"Cocytus. A river in the underworld of Greek mythology. A frozen hell that spares no traitors."
The night of the party had arrived.
Shunka donned that dress and applied makeup suitable for an evening affair.
While she had dressed up for exhibitions before, this was her first time attending a party held in a hotel.
The men were wearing bow ties as part of the dress code, making it a formal occasion.
"I'm so nervous... Everyone here is someone important, right?"
"The higher up they are, the more polite they tend to be, but they’re also friendly. Everyone is kind, so don’t worry."
"I-I see..."
Even so, looking around, she couldn’t help but notice the high-quality, glossy bow ties and the sleek, shiny jackets.
The women wore dresses that accentuated their figures, colorful and vibrant, resembling a garden of flowers in the night.
Moreover, everyone was a stranger whose names she didn’t even know. It was impossible not to feel intimidated.
She relied on Nathan's arm as they walked.
The chandeliers adorned throughout the hotel reflected light, making the lobby sparkle.
At the entrance, their invitation was checked, and they were ushered inside.
Golden chandeliers hung from the ceiling, and flowers adorned the round tables.
The carpet was of an exceptional size, something rarely seen, and its exquisite softness made it comfortable to walk on even in heels.
All the chairs matched, upholstered in rich burgundy velvet. Just having one at home would make anyone feel luxurious.
Before they took their seats, a bespectacled man greeted Nathan with a smile.
"Ah, my hero. You’re with a lady today!"
"Thank you for having us."
This man, who shook hands firmly with both of his, seemed to be the host of the evening's party.
With a robust figure and a friendly smile, he appeared just as approachable as Nathan had said.
Everyone around them wore similar welcoming smiles, quickly putting Shunka at ease.
"Let me introduce you. This is Shunka Aono, an art buyer from Japan. She’s a talented young woman entrusted with purchasing for an exhibition in Japan."
Nathan provided quite a thorough introduction. As a result, the host's face lit up.
"An art buyer! What a wonderful profession! I've been thinking about getting a nice piece for my office... Anyway, what kind of exhibition is it?"
"The Divine Comedy by Dante."
"I see. This is the real deal. How was it?"
"Y-Yes, it truly is the real deal. I was able to meet incredible works and artists. It’s a shame I can’t show them to you since the exhibition is in Japan..."
A woman nearby chimed in, "You speak fluent Italian. Shunka Aono… could it be...?"
As they exchanged business cards and she explained the purpose of the party, it quickly became known that she had been part of a ballet company.
In no time, she was surrounded by people and lost sight of Nathan.
Leaving Shunka to exchange greetings, Nathan casually exited the venue.
He picked up the documents he had left at the reception and, hiding them behind him, stepped into the hallway.
He opened the door to the janitor's closet he had arranged to meet at, entered the dimly lit room, and after a few minutes, he appeared.
At first glance, he looked like a Japanese tourist—wearing a pink shirt and white chinos, with leather shoes, his light brown hair and slender build giving him a rather superficial appearance.
“Thanks for your hard work,” he said.
“Yeah. Are you being suspected?”
“I’m fine; I’ve been thoroughly at the casino for two weeks.”
“Were you able to get close to the target?”
“Yes. It seems he's really troubled. His wife is sick, and it looks like he’s going through a lot.”
“I see... Well done. But Shindo, be careful.”
“I’ll be back home soon, so I’m fine.”
The seemingly superficial man—Shindo—straightened his collar and opened his business bag.
Nathan placed the documents inside. Sensing a presence, he turned around.
There stood a man with that same cut on his arm—a mark of loyalty to Augusto.
As champagne was being passed around, men and women around her, seemingly of the same age, approached one after another.
How long had this been going on...? Before taking her seat, she wanted to regroup with him.
Shunka casually said she was heading to the restroom and slipped away from the crowd.
Nathan was nowhere to be found.
She felt alone in this vast world. Her pace quickened as she stepped into the hallway, aimlessly wandering.
The presence of people faded, and fresh air flowed in from outside.
Then, she heard Japanese voices nearby.
“…I mean, isn’t it unavoidable?”
