The display cabinet, filled with beautiful porcelain, sculptures, and expensive dishes, was in the center of the room, but there was an awkward emptiness in the middle. It was where the dog treat can that Dein had given had once been placed.
Dein stopped his gaze, just staring at the display cabinet.
“It’s the first time you’ve given me a gift.”
Grayson’s voice trembled faintly. His flushed face, his eyes sparkling as he gazed at Dein with emotion.
“It’s not that expensive, so there’s no need to thank me.”
The words he had said replayed in his mind. What happened after that?
Grayson had said nothing. No, he was only moving his lips as if unable to find the words. His large hands held the tiny can carefully, and he looked at Dein, his ears twitching slightly.
“That was the first gift you ever gave me. No matter what anyone gives, it can’t compare to that. It was my most precious treasure.”
Grayson’s face, shouting in frustration, overlapped in Dein’s mind. His face, still flushed in a different way than before, murmured.
“My Diana...”
Dein continued to stare silently at the empty display case. Amid the shelves tightly packed with beautiful, well-known works, that one shelf stood out, barren and embarrassingly empty.
But even as he thought that, he couldn’t tear his eyes away, remaining frozen for a long time.
There were 6 days left.
“Heart, heart. Heart, heart.”
Grayson hummed cheerfully, his mood elevated. Finally, the committee investigation was over. With an excited heart, he headed home. Dein would be waiting today too. Today was a special day, and there was cause for celebration. For that reason, he ✪ Nоvеlіgһt ✪ (Official version) had purposely ordered a massive bouquet. He’d also instructed that the ingredients for dinner be prepared in advance, and it would be a grand meal. They would drink wine together and have dessert. And then next...
“Hehehe.”
A laugh escaped from Grayson as he increased the speed of his car, his shoulders shaking. When he woke up this morning, Dein was already gone for work. But the traces of the previous night remained clearly on the bed, and Grayson had buried his nose in the dried sheets, masturbating twice.
It was clear—Dein liked me too.
He was certain. After all, if Dein didn’t like him, there would be no reason to have sex with Grayson. It wasn’t like Lut had come over, and nothing else had happened.
He had kidnapped my most precious thing.
Grayson wrinkled his nose for a moment but then relaxed his expression. Even so, for him to come at me so aggressively... that wasn’t like Dein, right? And sleeping together too. This had to be it.
“Dein... likes me...!”
His heart pounded, and he couldn’t say the next words. Grayson gripped the steering wheel tightly with both hands and took a deep breath. Hah, hah. His shoulders trembled, and for a moment, his reflection appeared in the rearview mirror. Seeing his ears twitching involuntarily, he frowned absentmindedly but ignored it. It wasn’t important if they moved or not. What mattered now was his future with Dein.
Only 6 days left.
Well, to be exact, it was about 5 days and a few hours. Today was almost over, anyway.
It was time to settle things. Until yesterday, he’d been anxious, but now it was different. He ran with hope, eager to see Dein. He wanted to hug him, kiss him, and tell him he loved him.
Even if Dein hadn’t decided yet...
A dark thought crossed his mind, but he was confident. If not, he would persuade him. Every time Grayson had insisted, begged, and pleaded, Dein had eventually given in. He would probably sigh, maybe even get annoyed, but if only he stayed with him...
That would be enough.
Grayson pressed harder on the accelerator. The supercar roared loudly as it sped down the road.
Dein was sitting on his sofa, Darling resting on his lap as he gently stroked the cat, though his expression showed he was lost in thought. After some time, he suddenly snapped back to reality. He turned his head and saw that the sun was already setting.
Damn, Dein clicked his tongue briefly, then picked up Darling and placed the cat on the cushion he liked. He grabbed his empty mug and turned to put it away, but just as he reached for the door handle, there was a knock.
Knock knock, knock knock.
The rhythmic sound made Dein pause for a moment, then he turned the handle and opened the door.
“Ah.”
Grayson, who had been about to knock again, froze with his hand still in the air. Dein, who had shifted his gaze from his hand back to his face, met Grayson’s eyes.
“What is it?”
With an indifferent voice, Grayson smiled brightly and said,
“I’ve prepared dinner.”
“Really?”
It wasn’t anything out of the ordinary. Dein, without saying much, closed the door and walked lazily toward the snack bar, imagining a simple dinner like always. But unexpectedly, Grayson grabbed his arm and pulled him.
