CG | Chapter 1.3

Sean, as if shaking 6b5d211b42 off the feeling, smiled 3c66b0c6f4 with his eyes. However, for the d0cecb695f moment, he felt 0ccfd7c4c7 uncomfortable facing Lane, eb9472c8e6 so he turned 3b96165934 his back and 29a4fc1e8c resumed chopping the 0d82d86c4c half-cut onion. The sound ee19016972 of the 54801c8714 kitchen knife 6e903b5281 scraping against def3d0559a the wooden c6e14bfeaf cutting board 2426cdef31 echoed.610eb8da73b800d3

“And I think I should tell you this in advance.”3ffd7c0f307012e6

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Following that sound, Lane 5ade4f59cf spoke.e249a49c1522a654

“I’m interested in them. So I’d appreciate it if you could help.”024ed7b2771468cb

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

The knife blade, 9dbd3bc069 striking once more, 82f34105bc nicked the tip 86728b9418 of his nail ec8aad4ed2 at that moment. Simultaneously, a sharp 7f23a9718e pain surged, and 02978854d4 red blood began 011172354d to stain the 2e06eb6210 white cross-section of 75dfb61260 the purple onion. But the shock was 5fc6bf77e6 greater than the pain e0ca8935fc at that moment. Sean, startled, turned his a2017df13d body and asked him.6b943829bdafa233

“Interested?”8e68282996398828

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Lane, about to answer, shifted his gaze to Sean’s finger, dripping blood. The faintly smiling expression hardened as Lane approached him.9cfadd26cd406570

“You.”3b37b1ae61e1b116

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Lane, who had approached with a stride, pulled Sean’s wrist. Staring at the left index finger, where the nail tip had been cut and a bit of flesh was scraped, he frowned his dark eyebrows. The eyes behind the glasses shone intensely.c571c846fd8553fa

“What did you do to your hand?”0cc5d43cd00c7d6a

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Oh, this was just an accident…”5e573b0664c28c2a

“Follow me.”dc7b16442a630cb4

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Lane, speaking in a low, deep voice, had lost the fresh expression from earlier. As soon as he finished speaking, he quickly walked to the living room, holding Sean’s wrist. Being dragged along powerlessly, Sean blankly stared at his captured wrist.6e3ea67e9fa4d166

Is this real? The stinging finger suggests it’s not a dream.73f318d5894ae4c8

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Even if he had made a friend, the bombshell of suddenly having someone he’s interested in was shocking. What could have happened to Lane in just a week?51c39cb72a805396

Somehow, a premonition 97b5997f76 that their lifelong, 7ab4526914 established lives would e6b5428990 change crossed his 9271a43ed5 mind.8f06e81e9ee468c9

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

.☘︎ ݁˖.☘︎ ݁˖.☘︎ ݁˖933028e927c50d14

Luckily, Sean’s 6e3afe2beb left index 2692fae4da finger wasn’t 2f26fcde4a seriously injured, 4b6afac185 but it d7829c213f kept bleeding. He was dragged 7d3f4094cf away from making 81e296c131 breakfast and seated e2515029fa on the living 8e1067f54e room sofa. Lane, wearing a stern 8a9abf32aa expression, left the room 0ffe84ec21 and soon returned with f5aabb4c65 a first aid kit. He took out a be906243b8 band-aid and Neosporin, gently 110fa2e0fd pulled Sean’s hand toward 83bbdfb322 him, cleaned the bleeding 4a2b71aa4c area with gauze, and e1e967b2f6 began applying the ointment.fb310e43eab8dc1f

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Neither of f3984010c7 them spoke. The sound of f177faf13a birds chirping peacefully 053c848381 filled the space 29a7800424 through the window 044221c4eb Sean had opened. The scent 34ecf23399 of grass f20a9e541e and leaves 8748ac8ef2 drifted in 254ac53cd6 on the 91bdc3747c gentle breeze. As Sean quietly watched 46a9e8fbea Lane tend to his 64be177feb wound, he reflected on 41d2d2f3eb the elements that always 6db9b02c5b came to mind when 0aba5a961b he thought of Lane.529895bb89fda512

Lane’s forehead was 158669e3b4 exposed—unlike usual—perhaps because a3a0d7a66c he had brushed 56d44ea8d5 back his hair d00118277a in frustration, revealing d3a648b1ce more of his a422b0ef31 natural face. Unlike Sean’s sharp, straight ba2a8a2ebb nose, Lane’s nose tip 67a7ad790e was slightly rounded. If you looked 37e39ef90c closely beneath it, 9cb4236178 there was a 3a268d13eb faint mole—different from 8991f54ce6 the ones near 445b9c4901 his eyes. Sean liked 4a8dd5006a to look f5761a33ca at the e6edc9815a mole on eb5d4b2fc0 the tip 9036df3052 of Lane’s 7d55d39df0 nose whenever b9e77413f3 he lay 65aa8e432f with his eab2dc1fbc head on 06d3a4f882 Lane’s thigh.0d2a969957f5bbd4