“Completely miscalculated. It’s become a hassle…”
Though she couldn’t catch the details, it sounded like a conversation between a young man and Nathan.
Shunka tiptoed, trying not to disturb them.
“…What should we do?”
“…Contact -lice.”
“What? Seriously?”
“Yeah. There’s no other option. First…”
Peeking in gently, she saw the slender Japanese man with light brown hair and Nathan adjusting his cuffs. They didn’t seem to notice her.
“Do it well.”
“Sure.”
The slender Japanese man quickly ran off. Nathan fixed his hair.
(What was that?)
Shunka distanced herself and returned to the party.
Eventually, Nathan came back, but his bow tie had a different sheen than before. Shunka noticed this.
“…Where did you go?”
“Work-related call.”
As Nathan opened his mouth to say something, a security guard rushed past the corner in a hurry.
For a moment, the atmosphere became chaotic.
“What’s going on?”
Tension filled the air, but an announcement quickly followed.
“Attention, a guest in the lounge has fallen ill, and an ambulance is on the way. We apologize for the inconvenience.”
The crowd seemed to accept this, and conversations resumed shortly after.
Shunka looked up at Nathan.
He returned her gaze with his usual calm expression, but Shunka did not miss the slight sense of discomfort in him.
The balcony was opened, and everyone stepped outside, enjoying the night breeze to cool their alcohol-infused bodies.
Shunka moved to the balcony facing the ancient castle and turned to Nathan.
“Hey, Nate... Are you okay?”
“Hmm?”
As the party neared its end, Shunka decided to speak up.
“What do you mean?”
Shunka lowered her gaze and hesitated before continuing.
“I was wondering... if you’re feeling unwell. That there might have been trouble at work...”
“Oh, well... a little bit.”
An ambulance passed by without its siren blaring.
“It’s all over now. No problem.”
“Well, that’s good to hear... I thought you might be tired.”
“No, I was just a little tense.”
“Really?”
“You're such a worrywart.”
“It’s just in my nature. I’m troubled by it myself.”
Shunka took Nathan’s hand in hers.
Just then, an explosion echoed from behind them.
Nathan instinctively sheltered Shunka in his arms.
However, the next sound wasn’t a scream, but cheers.
Fireworks lit up the night sky.
“Surprise! A gift for tonight!”
The host and his guest collaborators laughed proudly.
“...”
“...”
When Shunka glanced at Nathan, he was already turning to her. Their eyes met, and suddenly the tension in her body eased.
With a small smile, she looked up at the fireworks bursting above.
Even though it was a party, half of it was business. How many people had finalized business partnerships there? Shunka had also connected with several potential clients. The scale was large, and while it would cost money, it would likely yield even greater profits.
As the party concluded, guests were gradually escorted to their rides.
Everyone wore satisfied smiles.
Nathan hadn’t touched any alcohol. The hotel driver brought his car to the entrance.
“...Shunka, I want your time tonight. I don’t want to let you go.”
A straightforward invitation.
Shunka opened her mouth to respond, but Nathan interrupted her, leaning in close enough that his lips brushed her ear.
“If you nod, I won’t let you go. If that’s what you want...”
He gently pulled away. Their eyes met. There were no walls between them. Her desire to trust him was strong.
Tonight was the last night. She didn’t know when they would meet again.
Her gaze fell on the cuff that had been bothering him; the button had come off.
Peeking out was a straight scar—
(What do I really know about him…?)
It had been nearly a month since they met.
She had no idea where he had been, what he did, or how he lived.
Sometimes he showed that expression of a lost soul?
Sometimes he wore a poker face that made it hard to tell if he was joking or serious?
Sometimes he had a serious gaze?
His amber eyes peered at her.
When his pupils dilated, that golden hue deepened in his gaze.
There were no lies in those eyes.
“...I want to be with you too.”
When she answered that way, her hesitation strangely vanished.
Nathan extended his hand—
As soon as he got back to the Hôtel Paradiso, Nathan put his hands around Shunka's waist and hugged her, their tongues intertwined.
The tip of the tongue, which was already wet, intertwined like a tangle, and saliva mingled so much that it almost drowned.
