After school, I've been constantly helping with completing the brochures and checking the sending status of the invitation letters. As a result, unknowingly, it has become quite late.
"It took more time than I expected."
When I noticed it, it was already quite dark inside the school. There were very few students remaining, and only the occasional noises from the playground and the gymnasium used by the sports clubs could be heard.
I left the scene to Paul and the other student council members and hurriedly rushed out of the meeting room –.
"Is it already six o'clock?"
Looking at the clock on the corridor window, I frowned and quickened my steps even more. I've kept him waiting for a long time. But will Blake still be there?
"Blake?"
I carefully opened the door of the preparation room where the lights were not turned on. Looking inside, the room was quiet without a single sound. But when I looked towards the table by the window, Blake was sitting on the chair that I usually sit on.
"Could he be asleep?"
I approached the motionless Blake. He was lying on the table with his head resting on his arm and his eyes closed. Even when I got close, there was no sign of him waking up. It seemed that he was in a deep sleep.
"Come to think of it, did you say that the situation of not being able to sleep well at night has improved?"
I silently watched Blake for a while. Suddenly, a wrinkle that was far from being related to peaceful sleep appeared between my eyebrows. For some reason, seeing his expression, I felt extremely uneasy.
"What kind of dream are you having?"
I gently stretched out my hand and, in order not to wake him up, gently stroked his hair. Gradually, Blake's expression became softer, and I also felt relieved.
"Come to think of it, I know nothing about you."
It hasn't been too long since I started to be aware of Blake. If it's true that there's no way around it, it's also a fact. But this is a bit lonely.
The reasons for his troubles that make him unable to sleep, what he likes and dislikes, and what kind of future he is envisioning. Even if it's just a little bit, I want to understand Blake more deeply.
"It has always been you who is concerned about me, Blake."
When you like someone, you will want to know more about them. Blake has said this before, and now I understand. The more you like the other person, the more you want to be close to them and know everything.
"This feeling might be the first time and is different from before."
I've liked others before too. Although I indeed didn't feel jealous, but when breaking up, I would also feel sad. This shows that I still liked them quite a lot. But – the current feelings are deeper than back then.
"It's the first time that I feel uneasy when not being by his side for such a long time and feel extremely anxious when not being able to see his mood."
So I want to know more about him and touch him. Even if it's just a trivial matter, as long as it's about Blake, I want to see it and know it.
"I want to talk more with you. I want to understand you."
The only time when it was just the two of us together for a long time and I could feel his presence beside me was the day when we went out together for the first time. At that time, I was too shocked and even felt that we shouldn't have gone out together. But now I think that was the time when I was closest to Blake.
"Once again."
"Let's go somewhere, the two of us?"
"Hmm?"
The sudden voice startled me. Then I looked at Blake who was lying on the table. Our gazes met exactly, and my shoulder twitched again.
"You're awake!"
I hurriedly moved away from Blake who was smiling with his eyes narrowed. He slowly lifted his body.
I don't know when he woke up, but without a doubt, he heard my extremely embarrassing soliloquy. My face was as hot as if it was cooked and seemed about to catch fire.
"It's rare for Ben to stroke me. I couldn't bear to wake up."
Blake said this expressionlessly and stroked my flustered and wandering cheek with his fingertip.
"All red. It's very cute."
"It's so noisy! Don't say strange things..."
"What's wrong?"
Blake suddenly stopped talking and looked at me with wide eyes. He tilted his head strangely.
"No, it's not good... the glasses."
"Ah."
After hearing my words, Blake finally understood. He reached out and grabbed something on the table. The clicking sound came from the silver-framed glasses that he usually wears.
"It's not for decoration, right?"
"Well, it has some degree of prescription."
Blake held the glasses in front of my eyes for me to see. I saw that the lens was slightly distorted a bit and knew that there was a bit of prescription.
"What's wrong, Ben."
Blake stared at me and suddenly smiled. Seeing his expression, I came to my senses.
"Ah, no, that."
My face was clearly blushing. Just because there was no longer the barrier of a lens and I could clearly see my own reflection in his eyes, I felt extremely ashamed.
My reflection in his beautiful black eyes is nothing but something to be ashamed of.
"Don't you wear contact lenses?"
To cover up my embarrassment, I pointed at the glasses and asked. Blake frowned slightly and sighed.
"Ah, the care is very troublesome. And it's an additional expense."
"Hmm."
His reason was too practical. I'm very clear about his practical side. He has what is needed and doesn't have what is not needed. His preferences also seem to be very distinct.
"If Ben says it's better without wearing glasses, I will consider it."
"No, there's no need. It's good to wear glasses!"
Hearing Blake's words, I shook my head vigorously.
Usually when he smiles at me casually, my face relaxes and my heart beats faster. If I see his plain face without glasses, it would be even worse for my heart. So having a lens separating us is just right for Blake. Moreover, it's a bit of a pity for others to see his plain face.
"Ben, could it be that you like my face?"
"Ah?"
"Dislike?"
His question was like reading my mind. I clearly showed a suspicious wavering. I now clearly realize that I probably, no, definitely like Blake's face.
"No, I don't dislike it."
"Is that so. That's great."
I didn't say that I like it but gave a vague answer. But he seemed very satisfied with my answer, smiled happily, and returned to his usual self.
"Rather than this, Ben. Where do you want to go?"
"Ah, uh, Blake."
I looked down at Blake who was tilting his head and hurriedly stepped back. But his arm wrapped around my waist and pulled my body towards him.
"Shh, if the sound is too loud, it will echo in the corridor."
"What if someone comes. Intimate contact is prohibited in the school."
I gently patted his arm that was tightly holding me to show my reproach. Blake narrowed his eyes a bit in dissatisfaction.
"It's almost impossible to meet and have contact in the school. This is simply torture."
"Er, but."
With him saying that, it's difficult for me to refute. Actually, I also want to be a bit closer and it would be good if we could have contact.
"I know. I don't want to make it difficult for Ben."
Seeing my flustered appearance, Blake smiled helplessly. On the contrary, it's me who is making it difficult for him. If only I could stay by his side without caring about appearances, but the reality is not so simple.
"Starting from next week, there will be consecutive holidays. Let's go somewhere, the two of us."
"Ah, well. Yes."
Blake's hand that was released held my hands.
"Where does Ben want to go?"
"Any place you want to go is fine. You also have a part-time job during the consecutive holidays, right? This is one of the few rest times."
"Mine?"
"Ah."
Blake thought for a while. It seemed that he thought of something and suddenly looked up and smiled.
Hearing his words, I widened my eyes.