Ch. 5: Wine Left Behind
After Theodor had suddenly grown nervous, the awkward time continued to pass…-.
Theodor: “…I get… really nervous when talking to girls… no matter what.”
OO: “…?”
Theodor: “I get so caught up in talking that I forget to think about whether or not the person I’m talking to would find it interesting… …then I start making mistakes… one after another.”
His voice got quieter, and his eyes darkened more.
(So that’s what it was… that’s why he got so nervous.)
Theodor: “At first I didn’t pay attention to how much time had passed with you… but then when I’d realized it, I…”
OO: “Um, Theodor, please just talk to me like you did before. Besides, I… like hearing about the things you’re interested in.”
Theodor: “The things I’m interested in? …but then I’d be the only one talking again.”
(But that would make me happy…)
I moved in closer to Theodor, coming in near his face…
Theodor: “!”
Theodor jumped, his body trembling.
OO: “I-I’m sorry.”
Theodor: “No, I’m the one… who’s sorry…”
His gaze wandered then, troubled, but then his eyes suddenly stopped on something.
OO: “…?”
I turned to see what Theodor was looking at.
There was a single bottle of wine, the front decorated with delicately embossed grapes.
Ch. 6: The Night of Wine Grows Late...
Theodor took the bottle of wine that had been left in the room.
There was a weak spark in his eyes, and some of the tension seemed to drain from his face.
Theodor: “This wine… I ordered some because I heard it was the most delicious batch this year.”
OO: “Yes…?”
I answered with a question, confused at the sudden discussion of wine.
Theodor: “Will you listen to me… while we drink this?”
Theodor seemed embarrassed but I could tell he had something in mind.
(I wonder if having the alcohol… will ease the tension in the room.)
OO: “Yes, of course.”
I replied with a smile, and Theodor immediately had some wine glasses and a tray of cheeses prepared.
Theodor: “Since it’s you, I think this glass will be fine.”
The glass he brought out before my eyes was decorated with a beautifully fine lace pattern.
OO: “What a gorgeous design…”
I spoke, spellbound, and Theodor smiled fully.
Theodor: “I figured you’d understand. This is actually a rare and valuable piece beloved by the Gloria Royal Family… ah, oh no! I started going off again…”
Theodor focused himself on filling the glass he’d offered me with a ruby-red wine that gave off a full-bodied aroma.
Theodor: “Here…”
OO: “Thank you.”
And so, our evening drinking together began.
…
……
As we clinked our glasses together and drank, Theodor became considerably more mellow.
Theodor: “I’m pretty interested in wine glasses, so I have a varied collection of them.”
Theodor spoke while looking to one of the corners in the room and I turned, drawn by his gaze.
Lovely wine glasses of different designs were beautifully lined up there.
Theodor: “Whenever I take a liking to something, I collect it. That way I can admire it always…”
OO: “…I understand. I would always want to look… at something so beautiful.”
I swirled the bright red wine in the glass.
Each time I did, I enjoyed seeing the different ways the frosted glass looked in the crimson wine.
(The reflection is so beautiful.)
Theodor: “That’s what I enjoy too when I sit here and drink alone.”
OO: “I like hearing about the things you find beautiful Theodor. So…”
Theodor: “So… will you listen to me talk more?”
OO: “…yes.”
At my answer, his eyes seemed to shine and burn with passion.
(The area around his eyes is a little red… that’s kind of shocking.)
And then when Theodor opened his mouth to speak…
Theodor: “Actually I’m a bit particular about my alcohol too. Just like this wine…”
His tone was smooth as he continued to talk on and on about alcohol, his avatar, and the tablet.
As I listened, I partook of more of the delightful wine…
(Maybe because of the alcohol…? I feel really good… like I’m floating…)
Theodor: “Are you drunk?”
OO: “Yes… it feels… good.”
Theodor: “I’m… the same. I want to spend more time with you…”
Theodor reached out and courteously picked up my hand.
