Chapter 24 (2/2)

The line that was between him and Ruka. If he crossed over it, into Ruka’s territory, the line would become a river. The further things develop between them, the more that river would gradually expand and spread, giving birth to a strait. His former life would be completely submerged, and disappear for good.

I don’t want to be gay. He silently recited those words in the bottom of his heart, opened his eyes and looked across the candle-light dancing up from his cake. The only one in front of his eyes was Ruka.

Ruka’s rigid facial muscles seemed incapable of portraying a gentle and soft look, but when he looked at him, Xu Zheyi still felt tenderness. He could not bring himself to quickly blow out the candles and cover everything with darkness.

After the candles were extinguished and the lights were on again, Ruka pretended not to care and casually asked, “What did you wish for?” Contrary to his easy tone, his eyes were glued on Xu Zheyi, never leaving the other man’s back.

“Uh, world peace?”

Ruka’s expression was obviously one of defeat, then he frowned and asked, “And…?”

This time Xu Zheyi had no perfunctory answer prepared.

…This guy really likes me. As long as he looked at Ruka, his mind was full of those words.

The two men looked at each other for a few seconds, then Ruka leaned over, and spoke in a somewhat whiny voice, “I want to kiss you right now,” although his overall tone was still cheerful.

Of course, Xu Zheyi wanted to refuse, but his protestations consisted of stuttered, insensible sounds, and those were swiftly sealed away by the other man’s lips.

Later on, Xu Zheyi recalled the next series of events. He was still not very clear exactly how things happened. He could not recall whether he threw himself into the other man’s arms, or if he was half willing and half unwilling1.

He could only remember that he stood in one spot, moving neither forward nor backward, and it was like the ground below his feet split open. He plunged down, instantly, into a deep and bottomless sea. He was completely dazed, unaware of how long the billowing waves pushed and rolled him along. During that time, he could just hear a faint voice flowing into his awareness, “Hey…Xu Zheyi.”

Everything went still, and Ruka clung to him from behind. He brushed his lips against Xu Zheyi’s ear and whispered, “I like you.”

Xu Zheyi opened his eyes.

His hands were damp and sticky, and in them was the evidence of Ruka’s climax. At that moment, it was like a large dandelion blooming on his palm. He dropped his arms to his side and allowed Ruka to hold him tighter.

A nice short chapter. Although, I must say, I found it rather bittersweet and lonely. I did not expect to love this story so much when I picked it up.