Ch. 10: The Setting Sun Shining in the Deep Sea (SUN)
The next day…-.
OO: “Eh…?”
I had come to visit Orion while he was still ill, and in spite of myself, my eyes opened wide.
Orion: “I said leave. You have the power to go back to the surface now.”
The reflection of the light in the water was beautiful and brilliant, suddenly dying the room in color.
OO: “…Orion.”
Orion: “You would have died because of me. You probably don’t remember because you were unconscious but…I really was afraid. By the time I caught up to you, your heart had already stopped… I had no choice but to give you the power you needed right away. When I realized that, I cut open my throat and gave you my blood.”
OO: “…”
Orion: “That’s when I knew. If you had died…I would have no reason to keep living. And if you were to happen to run away from me again, and get into trouble… I wouldn’t be able to forgive myself, as long as I lived. So…go.”
OO: “Orion…”
The shell necklace I wore around my neck made a clinking sound.
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Orion: “To happen to meet the person you love from the bottom of your heart is a miracle, right? I don’t want to have any regrets. No matter what happens… I’ll have you.”
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Orion…
His eyes were narrowed as if in pain.
I didn’t know what to do, and my heart ached…
Realizing it, I gently pulled Orion into an embrace…-.
Orion: “OO…?”
OO: “S-sorry…I…”
I panicked and turned to run but…-.
From behind, Orion grabbed my hand and tightly held on to me.
Orion: “Does… this mean I can hold on to a shred of hope?”
I don’t know. But I don’t want to leave yet. Because I haven’t properly thanked him. Or apologized. I want to tell him, but my chest hurts…
I was unable to give him an answer, then Orion pulled on my hand and pulled me into an embrace.
Orion: “Is it alright…if I touch you…? If I can, I won’t be able to hold back…”
My chest throbbed painfully, and I was still unable to answer.
Then he suddenly pulled on my waist…
And gently ran his thumb over my lips.
OO: “…”
There was a pleasant tingling sensation where his thumb touched, at which I started to close my eyes, and Orion’s face slowly came closer.
Orion: “OO…”
Hearing my name said like that, with more love than ever before, had be closing my eyes the rest of the way.
OO: “…”
Orion parted my lips with his tongue.
This kiss was different from before, deeper…
There was a sweetness and a kindness to the kiss, and my heart filled with warmth.
OO: “Thank you…for saving me.”
I was somehow able to get the words out, though my voice was hoarse.
OO: “And…I’m sor…-“
Before I could finish what I was saying, my lips were once again pressed against Orion’s.
OO: “Nn…”
His fingers gently stroked my hair and he held onto my back with a powerful arm.
Orion: “OO…I don’t need anything else from you. Stay…with me…”
Without giving me a chance to breathe, I was once again pulled into a long kiss.
I felt a bliss that I could not put into words, and completely at ease…-.
Aah, I… I love Orion.
Suddenly, I felt myself lifted up, then gently placed on the bed.
Orion: “…stay by my side.”
OO: “Orion…”
Orion put his hand on the ribbon at my breast.
OO: “…”
Out of embarrassment, I moved to stop his hand, but…-.
OO: “Nn…”
He grabbed my hand and kissed the palm.
Orion: “OO…”
Feeling the heat of his breath on my hand, I could do nothing other than surrender myself to him.
It’s embarrassing…but I can’t resist him.
Before long, I was stripped of anything I could use to hide myself…-.
Orion: “…”
There was a faint clinking sound, and Orion’s face broke into a kind smile.
OO: “Ah…”
It was the shell necklace, mixed with the orange hue of the setting sun.
Orion lovingly placed a kiss on my chest.
OO: “…”
It didn’t take long for Orion to start covering my entire body in kisses…
And as if blessing the two with the ability to understand each other’s feelings, the shells clinked and made the gentlest music.