MLQC Translations

I changed into a yukata and sat down on the tatami, taking a deep breath as I tapped the news notification on my phone-- "The announcement of the Kelawo award list has been postponed. Can the genius scientist Lucien Xu become the youngest winner in history?" The large bolded words on the news notification were dark and obvious. ......Postponed? I paused, surprised, and then immediately tapped on the notification to find out more. "...Today, the most renowned award of the scientific realm--the Kelawo Life Science Award, is about to release their winners list. This caught many people's attention both nationally and internationally." "Scientist Professor Lucien Xu's innovative work in the neuroscience department has convinced many to clamour for his nomination." "However, according to the information disclosed, the requirements for this year has changed, and there may be strong competitors in the mix." "The Kelawo Award Committee has also recently announced that, since the opinions of the judges were divided, the release of award list will be delayed until this afternoon today..." I swiped through the news article, wrinkling my brow more and more as I scrolled down. I was so focused on my phone that I didn't notice someone walking towards me. ??: Why are you still looking at the news?

Lucien spoke as he covered my bare legs with a blanket, his gaze sweeping over the screen of my phone. Lucien: You said you invited me to go on this vacation so I could relax and forget about my work... Lucien: But you've been staring at your phone this whole time. He paused, and he looked slightly dejected and sad. Lucien: Does the Professor Lucien in the news appeal more to you than the one in real life? I was momentarily dumbfounded, and then quickly turned off my phone. MC: Of course not! I just...coincidentally came across this news article. I accidentally tapped on it. MC: And...I was mostly looking at the weather report anyways. I widened my eyes in an attempt to seem more convincing. MC: Look, it's snowing so much today. The Innkeeper even suggested that we try the hot springs another time... MC: But according to the weather report, it might stop snowing later. So we might still be able to try it out today! Lucien was silent for a second, and then let out a soft chuckle, nodding his head. Lucien: Mn, it looks like I misunderstood. I didn't think you'd be so thoughtful and considerate. MC: Of course I have to be! It's rare that we both have time off. I was looking forwards to this vacation a lot. It was the truth. In the past few days, Lucien and I were both so busy that we didn't even have time to share a meal together. That's why I chose a hot springs resort. I wanted to stay with Lucien in a room together, relaxing and spending our time with each other peacefully. I raised my head and took Lucien's hand. MC: You've been so busy with your research these past few weeks. You haven't been resting well. MC: Leave the traveling planning and arrangements to me. Your only job is to relax and enjoy the vacation. Lucien: Alright. The corners of his mouth turned up in a faint smile. The sunlight streaming through the window landed on him, coating his body in a soft glow. Lucien: Then...I'll leave it all to you? MC: Yep! Leave it to me. I glanced at the time on my phone, and an idea popped into my head. I raised my head and spoke to Lucien. MC: Since the luggage has all been unpacked and put away, you can go change now! Lucien nodded and walked towards the door. I took this opportunity to pick up my phone secretly, planning to finish reading the news article I just closed. Lucien: Oh, and one more thing. MC: W-What is it? I didn't expect Lucien to turn around and scrambled to hide the phone behind my back. Lucien's gaze flicked back and forth between the phone and my face. He seemed to have something to say, but he just gave a soft chuckle. Lucien: Nothing much, I just wanted to tell you...

Lucien: I'm also looking forwards to this vacation with you a lot.

Chapter 2

While Lucien was changing, I quietly sneaked out, waiting by the door. As expected, an attendant came walking in my direction, holding a rectangular wooden box in her hands. Attendant: Miss, the hotel owner's wife asked me to bring this to you. Attendant: As for the other package you ordered...we express our apologies. Since the product has to be made fresh, we tried to send a driver to pick it up just now, but it's snowing too heavily for them to get down the mountain. MC: That's okay. Thank you for your hard work. Please give my thanks to the owner's wife. I took the box from her and returned to the room, my heart overwhelmed with a flurry of complicated emotions. This is the gift I prepared before we even set off for the resort. I had originally planned to surprise Lucien with it when the Kelawo award results are announced. I was not expecting the award requirements to change. The Kelawo Award announcements were postponed, and my carefully devised plan was disrupted. I stared at the box in my hands, and the thought of a result that I've never expected before appeared in my mind. What if...... My heart sank. Now, I wasn't even sure if this celebration could happen at all... Lucien: What are you thinking about? I turned towards the direction of his voice, and then froze. Lucien was wearing a dark-coloured yukata. The loose collar of the clothing exposed his chest and collarbones. He leaned against the doorframe, looking more casual and relaxed compared to his normal state. His gaze found the wooden box in my hands, and I could see a hint of curiosity in his expression. Lucien: What's that? MC: Um, this...... I searched my mind for a proper explanation. Just then, his phone rang and our conversation was interrupted. Lucien looked at the glowing screen of his phone and wrinkled his brow slightly. After a brief pause, he answered the call. Lucien: Hello? Lucien: ......Yes. His tone was light, but his expression grew serious. The news article from before flashed through my head, and I couldn't help feeling a bit anxious. Lucien: My apologies, I'm on vacation right now. I'm afraid I don't have time for that. Lucien: I look forward to working with you next time. His voice was calm and soft, and he immediately hung up after that sentence. I was caught off guard by the swift action. I looked at him quizzically. Before I could say anything else, Lucien spoke up. Lucien: It's from HuanQiu News. I widened my eyes. HuanQiu News is a well-known weekly magazine in China that mainly reports international issues and major events. It has great influence and fame. MC: And they want to work with you? Lucien: Yeah, they want to interview me. MC: Wow, really? That's great! I felt relieved when I heard that it wasn't the bad news I was expecting, and set the box down on the table beside me. MC: It's such an influential magazine. If you accept their invitation, you can let more people know about your research results. Lucien looked at me, surprised, and then the corners of his mouth turned up slightly. Lucien: Why do you want more people to know? MC: Because......I think...for most people, your research results are just a string of boring, meaningless scientific terms. MC: But I know, you put a lot of work and effort into it. MC: Even if you have the title of "Genius Scientist," your determination and perseverance is no less than anyone else. The memories of the time I spent beside him flashed through my head as I spoke. Because of some small data error, he would have to put the papers of his experiment report--that he spent months working on--into the shredder one by one; He would be unable to hide his joy if he got the desired results for his experiment, even suggesting--somewhat childishly--that we go for a movie to celebrate the occasion. I smiled at Lucien and spoke to him in a lighthearted, playful tone. MC: So, I want you to be rewarded for your efforts...that's probably my only wish. My only selfish wish. Lucien stared at me quietly, and a soft, gentle emotion seemed to slowly melt in his eyes. After a while, he gave a quiet laugh and smiled in resignation. Lucien: Dummy. He reached out and gathered me into his arms. Lucien: I declined their invitation. MC: Huh? Why? Lucien didn't answer, and instead, gave a soft chuckle. Lucien: Do you want to know what my selfish wish is? Lucien: You always joke that my time and energy is endless and never used up, but that's not true. They have their limits, too. Lucien: It's just that, I need to save them up and use it all on the person who's most important to me. He paused, gently rubbing the top of my head with his chin. Lucien: This is our vacation. I want to spend it with you, and you alone. I could feel his familiar body temperature on my skin. It felt as if his warmth was slowly seeping into my heart. I couldn't help but wrap my arms around Lucien, wanting to be closer to him and wishing the moment could last longer. MC: Yeah, me too. My gaze landed on the wooden box on the table. I closed my eyes and came to a decision.

MC: Lucien, the belt of your yukata seems to be a little loose. I noticed that the strip of fabric at his waist wasn't tight enough, and subconsciously reached out to help him fix it. MC: Hmm...this doesn't seem to work either...... MC: I'll just help you redo the knot! I untied Lucien's belt, planning to redo it for him. Lucien: It looks like you're very experienced with this. I heard the faint trace of a smile in his voice. I raised my head and met his gaze. Only then did I realize how close and intimate we were. MC: I-I'm not really experienced. It's just that I learned a bit from the attendant when she helped me put my yukata on. MC: Plus, the way girls wear yukata is more complicated than the way guys do. So, tying your belt...it's not very hard for me. I lowered my head, trying to hide my blushing cheeks. Lucien: I see. He nodded and then spread out his arms, allowing me to retie the belt. I tried to concentrate on the task at hand, but the breathing at my neck made it hard to focus. The atmosphere was filled with an indescribable feeling. I pressed my lips together, and when I was about to say something, Lucien spoke. Lucien: I didn't notice before now, but there's a few sentences written on that hanging painting over there. MC: Eh? I raised my head and followed his gaze to the wall behind me. A traditionally styled painting was hanging there. Bright red leaves floated down and landed on the clear spring water. They looked like the flames of a raging fire, dyeing the water around it red with warmth and passion. I hadn't paid much attention to it when I first entered the room. Now that I looked at it carefully, I realized that there really were words written there. I was about to examine the sentences, but Lucien beat me to it and read them out loud. Lucien: "The matters of the gods, never concern the humans." Lucien: "The maple dyes the river red, the flowing waters run deep..."

(I’ll leave the original sentence here, since this is a poem and I might have made some translation errors: 悠悠神代事, 黯黯不曾闻, 枫染龙田川, 潺潺流水深)

MC: I think I've seen these phrases before... MC: Is it from that really famous love song? I turned to look at Lucien quizzically, and he nodded. Lucien: Well, it's definitely filled with lots of emotion. Lucien: I think it's probably here to set the mood for Valentine's Day. That's why the wife of the owner put it here. Lucien: And if you look at the writing...it seems it was added not too long ago. I studied the painting again after Lucien's comment. MC: I didn't expect the owner of this hotel to be so considerate and attentive. It looks like a normal painting if you don't examine it carefully... MC: There was a hidden meaning all along... I tried to feel the emotions hidden in the lines and strokes of the painting. This piece of art, originally just used as a normal hanging painting, now had depth and concealed meaning thanks to the added sentences. My attention was all on the painting when I heard a voice by my ear. Lucien: It looks quite beautiful... Lucien: But, aren't you forgetting something? His gaze landed on the belt in my hands. I realized I still didn't finish tying Lucien's yukata. The fabric was draped loosely over his body. The low neckline fell even lower, and more of his chest was exposed. My face grew even warmer. MC: ...I'll finish it now! I tried to ignore my quickening heartbeat and finished tying Lucien's belt. When I was done, I couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief. I raised my hand to try and fix the low neckline of the yukata, but to my surprise, I discovered that it was just designed that way. MC: Was, was this neckline always so low?