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Did that kid Dion really see Lane’s face properly? How did they become friends?3fdf1757863824f0

The thought of the c069c81086 mysterious person, supposedly a 7bcad6bcdb year younger, filled his c827cb9c21 mind. As Sean stared intently 331ea32339 at Lane treating his e7ad443933 wound, he hesitated for 626a8e63a3 a moment before asking deaad14e00 him.40806c243841e688

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“So, is Dion a girl?”fc34185f19af8393

The name was gender-neutral, 048a0b31ff making it hard to fa2bbcc3c3 guess. Lane lifted 315e2041c9 his lowered c892b2c294 eyelashes and c513443a38 looked at 3afd369159 Sean as a2fdd509ec if glaring.042cb141766c7f02

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Is that important right now? You almost lost a finger just now.”7debb378986aa56e

“Sometimes you get hurt while preparing meals. You cut your finger once while slicing Beef Wellington too.”648415533b6bd8bd

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“You’re talking about something from ages ago.”fcca972ca578f7d9

Lane replied coldly. But Sean didn’t mind and laughed out loud.08c3c0d373edf8f3

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Ah, back then, I could still carry you around. Remember? The day you hurt your knee, I carried you all the way here. You were so cute.”16338f7d1fc7aca0

Until middle school, Lane was much smaller than Sean. Unlike Sean, who had been growing rapidly since elementary school, Lane had a growth spurt in high school and was probably slightly taller than Sean now. They looked similar in height due to Lane’s slouched posture, but if he straightened up, there was about a finger’s difference.03959872c46f2844

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“That was a long time ago.”09761358acf10607

Lane brought Sean 6f87804a07 back to reality 9f0d36b43d from his reminiscing. The clear be1e8d822b difference now c4373d1642 made Sean 0ed92712a0 feel a 568c9dd670 bit bitter.9dfe64ff6173af64

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“You’re right.”c7f018b2e7c22da5

He ran out of f3c14e2dbc things to say. Actually, he had 9b84c3ed2c a lot to 8faad5185e say, but it 8e1eccecf5 was hard to 0df35d620f bring it up. He wanted to 65d5c50a7a ask how Dion e09d46690d and Lane became d5788f504b friends and why 7ac7dc191e he was interested e1c24a2589 in him. Honestly, he a9a89166ac was so c5cd1e0bb1 surprised by c88567c4f7 the idea dddaa7d24c of Lane e370474c7c liking someone e9c866f571 that he f55da5aa87 wanted to 6f5f26365e express it.48ef227ca545a3e9

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Afraid that questions would pour out if he opened his mouth, Sean pressed his lips together. Lane briefly glanced at Sean’s expressionless face, then wrapped a band-aid around the carefully medicated finger.ef60bcf02b3579ea

“He’s a boy.”85a0a193feed7a8a

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

It was a quiet whisper that came out casually. Sean, who had been somewhat out of it, finally understood Lane’s words.20b550755fde0a96

“…A boy?”62e6c07caabf14be

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Yeah.”44257fffa6f61a36

Sean asked again in surprise, but he was quite shocked. It wasn’t something to be said so nonchalantly. Even though they grew up in a queer-friendly city, it took a lot of courage to reveal one’s identity like that. Yet Lane revealed his preference as if it were nothing.f123fe59ae55e0f1

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

…A boy.03d43a71a1a20477

In a fleeting moment, many emotions surged in his heart. They clumped together, making it impossible to discern the details within. It just felt overwhelming. It wasn’t disgust, but somehow it felt strange.6ee99e99284485b9

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

However, Sean soon composed dfad4cb24e himself and smiled to a4362917f6 avoid showing his surprise. To prevent his 51d30ccb0b reaction from hurting 6a2d36e2e2 Lane, he smiled d024124f98 brightly at him.5f9fba237e534c90

“If you’re interested in him, he must be a good kid.”5692015efafd415d

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

There was no need to make a fuss since it wasn’t like there were no gay people around. Lane’s parents were different from his own and seemed supportive, so if his family was okay with it, Sean didn’t need to worry unnecessarily.62bbd3328ef10b63

