I’d never imagined it’d turn out this way. But I had no regrets.
At first, I thought I would just give him the ring. Just the usual routine, the usual time, the usual place…
Who would have thought that a simple chat would turn into a confession?
…But it was also very much like us.
It wasn’t in character for either of us to be so particular about the atmosphere and the place and to confess in a racy and cool way. Maybe we were just too sensitive for our own good. We would get embarrassed, blush and not take a step forward.
And whether I confessed under the meteors against the backdrop of the night sky, or whether Urschel listened to my confession while eating custard pudding, the result would have been the same, and the memories would have been the same.
I hugged him, and in my embrace, Urschel spoke in a troubled way: “Um, my heart’s about to explode at any moment, can you please get away…?”
“Sorry.”
I pulled away and there was Urschel, red up to his ears.
“I.. I’ve hugged others before, but never had anyone hug me, so I was really nervous…”
""
Those words made me realise that this was true, Urschel only did it to others and basically, no one else would do it to Urschel…1
I stroked Urschel’s head. Then, with a shy blush on his cheeks, he complained, “Don’t treat me like a kid… You know… For the record… I’m still the big brother…”
“That’s right.”
“You can’t just say, ‘Yeah, that’s right’ while still doing that.”
When I took my hand away, my eyes met with Urschel’s.
…We both chuckled at each other.
It was such a satisfying feeling to have a requited love. I picked up the ring and chain that had been left on the table.
“Turn around, Urschel. I’ll put it on you.”
“Okay… Somehow, this silver ring… It feels like an engagement ring.”
“That’s right… Anyway, when I bought it, I was faintly hoping it would be like that.”
“Eh, you did?”
When Urschel said he wanted matching accessories, I never thought I would have a better chance. I could wear the same ornaments as the guy I was after. Besides, I’d also work on the rings myself… It was just the perfect opportunity to use this as a representation of how deep my feelings for him were.
Besides, the mere thought of Urschel wearing something that I had worked on made me feel good… I thought that if I was lucky enough to get my love requited, the accessory could serve as an alternative to a ring to commemorate our relationship.
With that in mind, I had no choice but to buy the matching accessories.
I looped the chain around Urschel’s neck and hung it around his neck with the clasp. The thin silver chain looked great against Urschel’s fair skin.
The ring swung from side to side on Urschel’s chest. Urschel took the ring in his hand and gulped.
“Hmm… I’m so thrilled, but I feel so nervous, it’s weird. Why does Theodore seem to be fine?”
“I’m not fine at all.”
‘My feelings have finally been conveyed to you… You just don’t know how excited I am about that. Even now, I’m holding myself back,’ I softly whispered those into Urschel’s ear, and his ears went red.
I deliberately pushed Urschel to the limit by further adding, “Urschel, would like to put mine on me?”
When I asked that, Urschel uttered in a small voice, “I’ll do my best…”, as he looked away from me.
It wasn’t fair that I was always the one being dragged around by him. As soon as we were face to face, he reached out to hug me from the front and put the chain on.
“…Theodore, you’re so close.”
""
“Yes, it is. It might be just right for a kiss.”
“#$%&’!” Urschel turned bright red and covered his face with his hands.
“Don’t say something like that! Oh, my goodness! My face is hot! Something’s wrong with you, Theodore, your personality is so different from usual!”
“It’s a payback for the usual.”
“Hm, a payback for the usual? Did I ever do something to you?”
Urschel probably had no idea, but he was a genius in a way, unknowingly turning people on, making them fall in love with him, making them writhe in agony.
In this respect, Urschel and sweets were very similar. Both were sweet and captivating.
This was precisely the reason I was concerned about the other parties that would be charmed by the unaware Urschel, even after I already obtained him.
Especially those princes. It would be a shame if they were to snatch him from the side.
I looked at the ring I put on Urschel. While my ring had the bare minimum of functions, I had incorporated as many functions as I could think of, not only to protect Urschel but also to make his ring as durable as possible.
…I hoped a day when those would become useful would not ever come. But well, those were not important at this moment.
“Urschel.”
“Wh-what…?”
“I love you.”
Urschel left too many openings, and I snatched his lips. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw him open his eyes in surprise, then close them as if he’d made up his mind and put his hands around my neck.