When that sentence dropped—"I hope this will be a good match"—28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ03ytdTFNCC
it felt like a weight slammed down on Suzuran’s chest.
She lowered her gaze, quietly pulled her eyes away, and could no longer swallow even a bite of the dessert.
A moment later, she bit her lip and said, her voice as light as the wind drifting across the dinner table:
“…I’m full. I’ll head back to my room.”
“Huh?” Her father, Masaharu, blinked, a hint of concern in his voice.
But her mother, Kikyo, simply smiled gently and said,28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJKBJSTxOWz
“That’s fine. A young lady’s heart takes time to process things.”
Suzuran rose from her seat, the hem of her dress swaying gently with her steps.28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT5YiHNXRnU
She didn’t look back—afraid that if she turned around, all the emotions she’d been holding back would burst out.
Kimijima stood silently by the wall, watching her walk away. His expression remained calm—28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEWfBYTLyRs
but his fingers clenched slightly around the tray he was holding.
Back in her room, Suzuran locked the door and collapsed onto the soft cream-colored carpet,28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiCeeYTPa9u
finally unable to hold back her tears.
It wasn’t because she hated Amagi Yuto.
That cheerful, brilliant, well-mannered classmate was—on paper—impeccable.
Nor was it because of her parents’ expectations.28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCtYt76q64v
She knew they had never forced her. They’d only said:28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcmIfDeMmbn
“Give it a try. If it doesn’t work, that’s okay.”
But still, she cried—cried so hard her chest throbbed in pain.28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvfrLccxBer
Because that sentence… had taken root inside her.28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4NUpedre2s
It coiled around her heart, tightening with every breath.
Because now, she finally understood—
The man she had secretly loved for so many years.28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzet6HIv5sW
The one who had been by her side for nearly half her life.28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk3WzdqZDAB
The one she thought—maybe, just maybe—might like her back, even a little...
Kimijima Koichi—
He had only ever looked at her with loyalty.28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW0qVVBAVhY
With gratitude.28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡknfWnegn3F
With unwavering duty.
There was never desire.28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA30g2P1jWZ
Never hesitation.28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw26zTMj1lC
Not even the faintest sign of emotional conflict or regret.
He’d smiled and wished her a "good marriage."28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfeToyEy10D
Steady. Courteous. Perfectly appropriate.
Just like he did every morning when he laid out her breakfast,28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFBzzgcIqAu
pressed her school uniform,28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAuEbhULSzW
or handed her umbrella in the rain.
She once believed she meant more than that umbrella.28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaCxcClVbub
More than that ironed collar.
But she didn’t. She wasn’t.
She was only—
“My lady.”
Forever.28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp5tDOKGxfh
Only.
“My lady, it’s me.”
A soft knock came at the door, followed by a familiar, steady voice.
Suzuran jolted upright on the bed, startled from her daze.
She quickly grabbed a handkerchief to wipe away the tear tracks on her cheeks. Her heart pounded wildly.
“…Koichi? Why is he…”
She hesitated, then quietly opened the door just a crack, making sure he wouldn’t see her swollen, tear-stained eyes.
Outside, Kimijima Koichi stood as calm and composed as always, dressed in his usual deep gray butler uniform, a tray in hand.
Seeing the door open, he spoke gently, with impeccable composure:
“My lady, I noticed you hardly ate dinner. I’ve made some sandwiches and light desserts… nothing heavy.28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlw8jG9MOxc
If you’re not feeling well, perhaps you could eat a little.”
Suzuran lowered her gaze, unable to meet his eyes—28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAiB3NZFSr9
the eyes she could sketch by memory, yet that showed not a ripple now.
His care was flawless,28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr1mKVHMR2C
his tone was gentle,28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcK33VfW9GM
but the distance between them remained—chillingly unchanged.
She sniffled, her voice soft:28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTjvUNDgrFc
“…I’m fine.”
Kimijima paused, then replied:28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6G9gO6yQ92
“If you’d prefer, I can leave the tray outside. You can take it when you’re ready.”
That offer—so thoughtful, so proper—was also precisely the problem.
Even when he must’ve known she’d been crying, he refused to cross the line.
“No, Koichi. You can come in.”
Her voice trembled slightly, but she forced a calm tone.
He bowed and stepped in, placing the tray carefully on her desk.28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg6tCIuqYyg
The sandwiches were neatly cut.28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIHRpDQxzvE
There was her favorite apple blossom tea.28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsWFqfOmVoq
And a slice of soft whipped cream cake.
Everything—exactly to her taste.
“My lady… are you alright?”
He turned to her, his eyes calm, his voice soft like moonlight on a spring night.
Suzuran didn’t answer. She bit her lip hard. Her eyes burned again.
Kimijima hesitated, then asked:28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbairYIIN3S
“Is it that you don’t like Yuto Amagi?”
He smiled gently—no pressure in his tone.28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpMSLINov1H
Like he was asking if she wanted Earl Grey or Darjeeling.
That calm smile—without even a trace of bitterness—28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVnqvFRSdBD
hurt more than anything.
“…No,” she finally replied.
“He’s wonderful. Truly.”
“I don’t dislike him…”
She looked up at him—only to find he was standing still, hands folded, keeping a polite distance.
Like a wall.
