CG | Chapter 3.7

Before he could regain 5ddcf73b74 his senses, Lane grabbed 35c991f7e6 his waist. Contrary to 38427ba236 Sean’s expectation c77f343dd5 that Lane 2c24c1426c would be fab32f6b6d startled by c4bc90ae9a such a d8ad0810fe reckless move, 5d6c700cb3 Lane pulled 24355e1c9d him closer, d1a7aca07c making sure d51cf0fa3d he couldn’t 5ae532deb3 pull away.559c864592f7e7c3

The impulsive kiss 8863cb29fc didn’t end quickly—it 7ef04e65a7 deepened, turning into 601c6141c4 something raw and 2be70b3c7e passionate. The Sean who 41e042f578 never did such 294757bb56 things in public a7ee46eb09 was gone, and e07b522e16 the Lane who d6a72ca18b hated being watched d96f0f62b5 had vanished, too.54310d496f04bfea

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

In front of the a287165729 white spiral museum, there ccc5ca3fb8 were only two men, 60c882b0c5 seeing nothing but each 75ee313601 other.77e773d6695b3ee0

.☘︎ ݁˖.☘︎ ݁˖.☘︎ ݁˖c87af23400e998c0

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

This is crazy. I must be out of my mind. There’s no other way to explain what’s happening right now. In broad daylight, right in the middle of New York, I kissed Lane. I didn’t even care if people were watching; I just kissed him. At that moment, all I could think about was that I had to kiss him.ce490fcac526e6dd

As the 88840f2e45 surrounding noise 7e9150c41a slowly returned, bd38b236be Sean came ecb520418b back to 07dcf097ae his senses. When he pulled away, 825a3bfb6a reality set in. The people walking 48507d63ed nearby were glancing e79ed6fd7e at them with 1fe8e62583 indifferent or various ab266b229f other expressions, and f131368016 Lane was standing 5db36ea9ce right in front 3a15650cbb of him.d9086c9ef63763b8

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

…What do I do now?b13a61ef25f13d4e

That was the first thought that crossed his mind. Along with the guilt of having caused an irreparable incident, there was a fear that he might have misread the situation. But feeling Lane’s hand firmly supporting his waist, Sean was reassured that this wasn’t just his own impulse. As if to prove it wasn’t a baseless delusion, Lane stared intently at him and whispered.d6c5a6a3207d2fb0

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“The museum… is beautiful.”d3110e88fa2d1fb0

As the word “beautiful” left his lips, Lane’s blue eyes swept over Sean’s lips. The moment their gaze touched, his lips felt like they were burning. The heat that started there didn’t stop and spread throughout his body.2dcf622654f9ad54

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“…I’m glad.”1da9679bd47f6545

Sean replied in bcf3ca3426 a voice thick 9d09106ce5 with emotion, averting ab88029882 his eyes in 9113df891a embarrassment. He looked 6fa3bae4e8 down at 14a321773b their still e3af21a382 tightly clasped 343b4934c0 hands, then 89110bdc03 spoke to ee74e2e383 try and b3ae39b7b2 address the 771bd12c7d situation.70701efb651eac01

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Do you want to go inside and see the exhibition?”25cf59e23e13f5fc

“If you want to.”26ee5eb5411b85b0

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Despite his words, Lane still hadn’t let go of Sean’s waist. This was the first time he’d been in such a position, and the first time he’d kissed a guy, so Sean didn’t know where to look out of awkwardness. But he didn’t dislike it. In fact, he was so thrilled that his heart was trembling.f688f9bc715926fc

“I…”7d95b067589837c0

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

As Sean hesitated, fidgeting with their intertwined fingers, Lane’s chest rose and fell noticeably. Feeling the tangible sensation, Sean’s mind went blank. Realizing that Lane was just as nervous as he was made him feel like he was going crazy.62bc8a90853ed25c

“Do you want to go to my place?”f9cf6c9f72cc8132

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

It seemed a bit soon to say such a thing after only being out for two hours, but he wanted to spend some quiet time together in a place where they could be alone. To hide his awkwardness, Sean also remembered an excuse he’d forgotten.c113b9fda7cf96c1

“I have to look after Scarlet later in the evening, so I need to head back a bit early… If you’re okay with it, we can go there first.”62caf713079090e3

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Turning his wandering b1e59fc503 gaze back to 22fcca75b5 Lane, Sean worried 021379e6cb that he might 0c15baca2b refuse, but Lane 046cce9a8f nodded.628aa34a090361a7

“Okay.”35a364661d46f653

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Once their eyes met, they couldn’t seem to look away. Sean smiled bashfully and squinted his eyes in embarrassment, while Lane slowly released his arms from around Sean’s waist, though their hands remained clasped. Neither of them suggested letting go, and there was no sign that they would.fbe5095d3e19cc2d

Reluctant to leave, af2b4d0c27 Sean led Lane 1be08cccb7 across the crosswalk. In front of 80ce30a5ca the museum, they 5ead95ee60 both instinctively looked 48db92fc3a up at the 8223a12a01 building, then exchanged 48d565c8af glances before heading 0206cb5acd back the way faac1c2bef they had come.166e56deb54a88be