Her breath rose and her ears were pricked, and Shunka made a sweet voice.
As they kiss, Nathan takes off his bow tie, takes off his jacket and puts his hands around Shunka's back. The dress was wide open at the back, and her skin chilled by the night breeze reacted immediately to the warmth of Nathan's hands.
His fingertips gently stroke down the nape of her neck and down her spine.
"Oh......!"
"…… I've always wanted to touch it like this. Show me well."
Shunka turns her back on him. His gaze was fixed on her back—the mere thought of it made her breath damp.
Just by being gently stroked, the skin seems to tremble with pleasure.
It seems that the power will be lost as it is. Put your hands on the wall and turn around. Nathan darkened Amber's eyes and began to look at Shunka's back and kiss her.
"Oh......!"
I'm being sucked by him a little tighter than usual. This will create a scar. The moment I realized this, my whole body became hot.
"It's a good response...... Did you like your back?"
"I ...... like that."
"Maybe I should have chosen a different dress......
Nathan kissed him as he put his hand on the zipper.
"I didn't show it to anyone, yours...... Nasty back."
"It's different...... Nate touches it, so ......."
"Are you reacting because it's me?"
"Yes......."
Just when I thought there was a pause, he bit me sweetly on the ear.
"Hmm!"
"Don't say anything too cute, because it makes you want to tease me."
A voice that doesn't even make a joke falls on Shunka's back.
Shunka bit his finger.
Jiii...... And the zipper is slowly lowered.
I feel like I'm being deafened by the sound. Shunka kept her back turned, feeling scared that she didn't know what she was going to do.
No, it's not that I'm scared, it's that I'm excited about the situation that I can't resist.......
"Oh, it's different."
His fingers trace the bustier.
Beyond that are the hips and buttocks.
But Nathan stopped.
"…… I want to continue that time."
"That time...... Continued?"
"Yes, come here."
Nathan grabbed Shunka's hand and walked into the bathroom.
There is a wide mirror in the sink, and the lighting in the room is faintly warm and the air changes.
Shunka finally noticed.
He said he wanted to continue the try-on process.
Rapidly the body gives off heat.
"To be continued...... Do you ...... do this?"
"Yeah, you were looking at me in the mirror. Defenseless, straight. What did you do when you were attacked?"
"There are people, but that's it...... Not...... Isn't it?"
Nathan's hand sought out Shunka's body more urgently.
The smooth feel of silk caressed his ass by Nathan.
"It's against you, so I just endured it desperately."
A kiss at the hairline, ears, nape, and squeaky sounds.
"…… Why?"
"I don't want to stain you, but I want to stain you."
Shunka looked over her shoulder at him. Nathan stares straight back.
"But when people look at me like that, I want to tell you, I'm a man."
Nathan crawls his hands from her waist to her breasts and décolletage.
"I've been dying to imprint it on you."
His voice was low, exuding a longing that welled up from the depths of his heart.
Nathan's hand slides down her back, and her body heat is slowly transferred.
His fingertips are gentle and powerful, as if confirming her presence. His hot presses against her hips.
Shunka felt thirsty and suffocated, but she felt euphoric, and she squeezed her hand tightly on the sink.
"Already...... I've always ......."
"Shunka？"
"All the time...... It's going to be crazy...... Just making eye contact makes me want it."
Nathan is looking in the mirror, sucking on the nape of his neck.
It's really like a wolf. - Her appearance of caressing her is projected as it is, and the back of her body aches again as if she was excited, and she commits herself.
"Here......"
Shunka guides Nathan's hand between his legs. The dress creates a shadow with her nasty wriggling hands, and the mirror reflects it.
There was a squeaking sound, and the hot, hardened Clitoris was fiddled with with his fingers.
"Huh...... Ahh"
A strong feeling of pleasure that seemed to melt ran through my brain.
"It's amazing...... Was it already so wet? Can't wait?"
"I can't wait...... I love you......!"
Suddenly, the thing that hit my waist became bigger at once.
Nathan lowers his hips and pulls out Shunka's underwear. Nectar overflowed and ran down her legs—Nathan's tongue followed it.
