Hi all!
I just realized that I totally forgot to mention an important someone in the previous chapter. This story is being beta-ed by the wonderful lovely beposbutt. Thank you babe, you're the best! (●´□`)
On to the next chapter!
Chapter warning: Crazy amounts of angst. Slightly OOC.
Morning came without a cloud in sight. Despite this, it was still freezing cold, so it had been a hassle to dress up and go outside.
Law was late. With brisk steps, he made his way towards the statue in front of the train station. The area was crowded, as expected on a Saturday morning with businessmen heading to work, part-timers along the road handing out flyers, and crowds of young people milling about.
Scanning the crowd, Law spotted the redhead beside the statue next to a group of girls. Despite it being winter, the girls were all scantily clad in revealing tops and skirts. Kid was oblivious to the group of females as he stared at his phone, not noticing Law's approach.
"Eustass-ya!"
Kid looked up from his smartphone at Law, "Hey, Trafalgar."
The girls had also noticed Law, and were chattering excitedly amongst themselves, no doubt excited by the sight of the handsome man walking towards them. Kid shot them a glare before clicking his tongue in annoyance and grabbed Law's hand.
"Let's get away from these annoying girls," he growled.
Kid's hand was large and warm, strong in his grip as he practically dragged Law away.
"Eustass-ya..."
'Let go,' Law wanted to say, but the words died in his throat.
He did not want Kid to let go, especially when the small gesture from the redhead made him feel so much joy. However, people were starting to stare.
At that moment, Kid turned around and gave him a meaningful glance, as if to say, 'Just hold on. I don't wanna lose you in the crowd.'
Law gently tightened his hold on Kid's hand as he pulled his muffler up to hide his face with his other hand. As the two walked on, Law's gaze never once wavered from the man before him.
XXXXXX
The bell above the store entrance chimed as they entered. A female sales clerk dressed in a black suit came forward immediately to greet them.
Law glanced around the store's display cases, where rings, necklaces and other accessories, probably each costing millions of yen, were arrayed in an extravagant display. "So expensive..." he murmured to himself.
Kid had already made his way to the rings, and was scrutinizing each one. Sometimes, a smile would light up his face. Sometimes, he tilted his head to the side, as if thinking about something. Law knew that he was thinking of her. Leaving Kid alone to browse through the sparkling rings, Law sat down on one of the sofas conveniently placed along one wall of the store.
"Are you looking for a ring?" The sales clerk asked with a smile as she approached Kid.
"Well, yeah..." There was a faint blush on Kid's cheeks as he nodded.
Soon, the two were engaged in an animated conversation. Law averted his eyes.
Ever since last week, he had thought long and hard about his relationship with Kid, but he still couldn't reach a satisfactory conclusion.
When he had finally confessed to Kid, the man had simply replied with a grin, "What's with that...? Hey! I'm not an idiot."
To Kid, Law's "love" for him was a platonic one. How would he have reacted, had he known that Law meant it in a romantic way?
Law could just imagine the disgust in Kid's eyes.
On one hand, Law was glad that he had chosen not to clarify himself. He didn't want Kid to hate him. On the other hand, Law also knew that should he choose to continue remaining silent, he would surely lose Kid.
How could he make a choice, when he knew that he wouldn't be able to live with either option?
Law looked up when he felt a hand on his head.
"You ok? Did the crowd just now bother you?" Kid asked, concern in his voice. Law shook his head.
"I'm fine...Have you decided?"
Kid grinned as he grabbed Law by the wrist and led him to the counter, where the sales clerk stood waiting with a tiny cushion in her hands. Law's eyes landed on the ring nestled in the hollow of the cushion.
"I need your hand."
Before he knew what was happening, Kid had grabbed the ring and slipped it onto the ring finger of his left hand.
His tattooed fingers were slender but angular, a man's hand. For a brief second, Law wondered if the ring would catch on his knuckle.
However, the ring slid snugly into place at the base of his finger. Law felt his eyes burn as his vision went white.