“It's just... some answers,” she whispered, “I’ve been waiting for... will never come.”
She smiled. And cried.
He didn’t speak.28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw5HQTuiy5b
Just bowed his head, silently.
“My body feels unwell... could you feed me?”
Her voice was soft, and her eyes pleaded quietly.
Kimijima blinked. “Me?”
“Yes.” She leaned back into the chair with a faint smile.28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM9DPFxw01G
“I’m feeling so weak… I can’t lift my arms.”
He glanced down at her, but said nothing more.28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ1ITLLphVN
Instead, he calmly said:
“Then please lie down. I’ll feed you.”
Helping her gently, he guided her to bed with a steady hand—28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkJ4m4yydRV
all done with flawless professionalism.
Suzuran’s heart fluttered, but she obeyed.
He sat by her bedside, picked up a piece of sandwich with a fork, and held it to her lips.
“Open up, my lady.”
She looked at his composed face and asked quietly:
“Do you… not think this is too intimate?”
He calmly replied:28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ85ol8UGuA3
“You’re my responsibility. I’ll take care of you.”
That sentence—
cut colder than any tea without sugar.
After the last bite, he gathered the utensils, as if nothing had happened.
Her heart pounded. She feigned calm:
“Koichi… one more thing.”
“My shoulders are sore… will you massage them?”
He paused.28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDiTwM0MimX
“That’s something Lady Sisimi can assist you with—”
“No.”
She suddenly raised her head, voice firm and stubborn.
“I want you, Kimijima Koichi.”
Her gaze held him.28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkhm2fykOJd
Raw, desperate, aching—with a touch of challenge.
“This is an order.”
Kimijima stared at her.
No emotion on his face.
Just silence.
Then finally—he knelt behind her on the bed.
“…As you command, my lady.”
He placed his hands gently on her shoulders.
Steady. Measured.28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj3Dy7CUN1e
Every touch restrained by invisible lines.
And that—
was what hurt the most.
"How pathetic... I have to order you... just to be touched," she thought bitterly.
She bit her lip, then suddenly pulled her nightgown slightly off one shoulder.
Smooth, pale skin glowed under the lamp.
“If I can’t move you tonight…”28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDat6vYX3Pe
“Then I’ll give up.”28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi9kWORRW0i
“But I want to be selfish. Just once more.”
She didn’t turn. Just waited.
Kimijima’s breath faltered—28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP7amRYjyuR
his fingers stopped right at her collarbone.
A half inch lower—28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuFMKGEwk6i
and he would cross that forbidden line.
One second.28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvlIWFkmmcU
Two.28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7X0NCX9Z6u
Three.
Then—
he withdrew his hand.
“…My lady, what is this?”
“I want an oil massage. It’s more comfortable,” she said, pulling her neckline lower on the other side.
His hand hovered mid-air.
His voice came out strained—no longer calm, but clipped and trembling:
“…Please don’t joke like this.”
Suzuran didn’t answer. She turned slightly, lashes low, a strange smile on her lips.
She wasn’t joking.
She was gambling.
“If I don’t do this now… I’ll regret it forever.”
“I just want to confirm something.”
Her voice was light—almost lost in the silence.
“I want to know… if you’ve ever seen me as a woman.”
Kimijima froze. His eyes flickered.
“…My lady, I am a man.”
“But your father saved me.”
His voice cracked with tension.
“You doing this… I’ll lose control.”
“Then Koichi… does that mean… you’re shaken?”
Her voice trembled. Full of longing and fear.
Her heart beat wildly.
All she wanted—was a reason to stay.
Kimijima lowered his gaze. His breathing unsteady.
“Please… value yourself more. You shouldn’t—”
“I do value myself, Koichi.”
She looked him in the eyes.
Soft. Sincere. But unwavering.
“Exactly because I do…28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWGVSZpPlK1
I want the first man who touches and kisses me—to be you.”
“Not Amagi. Not anyone else.”
That sentence—
like a key that cracked his last restraint.
His eyes widened.
Something inside him—
finally broke.
He reached for her—pulling her into his arms.
But not with force.28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi8JfzXBt6O
With aching gentleness.
His forehead rested on hers.28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP7DaaiIycj
His breath trembled.
“…You don’t know what you’re doing to me…”
His voice was so low, it almost didn’t exist.
Not a confession.28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7p8NlVVGqT
Not a refusal.
Just a fracture.
Suzuran’s eyes glistened.
She finally knew what she wanted.
“Koichi…” she whispered.
“I order you—”
“Kiss me.”
Silence.
He froze.
“Kiss my lips, Koichi.”
He shut his eyes tight.
Like he was battling a storm inside his own body.
“…I’m sorry, my lady.”
His voice was gentle.
But trembling.
“This… is the one order I cannot obey.”
Suzuran stared.
Then the tears came, like a dam breaking.28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnNS9gkzEwI
28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZTgmuBvvFA
28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqCbjAjDHGm
You made it this far—you're seriously the sweetest! 🥹💗28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbAjO03Q08E
If you liked it, don’t forget to like 👍, bookmark ⭐, and drop a little comment 📝~28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd3MT6haSYh
Your support keeps me going—and keeps the characters falling deeper in love 💞💭28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3BVUgIA8G9
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