The hot and smooth feeling made Shunka finally lose her hips. She loses her position and the shoulder straps of her dress slip off her shoulders.
When her naked body in her underwear appeared, she saw in the mirror that the kiss marks that Nathan had previously put on her skin were scattered innumerably.
It's too nasty.
I have never been so aroused by lust.
Her breasts were squeezed along with her underwear, and her breasts, which flexibly changed shape in his hands, spilled out of the cups.
Puffy nipples are leaking from between his fingers.
"…… I...... I've got a pill."
"Pill?"
"That's why ......."
Nathan is looking in the mirror and caressing her spilled breasts. His eyes were fixed on the fruit in the mirror as if it were prey.
"Not tonight...... Direct...... Isn't it?"
Her breathy voice was hoarse, sweet and tongue-in-cheek.
Nathan snapped his lips off his shoulder and took a deep breath.
But his penis is getting harder.
"…… Don't you regret it?"
"I don't."
Nathan's hand caressed Shunka's head.
He says he was dying to carve it, but he always cares about Shunka.
Even now, didn't he kiss Shunka's shoulder to convey his love?
Nathan confirms her secret, which has become completely thick.
The bottom is lowered, and the penis, which is already erect to the point of curling, licks the labia.
They're both completely wet. - A squeaking sound rises, the heat that has nowhere to go rises, and it flows down again as a lewd nectar from the back.
"…… I like you, I love you. Shunka……"
With a confession that was too honest, he entered—the walls wriggled tightly, luring him in—"Huh......," the breath came out of his mouth, clouding the mirror.
The folds get tangled and tighten Nathan.
His things are like heated steel. Hotter and harder than usual.
There is nothing to separate them, and the bare skin intertwines with each other.
That alone made me feel weird.
"It looks like I'm going to just by inserting it......"
"Yes......."
"You're so cute...... Huh?"
Drop a smile without a wall, kiss on the back. Nathan grabbed Shunka's waist and sank his hips tightly.
- With a sticky sound, the love juice of the two overflows and wets the joint.
"I'm coming……！"
The hot tip touched the back of my head, and it flickered in front of me as if it had caught fire.
"Oh!"
Hot waves that pierce the top of your head. Shunka trembles her body at the climax.
It seemed to go out of control, but Nathan wouldn't let it.
He grips her hips tightly and pistons her insides. It's the part of Shunka that I've learned in the last few days.
"Ahh"
The womb drops, and the inner walls cling tightly to greet him.
Nathan couldn't help it.
"Oh...... Amazing....... It's in my shape......"
Nathan took Shunka's arm and slammed his hips into it even more.
A pleasure ran through the depths, and each time Shunka raised her voice.
"I'm sorry...... Oh, it's noisy......!"
She apologized, and Nathan bent over to cover his skin. The nape of the neck is breathed and the skin is sucked.
"That voice of yours...... It's cute and I like ......."
"Ah......Ah!"
The tip is pressed to the back and kneaded around.
It seems to be stigmatized.
A dangerous heat is generated, and the hips shake on their own.
"Ahh......Hmm......!"
Nathan stroked all over Shunka's body. The belly, the shoulders, the arms, the chest.
His lips and tongue crawl over her ears and neck many times, and Shunka makes her body bounce each time.
"I'm about to ejaculate...... Are you sure?"
"Hmm...... Put it out, put it out...... ...... inside!"
Nathan's hand is on the mirror, and Shunka finally becomes like a cornered rabbit.
It's like there's no way out. Nathan lifted one of Shunka's legs and thrust up his squishy insides.
"Oh, already...... Oh, I'm going!"
"…… Uh-huh......!"
Suddenly, something hot was fired vigorously and hit the back.
Every time her hips tremble with the afterglow, she pours out, and the inside is filled with his.
Nathan's sighing voice hit his back, and his penis spun around.
"Oh...... Huh......"
It's like rubbing sperm against the back and wall. Shunka felt amused by it, and she squeezed her secret mouth.
Nathan sits up and supports Shunka's hips and shoulders.
Shunka turned around as she was guided by her hand and received a passionate kiss.
The two of them are breathing on their shoulders.