In that moment, Law wanted to throw himself into Kid's arms and shout his love for all the world to hear.
If only the ring had been meant for him. It wouldn't have mattered if Kid had bought him a cheap plastic one from a roadside stall. Law would have been just as happy.
"Yep...I've decided. I'll take this one."
"Alright. Is the size ok?"
"I'll take one that's a size smaller if you have it. My girl's fingers are slender like his, so a smaller size will be a better fit for her, right...?"
"Please wait a moment."
Kid was smiling beside him, but he felt so faraway. The distance between them seemed dark and wide.
Across the void, Kid was smiling. Law could not hear what he was saying, did not know why he was laughing.
His chest hurt. It was hard to breathe. He gripped the hem of his shirt in his fists.
The ring was taken from his finger. Law watched as it was placed into a tiny box and wrapped up in a small bag.
Watched as the bag was sealed up with a red ribbon with the words "For you" printed in gold lettering along its length.
Watched as Kid took the bag with a smile and handed over the money he had saved up from years of working odd jobs.
The ring had cost less than 100,000yen, but Kid had smiled, saying that it was "perfect" for her.
"This is just an engagement ring. I'll get her another one for the wedding, so this one's just perfect."
XXXXXX
The day had warmed up considerably by the time they left the store. The crowd was overwhelming, as more people were up and about.
"This way, Trafalgar," Kid directed as he started walking towards their next destination. When he realized that Law was not following, he turned around again. "Don't space out. Come, hold onto my shirt."
This time, Kid had not offered his hand.
Law knew that Kid wanted to keep his hands free, but he felt estranged from the redhead. What made it worse was the knowledge that if Kid had been with her, he would have taken her hand no matter what.
Right now, Law could only envy the small bag Kid held tightly in his hand as he shyly took hold of a small corner of Kid's shirt.
Sensing Law's hesitant gesture, Kid stopped walking and grabbed Law's wrist, pulling it away. Using his free hand, he fisted a good amount of his shirt and thrust it into Law's open palm. "Hold on properly," he reprimanded.
After making sure that Law had a good grip, Kid started walking again. This time, he slowed down his pace to match Law's. As they moved forward, he turned around occasionally, as if checking to make sure that Law was still there.
How easy things would be, if Kid did not care so much. If Law could just feel anger at how Kid was treating him like a child...
The noise of the city did not reach Law's ears, nor did he see the faces of the countless people passing by.
They descended a flight of stairs and entered the underground mall. It was as crowded there as the street above, so Law had no excuse to let go of Kid's shirt.
This was just how things had always been between them.
Every time they went out together, Kid would go out of his way to take care of Law. It always made Law feel a little victorious, as if he was somehow getting back at her.
Showing her that she was not the only person Kid cared about. That Kid cared about him too.
That was why he always took advantage of the situation, casually clinging on to Kid's arm, chatting about stuff as they walked on, teasing each other as they shopped or went somewhere for a meal, just like a real couple.
But things felt different today.
In the end, she had won. The fact that she was the most important person to Kid was painfully obvious.
For the first time, Law could not strike up a conversation. They continued walking in silence.
XXXXXX
"We're here, Trafalgar. This place is really good, you know?"
After some walking, Kid had stopped and turned around, flashing his usual smile at Law.
The restaurant Kid had led them to was a traditional Japanese eatery named "Wano Country". Seeing this, Law recalled how Kid had talked about having lunch at this small restaurant just last week.
The smell of cooked food wafted towards them, and Law's stomach growled. "...No, I've never been here before."
"Well, that's not surprising. You only leave the house when I invite you out. Anyway, you hungry? I highly recommend this place."
Saying this, Kid slid the door open. A chorus of welcoming voices greeted them, and they were immediately shown to a booth at the back of the eatery.
"Gimme two of the usual," Kid told the waiter once they were seated.
"Do you come here often?"
Kid nodded in reply to Law's query. "Well, I come here two to three times every month. The staff here know me since there aren't many people out there with my kind of hair, face and build. People always tell me that I'm an unforgettable guy..."
