When that sentence dropped—"I hope this will be a good match"—246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡynG7Imtvms
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,246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRgSBaLnvcn
“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.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwd8TJeLqXe
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—246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ53qLhfdJWW
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,246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAzdN7aDysL
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.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc5JZjmvt5x
She knew they had never forced her. They’d only said:246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3jBwz8q0E2
“Give it a try. If it doesn’t work, that’s okay.”
But still, she cried—cried so hard her chest throbbed in pain.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsVmrRYYRFh
Because that sentence… had taken root inside her.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn8c2KecCY9
It coiled around her heart, tightening with every breath.
Because now, she finally understood—
The man she had secretly loved for so many years.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuAiQ7zAXzl
The one who had been by her side for nearly half her life.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn641OXWIEU
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.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcBToBeVb2O
With gratitude.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL4fLuaovRE
With unwavering duty.
There was never desire.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ07THeXu3i
Never hesitation.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWvlaGZNOSZ
Not even the faintest sign of emotional conflict or regret.
He’d smiled and wished her a "good marriage."246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt56YNEsJSP
Steady. Courteous. Perfectly appropriate.
Just like he did every morning when he laid out her breakfast,246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0DnMeGbZT4
pressed her school uniform,246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6D6B63FT6f
or handed her umbrella in the rain.
She once believed she meant more than that umbrella.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvWoKYY7Igd
More than that ironed collar.
But she didn’t. She wasn’t.
She was only—
“My lady.”
Forever.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh4cRDNA5D8
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.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡefh6GbCNE9
If you’re not feeling well, perhaps you could eat a little.”
Suzuran lowered her gaze, unable to meet his eyes—246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSzQDXB1VmC
the eyes she could sketch by memory, yet that showed not a ripple now.
His care was flawless,246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2FGxuVSKyY
his tone was gentle,246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUNLzL4aBNT
but the distance between them remained—chillingly unchanged.
She sniffled, her voice soft:246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9MoXw4qTGL
“…I’m fine.”
Kimijima paused, then replied:246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHeO8PzhUi6
“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.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaf5MuWNbN0
The sandwiches were neatly cut.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtFDp7hcHKA
There was her favorite apple blossom tea.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsX7VdIXbWI
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:246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnf4coCu9NR
“Is it that you don’t like Yuto Amagi?”
He smiled gently—no pressure in his tone.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHLS3OVVlbI
Like he was asking if she wanted Earl Grey or Darjeeling.
That calm smile—without even a trace of bitterness—246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd0THIQk2As
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.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwUe6KOeutO
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.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOn2FEZBBbZ
“I’m feeling so weak… I can’t lift my arms.”
He glanced down at her, but said nothing more.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsiY8pTyXYd
Instead, he calmly said:
“Then please lie down. I’ll feed you.”
Helping her gently, he guided her to bed with a steady hand—246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5duci3kAFo
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:246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSX09cT0N5V
“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.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ042FS33p4o
“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.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuIqBhy5cR4
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.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb3dhTdLQca
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…”246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ebJnyW5LL
“Then I’ll give up.”246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy4PGI2u4DN
“But I want to be selfish. Just once more.”
She didn’t turn. Just waited.
Kimijima’s breath faltered—246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM9suUetoic
his fingers stopped right at her collarbone.
A half inch lower—246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQCCueHXIRA
and he would cross that forbidden line.
One second.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH031Ru66Rc
Two.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3udiof8wCl
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…246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCrYyVqJdmd
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.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡETFifsypKU
With aching gentleness.
His forehead rested on hers.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsEgUx2ZGiX
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.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ505DDqG81V
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.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5tfiEoaQdo
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhFNYkWKtdq
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHnon2beIyO
You made it this far—you're seriously the sweetest! 🥹💗246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjxF3VFUfDz
If you liked it, don’t forget to like 👍, bookmark ⭐, and drop a little comment 📝~246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk6PmEUzDSd
Your support keeps me going—and keeps the characters falling deeper in love 💞💭246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAXgMVtlkML
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