Chapter Text
It was a sunny day in the office of the student council when Leon was about to hand in his part of rearranging the documents back to Alex, the president who is currently residing at his desk in the middle of the meeting room. Every other member of the MPP is also occupied with their own duties assigned by Alex, and the chatter in the room was mild at the volume. The sound of the shuffling papers and stapler being pressed onto stacks of documents were repeated constantly, all tables were occupied with their assigned work except one.
Ciel, the glorious prince from France sat beside Albert — from England who were involved in checking into the paperwork for any errors or glitch text on the contents.
Albert was shuffling through the papers until he realized that Ciel wasn’t focusing at all; instead his eyes kept shifting through some members while his hands lay limp on the paper where he should be skimming through — even though they were reports that were already checked twice, they still need some recheck before they could hand it in for Sir Godfreg to see. He nudged him harshly by the elbow, a stern expression on his face as he hushed his voice to the other.
“Hey, if you’re gonna keep spacing out, I’m reporting to Alex that I’m the only one who’s doing his duty! And you won’t get any credit for it.”
“Hush! Can’t you see I’m busy reading the room?” Ciel nearly stumbled on his seat, his face turning serious all of a sudden.
Usually, he would be bothered to banter with Albert once the other would start the argument — and yet he seemed awfully focused and fixated on the same spot for the same reason. Albert turned to see his direction his gaze was appointed it and yep; still around Alex’s table where Leon was standing still. He stifleded his sigh to wait for Ciel’s explanation, which he thankfully provided after a few seconds of silence shared between them.
“Shut it. There is something in the air. I can smell it.”
Albert said nothing but squinted his eyes at him.
“What on earth are you talking about?”
“Oh, come on! Don’t tell me you’re not aware of it?! Just smell!”
“No, thank you. If someone farted in here I’m blaming it on you.” Albert paused momentarily and looked at him dead in the eyes, his gaze narrowing,
“…unless you really did.”
“I didn’t fart! Can you take me seriously for once?! Can’t you see what I’m seeing right now?!”
Albert turned his head away from facing the blonde and rolled his eyes, returning to continue his work instead of focusing every word Ciel said.
“Oh, yeah? What do you see?”
Ciel pointed towards Alex’s desk location, where Leon is currently standing in front of it to discuss some matters with the president.
“Look.” He then turned his pointing finger to another person, and that person was Shintarou who is currently walking towards the president’s desk as well.
The prince from Japan slightly distanced himself from standing close to Leon who stood next to him. Leon, who noticed his appearance, looked over from his shoulder - his eyes almost looked desperate for Shintarou’s eye contact. When his gaze met with his own Shintarou’s eyes, Shintarou looked away immediately and continued his way towards his desk after giving the document file to the president, walking away before Leon could fully build his sentences when he opened his mouth.
“You’re seeing this… right?”
Ciel muttered under his breath, staring at Leon’s direction who’s just staring blankly. He felt like he should say something to alleviate Leon’s current situation - even though he knew that Leon would find whatever it was embarrassing to admit to him that he’s been acting odd. Albert looked at him incredulously.
“Wait, why are they suddenly avoiding each other all of a sudden? I thought they’re close now.”
Normally Leon would exchange a word or two to Shintarou when they were passing, but no one had any idea how it started between them. Ever since their whole ordeal, they should be at least acting decent and somehow casual to each other, with Leon being the first person to greet Shintarou and the other grunting in reply. At least, that’s what everyone else had ever seen how they interact each time they meet. No one knows what happened behind the curtains. Leon himself isn’t exactly sure why they haven’t been speaking ever since their first meeting when he asked the Japanese prince to sit down on the same table with him.
The latter replied ‘I am busy’ immediately as soon as Leon approached him to talk.
“That’s what I’m saying! Something must have changed!”
“Maybe you’re imagining things,” Albert said nonchalantly, looking at Ciel again as if trying to make him understand the reason why Leon keeps glancing over to Shintarou.
“This is how they usually talk, right? What makes it any different now?”
“It doesn’t feel like that,” Ciel insisted, frowning slightly.
“They are acting strange towards each other…”
“You seem to know everything about these things, don’t you?” Albert remarked sarcastically, rolling his eyes.
“Do you think maybe Shintarou is holding any grudges against Leon?”
“Precisely!” He snapped his fingers like a director in an acting studio, “For Leon to be bothered by someone like Shintarou must have been so important! You know how Leon is — secretive, even with us. Whatever happened between them must be known!”
“Forget it already. Isn’t that invading Leon’s privacy? Maybe we should leave it to them to solve it themselves.”
“Nonsense! It can’t wait till later!”
“Ciel! Wait–!”
Albert helplessly reached out a hand to stop the other, even if it was a futile attempt – Ciel was always quick to snoop into dramas.
Albert sighed tiredly as he leaned forward on his arms and rested his chin on his forearms to watch Leon and Shintarou together quietly from his desk – preferring to watch from the distance than stir up trouble like a certain idiot.
He noticed how Leon was looking down at the ground when Shintarou walked away - his face was unreadable, and the way he seemed reluctant to look up and return Leon’s stare made Ciel wonder what was bothering his friend so much to have such an expression on his features like that. Leon had always been a composed man – not even a strong breeze or cold weather could deter his stony face from making any other expression than around Shintarou.
Ciel couldn’t stop thinking about the fact that Leon had never seen anyone look so sad before whenever they talked in public or with the other members of the MPP. But there is no time left for him to dwell on it because the meeting ended. All of the members gathered and bowed respectfully to Alex who thanked everyone for their dedication before dismissing them. As the doors closed behind their group, Ciel noticed how Leon and Shintarou were standing outside of the main room, looking at each other silently. Leon was leaning against the wall while Shintarou was standing straight ahead, arms crossed in front of his chest.
Ciel pulled Albert by his sleeves and hid behind the corner of the corridor - sneaking in to eavesdrop on them. The other wasn’t having any of it, but he gave in anyway, since he was also interested in what Ciel had in mind between the two of them.
They could hear Shintarou sighing loudly, his head tilted downwards as he looked at his feet. He looked defeated.
“Shintarou-” Leon said quietly, his outstretched hand turning into fists by his side, “I know this is sudden, but there is something I need to tell you. This might sound ridiculous, but…”
He trailed off in his words, and Ciel could almost hear the loud swallow in Leon’s throat from afar.
“…Have we met before?”
This caught Shintarou’s attention; his head jerking upwards and looking Leon straight in his eyes. Leon took a step forward, his voice still quiet but firm. Ciel wondered if he’s trying to intimidate him with the fact that Leon looked taller than him by a few inches.
His eyes were hard too, and Ciel could practically sense the tension in between them.
“What the hell are you talking about?”
Shintarou said in an impudent tone, although it wasn’t completely harsh as usual. He was obviously trying to be more polite despite his rash attitude.
Leon glanced around nervously before leaning closer, his voice barely above a whisper. “Shintarou, I can’t stop seeing it. Every time I look at you, it’s like—like déjà vu, but worse. It’s like I’ve lived it before. We’ve lived it before.”
Shintarou took a sharp step back, his eyes darting toward the hallway as if seeking an escape. “What are you even saying?” His tone was defensive, almost biting. “This is insane.”
“I’m not crazy!” Leon snapped, his voice suddenly fierce. The tension in his face softened a fraction when Shintarou flinched. He let out a shaky breath.
“Look, I know how it sounds. Believe me, I’ve tried to push it away, to forget about it. But every time, it’s there. You’re there.”
Shintarou’s lips parted as if to retort, but he hesitated. His brows knit together, his expression guarded. “So what? You think we were… what? Soulmates or something? Do you even realize how crazy that sounds?”
Leon froze, the word hanging in the air like a live wire. He opened his mouth to respond but closed it again, his throat tightening. “I—I don’t know. But… it’s more than coincidence. You can’t tell me you haven’t felt it too.”
Shintarou crossed his arms, his posture defensive. “And what if I have? What if every time I see you, I remember… pieces?” His voice dropped, trembling on the last word. “It doesn’t mean anything. It’s just… dreams. Just something our minds we’re making up. Leon, I thought you were smarter than this.”
Leon’s eyes darkened, his voice dropping into something almost desperate. “Then why does it feel so real? Why does it feel like… like we left something unfinished?”
The words struck like a hammer. Shintarou’s jaw tightened, and for a moment, his composure cracked. “Don’t do this,” he muttered, his tone almost pleading. “Don’t make this something it’s not.”
“Why not?!” Leon shot back, his voice rising in frustration. “You think I want this? To feel like I know you when I don’t? To have these memories—visions—whatever they are—haunting me every time I see your face?”
Shintarou’s fists clenched at his sides, his voice a low growl. “Because it’s dangerous, Leon. That’s why.”
The words hung between them, heavy and foreboding. Leon blinked, caught off guard. “Dangerous? What are you talking about?”
Shintarou’s gaze darted away, as if he’d already said too much. He muttered something under his breath, but it was too quiet to catch.
“Shintarou.” Leon’s tone sharpened, demanding. “What do you know?”
“Nothing,” Shintarou spat, but the crack in his voice betrayed him. He turned abruptly, ready to leave. “Forget we even talked about this. It’s better that way.”
“No!” Leon grabbed his wrist before he could walk away, his grip firm but not harsh. Shintarou froze, his breath hitching at the contact. “You’re not running from this. Not this time.”
“Let go of me!” Shintarou growled, his tone low and dangerous as his arms flailed around like a fish in a net.
Leon held firm, his own frustration boiling over. “Not until you tell me the truth.”
Shintarou’s eyes finally met Leon’s gaze, and for a moment, they stood frozen, tension crackling like a storm between them. Then, in a voice barely audible, Shintarou said, “The truth? Fine.”
He yanked his arm free, stepping away until there was some distance between them. “The truth is, every time I see you, I remember dying. Because of you.”
Leon’s breath caught, his mind reeling. “What—?”
Shintarou shoved past him, his words leaving a chilling echo. “Stay away from me, Leon. For both of our sakes.”
They kept silent all the way until they got out of the building, before Leon let go of a heavy sigh and leaned into the door frame. He rubbed his arm lightly with his other hand as he avoided making eye contact with Ciel as he passed him.
Ciel frowned.
“Did something happen between you two?” He asked, tilting his head curiously as Leon shook his head.
“Nothing.”
“Something definitely happened.”
“Yeah, okay. I would really appreciate it if we talk about anything but what you just heard.”
Leon insisted as he pushed Ciel to walk past him towards the entrance, his hand on the back of his neck.
“I remember you said something about the… blossom tree? What exactly happened? And what-”
Before Ciel could finish with his question, Leon quickened his steps to walk forward without glancing back at him. Ciel huffed out an annoyed sigh before running his fingers through his hair.
“Wooooow.” Albert stood next to him, his face blank as he crossed his arms.
“Good job. We’re never going to get any answers that way.”
“Yeah.” Ciel agreed, nodding, “Especially with Leon avoiding looking at Shintarou at all costs like that.”
A Millennium Ago
ꕥ
The sun filtered through the paper screens of the garden pavilion, highlighting Shintarou’s focused expression as he tied the sash on Honda’s robe. Pepper sat cross-legged beside him, fiddling with the hem of his sleeve while stealing curious glances at his master.Shintarou was at his garden when he was fixing his two little helpers, Pepper and Honda’s robes to get prepared for the day that awaits for him.
A special guest will be attending soon to attend his father’s birthday ceremony, and he strongly hopes that it’s not going to involve any of his father’s antique trickery into meeting a princess and get a marriage arranged for him - since he has enough problems already.
He sighed heavily as he pinched the bridge of his nose, closing his eyes briefly for a moment before opening them again and gazing at Pepper and Honda who were sitting on top of a small wooden chair, their little legs swishing as they watched him with great interest.
“What’s wrong, Shintarou? You looked troubled.”
Pepper talked first, causing Honda to jump slightly, his mouth curling into a smile afterwards.
Shintarou rolled his eyes at them, his eyes trailing off to look outside for a moment. He took a deep breath and let it out.
“Father invited a new guest today, and we’ll be receiving them here shortly.” He explained, his voice flat.
“You need to prepare yourselves as well. Do you remember why we’re meeting that person?”
They both nodded simultaneously, their eyes filled with excitement.
He smirked bemusedly as he watched the two children in front of him nod.
“Good.”
Pepper’s eyes gleamed mischievously. “Is it a princess? Are you getting married?”
Shintarou coughed loudly when Pepper’s answer made him choke, nearly knocking him over.
“Absolutely not. It’s a prince. And we’re meeting out of obligation, not because I want to make friends or—” he gestured vaguely “—anything else.”
“Will you be making friends?” Pepper tilted his head, his finger at his chin while Honda stayed silent, his eyes shifting from him to the prince.
“Absolutely not.”
His answer came so easily, Pepper and Honda exchanged a puzzled glance before returning back to their usual expressions.
“But I thought you were supposed to make connections.”
Shintarou groaned loudly, letting his back slump as he covered his face. “Perhaps for others,” Shintarou said curtly. “For me, it’s just another step toward losing what little freedom I have left.” He ruffled Honda’s hair, pausing his words momentarily.
“We’ll just be there at the start of the ceremony, and I’ll take a quick, nice nap in my study. Junta will take my place after it’s all finished.”
“Oh…”
He had sealed an agreement with his younger brother Junta to take over his role as the Hibino’s prince for the ceremony, and the only way he did is when he bribed him with new flower seeds.
Then, he heard a knock on the door - and he knew immediately that it was one of his fathers’ servants considering how cold and predictable the amount of knocks was.
“Your father requests your presence this instant.”
The servant informed him, his tone calm and professional yet clearly showing his irritation.
Shintarou bit his lip, looking back at his two children assistants. They stared back at him expectantly as if waiting for him to make any decision that would end their current situation.
Shintarou closed his eyes slowly, shaking his head. Shintarou suppressed a groan, schooling his expression into one of calm indifference as he followed the servant to the reception hall.
Leon stepped down from his carriage, his polished boots crunching softly against the gravel path. The Hibino household servants bowed low, their movements measured and graceful, and Leon offered them a polite nod in return.
The Hibino kingdom was unlike his own—reserved and understated, but meticulously refined. He admired the balance between elegance and strength woven into every interaction he witnessed.
He was shown to the private quarters, where tea awaited him alongside the imposing figure of the Hibino king. The older man greeted him warmly but with a shrewd edge to his eyes, as if weighing Leon’s every word before he even spoke.
“It is an honor to host you, Prince Leon,” the king said, his tone cordial but commanding.
Leon bowed deeply. “The honor is mine, Your Majesty.”
The king’s smile remained, but his gaze grew sharper. “I trust you understand the purpose of your visit today?”
Leon paused briefly, then inclined his head.
“I do.”
“Good,” the king said, folding his hands in his lap. “You are aware that my son… resists the idea of marriage. I am curious to know why you accepted such a difficult proposition.”
Leon’s jaw tightened, though he kept his expression neutral. “My acceptance stems from duty, Your Majesty. Our kingdoms’ alliance is paramount, and I am prepared to do whatever is necessary to secure it.”
The king’s lips twitched into something resembling approval, though his voice remained guarded. “A noble sentiment. But know this, young prince: duty alone will not earn my son’s favor.”
Leon bowed again. “I do not expect it to.”
The king leaned back, a glint of satisfaction in his eyes. “We shall see.”Leon stared at the mat below him in silence - contemplating on his rushed actions and undetermined decisions - but then decides not to dwell on it further. After all, he’s used to this by now, knowing what he’s doing was wrong and what’s right and what’s fair - but sometimes things just went against everything he ever believed in.
He didn’t like the way the king arranged this kind of agreement in silence without even informing his son himself that he, the renowned special guest, is soon to be not his acquaintance, but his partner. And he was definitely not fond of it. He was certain that his father’s intentions were selfish and malicious, and it made him feel sick.
There was a halted footstep on his door, and as he snapped out of his daze and focused on it once more, his eyes went wide when a servant slid the door open to reveal the one he’d been waiting to see.
Hibino Shintarou, standing tall with his arms crossed in front of his chest, his lips slightly parted and a look of surprise on his features at Leon’s sudden presence.
Shintarou entered the room briskly, his robes rustling softly. His presence seemed to command the air, his gaze sharp and assessing as it landed on the foreign prince seated calmly on the tatami mat.
Leon rose to his feet, his movements fluid and respectful. “You must be Prince Shintarou,” he said, bowing deeply.
Shintarou didn’t immediately respond, his blue eyes narrowing slightly as he studied the stranger. This man, with his warm gaze and measured posture, didn’t look like someone who would blindly agree to such a ludicrous arrangement. Yet here he was.
“Did you speak to my father?” Shintarou asked, crossing his arms.
Leon straightened but didn’t break eye contact. He nodded, his heart beating fast at the sudden encounter between them. It felt strange - he felt as if something big was happening inside him, but he couldn’t pinpoint what exactly it was.
“I did.”
“And?”
“It was surprising to say the least.” Leon admitted, watching every move that Shintarou makes when he walks into the room, pacing around instead of kneeling on the mat like he is.
“I assume he wanted me to show your room? Or is it one way another?”
“We exchanged a few words, but-”
It’s about your marriage, he thought. But never intend to say it.
“— he didn’t say anything about you… greeting me this early.”
Leon softly sighed before returning into his train of thoughts on how he would persuade and make amendments with Shintarou, especially when he had promised the king to be wed to him before the wedding.
He didn’t want anything bad to happen if he didn’t manage to convince Shintarou.
“…I see.”
Was the only thing that escaped Shintarou’s mouth, and it made the atmosphere surrounding them even thicker with awkwardness. It took a few seconds before they broke the silence, turning their gazes to each other as Shintarou finally sat next to him, kneeling on a couch and letting out a long breath.
“So…” Shintarou trailed off, his face still unreadable as he stared at Leon, waiting for him to speak.
“What is your name?”
“Leon.”
“…You can call me by my given name. Everyone calls me Shintarou.”
“Shintarou.” Leon repeated softly, smiling slightly. “What a pleasant name.”
“Why?”
“Because you remind me of the moon,” Leon stated simply, looking directly into Shintarou’s eyes.
Shintarou blinked, his expression faltering for the briefest moment before he averted his gaze, ears tinged faintly pink. “…Thank you.”
The air grew thick with silence, punctuated only by the occasional clink of a tea cup. Shintarou cleared his throat, but before he could find a suitable excuse to leave, Leon spoke again.
“Do you live here alone, apart from your family?”
Shintarou adjusted his sleeve as if the question held little weight. “I have my assistants, Pepper and Honda. Besides them, no one resides here except me.”
“Your father…?”
Shintarou cut him off, irritation creeping into his tone. “He came here unexpectedly. I didn’t even know he would set foot in this place until earlier. He walked past me without explanation, so I came to investigate why he was meeting with you.”
“…I see.”
Leon paused, his fingers tracing the edge of his teacup. “May I ask you a question…?”
Shintarou gestured for him to continue, already bracing himself for some vague diplomatic inquiry. “Of course.”
“This might come off a bit… ridiculous,” Leon began, his voice softer now, “but could you tell me your deepest concern about the… marriage situation?”
For a moment, Shintarou just stared at him, his face an unflinching mask of calm. Then his lips parted as if to speak, only for his expression to crack ever so slightly—eyebrows lifting in unmistakable confusion.
“…I beg your pardon?” he managed, though the corners of his mouth twitched, as though he were suppressing an incredulous laugh.
Leon tilted his head, his sincerity almost unnerving. “Your concerns. About the marriage.”
Shintarou sat bolt upright, a hand instinctively going to his chest like Leon had just asked him to reveal his most scandalous secret.
“You—wait. You, or— Who asks that during a first meeting?” His words came out rushed, betraying the composure he usually wore like armor.
Leon blinked, looking genuinely perplexed by Shintarou’s reaction.
“Was it inappropriate?”
“Inappropriate?!” Shintarou exclaimed, voice rising an octave as he gestured wildly with one hand.
“You’ve barely been here an hour, and you’re already interrogating me about that! Are you always this forward, or did my father specifically coach you on how to be infuriating?”
Leon’s lips quirked into the faintest smile, which only made Shintarou more flustered.
“Fine! I’ll tell you why—I despise the idea of letting my life be thrown into the hands of someone who is supposed to be my ‘soulmate,’” Shintarou huffed, crossing his arms tightly as he turned away from Leon.
“That person will change everything—take control, meddle, destroy everything quietly. They’ll turn me into someone completely different, someone I won’t even recognize.”
The passion in his voice left Leon momentarily stunned, but he quickly recovered. Even with the circumstances they were in, he didn’t want to give up. It wasn’t an easy thing, but he knew that Shintarou didn’t want to do it either, and maybe the both of them could work out something through compromise and compromise alone.“And yet… I find myself agreeing with you, Shintarou.”
Shintarou froze, his head snapping around so quickly it almost gave him whiplash.
“You—what?”
Leon’s sincerity didn’t waver. “I agree with you.”
For a long beat, Shintarou just stared, his mouth opening and closing as though trying to summon words that had fled the scene entirely.“You agree with me?” he finally blurted, his tone somewhere between disbelief and offense.
“How does that even—what—”
Leon nodded earnestly. “Completely.”
Shintarou flung his hands into the air, clearly at a loss.
“Then why are we even having this discussion?!”
Leon smiled softly, but there was something wistful in his eyes.
“Because it’s important to understand where we both stand. Isn’t it?”
Shintarou groaned, burying his face in his hands. “Unbelievable. The prince of perfect diplomacy. Is this your plan? Just… agree with me into submission?”
“I hadn’t thought of it that way,” Leon admitted, tilting his head. “But I’ll keep it in mind.”
The deadpan delivery made Shintarou pause before a startled laugh escaped him, though he quickly clamped his hand over his mouth. He glared at Leon through narrowed eyes, as if blaming him for the slip.
“Don’t push your luck, prince.”
Leon’s expression softened, and that gentleness unsettled Shintarou more than any harsh words ever could. “I am aware of how unfair this is to you,” Leon said quietly. “And I will not pretend to know what you’ve endured to feel this way. But I can promise you that I will not act without your consent.”
Shintarou’s breath caught, though he quickly masked his surprise with a glare. “You’re far too polite for your own good, Prince Leon. Don’t think for a second that it will make me accept this farce.”
Leon didn’t flinch at the sharpness of his words. Instead, he bowed slightly. “I understand.”
Leon pitied the confusion on Shintarou’s face, the guarded walls that loomed so clearly between them. He knew the odds of this marriage being anything more than a political arrangement were slim—like finding a needle in a basket of rice. Yet the agreement had been made, and now it was their duty to see it through.
“Your father and I have reached an agreement,” Leon said carefully, each word deliberate.
Shintarou’s posture stiffened, his eyes narrowing. “An agreement? What kind of agreement?”
“A marriage,” Leon replied simply. “Between the two of us. You are to be my fiancé.”
Shintarou froze, his lips parting slightly in shock. The air in the room seemed to thicken, but then his expression hardened. He shook his head, his voice low and firm.
“No.”
Leon blinked, tilting his head. “No?”
“Yes. I refuse to accept this arrangement,” Shintarou snapped, his words carrying a sharp edge.
Leon frowned. “Why? Shintarou, surely you understand this is not just about us. This marriage—”
“I don’t care what it’s about,” Shintarou interrupted, his voice rising. “I won’t have my life handed over to someone who will strip away what little I have left. I refuse to let you—or anyone—take that from me.”
His words hung in the air, heavy with bitterness, and he began pacing the room, his footsteps brisk and agitated. His hands trembled at his sides, fists clenched so tightly that his knuckles turned white.
“This isn’t about control,” Leon pressed, his tone calm but firm. “It’s politics. Our marriage will secure alliances and strengthen territories. It’s bigger than the two of us, Shintarou.”
“And that’s supposed to make it acceptable?” Shintarou shot back, his voice laced with incredulity.
“I’m supposed to just lie down and let this happen because it’s bigger than us?” He stopped pacing, turning sharply to glare at Leon.
“Don’t pretend this is noble. This is convenient, nothing more.”
Leon stood, his expression unwavering. “It may not be noble, but it is necessary. Do you think I want this any more than you do? I have my own doubts, my own hesitations, but I’m not running from them. We have a duty to fulfill.”
“Duty,” Shintarou spat, the word dripping with disdain. “Is that what you call it? Shackling two people together who have nothing in common? Binding them in a farce and calling it duty?”
Leon’s jaw tightened, but he took a deep breath, his voice lowering. “I am trying to make this work. For both of us.”
Shintarou’s laugh was sharp and humorless. “Make it work? Leon, you don’t know me. You don’t understand me, and you certainly don’t have the right to pretend this will ever work.”
His words were cutting, but beneath the anger, he felt the familiar gnawing of fear. Vulnerability threatened to creep in—the fear that if he let his guard down, this prince would see just how fragile he truly was.
“I don’t need to understand you,” Leon said quietly, his gaze steady.
“I just need you to see that we can’t avoid this. We can face it together—or not at all.”
The vulnerability hit Shintarou like a blow, but he swallowed it down, refusing to show weakness.
“I will never agree to this,” he said coldly, his voice trembling just slightly. He turned abruptly, his back to Leon. “And I most certainly won’t accept you as anything but a stranger.”
Leon’s calm mask faltered slightly as Shintarou strode toward the door, his frustration palpable in every step. The doors slammed shut behind him with a deafening finality, leaving Leon alone in the suffocating silence.
Leon exhaled slowly, his hands clenching into fists at his sides. He walked to the door, pulling it open to see Shintarou’s retreating figure vanishing down the hallway, his posture stiff and unyielding.
For a long moment, Leon stood there, his thoughts churning with countless possibilities of what the future might hold. He didn’t know if Shintarou would ever come around, but one thing was clear—this wasn’t going to be easy.
And yet, he couldn’t bring himself to regret the arrangement.
Not yet.