My voice was quiet. Lucien looked down at his yukata, and then a smile of understanding spread across his face. Lucien: Yes, that's how it was when I first put it on. Lucien: I'm pretty sure all men's yukatas here are in this style. MC: That's strange, I think I remember seeing a different type of yukata on the official website... MC: Unless...this is also part of "setting the mood" for Valentine's Day? In order to cover up my flustered feelings, I spoke in a joking tone. Lucien gave a soft laugh, going along with my jokes. Lucien: Yeah, that's possible. He blinked and seemed to think of something. He bent down, leaning close to my ear, and spoke to me in a soft voice. Lucien: I think... Lucien: This counts as setting the mood as well.

Chapter 3

Lucien and I sat opposite to each other on the tatami. He took the sake out of the wooden box and uncorked the bottle, pouring its contents into two cups. Lucien: So this is why you were talking with the owner's wife today... Lucien: Is there a reason for this sudden surprise gift? I answered him calmly, trying to hide my nervousness and anxiety. MC: It's not really sudden, just part of the series of things I planned for this trip... MC: Just think of it as a reward for your past months of hard work! I tried to steer the conversation away from this topic and pointed at the sake cup, gesturing at him invitingly. MC: Apparently, this kind of sake is very popular here. I was afraid that it would be all sold out by the time we arrived, so I ordered it half a month in advance! Lucien's eyes filled with the faint trace of a smile. Lucien: I guess I'd better taste it, then. You worked so hard for it. He lifted the cup to his lips and took a sip. MC: How is it? Lucien: It has a slightly sweet flavour...quite delicious. MC: That's good! Drinking wine in winter can warm you up. The memories of Lucien drinking wine flashed through my head, and I couldn't help adding to my sentence. MC: ...and its alcohol content isn't very high, so you don't need to worry about getting drunk. He raised an eyebrow. Lucien: It seems like I'm being underestimated. He poured some more sake into the cup, and then sipped at it unhurriedly. Lucien: I've had sake before. I didn't get drunk. MC: I think you've mentioned it to me over the phone before... I felt even more curious after he brought the incident up again. My impression is that he almost never drinks alcohol, but instead, loves tea. MC: Why did you try sake that time? Lucien: Mm...let me think. He set down the cup, propping his head up on one hand, and lifted his gaze to stare at the leaves in the yard behind me. Lucien: It was back when I was still a student. We were celebrating because we won a contest with our project. MC: Huh? Lucien: Didn't expect that, right? His gaze met mine for a split second, and then he continued speaking. Lucien: I had worked with my classmates on a very challenging scientific research project. We finally got our ideal results after a year and a half. He sighed, seeming to remember the scenes of the past. Lucien: They were absolutely overjoyed...dragged me to the tavern to celebrate...... He spoke with resignation, but I could see the corners of his mouth turn up in a small smile. I've almost never seen him celebrate his own achievements. The thought I had suppressed earlier was appearing in my mind again-- I want to stay beside him, celebrate with him, and witness the moment his hard work blossoms and he's rewarded for his efforts. A tangled mess of emotions spread across my chest: anticipation, anxiety, and even a hint of worry... Lucien: You're zoning out again. A light tap landed on my forehead, and I came back to my senses, smiling apologetically at Lucien. He narrowed his eyes, staring at me silently, and then spoke. Lucien: Oh, I remember a game we played back then... MC: A game? Lucien: Here, I'll show you. I watched with interest as Lucien took an empty cup and placed it upside-down on the table. Lucien: It's pretty simple. We take turns, you can either choose to tap the cup with your fingers, or take the cup away. Lucien: If the cup is taken away, the other person has to knock on the table with their knuckles. Touching the cup or tapping the table both count as losing. MC: This game seems to rely heavily on reflexes... Lucien smiled at my slightly confused state. Lucien: Yes, but it isn't very hard. You'll get the hang of it after a round or two. Do you want to give it a try? MC: Sure! I nodded eagerly. A streak of emotion flashed through Lucien's eyes, and a smile appeared on his lips.

MC: ...... MC: That's impossible! I took another sip of sake in frustration. Apparently, the "It isn't very hard" of this game is only directed at Lucien. Aside from having great reflexes, he always seemed to know my thoughts, and predicted my movements ahead of time... MC: It's like you can read my mind... Lucien just smiled in response to my complaint. Lucien: Or maybe it's because I know you so well. Lucien: That's why it's not hard to figure out what you're going to do next. He didn't seem to notice how his words made me flustered and embarrassed. I muttered under my breath. MC: That's not fair... Lucien: Why don't you try putting all of your attention on me as well?

MC: Huh? Lucien tilted his head, supporting his face with one hand. He studied my face curiously. Lucien: Maybe this strategy will be more effective. My heartbeat sped up uncontrollably. For a split second, I couldn't tell if he was teasing me, or being completely serious. I still decided to give it a try. I was losing right now, but this method would give me a chance to turn things around. I have nothing to lose, anyways. We soon started a new round. I followed Lucien's advice and stared at him intently, trying to find loopholes and weak points in his gestures. Lucien was smiling the entire time. He seemed to be in a good mood. It was now my turn to tap the cup. I noticed Lucien wrinkle his brow, and I suddenly decided to change tactics. I grabbed the cup and took it away. MC: ...! Lucien: I lost. He looked at our hands, both touching the top of the cup, and sighed. Lucien: It looks like...I was too careless. Lucien: I shouldn't have told you about that strategy. He looked a little sad and regretful. Lucien took the sake and downed it in one go. MC: Does it really work that well? I was a little surprised by the sudden victory. I wasn't sure if it was just luck or not, but I still grinned and felt excited at finally winning against this flawless person. The game went surprisingly smoothly for me after that. I didn't think I would ever experience such a day, where I was always winning against Lucien. The smile on my face grew wider and wider. It stayed that way until Lucien had to drink another cup of sake as punishment. Looking at his reddish ears and smiling lips, I suddenly realized something. I stopped smiling immediately and walked up to Lucien, looking at him sternly. MC: I nearly fell for your tricks again! His gaze flickered, and he reached out for me. Lucien: What's wrong? He looked at me, blinking innocently. Lucien: Why do you look so angry? Did I do something wrong? I couldn't help but laugh somewhat angrily. He already knew the answer...but he was asking anyways. I squeezed his hand. MC: You're letting me win on purpose, right? Lucien didn't respond, but hooked his fingers around mine, wrapping his palm around my hand. Lucien: Who said I let you win on purpose? Lucien: I'm losing to you willingly. He reached out and brushed his finger against my nose, a smile appearing on his lips once more. Lucien: I can finally see your genuine smile. MC: Eh? Lucien: You've looked worried ever since this morning. Lucien: I had originally thought that I shouldn't pressure you into telling me and wait for you to talk to me yourself, but on second thought, it's not good for you to bear this on your own. Lucien: I'm guessing...the thing that's bothering you... is something concerning me? He looked lost in thought for a second. Lucien: Is it that article from the morning? The determined look in his eyes and his behaviour just now made me suddenly understand. MC: So you wanted to play this game so I could relax more? MC: I should have known...I can't hide anything from you. He laughed and wrapped my hand into his palm, speaking in a teasing tone. Lucien: Tell me, how did the Professor Xu on the article trouble you? I laughed, amused by his words. Since my inner thoughts have already been exposed, I decided to just be honest with him. MC: Well...actually, this bottle of sake was originally a gift for you to celebrate your victory. I didn't expect the list to be postponed... MC: I still want to celebrate with you, but if......the results aren't good, I'm afraid you'll be disappointed. MC: ...So, I didn't say anything. I sighed with relief, feeling more at ease after admitting everything to Lucien. MC: But now I think...it's more important to cherish the time we have together. I picked up my phone and turned it off without hesitation, trying to show Lucien my determination. MC: I won't get distracted anymore! The light in Lucien's eyes flickered and, he too, turned his phone off. He wrapped an arm around my waist, and lifted his head. Lucien: Then it's a promise. From now on, don't let anything disturb out time together. Lucien: ...not even humans. I couldn't hold in my laughter when Lucien made another addition to his sentence. MC: ...But it's still my fault for getting distracted before. Now, we can make up for lost time. Lucien: Oh? What do you have in mind? I glanced at the courtyard and raised my eyebrows at Lucien. MC: Didn't you notice? The snow outside is getting smaller. He looked puzzled for a second, but then understood what I was implying. The corners of his mouth turned up in a smile. The heavy snow storm outside had turned into light, soft snowflakes-- Drifting into the steaming hot springs, and melting away silently.

After having our meal, Lucien and I walked on the stone pathway in the courtyard. The sound of tricking water reached our ears. MC: It looks like the weather report was accurate. The snow is much smaller and lighter than before.

Lucien: Yes, but are you still drunk? We could come back later. MC: Don't worry, I'm totally awake and sober. MC: Plus, I already did my research. According to the internet, the best time to take a soak in the springs is two hours after a meal! Lucien opened his mouth to say something, but then suddenly stopped in his tracks. He stared at the hot springs in front of us, and a streak of shock and surprise flashed through his eyes. I followed his gaze to the outdoor springs, and my eyes widened. MC: This is... To my utter surprise, I realized that this private hot spring didn't have any sort of barrier separating the two sides!

