When that sentence dropped—"I hope this will be a good match"—299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpPPnoVT44i
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,299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhKRDKxAwC8
“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.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtkoKuZYo54
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—299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN6TNtOSOrB
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,299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ02RwlqPxvI
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.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNEikjultVI
She knew they had never forced her. They’d only said:299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUxuXCikvj8
“Give it a try. If it doesn’t work, that’s okay.”
But still, she cried—cried so hard her chest throbbed in pain.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWywJ3tyTG6
Because that sentence… had taken root inside her.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWutmS9Feug
It coiled around her heart, tightening with every breath.
Because now, she finally understood—
The man she had secretly loved for so many years.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ5D8qWNe80
The one who had been by her side for nearly half her life.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4VaPhnG4GG
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.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCaAUUTn6Yc
With gratitude.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxl5Rnu7O1N
With unwavering duty.
There was never desire.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCZ3gr8Nfkw
Never hesitation.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAeZhhVSMBc
Not even the faintest sign of emotional conflict or regret.
He’d smiled and wished her a "good marriage."299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuEEfzMnbz4
Steady. Courteous. Perfectly appropriate.
Just like he did every morning when he laid out her breakfast,299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeqs6aOmMnW
pressed her school uniform,299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6yZwKtgXYy
or handed her umbrella in the rain.
She once believed she meant more than that umbrella.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0YkdRBLrCH
More than that ironed collar.
But she didn’t. She wasn’t.
She was only—
“My lady.”
Forever.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo8kfqZPMfD
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.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ53GE3Canvl
If you’re not feeling well, perhaps you could eat a little.”
Suzuran lowered her gaze, unable to meet his eyes—299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmf1DIWPJ1V
the eyes she could sketch by memory, yet that showed not a ripple now.
His care was flawless,299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbuRbGWSfm4
his tone was gentle,299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJkPMD4qSPE
but the distance between them remained—chillingly unchanged.
She sniffled, her voice soft:299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIBZRTazADH
“…I’m fine.”
Kimijima paused, then replied:299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeBUanDYima
“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.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8F0KFyAv3C
The sandwiches were neatly cut.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZDbkwj2t6V
There was her favorite apple blossom tea.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiqr3m11mhn
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:299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo0KAvHvhnL
“Is it that you don’t like Yuto Amagi?”
He smiled gently—no pressure in his tone.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcgrBQRtj7d
Like he was asking if she wanted Earl Grey or Darjeeling.
That calm smile—without even a trace of bitterness—299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRepNwTw2Ud
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.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3a271Tyqci
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.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyUBcNDo6m0
“I’m feeling so weak… I can’t lift my arms.”
He glanced down at her, but said nothing more.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvkUQNE7YT6
Instead, he calmly said:
“Then please lie down. I’ll feed you.”
Helping her gently, he guided her to bed with a steady hand—299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAOM6S7G53W
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:299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhCDmo0RLw9
“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.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG3EjXeL6Bv
“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.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0GMfGAnhVx
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.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ6HyMmymwu
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…”299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh9EH4NnBCb
“Then I’ll give up.”299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT5kkuhByJQ
“But I want to be selfish. Just once more.”
She didn’t turn. Just waited.
Kimijima’s breath faltered—299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaAZ4aum7Uw
his fingers stopped right at her collarbone.
A half inch lower—299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Pu4NeT60X
and he would cross that forbidden line.
One second.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7LAl8Fmq3M
Two.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1cNwlSXrVF
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…299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2xK540gQpr
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.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCG4yeVn5US
With aching gentleness.
His forehead rested on hers.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbaxM33Mj8z
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.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1bAQsXN9n0
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.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSt7ceULEgt
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOUdr9MmIXf
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiF5KxVT7uH
You made it this far—you're seriously the sweetest! 🥹💗299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOs3W8a0qBl
If you liked it, don’t forget to like 👍, bookmark ⭐, and drop a little comment 📝~299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ovAI2JxCe
Your support keeps me going—and keeps the characters falling deeper in love 💞💭299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGX5bqYHmwW
and then Add to home screen.