“This way.”
Dein blinked in surprise, and Grayson smiled as he took Dein’s hand and walked ahead. With Grayson’s lighter steps, Dein couldn’t help but laugh.
“What are you up to now?”
At Dein’s question, Grayson just laughed. Sighing helplessly, Dein followed him. Grayson led him to the dining room on the first floor.
“Come on, go in.”
Grayson opened the door and stepped aside, gracefully sweeping his arm in an arc. As Dein entered, he stopped dead in his tracks.
What lay before him was an entirely unexpected sight. The table was even grander than the morning he had first come here, and Dein’s eyes widened.
In the center of the table was a three-tiered cake, with a Thanksgiving turkey on one side and an enormous lobster on the other. The side with the turkey was filled with a vast array of meat dishes—chicken, lamb, beef, veal, and pork, all in huge quantities. Around the lobster were seafood items: giant crabs, salmon, swordfish, and sushi. There were three kinds of salads, breads ranging from pastries to loaves and muffins, and a basket full of neatly sliced baguettes. In addition, there were stews, soups, and countless other unheard-of dishes.
It wasn’t just the table. The walls were adorned with elaborate golden candle holders with lit candles, a huge chandelier lit up the ceiling, and the walls were full of decorations and flowers.
“What... is this?”
Dein stood frozen, mouth agape, muttering to himself. Could it be a movie set? Was that pot going to start singing and dancing?
He knew it was a ridiculous thought. But the scene in front of him made even less sense. As he watched the teapot, Grayson suddenly came up beside him and spoke.
“Well? Do you like it?”
“I... I don’t know.”
Dein stumbled over his words, closing his eyes for a moment. When he opened them again, nothing had changed. It was then that he accepted reality.
“What’s all this? What’s going on all of a sudden?”
Grayson, more excited than usual, answered in a bright voice.
“There’s a lot to celebrate today.”
“What’s going on?”
Is it my birthday? As Dein paused at the sight of the cake, Grayson spoke again.
“The committee’s attendance is finally over. I’m free now!”
With those words, Grayson set off birthday fireworks. With a loud bang, cheap paper scraps flew everywhere. Dein blinked before he nodded in understanding. Of course, he would be happy about such a troublesome matter that he had probably never experienced before.
“Right, that’s great. Congratulations.”
“Thanks.”
Grayson said, and Dein grinned, pointing a thumb at the table.
“I get that you’re happy, but isn’t this a bit too much? No matter how hard we try, there’s no way we can eat all of this.”
“Of course, that’s not all.”
Grayson spoke confidently. What else, Dein thought, laughing as if he had no choice but to shake his head. Then, Grayson suddenly pulled something from behind his back. Startled, Dein was enveloped in the scent of flowers. It was then that he realized Grayson was holding an enormous bouquet. Seeing Dein’s confused gaze, Grayson smiled and said,
“I wanted to give this to you.”
Stunned, Dein took the bouquet, blinking in surprise. Still puzzled, Grayson scratched his cheek.
“Well, you’ve been staying with me, so... um. It’s a token of my gratitude.”
“...What?”
Dein furrowed his brows and stared at him. Grayson, feeling his face flush for some reason, continued.
“Yesterday was great, and... I’m grateful for everything.”
Don’t you think we get along well?
That’s what he had prepared to say next. And then, he was going to suggest living together. Maybe even ask for an extension. He had plenty of things to persuade Dein with. So many.
But instead, the next words that came out of Grayson’s mouth were entirely different from what he had intended.
“I love you, Dein.”
Ah, this isn’t what I meant.
Grayson thought, but he didn’t regret it. No, it was more like, Why didn’t I say this earlier? It felt ridiculous, but the warm something spreading through his chest lifted the corners of his mouth. Grayson beamed brightly at Dein.
Dein.
...The Dein who looked at him as though the world had just collapsed.
“Dein...?”
“Ah.”
Still smiling, Grayson called his name, and almost at the same time, Dein sighed. He buried his face in one hand, taking a deep breath. An awkward silence fell. The warm feeling that had spread through his chest disappeared, and a chilling air surrounded his heart.
“Dein...”
“We really can’t do this anymore.”
After a long pause, Dein muttered, still hiding his face in his hand.
“Let’s stop now.”