Chapter 4

MC: That's strange...I clearly remember that the pictures on the website had the hot springs separated with wooden boards... I stared at the water, feeling my ear tips turn red. I couldn't help feeling nervous at the thought of two people in the same pool... Just as I was about to say something to break the awkward silence, Lucien spoke up. Lucien: ...I'll just go back to the room. Lucien: I'll come back once you've finished. MC: Huh? I raised my head. Lucien's expression was still calm and gentle, but his eyes avoided mine. Could it be...... ...I'm not the only one who's nervous? Looking at the steaming hot spring, I swallowed and steeled myself. MC: I mean, we've already changed into new clothes and everything...let's just do it together.

Lucien and I sat across from each other in the hot spring. The clear, rippling water came up to our chests. Lucien: Do you think the water temperature is too hot? I raised my head, and my gaze slid disobediently from his bare chest to his collarbones, his Adam's apple, and then his lips...I didn't dare look up any further. MC: No, it's perfect. I shook my head and tried to suppress my rapid heartbeats. I lowered myself a bit more, submerging my shoulders in the warm water, and couldn't help giving a soft sigh. Snowflakes landed on my face, making my skin feel cool and icy, but melted soon after due to the hot air and my warm body. Lucien's hand swept over the surface of the water, making the water splash. He closed his eyes, tilting his head up, and leaned against the rock wall. Lucien: I remember the last time we took a soak in a hot spring. It was snowing...like today. MC: Yeah, I remember that too. My heart warmed as I remembered the last time I celebrated Lucien's birthday. MC: It feels like all of my happy memories about snowy days are spent with you. He slowly opened his eyes. Droplets of water clung to his eyelashes, and the shape of his lips looked attractive and alluring. Lucien: To me, it's not just snowy days. The sound of flowing water overlapped with his voice, reaching my ears through the misty air. The distant memories in my mind seemed to be lit up little by little under Lucien's gentle gaze. My throat felt a little dry after being stared at for so long. My gaze landed on the tray, and I looked over at the wagashi and cups of hot tea. I picked up a cup and took a sip. It wasn't alcohol or sake, but I somehow still felt slightly drunk. I patted my slightly hot face and tried to stretch my body a bit. My foot accidentally touched Lucien's leg. Lucien: ...... MC: ...... My heart skipped a beat and my breathing quickened. The water of the hot spring seemed to make every part of my body more sensitive. I looked up at Lucien. His gaze flickered, and then he looked away. Lucien picked up the other cup on the tray. Lucien: ...The aroma of tea is very strong. MC: Yeah... MC: T-This kind of opportunity is rare, why don't we replace alcohol with tea and give a toast? I bit my tongue in embarrassment as soon as the words were out of my mouth. The hand Lucien was using to hold the cup seemed to shake. He studied my red cheeks for a second, and then couldn't hold in his laughter.

Lucien: Yes, that's a good suggestion, but...... Lucien: Toasts are usually for celebrating. What are we celebrating right now? I was at a loss for words. While I racked my brain for things to say, a thought flashed through my mind. MC: To celebrate- Lucien: I'm going to be very disappointed if you say something like "to celebrate your prizewinning ahead of time" again. MC: Uhm... This man definitely has mind-reading skills! I looked at Lucien's smiling eyes through the white mist, and then couldn't help smiling as well. The snow floated down from the skies, the clear water rippled, but nothing could compare to his shining eyes. Everything in front of me suddenly felt unreal, like a dream. An amazing man was right in front of my eyes, sharing tea and the wonderful snowy view with me. I could see my figure reflect clearly in Lucien's eyes. I suddenly realized that...to me, this moment with him surpasses everything. I instantly spoke without thinking. MC: Then, let's celebrate the moment we share right now. Underneath the water's surface, our touching skin lightly rubbed against each other. The distinct touch made me feel like there were electric currents coursing through my body, the sensation causing ripples in my heart. I no longer avoided his eyes like before, but looked at Lucien quietly. His Adam's apple moved slightly. The pale, warm mist made his dark eyes twinkle with the lights reflecting off the water. I suddenly had the feeling that Lucien could somehow see past the hazy mist and stare straight into my heart. After a while, he gave a soft laugh. Lucien: Only the moment now? MC: What? Lucien didn't answer, but instead, got up and leaned towards me. His chest, originally submerged in the hot spring, was exposed above the water. The temperature of the hot spring made his skin slightly red. The water rippled and splashed, the droplets falling back towards the spring. Slightly nervous, I touched the ground with my foot. I was a little unstable due to the buoyancy of the water, but Lucien grabbed my waist with one hand just in time. I lifted my head, bewildered, and stared at the defined line of Lucien's jaw, my fingertips digging into the tight and strong muscles of his shoulders. His hand slipped over my back and he held me even tighter in his arms. I subconsciously put one hand at his shoulder and pressed the other against his chest. MC: Lucien...... The soft waves of the water lapped against our bodies. Lucien bent down, and his lips moved close to my ears. His voice was slightly hoarse. Lucien: What I want to say is, not only should we celebrate this moment, but also... Lucien: Every single second we have together. A light touch landed on my earlobe, and it felt as if tendrils of fire were lit up there, one by one. The cups collided with a clear, crisp sound. Lucien drank a mouthful of tea, held my chin, and leaned down. I watched his face come closer and closer. I had no time to think, all I could do was close my eyes...... And...experience the numb sensation on my lips and taste the fragrant sweet tea in my mouth.

There was the sound of splashing water as Lucien got up and walked out of the pool. Lucien: Our clothes were left out and now they're wet from the snow. I'll go back to get new clothes. MC: Wait, I'll go with you. I stood up and tried to follow him. Lucien stood frozen in place, and his gaze wavered slightly when he looked at me. I followed his eyes and looked down. The wet towel clung to my body, clearly outlining my figure. Water dripped down from the soaked fabric. A cool breeze blew past, and I suddenly noticed something. I quickly sat back in the hot spring. MC: I-It's so cold... Lucien laughed softly and nodded. Lucien: Yeah, it would be cold for you if you go back like this. Lucien: So, can you wait for me here? I touched my slightly hot face, and nodded at him, smiling. MC: Okay!

When Lucien returned, I was eating the wagashi in the tray. He laughed when he saw me. (Wagashi are traditional Japanese sweets that are typically enjoyed with a cup of green tea. In Chinese, they're called 和果子.)

Lucien: Are you hungry? MC: A little bit. Look, these desserts are all so detailed and beautiful. I pushed the platter towards him. He crouched down and examined them carefully. Lucien: Yeah, you're right. Lucien: I once heard a really skilled pastry chef say that wagashi desserts can express and reflect anything, whether it's from nature or human emotion. MC: Really? I put my arm on the stone edge surrounding the hot spring and started studying the wagashi in the tray curiously. MC: These are made for Valentine's Day. I wonder if they're special in any way. Lucien: I think they are. He leaned down and examined the desserts along with me. Lucien: Maybe...we can use our imagination to take a guess? He smiled and picked up one of the sweets. The shape and design was fairly simple compared to the others. It was round like a small steamed bun, and there was a circular yellow label stamped in the centre. Lucien: I'm sure they made the label yellow for a reason. He looked at it for a while and then handed it to me. Lucien: Can you think of anything? MC: Um...yellow circle...... MC: Like a full moon? I looked up at Lucien. The corners of his mouth turned up, hinting at me to continue on. I stared at the seemingly plain and ordinary wagashi, and suddenly realized something. MC: The moon is a very important symbol of love and can be used to express many different emotions... MC: So, it seems that this wagashi really fits the theme of Valentine's Day. Lucien: Do you want to taste it? I leaned over and bit into the wagashi in his hand. The sweetness melted in my mouth. I was pleasantly surprised to see the red filling underneath the white outside layer. MC: It's red bean paste...! A flash of surprise crossed Lucien's eyes, and after a while, he nodded thoughtfully. Lucien: To choose red filling for the inside... Lucien: That's probably because the person who created it wanted to express the sincere emotions between lovers. MC: So wagashi can really express human emotion... I looked at the emotion-filled dessert, and a warm, gentle feeling grew in my heart. I spoke to Lucien without thinking. MC: You try it too! I remembered something as soon as the words left my mouth, and quickly changed my words. MC: Oh, you don't really like sweets...then I'll take it! I reached out to take the wagashi away from him, but Lucien moved his hand away and out of my reach. MC: Huh? He gave a light laugh at my puzzled look. Lucien: I don't really like sweet things, that's true. Lucien: But...a dessert with such beautiful meaning...I still want to give it a try. MC: But...... Lucien's face appeared in front of mine before I even finished speaking. He put his hand behind my head and leaned down. In the blink of an eye, I felt a sudden warmth on my lips. His hot breath fell on my face, making my skin feel both itchy and numb, dispelling the coolness in the air. The snow on the edge of the pool melted into water and fell into the spring, causing little splashes where they land. After a long time, Lucien finally let go of the hand behind my head and looked at me, a faint smile tugging at his lips. Lucien: Mm, it's sweeter than I imagined.

Chapter 5

After taking a soak in the pool, Lucien and I walked back to the room. We both froze when the door was pushed open. A gaudy “prize cake” was sitting on the table.