My eyelids become so heavy that if I let go of my mind, I will collapse as it is.
But Nathan seems to have regained his composure inside. The inside was filled with a penis that had grown much larger.
"Oh, yours, again......"
"I'm sorry for the rush, I'll pull it out now."
The penis was dragged out, and semen like a pure white shampoo spilled out.
Inside, she suddenly loses Nathan and feels sad.
As Shunka looked at the white fluids on the floor, Nathan's arms went around her lap and she was held in a flash.
Nathan sat Shunka down on the couch and took a bustier.
In the amber lighting, the color of the nipples is darkening.
Nathan's tongue licks the border between the areola and the breast, while the other hand rubs the breast.
The nipples that were seeking pleasure stood up as if they were popping and swelled.
Inhale as if exposing your throat and unconsciously open your legs and put them on your arms.
- Also, the secret mouth contracts and drips warm nectar.
From there, a floral smell wafted through the air, which began to mix with the scent of gardenia.
The smell alone is enough to make you feel sick.
It was more lewd than any perfume.
"Take it off, Nate, ......."
"Yeah……"
After undoing a few buttons, Nathan forced himself to take them off, perhaps because he was getting annoyed.
The muscles create shadows, and the sweat shines smoothly.
When he removed all his clothes, he layered his bare skin with nothing in his way. Their disheveled hair asks for each other's lips and tongues, and they bite each other's ears.
Nathan rubbed his body against her, and Shunka sensed his intentions and let go. I lean my back sloppily on the couch and Nathan's stuff comes in like a shove.
Shunka's open mouth accepts his without difficulty...... The curved tip traces the vagina. Shunka let out a throat-wrenching moan.
"Ahh......!"
"Oh...... It's amazing."
"It's messy inside......"
"Yes...... It's a mixture of mine ......."
Nathan attacked Shunka as if to savor the pleasure thoroughly. Perhaps because I put it out once, it seems that I was able to afford it.
He is looking at Shunka intently to see how he is doing.
"This is the G-spot, isn't it?
It's a place where pleasure seems to be concentrated at one point. - Shunka involuntarily closes her eyes to the pleasure that is lightly poked with the tip and gradually spreads.
Ha, ha, and the wild breath of Shunka's own life. Sweat seems to float and skin seems to suck.
It seems that you have come to a forest where no one enters. When sweat comes to his eyes, his smell rises like a fragrant tree that has been crushed and rubbed into fruit.
She opened her eyes slightly, and in her dim vision she could see his stuff moving in and out of her bushes repeatedly.
I can tell he's excited, too.
Reaching for his cheek and leaning up to kiss him, Nathan responds with a deep angle.
As it was, her nipples were caressed with his lips as if she were also committing them, and her back was squirming.
"Like this...... It's a fierce ......!"
"It's not enough...... I want more of you."
Nathan hugged Shunka tightly. It is inserted into the back of the body together.
"…… Whew!!"
- With a voice that cannot be voiced, I got lightly acme again.
Noticing this, Nathan stroked Shunka's face and kissed her half-open mouth.
She is held up as it is, and when Nathan sits down, Shunka leans into his chest. I can't seem to move anymore.
"Are you okay......?"
"Okay...... It's ......."
I was tired, but the back of my body was still smoldering. I was expecting Nathan's hot dick to move.
"Shunka, you can rest as it is......"
"Oh, ......."
Hands are placed on her thighs and her body is shaken.
If you are pierced from below, there is no escape. Inside, the back and the tip are intertwined and do not separate.
"Hmm...... Hmm."
The voice can't stand it and leaves. Nathan was looking straight up at me.
His wolf-like precarious mood diminished, and his eyes lit up as if he had found some hope.
Shunka tightened his arms and straightened his back.
- She is thrust up and her hips sway. I don't know which one is moving anymore.
"Ahhh...... I've ...... more!"
- When I leaned back, pleasure rushed through me at once. Something hot surges inside, and Nathan pulls her closer and hugs her tightly.
The afterglow was showered in the back, and the feel of my lips and tongue fell on my ears.
Nathan's heartbeat was fast and his sweaty body was getting hot.
