Ch. 5: Open...
Alfred: “Do you have any plans for tonight?”
————————
That night…-.
Alfred: “Since you’re here, I thought today we’d open a wine from the same as your birthyear.”
Having arrived at his room, Alfred expertly removed the cork from the wine bottle.
OO: “…thank you very much.”
He poured just a small amount into the bottom of the glass and took a small sip.
Alfred: “It hasn’t opened up yet, but help yourself.”
I put the glass to my lips.
(I’m embarrassed…)
Unable to look him in the eye, I took a sip of the deep ruby-red wine.
Alfred: “How is it?”
OO: “A little bitter…”
Alfred: “I see. Well, we’ll let it sit a little longer and the flavor will open up.”
OO: “The flavor will open.”
Alfred: “Yes. Like a flower bud opening, the taste will suddenly change.”
OO: “That’s amazing…! I’m really looking forward to it.”
Alfred: “…I see.”
He smiled kindly as he spoke.
(Alfred’s kindness is because I remind him of his wife…)
That smile grated on my heart but…-.
Alfred: “…OO?”
I ended up thinking about how I wanted to always hear that kind voice.
Ch. 6: Bud
The warm room echoed with the sound of the wood in the hearth popping and cracking…-.
Alfred: “That should be enough.”
Alfred said as much, then gently poured out the wine.
Alfred: “Here you are.”
OO: “…it’s good.”
The wine had a fragrant scent that didn’t at all resemble the wine it was before.
OO: “The flavor really did change.”
A faint sweetness lingered as the wine went down my throat.
Alfred: “I’m glad to hear it.”
Alfred’s smile was soft. Drawn in by that kind face, I hadn’t realized my cheeks were heating up.
(I feel kind of excited…)
Suddenly, my heart sped up and pounded in my chest, and I blinked repeatedly.
Alfred: “OO?”
OO: “I’m alright, I just may have drunk too much…”
Anxiously, Alfred reached his hand out to my cheek but…-
Alfred: “…”
His hand suddenly stopped.
OO: “…?”
Alfred: “…the night really is awful.”
OO: “Eh?”
Saying that, Alfred began to move away from me.
OO: “Are you going…?”
I didn’t think as I grabbed onto the hem of his cloak.
Alfred: “OO…”
Alfred gently tried to rebuke my hand.
Alfred: “…I …I see my wife in your face. And because of that I ended up treating you in such a way… you two really are alike.”
————————
Alfred: “When I see you, I am reminded of my wife.”
Alfred: “Though she passed away a long time ago. The nights I spent with her calmed my heart. She was a sheltered girl so… with everything I did, I could get her to blush every time and her eyes would sparkle. She was a lovely lady.”
————————
OO: “…”
Although I already knew it, hearing him say the words so bluntly made my chest ache horribly.
Alfred: “I have done you a discourtesy.”
Alfred smiled bitterly.
OO: “…I know.”
(But still…)
I firmly gripped his cape.
Alfred: “…OO?”
OO: “I knew. That the reason you took care of me was because I reminded you of your wife…”
Perhaps it was because I was drunk, but the words continued to spill out of me.
OO: “But…just for tonight, can you see me…?”
Alfred: “…”
Then…
Alfred combed back my hair and kissed it.
Alfred: “You shouldn’t do that… what would you do if I were to drink your blood? Acting so defenseless in front of a bloodthirsty man…”
OO: “Um… I…”
Alfred: “Even if I weren’t a vampire, a normal man would take leave of his reason.”
(What do I do… my heart is pounding, and I can’t move…)
My heart beat so painfully that I could barely breathe.
Alfred: “You really are sweet… but.”
He slowly looked away and let my hair fall.
Alfred: “I am certain there is a man out there who will love you with all his heart. It makes me happy that you hold affection for me… but it’s time to end this.”
Those words, more than anything, pained my heart even more.
Alfred: “It’s past time for sleeping this night. Let us drink wine again in the afternoon.”
OO: “I…”
The feeling of not wanting to separate grew stronger and I looked straight up at him.
Alfred: “…but… if you were to tug again… I wouldn’t let you go, understand?”
He gently tilted my chin up.
(What do I do… but… I want to be together.)
Faintly, I nodded…
Alfred: “OO… you really are hopeless.”
He held me in his arms, and his lips stole my breath away.
(Even if it’s just a little, I want to take away his loneliness…)
Like a blossoming flower bud… I opened and accepted him.
END