The word "AWARD" was written in large block letters using red chocolate, and right underneath it, was a sentence written in black chocolate-- "The Best Scientist Award". Lucien raised an eyebrow, glancing lazily towards me. I coughed awkwardly. MC: Cough cough...would you believe me if I said the attendant sent this to the wrong room? The door was pushed open again, and the attendant came in with two sets of cutlery. Attendant: You're back, Miss. Did you enjoy the hot springs? Attendant: This is the special cake you ordered. The driver was able to get down the mountain to get it since the snow's smaller now. Please enjoy. The attendant gave me a meaningful look, as if saying "I won't disturb you any longer", and then bowed and walked out. After a short silence, a soft chuckle came from behind me. MC: ......Okay, I'll admit it. I prepared this for you...a present to celebrate your victory in winning the award. MC: I think there's more of a celebratory atmosphere if we eat cake. MC: Well...I know the appearance of the cake is sort of...weird and exaggerated, but it probably tastes okay... Lucien nodded, laughing softly. Lucien: Yes, I think this cake will be delicious. And...... Lucien: Now, I'm convinced that you really do care a lot about this topic. He paused, and then took out his phone, turning it on. Lucien: Since you want to know so badly...let's find out together. MC: ......What? Lucien: Didn't you want to know the results? I remember it said in the article you read this morning...it was going to be delayed until the afternoon. Lucien: It should be the right time now. MC: But...! I watched his unhurried movements, my eyes wide. I seemed to be more nervous than he was. Lucien: If I don't let you know now, you'd be worried over it for the entire day. Right after he finished speaking, his phone buzzed continuously for a few minutes, and endless messages flooded the screen. My heartbeat sped up as I stared as his vibrating phone. Lucien also seems somewhat surprised by the amount of notifications. Lucien: ...A Ming, sent fifteen text messages and called me six times. He wrinkled his brow. Lucien: It looks like he didn't take what I said about "focus on the key points" to heart. MC: I'm currently also questioning your ability to "focus on key points"! Finally, his phone calmed down. Lucien lightly tapped the screen, his face expressionless and emotionless. I looked at him with mixed feelings of anticipation and anxiousness. After a few minutes of silence, Lucien suddenly leaned towards me, burying his head in my shoulder, and let out a soft sigh. Lucien: ...... My heart stopped. MC: I-It's okay...... My mind was blank, and I was stumbling over my words. MC: Maybe it's because they changed the requirements for this year, they need to consider other elements, and...... MC: This is their loss! You're so talented and smart, they're going to regret it for sure! Lucien: ...Really? MC: Yes!! I replied instantly and was about to continue on when my ears caught a low laugh. I suddenly realized that something wasn't right. MC: ......You're tricking me again! I immediately straightened up, trying to escape his embrace. He caught my wrist, laughing, and pulled me into his arms again. Lucien: I didn't trick anyone...it's kind of unfair for you to say that. Lucien: I don't think I actually said anything about the results yet? I bit my lip, pouting slightly as I looked at the triumphant smile in his eyes. Suddenly, an idea popped into my head. I dove into the blankets on the bed and pretended to be angry. Even though the news of Lucien's success made me smile from ear to ear, I tried to control my expression and spoke in an upset voice. MC: I was so nervous, yet you still tricked me! MC: I had prepared a third gift for you, aside from the cake and the sake...but now I'm going to reconsider if I should give it to you or not! His low laughter immediately stopped, as if someone had pressed the pause button. I secretly giggled to myself and counted down silently. 3, 2, 1...as expected, I felt a pair of hands hug me from behind when I counted the last number. Lucien: I'm sorry. You were so cute...I couldn't help teasing you. Lucien: So, can you tell me what the last gift is? Lucien waited, and when I didn't respond, he started coughing. Lucien: Cough cough... Lucien: I think I caught a cold from staying outside for so long... I listened to Lucien's coughing. At first, I was startled, but then couldn't hold in my laughter. I didn't think he'd resort to such childish tactics. Lucien also started laughing when he heard my laughter. The hands around my waist tightened, and his voice was more serious when he opened his mouth. Lucien: MC. Lucien: Actually, I don't really care about this award that much. My heart skipped a beat. It was the first time I heard him say something like that. Lucien: Because, everything that I wanted to have......I got it when the research results were announced...maybe even earlier than that. Lucien: Any praise from the outside world, to me, is nothing but icing on the cake. He paused, as if suddenly remembering something, and then started laughing softly. Lucien: But, everything that you've done for me today...I'm very happy about it. Lucien: Whether it's the gifts you gave me, or the sincere words you spoke...all of that made me feel how important I am to you. Lucien rubbed his chin over my forehead through the blanket. Lucien: The only one who would feel happy, nervous, or even sad for me from the bottom of their heart... Lucien: It's probably only this silly girl in front of me. His soft, gentle words fell over my heart, splashing up waves of emotion. Lucien: I think...the reason I keep teasing you is because I want to see more of the reactions and feelings...that you only display for me. Lucien: I guess I'm also a "collector", of some sort-- Lucien: It doesn't matter what form of MC...I want to have them all. Lucien: Will you forgive me now? His tone was filled with tenderness and gentleness. I still didn't respond, but instead, answered with my actions-- I threw off the blankets, and kissed Lucien's cheek as he froze in shock. My fingers swept over the strands of his hair, stopping on his face, and  I held on to him tightly, pulling him towards me. The sound of heavy breathing filled the room. As if in a trance, I kissed him over and over, and then pressed my lips against his ear. MC: I'm not angry, you're the silly one here... My lips made their way down the edge of his ear. He gave a sharp intake of breath, and I stopped my kisses and instead, rubbed gently against his ear. After a long time, my eyes met Lucien's, and I finally realized how bold and embarrassing my actions were. I tried to pull away from him. But Lucien didn't allow me to hide. The hand on my waist tightened, and he pressed his forehead against my forehead, his dark eyes staring deep into mine. Lucien: Is this the third gift? Our breaths mingled, both of us breathing hard. I shook my head. MC: ...It's a promise. I tried to calm my breathing, and slowly said the words that had been fermenting in my heart. MC: I was planning to wait until the results were out...no matter if you won or not, I would still say this to you-- MC: In the future, I'm going to stay beside you and spend every memorable moment with you. MC: ...Do you still remember the crystallized flower you gave me? MC: My thoughts are the same as yours. Every single second we spend together is precious and special for me. I don't have a gift as beautiful and romantic as the one you gave me, so I can only express my feelings in words... MC: But this truly is my most genuine and sincere thought. The evening air swept past. Behind Lucien, the flaming red maple leaves fluttered down from the sky. I suddenly had the feeling that Lucien and I were closer than ever. He lowered his gaze, staring at me for a second, and then let out a soft laugh. Lucien: Your romantic sentences have improved a lot since the last time. My face felt hot when I met the mischievous look in his eyes. MC: I was only speaking from the heart! Lucien: Yeah, I know. Lucien: I don't think your words are plain. In fact, I believe the opposite...your words are of great significance and importance to me. Lucien: But, even if I receive such a wonderful vow, there's still one thing... Lucien: Aren't you giving me an empty promise? MC: !... I... I was at a loss for words. Lucien smiled, his gaze traveling down to slightly open lips, emotion wavering in his dark eyes. Lucien: Sometimes...actions speak louder than words. He lifted his arm, brushing his thumb against my lips. Lucien: The sincerity in your promise...maybe I'll understand it better if you express it in a different way. His voice was low, and he lifted his gaze to look at me, lights shimmering in his eyes. Lucien: Are you willing to give it a try? My face turned red, and my thoughts were a mess. The next second, Lucien grabbed my wrist and pressed me to the tatami. MC: Uhf...! His soft tongue pried my teeth open little by little, rubbing against the inside of my mouth gently and delicately, as if trying to rub away all the heat and lingering feelings. I tasted the faint, pleasant flavour of tea in his mouth. It somehow tasted like wine with an incredibly high alcohol content...I felt slightly drunk. He lifted my chin with one hand. Lucien's eyes were half-closed, and he loosened his grip on my hand. His fingers gently caressed the skin of my wrist, slowly and tenderly, making my body gradually relax. The temperature around us rose quickly, and I instinctively threw my arms around his neck, responding to his actions with another kiss. He let go of me just when I started feeling a little dizzy. His familiar soft laugh sounded by my ears. When he saw I was slightly weak from his actions, Lucien held on to my waist and let me sit on his lap. One of my hands were pressed against his sturdy chest, and the other was weakly grasping his already messy and disheveled clothes. MC: Lucien...... I lowered my head and stared into his eyes. I could see some sort of suppressed emotion in his dark eyes, and I leaned down, pressing a soft kiss to his chin. Lucien: ...... The light reflected in Lucien's eyes seemed to flicker, and then suddenly darkened. The hand Lucien was using to stroke my hair suddenly moved, giving me no time to react, and he pulled me towards him, kissing me once more. Unlike the gentle, tender kiss from before...this one was filled with overwhelming passion and a slight hint of greed. The tingling sensation from my mouth seemed to course through my body like an electrical current. Lucien's warm palm made its way down my back, making me shiver. My senses and emotions were all occupied by him. I could feel the kiss gradually deepen. I felt a slight pain at my collarbone, and I cried out. I could feel a warm, moist touch appear over that area. A layer of fine sweat appeared on our touching skin, and with it, came an intimate, sticky feeling. I ran a hand through the sweat-drenched strands of Lucien's hair and lowered my head to look down at him. His eyes were closed, and his face was slightly red with the colour of maple leaves. I didn't know where to put my eyes, and my face turned hot again. As if feeling my nervousness, the corners of Lucien's mouth turned up slightly. He lifted a hand and covered my eyes. Lucien: Close your eyes. His voice was commanding, but also extremely gentle and tender. I slowly closed my eyes and surrendered myself to him. The last image remaining on my eyes was Lucien's dark, unfathomable eyes... ...And a brilliant red.

Aunt: Ah, you're finally here!