"I see..." Law murmured as he rested his chin in his hand.
The two started to talk. However, the tone of the conversation remained serious, dominated by topics like graduation and school. It was a vast change from their usual happy banter.
"Thank you for waiting~"
The food finally arrived, brought by a cheerful waiter with a warm voice. Kid had ordered set meals for them both, consisting of pork cutlet, miso soup, pickled vegetables and Law's favourite white rice, all beautifully arranged on a tray.
"Itadakimasu," Kid said as he happily dug into the food. On the other hand, Law was hesitant. While the food looked delicious, the items itself were nothing special.
Law hoped that the meal wouldn't be too expensive.
"...You not eating? It's really good. Or do you not like it? Sorry, I should have asked you before I ordered..." Kid apologized.
"No... That's alright... It's just that this meal looks really expensive..."
"What? That's what you're worried about?! It's OK, the meal is only 500yen," Kid reassured him.
"Really...?"
"Yeah. Just eat it."
At Kid's urging, Law murmured a soft "Itadakimasu" before having a taste.
"...It's delicious..."
"I know!" Kid's entire face lit up at Law's words.
In that moment, Law was happy. Kid was here, smiling at him. That was all Law needed.
"Trafalgar, don't just eat the rice. Try the pork too."
"Shut up, don't order me around."
"What? I'll take it if you don't want it."
"Hey, give it back!"
They were back to how they always were, teasing each other and having fun. Yes, this was all Law needed.
But he knew deep in his heart that it was not enough. It had never been enough.
Law had always known. Ever since Kid and her had gotten together, he had known.
Known that he could not stay loving Kid like this anymore. That he would have to let go someday.
Yet he had chosen to hide in these tiny "victorious" moments, telling himself that everything would be alright in the end.
Because he didn't think he could ever face the thought of losing Kid.
Law was pulled back to reality when he heard Kid let out a soft sigh.
"...This is great," the redhead admitted with a small smile.
"...What is?" Law asked, grip tightening on the chopsticks and bowl in his hands.
Kid cleared his throat awkwardly and set down his chopsticks. "Well, you've been all gloomy this past week, ever since I told you that I'm planning to get married. You don't even smile anymore, and you just felt so cold and distant today..."
Pain blossomed in Law's heart as Kid continued.
"I know I can be quite insensitive sometimes, so I was wondering if I had somehow offended you. But seeing you smile just now was such a relief. So don't just close yourself off like that anymore. You really had me worried."
Kid reached over and ruffled Law's hair. Law felt tears brimming in his eyes and hurriedly turned his head to the side, just in time to hide the single tear that slid down his cheek.
"...You're such an idiot," he whispered.
"But you said you love that about me, right?" Kid grinned. Law could feel himself crumbling inside.
He wanted to return the smile, but the desire in his heart was growing. Demanding for more of what he could never have. The pain was immense. Like he was submerged in the deep ocean, slowly drowning.
"Yes... Good that you know, idiot-stass-ya."
If only he understood the kind of "love" that Law was feeling.
But the "love" Kid had for him was not the same.
It could never be the same...
Please leave a review or comment if you can. All of them will be translated and presented to the original author. (・ω・*)
To the reviewers:
exorcist94: Yep, here it is! This story will most likely be updated once a week, both here and at tumblr, so do keep a lookout!
suheo1601: Thank you for taking your time to reread it, and glad you like the story~
Anon: More will be coming! XD
Skinn: Yep, the original story has 8 parts as of now and it's still ongoing, so there's lots more to come!
Itavita: The original story is still currently being updated, so I'm not sure of the ending myself. （ｏ。ｏ；）But what I can promise you is that T.H.E.A.N.G.S.T.K.E.E.P.S.C.O.M.I.N.G!
NebulaHeroine: Glad to hear you love the translations! pixiv has so many gems, so I'm really happy to share them with everyone and spread the love! （*´▽｀*）