it feels good here

As November began, the breath of the people passing by on the street started to cloud up.

Everyone was dressed in thick clothing, all in a hurry to reach their destinations.

Among them was Kicho, walking while flipping his white coat.

(If I recall correctly, the next business meeting is一hm?)

Child 1: "Hey, can you lend it to me now?"

Child 2: "No! Go away!"

I turned my gaze towards the bickering voices and saw two children fighting in front of a shop.

Child 1: "Hey, Dad, he's been hogging the toy since earlier."

Man: "Come on, you two have to play nicely. I bought that toy for both of you to share."

Child 2: "No way! This is mine."

With that, the older-looking child clutched the toy.

Listening to the lively exchange, the shopkeeper peeked out from the back of the store.

Shopkeeper: "Well, it seems that he really took a liking to it."

Man: "It's always like this. This kid is really possessive. I should've bought two from the beginning."

Shopkeeper: "Haha, thank you as always."

(I see. These kids are young, so it's hard for them to share something.)

(Possessiveness, huh?)

Subordinate 1: "Good work, Lord Kicho."

Kicho: "Yeah."

After returning to the trading post, my subordinate approached me and asked me about the planned business negotiation.

Subordinate 1: "May I ask you something?"

Kicho: "Sure. What is it?"

Subordinate 1: "I've been curious for a while now, but where did you buy the brush you're using?"

Kicho: "This one?"

I looked down at the brush in my hand.

The glossy brush handle was easy to grip, and the bristles absorbed the ink just right. It was clearly a high-quality item.

Kicho: "I didn't buy it myself. It was a gift from a business client."

Subordinate 1: "I see. You always have it with you, so I thought you really liked it."

Kicho: "Well, it's not like I'm particularly attached to it."

(If someone asks if I actually like it, that's not really the case.)

(I kept using it because the other party was pleased when they saw me using it.)

(Come to think of it, this guy mentioned quitting this job and returning to his hometown recently.)

(Then there's no need to continue using this one in particular.)

Kicho: "Do you like it?"

Subordinate 1: "Huh? Yes, it's a really nice brush."

Kicho: "I see. Then you can have it."

Subordinate 1: "Are you sure? Thank you so much!"

With an almost jumping-for-joy expression, the subordinate accepted the brush, bowed deeply, and left the room.

Subordinate 2: "Are you really sure about that, Lord Kicho?"

Kicho: "It's fine. It's not like I had a strong attachment to it."

Kicho: "He'll cherish it more than I would. If the brush becomes that person's master, then it's for the best."

Subordinate 2: "I see. With how happy he was, he'll probably treat it like a family heirloom."

Subordinate 2: "I don't think he would even allow anyone else to touch it."

Kicho: "Yeah."

(Now that I think about it, this is also somewhat akin to possessiveness.)

That night--

Kicho: "Is this the last one?"

I moved the documents I had just finished processing to the side of my desk and finished my tea.

After taking a deep breath, I looked around the room.

As the head of the trading post, my office was filled with personal stuff and items that had belonged to my predecessor.

(They are all easy to use, and I don't dislike any of them.)

(But if something breaks, I would throw it away, and if someone asks for them, I would give them away.)

(There's nothing that I must hold on to.)

(I suppose it's my way of doing things.)

Speaking of, I had never had the experience of being attached to something since I was young.

I didn't have any memories of being given something I could be attached to, either.

(I...)

Mai: "Kicho, are you still awake?"

Kicho: "Mai? What's wrong?"

Mai: "Sorry for coming at such a late hour. I saw the lights were on, so I thought you might still be awake."

Mai: "Do you have a moment? I want to show you something."

Kicho: "Sure. What is it?"

Mai: "Hehe, thank you. It's this."

Mai took out a delicate brooch that she seemed to have sewn with small beads.

It was in the shape of a butterfly and emitted a deep, beautiful green glow.

Mai: "I'm going to wear this on my dress at your upcoming birthday party."

Mai: "I initially planned to make a gift, but when I thought of you, this idea came to mind."

Kicho: "Me?"

Mai: "Because your name has the character for 'butterfly' in it."

Mai: "It became something special for me, so I wanted to wear it myself."

Mai: "It's weird. When I associate it with you in my mind, it suddenly feels very special, and the next moment, I want to make it mine."

Kicho: "Mai."

My heart beat a little faster at Mai's slightly embarrassed words.

Mai: "Sorry for saying something so possessive."

Mai: "Of course, I'm also thinking of a proper gift for you!"

Kicho: "Thank you. I appreciate all your feelings."

(That possessiveness...)

I quietly put away the joy that seeped into my heart and stood up.

Kicho: "By the way, you must be tired from working until late at night. How about some tea before going to sleep?"

Mai: "I'm so happy! Thank you."

Mai sat down with a smile, and I reached for the shelf to get a teacup.