Victor: ...Aunt. MC: Hi aunt! I'm here to disturb again! Aunt: Don't be silly, of course not! Come in, come in! We walked into the living room. The faint smell of tea was in the air, the TV was playing quietly, and everything was the same as I remembered. Aunt: Brother, Victor and MC are here! MC: Hello! Happy New Year! Setting down the teapot, Mr. Li nodded and smiled at us. On the night before spring festival, Victor's aunt had called and invited us to spend the new year at the mansion. The memory of coincidentally spending New Year's at Mr. Li's home was still fresh in my head. Thinking of this warm memory, I had carefully selected appropriate gifts. We chatted for a little while, and then Victor's aunt got up to add more water to the teapot. Mr. Li stood up and called out. Mr.Li: Victor, help me get something from the balcony, will you? Victor: Sure. He agreed, and then looked at me. Before he said anything, Aunt grabbed my hand. Aunt: You can go, I'll chat with her a bit! She moved closer to me, and finally started speaking when the men were out of sight, smiling at me warmly. Aunt: Let me take a look at you. I think your complexion has gotten better. Have you been taking care of yourself? MC: Thanks, but I don't think I did anything special. I think I just ate pretty good these days. I laughed awkwardly when I saw her confused look. MC: Victor is really good at cooking, I always eat a lot...... Victor's aunt patted the back of my hand and started laughing. Aunt: No need to be polite with him, if you like it, tell him to make more! Aunt: Hm...if it's like this...I guess Victor doesn't bully you anymore? MC: Thanks to him always bullying me before, I'm not scared of any kind of work now. Aunt: He was like this since he was a child. His actions always different from what he says and feels. Once you get used to it, though, it's kind of cute! MC: Yeah. Even though sometimes his tone isn't very good, he's never really hated me or disliked me in any way. Actually, a lot of the time, he's helping me tirelessly. The big and small events of daily life, he would always worry for me...... MC: I always feel very safe around him. It was quiet for a few seconds, and I looked up to Victor's aunt instinctively. She was staring at me with a mix of surprise and joy. I realized what I had said, and instantly felt my face heat up and turn red. MC: I'm sorry... I said too much, didn't I...... She was about to say something when I heard footsteps behind me. I turned around, and locked eyes with Victor. Victor: It looks like I've interrupted you. Aunt: No, no, you came at just the right time! Brother, stop occupying Victor, let the young people speak to each other! Victor's aunt winked at me and stood up, bringing Mr. Li away. Victor walked towards the kitchen, and I followed. Victor: Then I'll take care of supper. MC: I'll help! Once we were in the kitchen, Victor handed me some vegetables. Victor: Did you have fun talking with my aunt? MC: Yeah. We talked about you! Victor: Hm. A certain snappy and grouchy person suddenly starts giving out compliments? I gave a small start, and looked up at him nervously while I was washing the vegetables. MC: Y-You heard? Victor: Just a bit. MC: Then what are your thoughts after hearing such sincere compliments? Victor: Definitely the kind that only you would give. Most of it is just facts, though, so it doesn't really count as a compliment. I looked at the faint smile in his eyes and pouted, unsatisfied. MC: It looks like I've said too many good things about you. You're already used to it. Before, you would be surprised for a bit and ask me if I really mean it. Victor: All your thoughts are written all over your face. Of course I can tell if you mean it or not. He glanced at me, and I knew how red my face must be right now. Still, however, Victor was calm, and didn't seem flustered at all. Perhaps it's because he can tell what I'm thinking. Whenever I prepare some sort of surprise, he can always expect it. ...If I think about it, I haven't seen Victor embarrassed or flustered because of me in a long time. I gave a huff and shook the water droplets off of the vegetables. It's so unfair to have only me blush and my heartbeat to go wild.

A new year, a new start, I want to see a new side of Victor!

Chapter 2

After a while, Victor's aunt walked in and set a bottle of red wine and a decanter on the countertop. Since Victor was cutting up the vegetables. I took the wine and tried to start decanting it. Victor's aunt watched me, her eyes following my movements, and then moved closer to whisper in my ear, "You're very familiar with this!" MC: It was all learned from Victor. Aunt: You like drinking wine? I instinctively turned to look at Victor, but he didn't seem to be listening. MC: Well...actually, I'm not that good with alcohol. I can't drink much. Aunt: That's okay, we'll drink a little less later, then. It's a holiday, you gotta live a little! MC: But... Aunt: Don't worry about him stopping you. This time, I'll cover you! She patted me on the back and left the kitchen. Now, all I could hear was the faint bubbling of the soup on the stove. I leaned against the counter, facing Victor, bringing up what his aunt had said on purpose. MC: She said I can drink wine with you today. Victor: Yeah. MC: I promise I'll just drink a little bit. I won't embarrass you today. Victor: Didn't she say she'll cover you? No need to report to me. MC: ...... Nothing escapes his ears! I furrowed my brows and watched out of the corner of my eye as Victor took out a few pieces of rock sugar from a glass jar and added it to the pot. There were also a few wine glasses nearby. I looked around, ready to seize the chance to get him back. I picked up a wine glass and poured wine from the decanter into it, handing it to Victor. MC: Want to see if it tastes good? Victor: ...You've only decanted it for five minutes. MC: Is CEO Victor afraid of the wine tasting sour? Victor looked at my smirking face and took the wine, swirling it in the glass a few times. Victor: What, are you trying to make me drunk first so you won't be laughed at later when you're drunk? MC: It's just a little. You won't be drunk. Victor studied me for a while but still drank the wine. When I saw him wrinkle his nose, I took a piece of rock sugar from the jar he was using, held onto it with my mouth, and stood on my tip-toes to be able to reach his lips. Victor: ...! He froze, and I pushed away his hand holding the wine glass and moved even closer. My feet began to feel sore, but the man in front of me still didn't bend down and do what I wanted. I tried to maintain my balance with difficulty, and then blinked at Victor aggressively. He raised an eyebrow and finally lowered his head and bent down. I raised my head to meet him, but accidentally bumped into the corner of his mouth instead. I tried to bite down on the piece of sugar, but all that was left in my mouth was a few tiny sugar crumbs. The rock sugar fell and landed on the ground with a small thud. MC: ...... Victor: ...... We stared at each other for a while. I tried to ignore my reddening cheeks, and stepped backwards with an air of forced calmness. I picked up the sugar on the ground and tossed it into the trash, then turned around and returned to the sink, my back turned towards Victor, and started to prepare the lettuce for supper. Victor: MC. Before he could say anything, I instantly raised a hand to stop him. MC: F-First let me calm down, right now I...! Before I even finished my sentence, someone grabbed my wrist and pulled me backwards. My eyes widened, and I stared at the man in front of me. His warm lips stopped me from crying out in surprise, and I was suddenly enveloped in his scent. My mind suddenly went blank and I instinctively tried to push him away, but Victor held onto me tightly, one hand at my waist. I couldn't move at all. Victor: The wine wasn't good, I didn't get to eat the sugar, and you want to run away just like that? MC: Wait! Mr. Li and your aunt...they're still in the living room! Victor: I'd have thought you remembered this when you got the sugar. His lips were basically against mine when he said this, and then I felt them over my mouth again. I could smell the faint fragrance of red wine. The sounds in my ears all disappeared, only leaving the sound of my own frantic heartbeats. It was as if the world would no longer moved. No one would know what was happening in this quiet corner. The crumbs of sugar on my lips and the sweetness on my tongue were taken from me by Victor, and I was reminded by the meaning of this sudden kiss. His actions were gentle and slow, but I could taste a hint of greed and possessiveness. I was finally able to breathe in the cool air when my tongue started to feel numb. Victor's hand caressed my cheek tenderly and then he gave a soft laugh. Victor: Looks like your ability with wine and intelligence both didn't improve. You've only tasted a little...but you're already blushing? His voice made me conscious of what was happening, and I quickly stepped back. MC: T-This isn't related to anything like that! You... This is against the rules!! Victor: You were the one who started it, how could you push the blame onto me? Did you forget the things you did so quickly? MC: I- I was going to protest, but then I started to hear the background noise that had once faded away when Victor had kissed me. Victor, however, still held me in his arms, smiling and waiting for me to finish my sentence. Meeting his teasing gaze, I opened my mouth to speak but found I couldn't say anything. The awkward silence was interrupted by the sound of footsteps. Aunt: MC, come over here and take a break! MC: Oh, okay! I jumped, surprised, and instantly ducked under Victor's arm, heading towards her. Everything happened so suddenly. Why is it only me who gets flustered? Victor was still calm and collected. I felt a little dejected and told myself not to try something so daring next time. Operation Rock Sugar had failed. When the housekeeper walked into the kitchen, Victor was carefully preparing the shrimp. When he heard the footsteps behind him, he turned around and greeted her. Victor: ...Mrs. Wang. Mrs.Wang: I've come to lend a hand, since the young lady was called away. Victor: Thank you. I appreciate you staying here to help out, even though it's the spring festival. Mrs.Wang: Oh, it's nothing! I'm by myself on New Year's anyways, so I'm quite content with staying here, where everything is so much more lively. I barely help anyways--you cook so much better. Victor: I'm honoured to hear that you like my cooking, but the food you make is loved by the whole family, no matter how you make it. Victor: You know, I don't come home very often, so it's quite natural that I should prepare a meal for them.

The housekeeper motioned in the direction of the living room. Mrs.Wang: When they heard that you were coming with her, your dad and your aunt were overjoyed! Your dad even bought new plants for the living room! Victor: He probably just wants to garden more. Mrs.Wang: Ah, but I've heard that if you keep plants at home, it's good for developing feelings! Victor smiled but didn't answer. Mrs.Wang: You have to believe it! See, didn't something good happen? She laughed and pointed to the corner of Victor's mouth. Victor looked startled and brushed the back of his hand over his mouth. There was a faint red streak on his skin. .....it's the lipstick that hasn't been wiped clean. Victor coughed, looking awkward and self-conscious as he thought back to what had happened before. Victor: ...Mrs. Wang, please don't inform my father of this. Mrs.Wang: Ah, but it's perfectly normal with young people! She smiled and then lowered her voice. Mrs.Wang: Victor, do you usually cook for that young lady? Victor: .....Yeah. She's often busy with work, and she doesn't cook very well, either. She always tries to get her meals from me. Mrs.Wang: Then she must love your cooking! Victor gave a soft laugh. Victor: She isn't very picky. She tells me that everything I make is delicious. When she's hungry, she may complain about this, about that, but she forgets all that when she's full. She really is very easily satisfied... The soup on the stove had started boiling, making loud sounds, and Victor's words were interrupted. He seemed to realize what he had been saying, and instinctively turned to look at the housekeeper. 