Taking a break, the two of them got into the bath. The water hadn’t filled up yet, but their body heat was high enough, so it was fine.
The bathtub was small, and they needed to squeeze in between Nathan’s knees to fit properly.
Still, reluctant to part, Shunka leaned her back against his chest.
Nathan scooped water and poured it over Shunka’s shoulder.
“You’re bolder than I expected.”
“...Me?”
When she turned to face him, her gaze met Nathan’s, which was adorned with an easy smile.
“Yeah. I never thought I’d be invited like this.”
Shunka smiled back.
“I’ve danced in front of many people before.”
“True enough.”
Nathan pulled Shunka closer.
“You’re not just bold; you also have determination and decisiveness.”
He leaned his face closer to Shunka’s slender shoulder, droplets from his hair trickling down onto her chest.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. I just wanted to remember your skin well.”
His hand gradually became suspicious. The hand that was caressing her abdomen rises up and is turned to her soft breast.
"Why don't you take ...... break?"
"You've got to rest."
"Oh, wait, it's a little ......."
Soft nipples are plucked. Immediately, a sweet stimulus ran through the uterus.
"Hmm......!"
Voices echo in the bathroom. Shunka's face heated up and her mouth pressed.
"Why do you hide your voice?"
"I'm embarrassed."
"It must have been bold, wasn't it?"
"And what is this...... Ah!"
His thumb flicked the nipple. The voice is irresistible.
"Nate...... Wait."
"Not tonight...... Didn't I tell you I couldn't release you?"
Nathan sucked his shoulder. It climbs up her neck.
His hot breath spoke of his excitement.
- The nipples that have been pinched, repelled, and have become completely lumpy and hard are painful and sweet.
Shunka sighed passionately and leaned against Nathan's shoulder.
"You said you were going to take a break......
The voice of criticism was sweet and tongue-in-cheek. This is not convincing...... After all, Nathan just smiled and kissed Shunka.
His hands were tracing his abdomen, and Shunka was opening his legs—and Nathan stopped there.
"It was a break."
"You...... Cunning......!"
"Okay, let's go to bed."
Nathan puts Shunka's arm around his shoulder and picks her up.
The two of us collapsed on the single bed.
When the moderate elasticity of the mat envelops the two of them, a sense of security comes out. Shunka stretched out her arms and clung to his neck beggingly.
Nathan's lips touched Shunka's shoulder, his tongue licking it and his teeth lightly quitting.
A tickling pain runs through the body, and the shoulder bounces.
"Hmm......"
Her body, which has repeatedly climaxed, becomes vulnerable to stimulation, and just when Nathan's hand strokes her breasts and nipples, nectar overflows from her secret mouth again.
Her hips lost strength, but she swayed on her own as she rested her back on the bed.
"Can I insert it already?"
His pupils are wide open as he peers into his eyes.
He looked younger than usual when his bangs came down, Shunka thought.
"yes...... Inside, come ......."
Tongue-in-cheek reply. Nathan covers her mouth and entangles his tongue with hers to place his penis in her mouth.
Her open secret mouth smoothly accepted him.
"Oh, oh!"
There is a loud sound of water.
It is inserted smoothly and comes out slimy.
Shunka is at the mercy of his movements, as if he tastes the heat.
"Huh...... Ah...... Feeling good...... Nate......"
Shunka lifts her legs and lures him deeper into her.
Nathan then hooked Shunka's legs around his arms and spread them wide.
And he then pulls it in deeper, letting it cover up as it is.
The rhythm began. The bed creaked like a scream, and Nathan's sighing voice began to flow through the room.
"I like it...... I like you, Nate......."
"Me too...... Tell me more."
"I love it, I love ......."
"I'm about to leave...... Take it all in."
Shunka nodded repeatedly.
I want more. I want them all.
Tears flowed with unbridled desire.
- The hips are violently bumped while keeping the secret part in close contact.
It's like seeding—and as I thought about it, a dangerous heat came from deep inside my body, and my mind began to drift.
I wonder if he is the same.
He breathes with his mouth and his cheeks are bright red, and the penis inside is like a horse wandering wildly in search of an outlet that accepts his desires.
