Chasing Rumors

JUST A PATH TWISTED

My mother was really worried about my love life, so Charlotte came up with a wild but working plan. One of her friends here is gay, so she asked him to act as my boyfriend. A fake engagement would ease my mother's mind.

This way, I could still wait for Celio a little longer. Unsurprisingly, I am still waiting for him, and he is just making me wait even longer. I introduced Enzo to my parents and told them we wanted to get married but preferred to take things slow. However, my mother insisted on at least having a small engagement ceremony with only his parents and mine.

Enzo agreed because he hadn't come out to his parents about his sexuality yet, and letting them know he was engaged would buy him some time. I had to agree too. Even though I knew our arrangement was entirely platonic, a part of me still felt deeply sad.

Of course, I had wanted to experience this with Celio for years. Because Enzo's parents were away on a business trip, the ceremony was set for twenty days from now, and I agreed. When we returned home, the gateman told me someone was waiting for me.

I don't know why, but I could hear my heart beating so fast. Every step I took, wondering who could possibly be waiting for me, as if the person waiting for me was someone incredibly important.

We all went inside, and he asked if we could talk in private. Hearing his request made my heart feel somewhat content. We went into the study, where he offered me the partnership and the long-awaited foreign contract. At first, it was hard to believe, but it was real.

So, I agreed, and we shook hands. Though it was a professional handshake, it still felt warm and familiar. I allowed him to stay at my place for a week. Since he was hungry, I also prepared a dish for him to eat. At dinner, Enzo and I were discussing the chaos he had created at the restaurant.

Enzo said, "It's better for us to fake the engagement so your family doesn't worry." Then, we headed to the dining table.

After having dinner, Enzo went home. Listening to the man who gave me the contract, I really pitied him; his parents had died at such a young age, leaving him all alone. Hearing his story made me think of Celio. I wish Celio all the love of a family in this world, and I pray his happiness never vanishes.

I really worry about how Celio is doing now, but I know he would excel in any situation, just like this guest. This man actually made himself capable of doing international business and excelled in the arts. At such a young age, he is already the CEO of the company we are partnering with.

THE HIDDEN PART

(Wait, I think he is someone I have already met. The one at the shopping mall looking at the dress... no wonder he didn't buy it, since he is all alone. And even the man by the river... It was him all along), Galassia's thoughts.

(When I went to see Galassia's room yesterday, I saw that peach-colored dress I had wanted her to wear. So it really was her whom I saw from behind at the art competition, wearing that exact dress. Indeed, she looks gorgeous in the photo wearing it), Celio's thoughts.

TOGETHERNESS

Waking up early at dawn and seeing her exercise and warm up reminds me of when we were together in our childhood. Admiring her this close is so calming, but it feels.. so torturous. She was standing right in front of me, so close I could reach out and touch her, but I was still just a stranger staying in her guest room.

Then, at breakfast, I asked if she could show me her academy and working space so I could see the facility I am investing in.

We went together, and I enjoyed practicing with the students. They were really close to her. She has truly given her life to those children, and they were doing incredibly well. After the tour, we tried out some equipment designed for enhancing kicking efficiency. For fun, I mistakenly challenged her to see who could get the highest points on the kicking machine, absolutely a bad decision on my part.

She had previously praised me for having such good stamina and a great physique, saying that since I am a man, I shouldn't get involved in this game with a girl. I just wanted to spend more time with her, so I insisted.

When she scored more points than me, even her students, who had warmed up to me in this short time, teased me. Although my score wasn't low, she still matched and beat it. I wasn't surprised, as she is indeed the girl I have loved all these years.

She smirked with a bit of smugness. I saw it, but to console me, she said that I am just a normal man while she has practiced all her life, so it is natural for her to be stronger. Afterward, we went back and had some supper prepared by her father.

Once we were home, my heart suddenly shattered when I looked at the brooch set I brought as a gift. I am so close to her, yet I cannot provide her with the warmth of my true presence.

DROUGHT GOT DEW DROPS

Today, the investor came to get a feel for the environment of my academy. He was quite friendly with my students and even became a great competitor to them. He possessed remarkable skills. I don't know why, but I feel like he is very familiar to me.

Being with him made me feel like a child again for the first time in years. We also had a kicking competition. He challenged me, but I felt something strange. I have met men who look down on women's strength, but he seemed like he just wanted to play and enjoy the moment with me, not show off his power.

He even pushed me to break my record and set a new one, as his high score forced me to make more of an effort. It was really fun today, and in the evening, Papa specially made supper for us.

It was the first nice evening we've had in a long time. I wonder when you will come and find me, Celio. I don't want these few drops of happiness; I want a lashing rain.

I wish you were here with me too, seeing me happy and living your life with me. I don't want these tiny moments of happiness anymore. I want the real thing. I want to tell him that even though we look at the same night sky, we are miles apart. He was always looking at the moon, but I was only ever looking at him.