When that sentence dropped—"I hope this will be a good match"—27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPOdOVeUFCo
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,27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ822NlErrDw
“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.27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQiEIuxUPDz
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—27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4oz8n0tzS5
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,27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyWQtlIXqTw
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.27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp627pgwWEX
She knew they had never forced her. They’d only said:27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ3sY0d2FRc
“Give it a try. If it doesn’t work, that’s okay.”
But still, she cried—cried so hard her chest throbbed in pain.27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ4JMjskU56
Because that sentence… had taken root inside her.27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxyg2Ctr4F3
It coiled around her heart, tightening with every breath.
Because now, she finally understood—
The man she had secretly loved for so many years.27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4x8huRgww0
The one who had been by her side for nearly half her life.27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsxVZ1qptKk
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.27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmaeLNOZMAf
With gratitude.27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwpd5nr5rhR
With unwavering duty.
There was never desire.27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB7rwPksQ2i
Never hesitation.27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr3pGs9CZ5H
Not even the faintest sign of emotional conflict or regret.
He’d smiled and wished her a "good marriage."27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ22tbgUOgFb
Steady. Courteous. Perfectly appropriate.
Just like he did every morning when he laid out her breakfast,27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6B1V8geDTC
pressed her school uniform,27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡevUr33xE14
or handed her umbrella in the rain.
She once believed she meant more than that umbrella.27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfLCKmmwk31
More than that ironed collar.
But she didn’t. She wasn’t.
She was only—
“My lady.”
Forever.27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXgcu7g2kcn
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.27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0jeQ1fMuj5
If you’re not feeling well, perhaps you could eat a little.”
Suzuran lowered her gaze, unable to meet his eyes—27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Zsq0wO5iw
the eyes she could sketch by memory, yet that showed not a ripple now.
His care was flawless,27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiYl1j1O5iF
his tone was gentle,27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqjdv0JCd9d
but the distance between them remained—chillingly unchanged.
She sniffled, her voice soft:27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDUYte0gC58
“…I’m fine.”
Kimijima paused, then replied:27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1g1j4HCpia
“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.27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ43oNvLZIf0
The sandwiches were neatly cut.27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD9qapEK3Bx
There was her favorite apple blossom tea.27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfHazyvzbT4
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:27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs1DAvjSJKp
“Is it that you don’t like Yuto Amagi?”
He smiled gently—no pressure in his tone.27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJejRtAJ9zs
Like he was asking if she wanted Earl Grey or Darjeeling.
That calm smile—without even a trace of bitterness—27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEeRq2XxGDX
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.27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR8UoIRgNII
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.27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrfiS6APttE
“I’m feeling so weak… I can’t lift my arms.”
He glanced down at her, but said nothing more.27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa3uGLoGUEB
Instead, he calmly said:
“Then please lie down. I’ll feed you.”
Helping her gently, he guided her to bed with a steady hand—27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpfZMvwyurJ
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:27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRHL9Zw4zRZ
“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.27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7bcXEFji9C
“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.27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡztPeABFdYp
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.27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOuyDJCGMa8
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…”27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwdjo0AhA2g
“Then I’ll give up.”27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3pMsleeJQ6
“But I want to be selfish. Just once more.”
She didn’t turn. Just waited.
Kimijima’s breath faltered—27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgxTxPST3lV
his fingers stopped right at her collarbone.
A half inch lower—27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTIv2ANdmOg
and he would cross that forbidden line.
One second.27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFabQ2gHIjM
Two.27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZoBniomv1i
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…27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbowT1ieYS0
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.27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1mKC2ZZqN5
With aching gentleness.
His forehead rested on hers.27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMOjClLNr8i
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.27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1NbA0jsDiw
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.27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡltkEFjF3Iw
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV1pns6JeFH
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVrCB4Vtswb
You made it this far—you're seriously the sweetest! 🥹💗27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjkGgOEulKn
If you liked it, don’t forget to like 👍, bookmark ⭐, and drop a little comment 📝~27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtfeQrxzv9h
Your support keeps me going—and keeps the characters falling deeper in love 💞💭27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS57TukGaNC