At that moment, I saw her happy expression reflected through the cabinet door.

Her appearance, gazing at the newly finished butterfly brooch, was so adorable that the emotions that had just settled inside me welled up again.

(I see. So that's how it was.)

(I've had it for a long time.)

(I continued to immerse myself in this happiness that I couldn't recall for a moment.)

I have stronger possessiveness than anyone else.

And it is solely focused on one thing.

(Hm?)

Suddenly, our eyes met at the cabinet glass door.

Mai: "Is something wrong?"

Kicho: "Even though you're with me, you keep staring at that butterfly. It's making me jealous."

Mai: "Huh? Um..."

Kicho: "What is it?"

Mai: "It doesn't feel like jealousy."

Kicho: "Is that so? Then how do I act when I'm jealous?"

Mai: "That's..."

She thought for a moment, furrowing her eyebrows in a puzzled manner.

Mai: "I don't know."

Kicho: "I see."

(It seems like I've managed to keep it from showing too much.)

Kicho: "You don't need to look so worried. You'll understand it in time."

Kicho: "We'll be together for a long time, so you should be able to see through it eventually."

Mai: "O-Okay."

Kicho: "What's wrong? Why does your expression darken there?"

Mai: "Because I don't want to make you jealous enough for me to understand."

Mai: "I wouldn't like it if someone did the same thing to me, you see."

Kicho: "----!"

I turned to face Mai, taken aback by her words.

My chest tightened as I gazed at her with a somewhat melancholic expression.

Kicho: "You're right. I'd probably feel the same way."

Mai: "Nn."

With the teacup still in my hand, I leaned in and kissed her.

Just feeling her warmth directly on my lips, the possessiveness I had just become aware of grew stronger.

(Even though we're already in a relationship, I still want more.)

(What can I do?)

During a brief pause in our kiss, something gleamed in the corner of my eye.

(That’s it.)

On the day of my birthday, a modest celebration had been planned at Mai’s suggestion.

Mai: “Kicho, sorry to keep you waiting.”

Kicho: “No, my apologies. It’s not even the appointed time yet.”

Mai: “It’s okay. I’m glad we got a moment alone.”

Mai: “I wanted to see you in that suit, so I planned today’s celebration. I’m happy to have you all to myself, even if it’s just for a little while.”

Kicho: “I see. In that case, we share the same feelings.”

(She looks so beautiful today. I almost don’t want to show her to my subordinates and guests.)

Upon receiving my compliments, she smiled.

Mai: “Hehe. Do you remember? Not long ago, we stood here alone like this.”

Kicho: “Yeah, of course.”

(Back then, we weren’t lovers.)

(We were enemies一no, we were like distant beings who even hid that fact.)

When I faced Mai, the butterfly brooch on her chest shone.

It was something that hadn’t existed in our memories before, and it clearly indicated that our relationship had changed.

(Perhaps it’s a bit greedy to ask for more than this.)

Kicho: “I asked you to come early tonight because I wanted to give you something.”

Mai: “Eh?”

I presented the gift that I’d hidden on my back in front of Mai.

What was in my hand was a beautiful pair of shoes adorned with butterfly decorations.

Kicho: “Tonight, I’d like you to dance in these.”

Kneeling in front of my beautiful beloved, I took off her original shoes and replaced them with the ones I had held in my hands.

(Just as I thought. They look perfect on her.)

Mai: "Kicho, why did you give me this?"

Kicho: "You wanted to wear it, right?"

Mai: "But it's not even my birthday, yet I received this wonderful gift."

Kicho: "That's exactly why."

(You don't need to know yet. My feelings have no limits.)

The butterfly ornament on the tip of the shoes shone beautifully, concealing the boundless possessiveness that resided within.

(This butterfly will stay on her toes as she continues to walk to the place where my heart sways.)

(Just that alone fills my heart beyond measure.)

Kicho: "I wanted to give it to you because it's my birthday. Was it wrong?"

Mai: "No, not at all!"

Mai: "It's just that these shoes are so lovely that they raised the bar for the gift I had prepared for you."

Kicho: "Don't worry about it. Any gift from you will make me happy. You understand that, right?"

Mai: "Yes."

I stood up and gently embraced her.

(I already have in my arms what I desire more than anything else.)

(This fact will never change in the future.)

Mai: "Kicho, happy birthday."

Mai: "I received something wonderful first, but I have prepared many things for you too."

Kicho: "Yeah, I look forward to it."

With a soft smile, I leaned in, and Mai reciprocated with a smile.

I lightly lowered my eyes, and she slowly closed her eyes and brought her face closer.

(I can assure you that this love has brought me happiness.)

(And from now on, you will continue to teach me happiness.)

Our lips touched, like the merging of our emotions, and our hearts began to melt.

(I've finally obtained the only thing that belongs to me alone.)

(I'll continue to love you and hold you in my arms forever.)