

Gio’s calloused hand swept through Reiru’s dull gold hair. His touch was surprisingly gentle; his fingers slowly grazed Reiru’s ear, tracing the outline, and softly took a hold of Reiru’s chin.

“If you’re not coming back with me, that’s fine too. But if that’s the case, I won’t hold back anymore either.”

Reiru absently watched as Gio’s blue eyes drew closer. His brilliant blue eyes were complemented by his long, dark eyelashes. Gio’s glittering eyes, reminiscent of the blue ocean reflecting the sunlight, looked straight at Reiru. 

This guy is so good-looking that it’s irritating.

Their lips touched. As soon as Reiru felt it, Gio pulled away.

“…I thought you would have dodged.” 

“I… I didn’t think it was dangerous, though.” 

Gio laughed, “What’s with that?”

Reiru wasn’t sure of it himself. 

The moment he understood that it was a kiss, his brain immediately commanded him not to give in, but his body didn’t move.

Gio pecked Reiru again and asked,

“Do you hate it?” 

“No, I don’t hate it.” 

“Hmm.”

Gio’s cheeks relaxed and he examined Reiru’s expression. Reiru hung his head, unable to meet Gio’s gaze. 

I had never thought of kissing Gio. And yet, I don’t hate it at all. So I don’t know what to do… 

Reiru’s cheeks were burning and his heart was aching with pain.

“I like your short hair. It suits you.” Gio smiled. “I liked your long hair too, though.” 

Reiru was completely overwhelmed by the sweet atmosphere radiating from Gio.

“…The young lady took me to get my hair done. She also bought me clothes.” 

“I see. How was the play?” 

“Huh?” 

“You were watching the play with that young lady, weren’t you? Did you have fun?” 

“Yes…”

While answering in an almost reflexive manner, Reiru tried to remember everything about the play.

He remembered the size of the theater he visited for the first time, the dressed-up people, the ups and downs of the story unfolding on the stage, the bated breath of the audience, and the sweets stall where he stopped by with the little girl on their way home. 

When he returned to the inn and got back to work, he was met by his fellow workers who expressed their appreciation. 

The lady of the inn seemed to have felt sorry for Reiru because he was too thin, and she gave him a large serving of supper. And when he was having trouble finishing the meal, the other workers helped him out.

The events of just a few days resurfaced in Reiru’s mind in various ways.

“…I had fun.”

Yes, it was fun.

“What else did you do?” 

“What do you mean?” 

“Sightseeing, going out for meals, etc.” 

“Not yet… I planned to go to the port on my next day off though.”

Reiru had come to this town because he wanted to see the sea, but he hadn’t been able to go to the beach yet since he got a job right away. 

Although he could see that the sea was beautiful and blue from a distance, he also wanted to see it up close.

“Then let’s go to the port together.” Gio started playing with Reiru’s hair. “I’m glad you’re having fun, but I’m a little jealous. All these years, I wanted to take you to many places, too.”

Reiru thought, “This is the first time I’ve ever heard of such a thing,” as he recalled that Gio had once invited him to sightsee in the royal capital. 

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Reiru had asked the lady in the neighbourhood to look after the children and had planned to go to the royal capital for half a day with teleportation magic, but he couldn’t go after all because three young children had fevers.

Until now, Reiru had been given many things by Gio. 

Not only that, but maybe Gio was trying to give him more than he had already received so far.

Reiru didn’t know what it felt like to fall in love with someone. Still, he knew Gio’s tenderness deep in his heart.

“Gio… are you really not going to marry the princess?” 

“I only want to do that sort of thing with you.”

He stated it as if it was obvious. Reiru looked a little embarrassed.

“Do you like me?” 

“I like you.”

His sudden reply without a single hint of hesitation left Reiru speechless. 

Gio unconsciously held his breath and waited for Reiru’s response.

“…I see. Then I guess it can’t be helped. What a shame.” Reiru smiled wryly. “You have bad taste.” 

Gio felt unbearable.

That’s why Gio liked Reiru. 

Reiru didn’t idly doubt Gio’s words. He didn’t impose the world’s logic on Gio. He accepted Gio as he was and didn’t expect him to change.

You should marry the princess. Because it’s for your own good. 

Reiru would never say such things.

Every single person had expected Gio to change until now. 

Gio was told to act wiser, to be more interested in others, and to adapt to his surroundings. They tried to restrict Gio using their own justifications.

