Ch. 8: At the Cathedral... (SUN)
The day following Camilo's public acquittal…-.
I was called out by Camilo and headed towards the country's grandest cathedral.
Within the cathedral, the atmosphere was thick with solemnity, and a faint, elegant fragrance drifted on the air.
The moonlight through the stained glass window was so beautiful it took my breath away.
OO: "Camilo."
I called out to Camilo, who waited for me, and my voice echoed in the high ceiling.
The sound of my footsteps as I rushed over echoed loudly as well, and in a panic I started to walk more slowly.
I'm glad he wanted to meet and I just got impatient…
Thinking that in embarrassment, I approached Camilo, and he looked at me kindly.
Camilo: "I'm sorry for calling you here like this."
OO: "It's fine. I'm relieved to see you've been released without any problems. I really wanted to see for myself…"
Camilo: "I called you here today because I wanted to thank you."
OO: "But I didn't do anything."
Camilo: "You brought that boy to the courtroom."
OO: "…that was just because we happened to run into each other…it was your character that made him want to turn himself in."
Camilo: "But it's because of you that he had any interest in coming to the courtroom."
OO: "What will happen to him?"
Camilo: "…regarding the possession of drugs, the matter is being investigated."
OO: "Eh…?"
Camilo: "Regarding the matter of him framing me…I didn't press charges."
OO: "…!"
My eyes went wide and Camilo awkwardly looked away.
Camilo: "Don't look so surprised."
OO: "I'm sorry. But I am surprised…"
I mean, even after you were so enthusiastic about your duty…
Camilo: "Up until now, I thought it was important to take the rules seriously and firmly enforce them. But… when being judged, there are emotions and situations to consider as well. I realized that during all this. That boy as well is reflecting on his actions. There's no need to blame him more than that. Hatred is a sin, and not one I want for a companion. The one who taught me that…was you."
His expression was shy, but he faced me directly and I felt my heart suddenly speed up.
OO: "But I really didn't do anything."
Camilo: "No, when people see your kindness and honesty, they change… actually…I've changed too."
His gaze was full of passion, and it felt like it was holding me in place by threads.
Camilo: "I…I want to tell the person who changed me my feelings."
Camilo's wings spread slightly in a synchronized movement.
As I watched them, it felt as if I had wings of my own, causing me to float as my heart swelled.
Camilo: "Before I realized it, I…I had come to love you so dearly."
OO: "…"
The confession was almost too straightforward and I felt a little dizzy.
What do I do…I'm happy…
Camilo: "If…it's alright…I'd like to kiss you."
OO: "!!"
That request was even more direct and I flushed bright red as I looked back at Camilo.
Camilo seemed as if he didn't dare to breath, and his gaze seized onto my heart and wouldn't let go.
Camilo: "…is that alright?"
I was reminded then of how sincere Camilo could be, and I even felt my ears turn red to the tips.
I gave a small nod.
Camilo: "…"
Slowly, his refined face drew nearer and I could feel his breath on my lips.
Camilo: "I'm glad kissing in this country isn't prohibited…I'm not certain I could stop myself from breaking that ban if it was…"
OO: "…"
After those murmurings, I felt a soft, faint sensation as his lips touched mine, then he pulled back immediately.
He looked incredibly embarrassed as he smiled and glanced to the side.
Camilo: "It's my first time…so I'm sorry if I'm not good at it."
OO: "I-it's fine."
I answered with all seriousness and Camilo smiled kindly as if his nervousness had gone.
Camilo: "Then…as you wish."
OO: "…"
Our lips touched again, and I felt a numbing sweetness from it.
I grew weak in the knees, spellbound by the kiss, and it had nothing to do with whether it was well done or not…I was sure it was because I was doing it with Camilo…
From somewhere, I could hear the loud ringing of the cathedral's bell.
END