She was smiling at him, staring at him wordlessly. Victor: Mrs. Wang, I... Mrs.Wang: It's totally fine, totally okay, no need to be embarrassed! You always put a lot of effort into everything. She can notice that, you know! That's why she's satisfied!

Mrs.Wang: I don't understand any big laws of life, but even I can still tell that making food for someone you love gives great happiness. If that certain someone also enjoys your food, it's double the happiness. Don't you think so? Victor avoided her gaze but nodded his head in agreement. Victor: Yes, you're right. He didn't say anything else, and finished preparing the shrimp. Then, he smiled to himself.

He turned his head to look in the direction of the living room. A porcelain flower pot was faced towards the balcony, a couple of small flowers sprinkled among the green leaves.

Many people want important incidents to have beautiful meaning. Victor, however, knew that, even without that radiant significance, he would hold her hand tightly and never let go. Victor: Mrs. Wang, what kind of flowers did my father buy? Mrs.Wang: Orchids, why? Victor: Nothing. Victor: If he likes it, he can keep it.

Chapter 3

After supper, the four of us started playing mahjong. We played a few rounds, and then the two older people began to feel tired. Before going upstairs, Mr. Li turned to me. Mr.Li: MC, the spare room is ready for you. You can go right over once you feel sleepy. MC: Okay, thank you!

Victor and I were afraid to disturb them by staying up too late, so we both got ready for bed. After washing up, I passed Victor's bedroom. Faint light was shining through the space between the door and the door frame. He didn't seem to be asleep yet. I knocked on the door, and then pushed it open, sticking my head in to see what he was doing. Victor was sitting on the couch, looking at his laptop. When he saw me peek into his room, he shut the laptop and got up. Victor: Come in. You drank wine today. Are you feeling sick or uncomfortable at all? MC: No, I'm fine. Today's wine was great. You were right in deciding how long it should be decanted. I shut the door and looked around his room curiously. The bedroom was neat and tidy, but I couldn't see many traces of anyone living here. The bookshelves and desk contained many books from student times, and there was a jump rope nearby. All of this didn't seem like it would fit with the Victor in front of me, yet it also seemed to somehow make sense. MC: Victor, you used to live here? Victor: I've always lived in Loveland city. When my father moved here, he brought my belongings here as well. MC: So, that means this room is some kind of "storage area" for you? Victor: Basically. I walked over to the desk, looking at the neatly organized books, and carefully touched the supplies on his desk. MC: Who would have thought. The CEO used to have the same life as me when he was a student. Victor: Would it be anything different? MC: We both took the same classes. Why is that you're so much better than me when we're all grown up? I looked away, pouting, and then caught sight of a few thick dictionaries on the shelf. The red cover of an idioms book caught my attention. I felt instantly excited, and turned back towards Victor, clearing my throat. MC: Victor, I'm going to test you. What's the fourth idiom of the sixteenth page of this book? Victor: What are you talking about? MC: You always love to use idioms when you speak, so I've always thought that you memorized this idioms textbook. Victor: ...... Victor sighed, sounding exasperated. He didn't answer me, but forced me to sit down on the couch. MC: ?? Victor: I knew you were drunk. MC: I'm not drunk! Victor: That's what all drunk people say. I looked at him defiantly. MC: You drank a lot with your dad. Are you drunk? Victor: No. MC: That's what all drunk people say. I copied his tone and repeated his words back to him. Victor looked at me in resignation. Victor: If I were drunk, who would take care of the tipsy idiot? MC: ...Wait, you were awake all this time because you were waiting for... me? Victor: You only realized now? I knew you wouldn't go back to your room that easily so I left the door open. My heart felt warm and happy when he said that. I took Victor's hand, laughing softly. MC: Then are you planning to have me stay here? Victor: As long as you don't wreak havoc, sure, I'm fine with that. MC: I'm not drunk, I wouldn't wreak havoc! Plus, this room is filled with your past. I want to get to know it better. He stared at me for a while, and then finally gave in. Victor crouched down and wrapped his fingers around my hand. Victor: Go on, what do you want to know better? I raised my head, looking around the room, and my gaze landed on a medal standing on the desk. MC: What's this? What award did you get? Victor: The allied nations meeting simulation award. MC: Wow, impressive! I've heard of this contest before. Apparently it's already difficult to get in, but you even won! Victor: If I think about it now, I suggested quite a naive plan. It probably helped with training my critical thinking, though. I made a face at his know-it-all comment, but then turned my attention to another object. MC: What's that dark blue folder for? Victor: The school gave it to me. I think it's some sort of student committee note taking folder. MC: As expected of CEO Victor. You were a leader ever since birth...

I continued looking around the room, and I suddenly saw an object in the corner that was out of my expectation. A memory in my mind was suddenly brought to the surface, and I widened my eyes in surprise and joy. I walked over to the box in the corner and fished out a ball, nearly empty of air. I held it up triumphantly to Victor's face. MC: It looks like you really love soccer! You've still kept it until now... Victor: I only liked it when I was really young. MC: But still, it's thanks to this soccer ball that I could eat the pudding you made. Victor: You only remember the pudding? MC: Of course not, I remember many details! For example, the shape of that sandcastle you destroyed...the weather of that day...the colours of the water bottles sitting in a row, under the tree...... I suddenly thought of something, and stuffed the soccer ball into Victor's hands. I brought my hands up to his face, cupping it in my palms. MC: But still, what I remember most clearly is the nervous you, at a loss for what to do. You weren't such a serious Victor back then. Your height was...maybe about up to your chest? Your hair was a little curlier back then, and you were kind of chubby...... MC: You were the adorable big brother Victor! I drew patterns on his face with my fingertips as I spoke, laughing in a silly sort of way. Victor watched me silently, not reacting at all to my words. I felt the temperature under my palms rise, and I moved in closer to stare at him, slightly bewildered. His pupils dilated for a second. MC: Victor? What happened? Victor seemed to realize that he was rooted to the spot and instantly stepped back, tossing the soccer ball back in the box. Victor: ...It's nothing. It's late, you should go sleep. We're returning to Loveland city tomorrow. MC: Then can I sleep on your couch? Victor: No. Go back to your room. MC: But you just said I could stay for the night... Victor: I changed my mind. He was avoiding my gaze. I seemed to understand something, so I turned and faced my back towards him. MC: You're misleading me. You've always said "If you want to convince someone, you need to bring out an appropriate reason." Victor: ...... MC: But if you're feeling too embarrassed, I can understand. Victor: Why would I be embarrassed? When I heard his awkward tone, I smirked sightly and then turned around and grabbed him. MC: If so, then I'll take it that you agreed! I could hear his heavy breathing, and it was as if he were suppressing something and trying to control himself. I turned my head, but then caught sight of the roaring, complicated emotions in his eyes. A second later, I was enveloped in his arms and trapped against the bed. The emotions in his eyes were mixed into the embrace. Victor: You said you wanted to stay. MC: I- Victor: You really talk a lot today. He lowered his head, biting my lip as if it were a punishment for rambling on and on. His teeth glided over my lip and I let out a small noise of pain. He loosened his hold on me and touched my lips with his finger. Victor: Shh. My dad's a light sleeper. Don't wake him up. I stared at him, realizing that the bedrooms weren't far away from each other, and instantly turned red, covering my mouth. MC: W-Why didn't you say that earlier? Victor: Well, now you know. I glared at Victor, but this didn't stop him from doing what he originally had wanted to do. He moved my nervous hands away from my mouth, grasped the back of my neck with one hand, and slightly tilted my head upwards. He leaned down towards me again. This time, his movements were gentle, brushing his tongue over my lips and causing a hot, tingling, irresistible sensation. The feeling seemed to unfurl into every corner of my body. My mouth was slightly aching from his actions. The air seemed to thin around us as our breaths mingled and we breathed in each other's warmth. I felt slightly dizzy, and my hands clutched at his shirt as I subconsciously reached for something to hold onto. My body was trapped, and I was forced to go along with his actions. With every second, however, I sank more into the kiss and followed his lead willingly. I could hear the ticking of the clock. Victor didn't stop time like he had done in the daytime. I didn't have the energy to worry or think about the world around us, anyways. Our movements left our clothes a creased and wrinkled mess, and the necklace at my throat slid to the side, landing on the bed with an almost unnoticeable sound. The small sound seemed to snap him back to reality, and he ended the kiss, nuzzling his nose against my cheek. The sound of our breathing filled the quiet room. We stared at each other for a second, and then suddenly Victor turned his face away, getting off the bed. I was still holding on to the fabric of his shirt. He paused, and then gently pulled my hand off his clothes. MC: Victor...... Victor: ...Go to sleep. MC: What? Victor: You can sleep here. I'll go to the guest room. He didn't give me any time to react, and hurried out of the room without so much as a backwards glance. I froze for a while, and then moved myself into a sitting position, staring at the door. I opened my hand and stared at my palm, thinking back to the warmth I felt when I touched his face. Was he...blushing? Was it because of this kiss? But...he was totally fine with the one we shared in the daytime. Even though I didn't know the exact reason for his embarrassment, I felt a bit triumphant. MC: So. You could be flustered as well.

Chapter 4

The morning sun shone through the car window and I instinctively raised an arm to block the light from my face. I couldn't stop thinking about the embarrassed Victor last night, so I didn't get much sleep. The tiredness and fatigue still remained until today, so I decided to rest on the car ride back home. Oddly enough, Victor didn't say anything about my decision to sleep on the car, and played soft, relaxing music for the ride home. After a period of time, the car finally stopped. The bright sunlight falling over my eyelids was partially covered, and I could smell a familiar scent around me. Victor: MC, wake up. We're here. I lifted my heavy eyelids, still exhausted, and discovered that the surroundings weren't familiar. A cottage was sitting beside the quiet road. A fence ran along the front of the house, tracing out the edge of a garden bursting with life. If you looked carefully, there weren't many weeds or fallen leaves in the garden. It seemed that someone has tended to it recently. MC: Where are we? Aren't we going home? Victor: This is my house on the outskirts of the city. My family stays here when they occasionally visit. 

