Ch. 8: A Passionate Guy (MOON)
The party ended with no problems…-.
The two of us were tidying up in the hall, now empty of people.
Gathering the used dishes, we put them on a cart to take to be washed.
Ritz: "Thanks for helpin'."
OO: "It's no trouble, I'm glad it went so well and your grandmother liked it."
Ritz: "…yeah."
He gave a slight nod then cast his eyes down.
Ritz…?
After a short silence, I wondered if he would look up again when…
Ritz: "…OO."
His gaze was more serious than I'd ever seen before, and it pierced right through me.
OO: "Rit…-!?"
My words were cut off as Ritz's hand brought me down onto the sofa.
OO: "W-w-wait!"
He grabbed my shoulder and I tried to push away.
But Ritz did not yield, and I looked up…
Ritz: "…"
I met his gaze, and noticed his eyes were red and watering.
Ritz? Is he still drunk from the party…?
I felt my heart gradually start to speed up.
OO: "…!"
The air around him glittered faintly as the dishes broke with a crash, sending fragments flying.
Ritz: "Sorry…that was a little reckless."
Ritz was slightly warmer, and I was caught up in his gaze, unable to turn away…
OO: "Ritz?"
Ritz: "Sorry 'bout that, all of a sudden…but I can't hold back my feelings… I…think - OO, I think I love you. In fact it'd be the first time I've been in love… That's why… this, all of a sudden, 'cause I drank so much, but…"
He broke off for a short time.
The words he said next were a whisper…-.
Ritz: "If you haven't set your sights on anyone yet…choose me."
Still in that same position, his face moved close to the base of my neck.
He was completely different than the usual cheerful Ritz, and there was a seriousness to his eyes and his voice...
Ritz: "Right?…it's ok, right?"
I felt his breath on my neck, and my heart was pounding incessantly.
What should I do…?
All the different expressions I'd seen on Ritz before now flashed through my mind, and the one image that stuck was the kind, compassionate look he'd had when talking to his grandmother…
OO: "…"
Remembering that look, my fingers that were trying to hold him back lost their strength.
Ritz: "Thanks…"
His voice was right in my ear, and I heard a faint hint of relief in those words…
And like that, I was wrapped up in his fierce yet kind heat.
END