It had already been a week since the incident with Matthew.
Riu had just finished his classes and was on his way home as usual. But sensing someone behind him, he slowly turned his head and looked at the person.
“Riu, long time no see.”
The voice that flowed from the man’s lips sounded sweet enough to melt him just by hearing it.
At the gentle yet resonant tone, Riu unconsciously lowered his lashes in greeting.
“Mm, hi….”
The other person was not someone with whom friendly greetings should be exchanged.
Since he hadn’t sought him out all this time, Riu had thought he had forgotten everything…
Riu began to feel gradually anxious, wondering if he meant to bring up that night’s events here.
“Were you on your way home?”
“Yeah.”
Riu answered Matthew’s question evasively.
He was afraid Matthew might regret sleeping with someone as plain as him or be angry.
But contrary to Riu’s fears, Matthew’s lips curved softly as he opened his mouth.
“By the way… the mask….”
“Sorry, Matthew. Something urgent just came up, so I really have to go.”
The moment the word mask appeared, Riu cut Matthew off.
Though he knew it was rude, he gripped the strap of his bag tightly and watched Matthew’s reaction.
“All right, if you’re busy, there’s nothing for it.”
Even though he might have been offended, Matthew was still smiling.
Feeling guilty, Riu muttered a small apology and shoved his feet clumsily into his shoes.
“Then let’s talk about it next time.”
At the word next time, Riu flinched.
Still he nodded as naturally as he could and forced a smile.
“Get home safely, Riu.”
He spoke Riu’s name with familiar emphasis, smiling as though they’d known each other for ages.
Thanks to that, Riu felt his ears burn hot.
“Riu.”
At Matthew calling his name once more, Riu bit his lip.
Somehow, Matthew’s voice felt as if it wrapped around his ears.
When Riu kept biting his lip under that strange feeling, Matthew’s gaze landed there.
For quite some time Matthew said nothing until Riu finally lifted his head and met his eyes.
In the end, after hesitating, Riu asked first.
“Why did you call me?”
Only then did Matthew take something from his inner pocket and hold it out to Riu.
“Ointment?”
It was a very small, round, yellow jar.
When the sudden appearance of ointment made Riu tilt his head, Matthew stroked a thumb across the jar’s surface.
“Yeah, ointment. I thought it might hurt a lot.”
“…”
“Why that face? I was talking about your lip.”
Only then did Riu let out an ah of realization and quickly say, “Sorry.”
Matthew let out a quiet laugh as if finding Riu cute and asked,
“What were you thinking?”
Matthew’s eyes, the color of summer foliage, stared straight at Riu.
His lashes were long enough to flutter each time he blinked, and beneath them, in the gentle shadow, a tear-mole sat alluringly.
He looked so striking.
Riu felt his heart race.
“Since you’re not answering, I guess I can do whatever I want next?”
Watching Riu stand there blinking his big eyes, Matthew opened the lid and dabbed ointment onto his finger.
Matthew’s fingers, slender and lovely, made Riu reflexively hide his own hands behind his back.
“What are you trying to do…?”
“Because there’s a small cut on your lip.”
Before he knew it, Matthew’s finger had come close and touched the corner of Riu’s lip.
Startled, Riu pressed himself quickly against the wall, and Matthew’s face went cold.
“S-sorry….”
Riu, very flustered, breathed unevenly.
Seeing Riu trembling as though terrified, Matthew let out a small sigh.
“Riu.”
“I’m really sorry, I didn’t mean to offend you. It’s just that I hate people touching my body….”
“Okay, I understand. Come here then.”
Matthew reached toward Riu with a voice full of softness.
He folded his eyes gently, as if to reassure Riu that he was not dangerous.
“Riu.”
Matthew advanced the exact distance Riu had retreated.
With the space between them shrinking in an instant, Riu gulped hard and shifted his eyes.
“Where are you planning to run this time?”
“What do you mean…?”