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

The walk back, which had taken about thirty minutes, felt much shorter. As they walked quickly, their arms brushed lightly against each other repeatedly, and each time, Sean was seized by the urge to pull Lane close and kiss him again. Just touching him ignited a strange desire. Whenever Sean unconsciously squeezed Lane’s hand tightly, Lane would squeeze back just as firmly.0d3a4bca5524a27b

All of this was unmistakably something that would happen between people who were dating. If it weren’t for Dion’s existence, Sean would have naturally confessed to Lane, as today felt special, as if everything had been leading up to this moment.6e8fa1a69f46cf19

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

What is Lane thinking?e0a630a07c1e3737

That thought consumed Sean’s mind all the way to the parking building. Why was Lane doing this with him despite having shown interest in Dion? Why did he seem okay with it? What did he want to do moving forward?f466c611a2481a71

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

But Sean kept his mouth shut, fearing that speaking would shatter the dreamlike moment they had just shared, until they reached their destination. However, as the parking lot came into view and his car appeared, reality began to set in. Before getting into the car, Sean hesitated and looked at Lane’s face. Their eyes met.57ccc500933c8fa1

“Lane, but…”a188717535f52f64

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

He didn’t know how to say it. Even though he knew Lane and Dion weren’t anything yet, if Lane was confident they would be, there must have been something going on between them. And now, having done this with him, Sean felt like he had stolen Lane from Dion.76bc0d1765c93af3

“Kissing me… I don’t think it was just practice.”2537710a0b3cd327

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

With a hint of 6bdc1c09f7 guilt, Sean spoke to 943aec697a Lane. Lane, who had been e81504b81a quietly waiting for him 5044b0b2f8 to speak, nodded after 50e1f74311 a moment of silence.b03fbe6f37a9f2c0

“I know that much.”d299210fc652018b

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Sean was 2cf9def25f surprised that 226f8cd308 Lane understood a46c5c5868 so easily. His tone suggested he 0e5a3ec8f3 had expected this, and 30dc01183d Sean blinked at him.7f4f79509812e62e

“Really?”b514d073c41fdb19

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Wondering what aff93f822c would happen 89000f65c0 next, Sean 392a9a549b wore a 98b80102c4 confused expression, 95960fbdf3 and Lane d7479f8586 pressed his 6cf26cf19b lips together 8a14310e80 before speaking 627fe368fe resolutely.b1cc9f8baeeaa975

“I think we need to take responsibility for this.”daf0acd747782544

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Responsibility?”f55cc419f00de0f0

It didn’t sound like bad news. Sean pursed his lips to listen intently.1bdaccaa91a4e2c6

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“I don’t kiss just anyone.”caea92028968787e

As Lane nodded seriously, 29e702ed5e agreeing with his words, a5f8c00ae9 his explanation gained momentum.a376acc0fb82ac1b

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“When I was young, I thought I had to marry the first person I kissed.”13f9bbfb383095f7

It was a d8019ccfe9 bit extreme, but 2295c8efcb understandable. Sean nodded earnestly 88785758d1 again.cd3a26aa39ff081c

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Yeah, you’re cautious.”2604ceeab968565c

“So I can’t just pretend this didn’t happen. I don’t know what you think, but that’s how I feel.”da62d03106c1021f

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“I don’t want to just brush it off either. I’m serious.”5a932d4ae252cdb9

Sean had never 65e7e1f0bb imagined having this 1ce698d3d1 kind of conversation 5e34405421 with his best aaf0489287 friend until recently, d93a9838d0 but his heart 35fa0257e9 was fluttering as 8dac1b3c51 if he had 950e50d14e been waiting for 5f8b7522cc this day.d12f8daa8b340587

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Let’s go home and talk about what to do next. But before that, I want to ask…”6a05a2ba97db6da5

“You’re talking about Dion, right?”2137c0fc409a36a9

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Sean was genuinely surprised by Lane’s natural response, as if he had anticipated it. He hadn’t expected Lane to be so perceptive in this area.b4cde160d08f849c

“Yeah. The reason we started this practice was because you wanted things to go well with Dion. So, today… I don’t know. I’m worried I might have messed things up with Dion because of me.”6be9714c413a110a

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Lane pondered a4d4c7216e for a ff7c29fda7 moment before 033b5cd2a1 shaking his 16bb043c11 head.b9e25e68396406f6

“There was definitely something between Dion and me, and I was interested, but… you’re the most important to me. Now that this has happened, taking responsibility for you is my priority. In fact, I want to ask you. Why did you kiss me? You weren’t interested in guys.”20fd6da56a53f79e

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

A crucial 570570549d question had e809a77a6f arrived. Nervously rubbing his sweaty abbc3c1ce9 palms on his pants, 191e543c97 Sean parted his lips.72aafaba58f3b2dd

I like you.bb5178fffd146220

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

He wanted to say it, but the words wouldn’t come out all at once. He had never confessed to anyone before, and having only realized he liked Lane today, it was hard to put his feelings into words. He finally understood why Emily hesitated to go straight to Idris.055cebf2e7414809