Instead of fitting himself into that beautiful and proper round mold, Gio chose to live in a way that was natural to him, even if it looked irregular to others.

Reiru would never know how much his presence had supported Gio over the years. Rather than preaching to Gio what he should and shouldn’t do, Reiru knew what kind of person Gio was and always put him first.

Gio was able to live as himself because Reiru was there.

“Wah, Gio─”

Gio spontaneously hugged Reiru and Reiru froze. 

Gio needed to be careful not to put too much strength into the embrace, lest he might hurt the thin, bony body in his arms. 

Reiru, who had been tense from the unfamiliar situation for a while, timidly rested his head on Gio’s shoulder, sensing that Gio had no intention of loosening his arms. 

Bittersweet love was swirling through Gio’s body as he mulled over the gravity of his confession. 

Somewhere in the back of my mind, I had always hoped for a day like this to come. And I’d always rejected it.

I can finally forgive myself for this feeling that persisted, and was unable to suppress no matter how hard I tried. I have no idea if Reiru will respond to my confession or not yet though. 

Still, Gio knew that he would never be able to let Reiru go again after this.

“…I seriously panicked when I heard you left, you idiot.”

Gio’s low voice murmured in Reiru’s ear, the vibrations wisped his hair and caused a shiver to run across his skin. Realizing that they were embracing each other so closely to that extent, Reiru’s heart beat restlessly.

“S-sorry.”

“I gave you magic papers to contact me for emergencies. Use them, you idiot.

“…I am sorry.”

Reiru felt that he had some valid points to make too, but the tight embrace seemed to convey Gio’s thoughts, so Reiru apologized honestly.

“Well, thanks to the fact that you didn’t leave your gem behind, I knew you weren’t in any immediate danger, so I guess it’s all right.”

Finally, Gio’s arms released Reiru from the long embrace, and Gio looked at him straight on with a dazzling smile spreading across his face.

“You wore it all the time without taking it off, didn’t you?” 

Gio’s finger stroked the gem of the pendant over Reiru’s shirt, tickling his chest. Reiru clutched his shirt in embarrassment, blocking Gio’s hand.

“B-because if anyone but me had this, they’d die, right?” 

“Oh, did you believe that?” 

“Eh, was that a lie?” 

“Well… if you had taken it off I would have died mentally, so it’s not a complete lie.”

What the hell is wrong with this guy, seriously? 

Reiru couldn’t help but be dumbstruck by the unimaginable words from Gio.

“Your change of attitude is somewhat amazing… I thought you didn’t like me…” 

“I like you, but you irritate me.” 

“What’s with that?” 

“It’s irritating. You’re always flattering the women in the town and being touched all over. You’ll eat the sweets that women give you on the spot, but you won’t eat the sweets that I bring you.” 

“That’s because most of the sweets the ladies’ bring are homemade… When I tell them it’s good, they’ll make more and give it to me again. Gio, you’ll bring sweets regardless.” 

“Humph. And then there’s that thing where you’ll only wear the clothes women give you and not the ones I give you.” 

“The teenage children want the clothes you give me.” 

“That’s what irritates me. I can’t leave you alone because you always yield to others.”

Saying, “Irritating, irritating,” over and over again, Gio dropped kisses all over Reiru’s face. 

Despite his words, every time Gio repeated them, Reiru felt like he was being told that Gio loved him and it stressed him out. Reiru didn’t know that having someone tell him that they liked him would make his heart clench so tight.　

“From now on, no matter what happens, please stop leaving by yourself. If anyone messes with you, let me know. Don’t leave me behind with a piece of paper like that.”

Gio pleaded, looking into Reiru’s eyes. The commanding and begging tone of his voice made Reiru feel as if he had done something terrible.

“I didn’t leave you behind in particular…” 

“Rei, what’s your answer?” 

“O-okay.” 

“Are you sure about that? Do you swear by Saracine in your heart?” 

“…I swear.”

Reiru was swept away and captured by Gio’s overbearing sweetness. He no longer had any doubts and gave himself to Gio.

“Reiru…”

When Gio’s gentle voice called his name and Reiru saw himself reflected in his eyes, Reiru thought that the rest of Gio’s words seemed so obvious that they were unnecessary. 

Gio’s eyes were closing in on him. Reiru closed his eyes tightly. 

Despite Reiru’s breathlessness, the kiss was repeated until Gio was satisfied.

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