“I only meant to put ointment on you, but you keep running away. It makes me really upset.”
Matthew, smiling gently, stretched out an arm as if to block his line of sight.
Planting a hand on the wall, he looked down at Riu with calm eyes, as though demanding Riu watch only him.
“So? Are you in the mood to talk now?”
“Could you back up a bit first?”
Feeling pressured by the distance, Riu turned his head slightly.
“At first I only wanted to give you the ointment, but you’re so scared it makes me want to tease you.”
“M-Matthew.”
“Keep this and put it on later.”
With a voice tinged with laughter, he pressed the ointment into Riu’s hand.
Even as Riu tried to give it back, saying it was fine, Matthew firmly closed his fingers around it and added,
“I’m not fine. Delicate areas don’t heal easily to begin with.”
Riu’s eyes quivered at Matthew’s vague explanation.
Because Matthew’s words sounded significant.
“I hope your hurt part heals quickly.”
Matthew whispered quietly, as if sharing a secret.
“I’ll really go now.”
“Mm-hm.”
After repeating farewells several times, Matthew tapped Riu’s shoulder lightly as if to show that this time he meant it.
Then he walked away slowly, gradually leaving Riu’s line of sight.
“Haah….”
Only after he knew Matthew had completely disappeared from view did Riu release the breath he’d been holding.
Fortunately, it seemed Matthew didn’t remember that night.
Otherwise he would never treat Riu so kindly.
“Should I… call this a relief?”
For some reason, Riu felt far from refreshed.
Feeling troubled for no reason, he touched the corner of his lip where Matthew’s finger had rested.
After that incident, Riu stopped attending classes.
He wasn’t particularly sick or uncomfortable, but he wanted some more rest.
The academy he currently attended was a prestigious school frequented by nobles with power and influence.
Because only near-royalty could attend, it looked like there’d be much to learn, but in truth it was hollow inside.
It was basically a preliminary social stage where nobles newly turned twenty expanded connections to launch into politics.
As a result, attendance at the academy wasn’t very important, so missing a few days caused no trouble.
It had already been thirteen years since he possessed this world.
He had spent most of that time inside his room.
So Riu spent the day reading books.
“Haah….”
Born with a weak body, his physical activities were limited.
Naturally, he spent more time gazing out the window, and before he knew it, a pen was in his hand.
Though he had never learned properly and his drawing skills were terrible, Riu didn’t put the pen down.
Because it was more enjoyable than he’d expected and added energy to his dull daily life.
“To think thirteen years have already passed….”
Having just finished getting ready to go out, Riu gave a faint smile.
He looked at the watch on his wrist to check the time.
He still had plenty of time before the appointed hour.
Though much time remained, Riu rolled paper into a quiver, slung it over his shoulder, and offered a small prayer.
“Please let me get through today safely again.”
On Tuesdays he would go nearby with friends who shared his hobby and paint.
Granted, those friends were only René and Albert, but just thinking of meeting them already brought a small smile to Riu’s lips.
When he went down to the first floor, Nick held out a coat to him.
Nick was Riu’s servant and like family.
“I’m going alone today.”
“Even so, I will assist you at your side, young master.”
“I’m twenty now. I can’t rely on your help forever.”
Riu spoke gently but with feigned firmness.
Knowing what his master meant, Nick nodded, hiding his regret.
“I’ll be back; keep an eye on the house.”
Whispering as kindly as to a younger brother, Riu stepped outside.
The sweltering August air settled on his skin.
He hurriedly put on the coat he’d brought and moved into the shade.
When he was near the meeting place, Riu spotted someone approaching from afar.
Riu lifted a hand happily, but froze at the sight of the man who came into view.
“Re…!”
An appearance outstanding enough to stand alone, long limbs and striking black hair flaunting superior genes.
Because of Matthew’s unexpected appearance, Riu quietly lowered his raised hand.
“How is Matthew here….”
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