When that sentence dropped—"I hope this will be a good match"—30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1rkmlTzPLd
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,30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDKcOL9DRtl
“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.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2L8BSn9yfD
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—30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVZKr8853bi
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,30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzr4DrROIa2
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.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5cWju5SVPX
She knew they had never forced her. They’d only said:30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaJHmz3nsxA
“Give it a try. If it doesn’t work, that’s okay.”
But still, she cried—cried so hard her chest throbbed in pain.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbsv4UJQfLR
Because that sentence… had taken root inside her.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTUxPnLtYcl
It coiled around her heart, tightening with every breath.
Because now, she finally understood—
The man she had secretly loved for so many years.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSA882mstue
The one who had been by her side for nearly half her life.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOPtwLIGrmJ
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.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTOMTklJitS
With gratitude.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEXwSbC3eL0
With unwavering duty.
There was never desire.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbzCvEW5tia
Never hesitation.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh0TRnYZ7es
Not even the faintest sign of emotional conflict or regret.
He’d smiled and wished her a "good marriage."30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhxesN7Rslo
Steady. Courteous. Perfectly appropriate.
Just like he did every morning when he laid out her breakfast,30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIBNlEY0Ql9
pressed her school uniform,30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡstfu8zUnNS
or handed her umbrella in the rain.
She once believed she meant more than that umbrella.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG6Sg4wfl5m
More than that ironed collar.
But she didn’t. She wasn’t.
She was only—
“My lady.”
Forever.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSMmMH6rbXN
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.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqIiLndGWD0
If you’re not feeling well, perhaps you could eat a little.”
Suzuran lowered her gaze, unable to meet his eyes—30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyYD9ETylk9
the eyes she could sketch by memory, yet that showed not a ripple now.
His care was flawless,30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo9Dsogu4Cg
his tone was gentle,30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGM6IMG0WaL
but the distance between them remained—chillingly unchanged.
She sniffled, her voice soft:30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhf62hfW0UK
“…I’m fine.”
Kimijima paused, then replied:30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcaHAK9le5C
“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.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡofOJGemfbz
The sandwiches were neatly cut.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Gb3NcmFTx
There was her favorite apple blossom tea.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQdYtr9jbHG
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:30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVcNLN7X6R5
“Is it that you don’t like Yuto Amagi?”
He smiled gently—no pressure in his tone.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaKrzf0Vja5
Like he was asking if she wanted Earl Grey or Darjeeling.
That calm smile—without even a trace of bitterness—30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcQhN10yaHC
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.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfhE6TlsMRZ
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.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWzb8fRT0II
“I’m feeling so weak… I can’t lift my arms.”
He glanced down at her, but said nothing more.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5DOW7dO9xK
Instead, he calmly said:
“Then please lie down. I’ll feed you.”
Helping her gently, he guided her to bed with a steady hand—30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkAB47TueO3
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:30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡulHiHw5TVI
“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.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡccF0q35zJD
“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.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ35WnFIIPRh
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.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd4ZAITl577
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…”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGHHwlpK44r
“Then I’ll give up.”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsoFkP2fQOY
“But I want to be selfish. Just once more.”
She didn’t turn. Just waited.
Kimijima’s breath faltered—30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdK9Fx3lHsk
his fingers stopped right at her collarbone.
A half inch lower—30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡadOWn8c9wI
and he would cross that forbidden line.
One second.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHcxQiijdF4
Two.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmdXbYytxIh
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…30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoeEu2BHkj3
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.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmJvKKNL9Oa
With aching gentleness.
His forehead rested on hers.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVuzDz2bJZn
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.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQZPhN8HCyb
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.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAGxwxcrkpv
30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡty0XlzbhAE
30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdmK9QqR46q
You made it this far—you're seriously the sweetest! 🥹💗30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlGstQDjDb7
If you liked it, don’t forget to like 👍, bookmark ⭐, and drop a little comment 📝~30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4y1kb6Nj9f
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