(It’s hot where he’s touching me…)
Theodor slowly brought his face closer to my hand.
Then he placed his soft lips against the back of my hand.
OO: “…!?”
(Was that a kiss just now…?)
My heart was pounding in my ears and my mind went blank.
Theodor: “I’m meticulous.”
OO: “Eh…?”
Theodor: “I know that kisses have different meanings depending on where you place them. For example…-.”
His voice was soft and low, dyed the color of wine, and it echoed in my ears.
(I can’t grasp what Theodor’s saying…)
I felt like I was being sucked into Theodor’s sweet gaze…
Theodor: “OO… so then this time… the next one, can I kiss you on the lips…?”
My mind seemed to have completely stopped functioning and I sat there, watching and waiting for that soft, heated touch as it came closer.
END
Secret Story: Rosé Wine
At my suggestion to drink in order to ease the tension, OO accepted the idea easily…-.
And so, as I poured us a second glass, my heart had finally relaxed and I was able to finally speak.
Theodor: “I’m pretty interested in wine glasses, so I have a varied collection of them.”
Maybe because of the ease I was feeling, or because of the swirling wine, my words came out more fluidly.
Theodor: “Whenever I take a liking to something, I collect it. That way I can admire it always…”
OO: “…I understand. I would always want to look… at something so beautiful.”
OO was cute as she swirled the wine in her glass, her expression spellbound as she spoke in a murmur.
(I worried that this was an unreasonable suggestion but… I’m glad she looks like she’s enjoying herself too.)
Relieved at that, my expression softened.
Theodor: “That’s what I enjoy too when I sit here and drink alone.”
OO: “I like hearing about the things you find beautiful Theodor. So…”
Theodor: “So… will you listen to me talk more?”
OO: “…yes.”
As she said it was alright for me to talk more, I quickly got intoxicated.
I felt like I’d drunk so much I was floating on clouds and became even more talkative…-.
…
……
After talking about my avatar and the tablet, the conversation turned back to alcohol.
Theodor: “Actually I’m a bit particular about my alcohol too. Just like this wine… I’ve never seen a wine with such a beautiful color, so I had to have it… it’s the same for wine glasses. They don’t just come in clear glass, but also in colors that merge beautifully with the color of the wine…”
As I spoke fervently, I noticed OO’s eyes drooping from drowsiness.
(Her face is the same color as the rosé wine… and her eyes are glistening… so beautiful…)
I unintentionally found myself staring at OO’s slightly drunken face.
Theodor: “Do you like the taste of the wine?”
OO: “Yes. I didn’t know wine could taste this good… it’s surprising.”
OO looked down, embarrassed as her cheeks turned red.
Even the way her eyelashes fluttered was adorable.
(If she was to be a wine, she’d definitely be rosé wine. It’s sweeter than regular red wine… and it has a gentle taste… No, it’s rude to compare a girl to wine… I have to be careful that I’m not rude like usual.)
I suddenly had a strong realization that I didn’t want to make any mistakes around OO.
(Ah, I see… I’ve…)
As the conversations continued, I realized the reason I thought she was so beautiful when I looked at her…
(I’ve never been able to talk like this and really enjoy it. This girl… is special.)
OO: “What should I do about this feeling I wonder? It’s like I’m floating… and it’s filling my chest… it’s strange… but I don’t think it’s just because of the wine…”
OO seemed to be talking to herself, her voice calm and quiet.
It was as if the inner feelings in her heart were overflowing and spilling out.
Theodor: “Are you drunk?”
OO: “Yes… it feels… good.”
Theodor: “I’m… the same. I want to spend more time with you…”
I reached out to her, unable to stand it any longer.
At the gentle touch, her body shivered for a moment, then she yielded to my hand.
(I’m certain that OO is my fated partner. If not, I couldn’t do this…)
I drew closer to the pale skin on the back of her hand, wanting to express my feelings of love.
I gave her a kiss, a vow to give her everything in this life.
END