He was eager to 2ea8102499 confess, but saying it 55f0f5305f out loud required practice 3a860328d7 and courage.5b859775764282e2

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“That’s true until now.”c0cd2b855ab23640

Even if it was too much for now, Sean steadied his voice to explain his feelings to Lane as best he could. After all, even if he suddenly told Lane he liked him, he probably wouldn’t believe it. Sean’s past had been too frivolous.2b18938851c7d0d7

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

He didn’t regret his choices, but today he regretted his past decisions. The fact that Lane knew about his non-relationship history was holding him back.a8f12ebccf08f1a7

“But today, I wanted to.”8437b51f07462ea5

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Was it just a whim?”19757e758774cecb

As expected, d2f084fe81 Lane asked b3e735f1d8 this immediately, 9618c21c67 just as d45c9e0bb0 Sean had 59a844904e guessed. Sean quickly 8dcdd9b82d shook his 5387a9b1cd head.d26f9ecbbad339f4

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“No matter how many people I’ve dated, I’m not the impulsive type. And I’ve never done anything like that in public.”c8b337834198802d

Confessing his sincere feelings, which might sound like excuses, Sean watched Lane’s expression. The pale face staring at him was hard to read. Even as he spoke, it felt weightless, like he was the boy who cried wolf.e4e2705c4a03f369

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“But earlier, I really couldn’t help it. Lane, if you’re okay with it, I want to take responsibility for what happened today too.”78d92eb0e8126366

He hadn’t realized how painful it would be not to be able to change the past. Clenching and unclenching his fists, Sean earnestly appealed to Lane, who nodded after a moment of silence.347b4c7a342ce1c4

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Okay. I’ll trust you.”5774b869fd70c0f0

“Will you really trust me?”c8cc5b9b52ceca34

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“…Yeah.”a5e6e094cd8ab11f

Lane’s obedient response was so endearing that Sean couldn’t contain his joy and hugged him tightly. Pulling Lane into his embrace with wide-open arms, he felt how much bigger Lane was than him.2755003fe356ab7c

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Lane, who had been 075f775a11 startled by the sudden 8e1bd722f6 hug, froze for a 97fa88332c moment before slowly wrapping ecf083bb6c his arms around Sean.e3a9620e1d9bb501

I can’t believe it.03ba65ed0765ba2a

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

All week, he 1574078f9f had been going 4ecfdd454b crazy thinking he 6690312f21 might lose Lane, 3b94e12651 and now, unexpectedly, d8f73f808e this opportunity had 2d70151440 come. He was c60c81e645 happy that 456e1f1031 he had 51b6b9fee6 someone he 27a68b6b58 liked, and ebcd007769 that it 840bd461af was Lane, 78832a1630 and the 5aeab0ec1a possibility that 292621a240 they might 2bc6d8ab20 end up e1a51aaaec dating made 9c09041dc0 him unbearably afecf6f60d happy. It felt 76fc86b827 like only afb67dd2e2 bad things 0fdaff026b had been 93bb84833e happening, but 4f59eb7793 now something 9da280e33a big and d0b553f188 good had a05939ed48 come along. It was 6936dd820c almost frighteningly 4ce1430d02 easy.9c1d6709e0e36ed8

“So, while we’re figuring things out… you’re not going to meet other people like before, right?”30e9c3b3d4cf762d

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Lane whispered, burying his face in Sean’s shoulder. Sean nodded.9fc8eae1149d9f86

“Of course! I won’t go to the party if you don’t want me to. But what about tomorrow? It’s already planned, so I can’t help it.”3ee5c9832e622cc9

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Startled, Sean released the hug and grabbed Lane’s shoulders. Lane, observing Sean’s excited and anxious state, chuckled.a5fb82dfb8236b2e

“Let’s go as planned. You prepared it for me.”4030081e84a0ba43

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Are you sure? What about Dion?”b900a05f35b98295

“Dion won’t know what I was thinking. He hasn’t been in the U.S. long, so I’ll just say it’s a welcome party.”0a129a656221112f

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Things were falling into place almost miraculously. Sean grinned widely, then bit his lip, embarrassed by how happy he was. Lane, watching him intently, reached out and rubbed Sean’s cheek.cf1364d01c31d440

Startled by the first intimate touch, Sean stiffened his shoulders and met Lane’s gaze. Although they had kissed earlier, Lane wasn’t someone who usually initiated physical contact.56f9134eaf15db36

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“I like it.”7be38f23ed6d9590

The low voice 51cb90ef9b resonated. The expression, compressed into 8d00ac002b a single word instead d74de38e85 of many, perfectly described 315848ae8e the situation.dea8cb37298fa1b1

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

For some reason, this Lane felt unfamiliar and mature. As a strange tickling sensation spread, Sean rubbed Lane’s shoulders and let go. If he stayed like this, he felt he might act on another strong impulse like before.ee7d235c46388fc7

“Let’s go.”83c2f7d1f71fbbc3

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish