Just as they were on the verge of reaching each other–
Louise opened her eyes and shook her head.
Oh, my God, Louise Sweeney. Are you finally crazy? No matter how much you get into atmosphere, you can't close your eyes here! Anyone would misunderstand and think she meant "Yes, you can kiss me from now on."
N-no, of course she meant that. To be honest, she wanted to. But still!
"Uh…"
Louise opened her mouth awkwardly. Ian paused as his eyes flicked up towards Louise's, disappointment written all over his face.
"You know, there's an agreed distance between us…right?"
She timidly reminded him of their important agreement.
"Yes."
His curt reply was his only answer. Louise always found it amusing when he freely expressed frustration.
Hello, Mr. Hero. Are you disappointed here? The story has gone to pieces.
If she were the Louise in the past, she would have worried about what to do in this situation. But now she could only smile. It was strange. She couldn't believe her eyes were still crying but her lips were smiling. She was sure it looked very, very strange.
Ian, who was looking at Louise before him, changed his answer again.
"There is an agreed distance, but…"
The heavy droplets from Louise's eyes ran through his fingers. He didn't shake of her tears or wipe them off. They tickled the back of his hand and ran steadily down to his wrist.
Ian tilted his head again. And unlike a little while ago, the gap between them disappeared at once.
It was so that Louise wouldn't have the chance to come up with another idea, or even crack an argument at him.
Surprised, Louise's heart dropped all of her senses. If he hadn't been holding her face, she might have fallen over stupidly.
And then she heard his breath. Everything that fell apart at that moment came back to its place one by one. Louise finally came to terms with the sensations beyond her closed eyes. Of the warmth that bloomed at each other's lips. The breathing that was once in his heart that carried over to her. Of the palm that gently cupped her face.
She finally came to herself, but her heart was still pounding. She soaked in the moment. Maybe she wanted to remember this precious thing, above all. A slightly dusty floor, a moonless night sky, and an old door with two people leaning their bodies against it.
Ian did not move after their lips touched. He focused on Louise's breathing pushing into him. Calm down. Hold on, even for a moment. May your sore heart feel tenderness.
But when their lips began to fall from each other, they raised their heads in inevitable desire. Just a little longer, a little deeper. But Ian finally ended up pulling away. Slowly he dropped his lips, and as he held Louise's head he smile a little. He had a nervous and apologetic expression look on his face.
"We had an agreed distance…"
Ian didn't know whether he should be resentful or ashamed at that, but Ian decided to be a more little brazen.
"But we made an exception."
"An exception?"
Louise recalled the time when they made their agreement.
"If either of us is in danger of getting sick or getting hurt."
"If that's the case, wouldn't it be okay comfortably to help each other? It's a friend helping someone in need."
"Then we'll have that as a special provision."
"Only emergency situations."
He meant this exception?!
"B-but that's only in emergency situations."
At Louise's complaint, he kissed her lightly again. Though it was short, she could clearly hear the wet sounds of their lips parting.
"And now it's an emergency."
"What the hell is this emergency?"
His hand slowly brushed the corners of Louise's eyes. Her tears had stopped again. Maybe he was surprised that they stopped, or maybe it was because he confirmed that she wasn't crying anymore. He leaned back against the door, pulling Louise in his arms and holding her still. And as stroked Louise's long hair, he whispered something in a relaxed voice.
"…Just this."
"This was the emergency?"
"Yes."
"Really…you do things your own way."
Louise carefully placed her fingers on her lips. It was still warm there.
"By the way, President."
"You're back to calling me by that title."
"Do you prefer Your Highness?"
"I hate both."
"President, then."
"…"
"Are you…really okay with this?"
Ian knew what Louise was worried about. Shouldn't he go back to the party?
"You're beginning to feel like my fairy godmother."
"That's right, I'm a fairy godmother. That's why I'm worried that the prince will miss the party."
"Oh, that's sweet of you."
He lowered his head for a moment and kissed Louise's hair.
'Seriously, why do you keep touching me with your mouth?'
Louise swallowed down the question she wanted to ask. He would laugh with glee if she said that. He was a very wicked man. He wasn't like this when he was a child, and she didn't know when he turned out like this. And for some reason he was spreading that wickedness to Louise. She decided to let it go for now, because if she thought about it, her head would burst.
And there was something else more important. Louise leaned against Ian and lifted her head a little. His eyes were staring at the opposite window. A black sky, where nothing could be seen, reflected in his eyes. He lowered his gaze and Louise quickly looked away.
"Well, anyway."
Then she carefully brought up what she had to say.
"…Happy birthday "
She already said it once a while ago, but she was concerned that it somehow it didn't seem like a proper celebration. His birthday was only once a year, and he deserved to be celebrated.
"I'm sorry I'm in such a state, but I'm still celebrating it with all my heart."
"Your state is perfect."
"…But you said I had an emergency."
"Well, yes. Thank you for congratulating me anyway."
"It's not past midnight, is it?"
"What if it is?"
"It's upsetting if the date isn't right."
She felt a little frustrated because she couldn't see the moon or the clock.
"I don't think it's over."
"You don't?"
"No. My Lady."
His voice was deep with loyalty, and the touch of his hand on her head was as gentle as if he were handling a young child.
"I mean, I'll be okay once you give it to me."
"Huh?"
"The letter you wrote to me. You said you would impress me with all of your beautiful words."
"…"
"I was looking forward to it pretty seriously."
Louise bit her lip. What should she say?