Victor: My dad had someone come over to fix the plumbing before spring festival. He cleaned this place up a bit while the pipes were being repaired, and told me to bring you over so you could rest here for a few days. Victor opened the front door, and I looked around at the space in wonder. It was in the same neat, minimalist design of Victor's house, but the colours were warmer and the house felt cozier. Sunlight was pouring out of a floor-to-ceiling window, filling every corner with a soft glow. The view beyond the window was filled with lush green colours, a few clusters of multiflora roses appeared occasionally among the plants. MC: It's so beautiful...thanks, Mr. Li and CEO Victor. I yawned again. Victor took my suitcase and led me to the bedroom. Victor: I'll give you the full tour once you're not half asleep. Go rest. Call me if there's anything you need. MC: Okay. I cleaned up the room a little bit, and then opened my suitcase to get my pyjamas, but they were nowhere to be found. I tried to think back to the morning, when I packed my suitcase, but couldn't remember anything, as I was too sleepy to care at that time. MC: I slept in Victor's room last night...did I put my pyjamas in the wrong suitcase? I decided to go and ask him. MC: Victor, where are you? Victor: Over here. His voice came from behind a door close by. I walked over, pushing it open, and then stood there, momentarily stunned. There was a huge walk-in closet with clothes and accessories neatly sorted in the surrounding drawers and wardrobes. Victor was standing in front of one of the closets, the light illuminating the side of his face. He had changed into a loose-fitting robe, the belt tied casually at his waist. The soft fabric was draped over his skin, showing the clear and defined lines of his figure. He hadn't been able to fix his robe yet, and his chest was bare. His strong muscles contrasted to the dark coloured fabric. My heartbeat sped up uncontrollably, and I stood there, not knowing what to do. My eyes were glued to his body. Victor: What's wrong? I realized what I was doing, and swallowed before starting to speak. MC: Um...I can't find my pyjamas. I think it's in the wrong suitcase. Victor: Oh, then I'll go check mine. He turned to walk out, and I caught sight of a stack of neatly folded shirts. An idea popped into my head, and I quickly stopped Victor. MC: Wait! I...I think I remember getting it dirty. Can I borrow something from here? Victor: ...You don't even behave when it's time to sleep. He still searched around in the wardrobe and passed me a white shirt. Victor: This one's soft. Try it on to see if it's comfortable. I took the shirt and compared it to my body. The fabric was slightly see-through, and it stopped at my thighs. ......maybe it's a little too short? I could feel my ears redden, and I stared at the mirror, hesitating. But when I thought of the shy Victor I saw last night, I felt determined and decided to try making him embarrassed again. I walked in the direction of the door, holding the shirt in my arms and turning my head to thank him. MC: Then I'll go try it on, thanks! Victor was rummaging though the closet, bringing out a pair of shorts and wanting to hand it to the person behind him, but then discovered that she had run away. He stared in the direction that the girl had disappeared, and gave a soft sigh. Victor: You never finish listening to what other people have to say.

He cleaned up the mess in the walk-in closet, and then remembered that the girl hadn't had breakfast yet. He went to her room and knocked on the door, waiting to ask her if she was hungry. There was no answer, and he pushed open the door, feeling puzzled. Victor: ...MC? It hadn't been long since she ran out of the walk-in closet, but the girl had already fallen fast asleep, hugging her pillows. The borrowed shirt was draped loosely over her body. She didn't cover herself with a blanket, nor did she shut the curtains. Sunlight shone over her, faintly illuminating her figure hidden under the fabric of the white shirt. He stood by the door awkwardly, not knowing if he should go in or head out. She didn't seem to be in a very deep sleep, mumbling softly, and then buried her head into the pillow. Victor sighed, walking quietly over to the curtains and shutting them. He then gently covered the girl with a blanket. Victor gave her forehead a soft push, lowering his voice and reminding her gently. Victor: Don't bury your face into the pillow. MC: Nnngh......Victor...... Victor: Hmm? MC: ...Cute...... She smiled in her sleep, and he was reminded of the night before, when she had called him "adorable" while smiling sillily. Inexpressible emotion crept up upon him again, and he instantly left the room. Victor leaned against the wall and took a deep breath. Victor: What an idiot...

When I opened my eyes again, it was nearly night time. I looked down at the blanket covering my body and rubbed my head.

I was planning to wait for him after changing into the shirt, but the bed was too comfortable and I fell asleep...

I raised my hand, looking at the long sleeve hanging over my arm. I probably only slept well because I was surround by his scent, right? Even though I was a little disappointed, I knew this was Victor's way of expressing his feelings. MC: Victor, I think you're the dummy here. I muttered, but my chest still felt warm and happy. Sounds came from the kitchen downstairs. I changed back into my own clothes and ran down the stairs, my stomach growling with hunger. 

Victor turned his head around when he heard me coming, and he frowned at me, sighing. Victor: You're finally awake. I thought that you would sleep all the way until next morning. MC: How could I miss the meal you prepared? MC: But, speaking of sleep, I express my gratitude to Mr. CEO for covering me with a blanket. Victor: You're welcome. I just didn't want to spend my holiday taking care of an sick idiot. I made a face at him and walked closer to him, curiously examining the food he was making. Seeing that I was hovering near him, he stuffed the soup ladle into my hand. Victor: You need to help if you want to eat sooner. The warm yellow light lit up the kitchen. Victor and I worked side by side at the stove. Even though Operation Pyjamas had failed as well, I felt content to have a holiday where I could always be near Victor. 

I made up my mind, choosing to ignore all my plans about making him embarrassed and decided to just enjoy the peaceful times with Victor.

After supper, I began to wander around the house curiously. 

The darkness seemed much quieter and more serene than the nights in the city. 

I was going to go and find Victor, but there was a sudden snap and the lights went out. MC: What happened? Victor: MC! His voice rang out from not too far away, and a streak of light appeared in the darkness. Victor: Stand there and don't move. I'm coming. I watched the light come closer, and a warm hand grasped my arm. Victor: They just fixed the electricity channels a while ago, so the power is a bit unstable. MC: I'm glad I came with you. Being alone in such a big house would be sort of scary. Victor: What is there to be scared of? MC: It's too quiet here, and it's also really dark...all those horror movies all start with the power going out... I said that as a joke at first, but started getting nervous and held on tightly to Victor's arm. MC: Um...we've closed all the windows, right? Victor: I already checked that when you were sleeping. Victor: A certain someone was sleeping from the morning to the evening with no worries at all. Of course I had to check it myself. I laughed awkwardly, thinking back to how I fell asleep. MC: I was...way too tired. Mr. CEO is always so thorough in his plans! Victor: Leave your strange thoughts behind and follow me. Let's go check on the power switch. I walked over to the front door with Victor. He pointed the flashlight at the main switch, and we could both see that it was pointed to "off." He flicked it on, and the lights in the house lit up one by one. I blinked, adjusting to the brightness. Victor: There. Now there's no need to be scared. Victor: I'll go check on all the electrical appliances. MC: Okay. Victor: ...When are you going to let go? I gave a slight start, realizing that I was still hugging his arm tightly. Victor looked at me, trying not to laugh. I tried to ignore the heat on my face, and held on to his arm even tighter. MC: ...I mean...this means...I want to go along with you. Victor: Huh. Sticking to me even though you aren't drunk? MC: This isn't related to being drunk! MC: It just means... if the power goes out again, I can help you hold the flashlight. I made a random excuse up on the spot, and Victor glanced at me. Still, he put the flashlight into my hand. Victor: That was a dumb excuse. Try a different one next time. MC: But you already agreed... Victor: That was to prevent someone from lying awake at night, thinking of strange thoughts and being too scared to sleep. MC: But that's not something I can control. MC: You're right, though. I have no time to think about those things if I'm around you. Victor seemed to stop moving for a second. I didn't raise my head to look at him, but I heard a low laugh by my ear. Victor: This isn't a bad excuse. I'll accept it. Our entwined arms caused us to be pressed to each other, and the familiar warmth took all my fears and worries away. It was a special kind of privilege to be able to hold on to his arm so tightly. 

When it's just the two of us, I always want to take full advantage of this privilege.

Chapter 5

I finally felt refreshed and awake this morning. When I got up, the door to Victor's room was still closed. It was kind of rare to wake up before him. I snuck into the kitchen and took out a few simple ingredients out of the refrigerator, planning to surprise him with breakfast. The second I set the sandwiches on the table, I saw Victor walking over, buttoning his shirt. MC: Good morning, Victor! He paused when he saw me, and then nodded his head. Victor: Good morning. MC: Thanks for taking care of me yesterday. In exchange, I'm going to make breakfast for you! Take a seat. It'll be ready soon. I pulled out a chair, but he didn't sit down. Instead, Victor just leaned by the table, watching me work. I finished preparing the iced coffee and walked back to the table, handing one cup to him. MC: This is a new recipe I've discovered a few days ago. Let's start off the new year with a new flavour! Victor looked at me, and then glanced at the messy countertop, sighing exasperatedly. Victor: ...You really tend to make yourself at home. MC: Hehe, that's because this is your house. MC: Plus, I'm always very interested in things related to you. I met the "Student Victor" a few days ago. Maybe I can meet another you today as well. Victor: You're going to be disappointed, then. Victor: I don't come to this house very often. There's nothing interesting to learn about here. MC: Then...we can make some new memories here together! ...But if it's like that... MC: Student Victor, CEO Victor, and the normal loveland citizen Victor...can I have them all? Victor was still for a second, and then he walked over to stand in front of me. Victor: Didn't you say you want them all? You're missing one. MC: Huh? I paused, not expecting him to act serious like this, and then carefully thought back to all his other identities. MC: ...and...Chef Victor? Victor: That's not right. MC: Professor Li? Victor: No. MC: ...It's not YanYan, is it? I said cautiously, and received an annoyed glance from him. He leaned towards me, trapping me by the table, his eyes watching me carefully. Victor: Are you really an idiot or just pretending to be? You mentioned it just the day before yesterday. Did you already forget? I blinked, trying to remember the conversations we shared on that day. Other than looking at his belongings from student times, there seemed to be some important detail that I missed... I stared at the face in front of me, and the images of a faintly blushing Victor holding the soccer ball emerged from my memories. It was like some corner of my heart was instantly lit up, and I suddenly realized what he was referring to. My pulse began to speed up. I knew what the answer was, but I decided to first tease him for a bit. MC: I was drunk on that day. Victor: Who was it that insisted they weren't drunk back them? MC: Isn't that what all drunk people say? Victor: ...... Victor let out a long breath. His hand wound around my middle and pinched my waist. Victor: Okay then. Since you have selective memory, I guess I'll help you remember.