- It was pushed up and a wave of pleasure washed along.
"No more...... Oh, Nate......! ...... together!"
"Ahh....".
With a voice like a growl, hot semen was showered in the back.
Every time Nathan shook his hips, his hips jerked.
"Shunka, it's still like this......
Nathan hugs Shunka tightly and rubs his hips to encourage ejaculation.
"…… I'm not going to get out ...... yet."
- The back is pushed up again, and the sweet stimulation violates the whole body. Shunka grabbed the pillow and tasted his heat spreading inside.
Finally, the throbbing subsided, and the two of them spent time embracing each other, still naked.
It was late into the night. The gardenias, known for their scent becoming more intense at night, made it hard to tell whether the fragrance was Shunka’s or something else entirely.
After making deep love, a satisfying fatigue washed over them, but Shunka reached out to grab a box resting on the suitcase.
“This…”
“Hmm?”
“A gift… for you.”
As she opened the box, a leather and silver bracelet sparkled in the faint light.
“...This is a traditional gift. I thought it had nothing to do with me.”
“Will you accept it?”
“Of course. I’m more than happy to.”
Relief washed over Shunka as joy slowly bubbled up inside her.
“Put it on me. I’ll cherish it.”
“Now?”
“Yeah.”
She unclasped the bracelet and wrapped it around his left wrist... There should be scars there, but with so little light, she couldn’t see them all.
Shunka pretended not to notice as she fastened the bracelet.
Giving something to the person you love to wear—and putting it on them yourself—felt strangely intimate.
It was, in a way, very embarrassing.
“Do you know the meaning of the bracelet?”
Nathan asked.
“It’s said that in the Middle Ages, women gave them to their families going off to war…”
Nathan smiled gently and wrapped his arms around Shunka’s shoulders, pulling her close.
“...That’s right. That was its meaning.”
“Did I get it wrong?”
“No... you got it right.”
A kiss landed on her forehead.
His body warmth was comforting, and an overwhelming sleepiness began to take hold.
“...Let’s sleep now. Shunka, I can’t see you off tomorrow, but I’ll pray for your safety.”
“Yeah... will we meet again?”
“Of course.”
She heard Nathan’s response, but the rest faded away. Her eyelids dropped, and she reached her limit.
“...I’ll finish everything and come back to you.”
Those words didn’t reach Shunka in her dreams.
The Hotel Paradiso, where she had stayed for a month, was completely empty now.
In the room devoid of luggage, the wind blew freely, washing away any trace that Shunka had been there.
This was the last time she would touch the antique key.
She thanked the manager as she handed over the key.
“Thank you for everything.”
“Ah, I hope it has been a wonderful chapter in your life.”
“It might be the most fulfilling chapter yet.”
“That’s good to hear. It must have been a good chapter for him as well.”
It was impossible not to realize that the manager was talking about Nathan.
“What do you mean by that...?”
“Shunka! I'm glad I made it in time!”
The door swung open, and Francesca entered with a sunflower-like smile.
“I’m not here to say goodbye, you know!”
She hugged Shunka tightly and exclaimed, “Here!” as she handed over a bouquet.
It was a small bouquet centered around gardenias.
“I wish you a safe return home! I’m looking forward to seeing you again!”
In a hurry, Shunka jumped into a taxi, waving goodbye to the two as they headed to the airport.
On the way back, she passed a slowly moving car.
In the back seat was a platinum-blond man with striking light blue eyes, reminiscent of a leopard in appearance.
Their eyes met for certain.
It was a face she wouldn’t forget even after a moment’s glance.
There was a sense that she couldn’t look away. Shunka recalled that she had felt a similar impression when she first met Nathan.
As promised the night before, Nathan hadn’t come to see her off due to work.
Time was running short, and she followed the signs to board the plane.
As she sat in her seat and looked out the window, she saw the sky she was about to traverse, and indeed, the land of Italy where she had been.
The plane, unaware of Shunka’s circumstances, began to taxi and took off.
"To be continued"→"Cocytus -Ballerina Under the Moonlight" Episode 8
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