Ch. 5: Stardust Necklace
Alfred: “Do you have any plans for tonight?”
————————
That night…-.
I had accompanied Alfred, and the two of us had arrived at a lovely boutique in an underground shopping area.
OO: “Wow…!”
I couldn’t hold back my exclamation of awe as I took in the glittering jewels and beautiful clothes.
The lights of the showcases were bright as I discovered a necklace made up of many tiny stars.
(Beautiful…)
Alfred: “This is the shop where my exclusive tailor lives. So, we aren’t just here to look around the shop. But when I see your eyes sparkle like that, I can tell you’re enjoying yourself.”
I could see his gentle smile as he stood behind me and looked into the showcase.
(I wonder if this is the same smile he showed to his wife… my heart aches… but…)
In the reflection of the showcase, I could see myself as I blushed and my eyes sparkled…
At the thought of going out into the night, I didn’t want to rush.
Ch. 6: On a Night of Falling Stars
Alfred led me by the hand and took me to the roof of the boutique.
OO: “Wow…”
Here, the starry sky spread out so wide above it felt as if I would be swallowed by it…-.
Alfred: “This is my secret observatory. Well, I say that, but it’s really just a heater and a telescope.”
Alfred threw some wood into the stove.
OO: “It’s amazing…!”
Without a care for the pain it would cause in my neck, I looked up at the sky as I walked around the rooftop.
Alfred: “You’ll fall if keep looking up like that.”
A smile rose to his face as he poured some wine out into a glass.
OO: “Sorry. But it’s so pretty…”
Alfred: “Then come here.”
Alfred reached out his hand and…-.
OO: “…”
He gently wrapped it around my shoulder.
Alfred: “You can look up at the stars now to your heart’s content.”
I felt the heat of his hand where it touched my shoulder…-.
The sky seemed to grow distant as I felt my heart pound and shake.
Alfred: “Here.”
He held out the wine glass to me and I took it with a trembling hand.
Alfred: “It’s Kifu Wine. I don’t know if it’ll suit your tastes.”
OO: “Kifu Wine…?”
Alfred: “It’s dark so I suppose you can’t tell. But it’s the color of the stars.”
OO: “It looks like the stars?”
At his words, I held the glass up to the starlight.
The stars were distant, and I couldn’t tell the color of the wine, but…
Within the darkness, I could see a sparkling light reflected in the glass.
(Is that…?)
I suddenly looked down, and around my neck was the star necklace I’d seen in the shop.
OO: “Eh!? Why…?”
Alfred: “Because I thought it suited you.”
He was looking directly at me.
OO: “When did…”
In surprise, my heart was beating faster and I couldn’t effectively say what I wanted.
Alfred chuckled as he saw he like that.
Alfred: “You truly are a vulnerable person. You didn’t even notice as I placed the necklace on you. Honestly…”
Alfred was at a loss for words.
OO: “…do I remind you of your wife?”
Alfred: “…”
OO: “Do you take care of me like this as a stand-in for…”
I spoke until that point, then I was strongly pulled in by the waist.
Alfred: “What a problem you are. You always say things that fluster me…”
OO: “Alfred…”
Alfred: “You’re right… you did make me think of my wife. However, she resides solely in my past. She can no longer laugh, or cry, or touch me… But you are the one who is here now, laughing beside me. You and she are different.”
Those words filled my heart…-.
And I smiled at him.
Alfred: “You have too much trust in me… showing me that defenseless smile… did you never think about if I were to attack you?”
OO: “…!”
Slowly, he drew his lips near my neck.
Alfred: “Even though as a vampire… perhaps I was aiming for your blood. Then I would set my fangs on your soft skin, and…”
My heart was beating so hard I could barely breathe.
(But…)
I felt no fear or desire to run from the embrace of his arms.
Gently, I took his hand.
Alfred: “…”
OO: “If that’s really what you want, then…”
My voice was a shaky whisper.
He gently placed his hand on my cheek.
Alfred: “I’m no match for you… I won’t drink your blood.”
OO: “Eh…?”
Alfred: “Instead…”
OO: “Nn…”
He stole my breath with a kiss.
Then his fingers grabbed hold of the ribbon on my blouse…
Alfred: “I’ll have you.”
OO: “…!”
He lay my skin bare beneath his cloak.
Beneath the starry sky that seemed as if it would fall…
I could only just remember to breathe as I was drowning in him.
END