The next second, I was lifted into the air. I wasn't able to respond in time, and both my slippers slid off of my feet. He carried me over to the table behind us. My skin touched the marble surface and I cried out. MC: Ah, cold! I instantly tried to move my legs in order to avoid the cold marble table. Victor took advantage of the situation, grabbing my ankle and pulling me forwards suddenly. I instantly toppled into his arms, hastily wrapping my legs around him in order to keep my balance. I held the cup of iced coffee in my hand carefully, trying to check if I had soiled his clothes. 

A shadow suddenly loomed over me, Victor leaned closer to me, blocking the sunshine spilling down from the skylight. Victor: I remember someone saying that they're only going to drink a little bit. They also promised not to embarrass me. MC: ...I really didn't drink much! It was just that...I felt fine while drinking, but I didn't expect to feel the effects so strongly afterwards... Victor: Mm. It seems that you still remember this part. He placed a gentle kiss on my forehead like a reward for answering correctly. Victor: Thanks to those after effects, you didn't go to bed, but instead, headed over to my room. MC: I just wanted to know if you were sleeping or not... Victor: And you examined every corner of the room, claiming that you wanted to get to know my past. I gave a nervous laugh and tried to scoot backwards. Victor stopped me by holding on tightly to my waist. Victor: Don't remember this part? MC: I do! You have lots of books, won lots of prizes, and you would diligently take notes in your student committee folder. Victor: And? MC: And... I let my gaze slide away from his face on purpose, avoiding his stare. Victor pinched my waist again, and I instantly straightened up, meeting his eyes. Victor: Answer the question. MC: I, I can't remember anymore! Victor: Oh? Then I can give you a reminder. Victor leaned closer and closer. The glass in my hand slipped, and I instantly raised a hand, pressing against his chest in order to stop him from getting any nearer. MC: Wait, the coffee's gonna spill! Victor: Then hold on to it tightly. He grasped the hand I was using to hold the coffee. I wasn't able to let go of the cup, nor was I able to avoid him. I raised my head in surprise, and I could feel his warm breathing on my face. Victor: There was a soccer ball in the corner of the room. You were especially interested in it. His lips brushed against the skin of my face, and I gave a little gasp of surprise. MC: Soccer ball? Isn't that what you loved to play with when you were young? Victor: Mm hmm. This soccer ball destroyed an idiot's sand castle. She cried for a long time. Victor: She wouldn't be comforted no matter what, but when the topic of food came up, she completely forgot about the castle. Victor: But still, it was understandable, since she was only five years old at the time. He didn't seem to want to say any more. He just looked at me silently, his fingers subconsciously stroking the back of my hand. I didn't know if it was because of the sunlight warming me on one side, or because I realized I was walking slowly into his trap...... ......I felt that every inch of my untouched skin was sweating slightly, overheating my brain. I had originally thought I had caught on to a special detail that would make him blush, but instead, I found myself ensnared in his traps. The name that I tried to avoid saying on purpose was becoming more and more embarrassing to say... My hand tightened around his shirt, and I forced myself to speak. MC: ...And then...? Victor raised an eyebrow, but he didn't seem annoyed. He moved his gentle kisses from my forehead over to my lips. His eyelashes brushed against my face, and all the details of that night instantly reappeared in my head. Victor: And then, this is what happened after.

The sunlight outlined his silhouette in brightness, but his eyes lay obscured in the shadows cast by his hair. Victor's eyes were filled with desire. He grabbed my hand and pulled me towards him. I wobbled, losing my balance, and had to tighten my knees around his waist in order not to fall over. Victor: Do you still need more reminders? Before I could even answer, his lips were already pressed up against mine. I let out a muffled sound of protest, and he glanced at me but didn't stop his actions. How am I even supposed to answer like this?! I raised my head and bit his bottom lip, irritated. Victor finally stopped and looked down at me with a smile, his eyes gleaming teasingly. Victor: You've learned to bite. MC: You did that on purpose! Victor: You clearly knew the answer but you still hid it. Didn't you do that on purpose as well? Victor: The best way to deal with an idiot is to do the same exact thing back. MC: ...Victor, you've become sly! Victor gave a soft laugh, not seeming to mind my accusations. I looked at his calm expression and muttered under my breath dejectedly. MC: I still can't make you blush, huh... Victor: Who do you think made me act like this? I paused, startled at his sudden question. Victor was no longer smiling, but instead, staring at me seriously and waiting for me to answer. Victor: ...So that's why you've been doing such odd things these days. Victor: Trying to trick me into drinking, pretending to be drunk, insisting on wearing my clothes......you had planned this from the beginning? My mind was a mess, and I blurted out all my thoughts. MC: It's because you're always so calm and collected...I wanted to see if I could make you flustered and embarrassed. MC: I know I do silly things sometimes, but I don't want you to see me as a child. I'm no longer that naive five year old girl. I want to see you blush and turn red because of me. I glanced at Victor, and then buried my head into his shoulder, feeling slightly embarrassed. MC: You don't know how cute you are when you're flustered... MC: And that's a side no one will ever see, except for me. He was silent for a moment, and then let out a sigh. Victor: Have you ever seen anyone invest five billion in a child's company? MC: ...... Victor: Starting from the first time I've met you, I've never once thought of you as a child. I call you an idiot, only because the silly things that you always do...they really don't fit with your age. I lowered my head, giving a small huff of annoyance. This person really never stops insulting me...... Victor: And also, I'll repeat the same thing back to you. MC: Huh? Victor: You're really cute when you do those silly things. Victor: The same goes for when you're not doing anything silly. I stared at Victor, feeling the heat on my face rise. My quickening heart beat gave me away, clearly showing Victor my surprise and happiness at his confession. The corners of my mouth lifted in an uncontrollable smile, and I straightened up. MC: Victo- Victor: Wrong. The man in front of me furrowed his brow, and I swallowed nervously. This topic still wasn't over yet... MC: You've heard me say it so many times when I was young. Still haven't gotten tired of it? Victor: This is different. I want the "you" now to answer. Last chance. I took a deep breath, getting ready to answer, but then felt a sudden chill on my leg. Water droplets had formed on the glass of the iced coffee. The cold drops of water had landed on my thigh. I instinctively tried to look down and wipe it away, but Victor grabbed my chin. Victor: Stop getting distracted. MC: But I'm just- Victor: Answer me. Which Victor did you forget about? A drop of water slipped down my leg, leaving behind a trail of faintly itching skin. The voice of the man in front of me was low. Every word brushed softly against my heart like the gentle touch of raindrops in spring. I opened my mouth, almost unable to control my trembling voice. MC: Brother Victor......

The air was quiet for a second, and then the glass in my hand was whisked away, clinking against the plates behind me. Victor pushed them away, hard. I stared unwaveringly at the man in front of me. He avoided my gaze, opening his mouth and starting to speak in a low voice. Victor: Close your eyes. MC: Why? Victor: No reason. He leaned over to gently kiss my eyelids, and I was forced to close my eyes. His hand supported the back of my head, and then a warm, strong kiss to my lips cleared all the thoughts from my head. Even if I couldn't see his face, I could clearly feel his unspoken feelings. The puzzle piece from long ago had finally been placed into the last empty spot. I reached out, feeling for his shoulders, and then wrapped my arms around his neck. My crossed arms made him lean in closer, and the feeling of our mouths together burned towards every corner of my body. Our hot breaths mixed together, and my skin felt both warm and cold at the same time. His warm palms held on to me, keeping me from falling but also making me shiver from the sensation. I repressed a small cry of surprise, and secretly opened my eyes, looking up at him.

The sunlight shone on his face, revealing his blush, and I could see a kind of simple pleasure in his usually unfathomable eyes. I lifted my arm to cup his face in one hand, and he looked at me, meeting my gaze. For a second, he looked at a loss for what to do. It was probably that he didn't expect me to look at him. Even his ears turned bright red. MC: Pffft... Victor: Why are you laughing? MC: Nothing. I just think you look really cute when you're blushing. Victor: ...... Victor: Your wish was granted. Happy now? MC: Very happy! I ignored his slightly annoyed expression, and gently pinched his cheek, smiling happily. I pressed down his head and gave his lips a small peck. The man in front of me was poker-faced since childhood, but he was also warm and soft to the touch. My heart was filled with an indescribable warmth, and I wrapped my arms around him, kissing him again. Victor: You... The voice in my ears trembled slightly. I let go of Victor, laughing. MC: Thank you for letting me get to know you better. MC: It doesn't matter which side of you I see. You'll always be my favourite. Victor looked at me for a second, and then let out a chuckle. Victor: Are these your true feelings? MC: I thought you always know what I'm thinking. Victor: That's true. Victor: Then, let me hear more of your true feelings. The sun shining through the skylight overhead cast Victor's shadow over me, overlapping with my own behind us. Time seemed to stretch on... And mixed into the passage of time, was his long and affectionate answer.