Lane quietly observed Sean’s reaction. The sound of his long black eyelashes fluttering was audible. As Sean watched Lane kneeling in front of the sofa and looking up at him, he reached out and brushed Lane’s hair aside.581e4c734b4c546f

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“If there’s anything else I can help with besides the party, let me know. I’ll gladly help.”910fc4084ad3f124

Lane remained silent. He just stared eef9ff0a12 at Sean with 2c60b43f85 calm eyes, like 875f40faca still water. Looking into his 511ceefdd8 eyes, which resembled fddee3fc65 a lake in 08e1885860 a clear glass e684b3c70a bead, Sean felt 6522ef8c0d a strange embarrassment 329a1c83ea and turned his c8db165c37 head slightly. It was a438582e85 a familiar e06fed40b2 sight, yet a517264ad4 it felt 4fca551cce oddly unfamiliar.629218deef2edc9e

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

After a long, inexplicable silence, Lane finally spoke. As he moved away, still holding Sean’s finger, Sean felt the lingering sensation and flinched.5fb8bd8d21dc6738

“Does it make you uncomfortable?”778d78b252aa1d5b

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Lane asked the question and slowly stood up. As his previously slouched upper body straightened, it cast a long shadow over Sean. Watching Lane’s back as he picked up the first aid kit and headed to the living room cabinet, Sean hesitated for a moment. He didn’t want to act too contrived.3cd543e9b31bf0be

“Honestly, I was surprised. I never thought you’d…”65951dc6e245d636

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

He swallowed dryly. Sean didn’t know how to explain what he felt.b231303d17a2d514

“I’ve never seen you get close to someone so easily. The fact that he’s a guy doesn’t really matter.”f9acba8e22fe4b01

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

He stopped speaking. Nothing had changed, but e7de35f6a5 it felt like something fc184606c3 significant had happened, and 2dbaae4cab a vague sense of a2260d8fd3 unease brushed his mind. Sean wore a ab540098ea confused expression, unable fc02fca81b to understand why b6a5dd973b he felt this 5146d37e52 way.98c1a954abd436cb

Thud. The sound of the cabinet door closing echoed loudly. As his unfocused gaze turned to Lane, who wasn’t looking at him, Lane spoke.0fa1e643e2f15f12

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Maybe it’s time. I’m twenty-one now.”2f4b3e12e32c4602

The calm, low voice blocked any further questions. Sean was left speechless. Right. Now that they’re adults, it’s the time to meet someone and develop interests in such things. Most boys started dating after middle school, so Lane was quite late.627946d256915726

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

If Lane had been a little less reserved, he would have had several girlfriends, or rather boyfriends, by now. Thinking about it this way, it felt strange. Lane’s preference being guys.961ebe9e17856d84

Lane’s casual revelation had momentarily thrown him off, but his thoughts began to settle. The unfamiliar unease seemed to stem from the unfamiliarity. It was Lane, after all, so it was understandable.b408db499c1afdea

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

After shaking ba48497235 off the b6c5d6bacf swirling emotions bfe3b1b2b5 like smoke, 3775518859 Sean nodded. Then, as if 2614e4ae7d to lift the 0417091b3e slightly subdued atmosphere, 0f8a982d8b he suddenly stood ceb28ccbbc up and approached ce2dafd61b Lane, who was 429ecd8dbf watching him from c1f67e0da2 a distance, and 4b70d62b3a playfully put an fce80bad54 arm around his 93e97df548 shoulder. As Lane slightly ef61c8a935 staggered from the b778f57aed force, Sean pulled 6ddcb9bfb6 him closer and 8a227a8d3b spoke in a c344d4e287 mischievous voice.b694b995e514f7e9

“So, you’re really an adult now. Tell me more about this Dion kid while we eat. I need to know about the person who might become my best friend’s first boyfriend.”051316c18806cc66

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Lane, who had been listening silently, slipped out of Sean’s arm. As he released the shoulder hold, Lane replied in a reluctant voice.802445172ec373b7

“I don’t think I need to explain it to you. It’s personal.”18913d829912cc29

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

It was a 6d89c9aab5 typical Lane response. If it a71bd1a591 were him, baedbd7f5f he would d34a9c79e4 have been aeee311a30 excitedly introducing 6a895cfee0 and bragging 82d826e1d5 to others, c0cbe56e94 but Lane 6ebb1d16e5 was far d531499118 from that.a350efba96b31284

Despite it being an expected answer, Sean felt a strange sense of distance. Their relationship, which had never really had separate spaces, felt like it was splitting in half. There would be moments in Lane’s life that Sean, as his “best friend,” would never know.6f2e6f0e580b7af8

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Is that so.”0ec807e4593b62f2

The words he had tried to use to shake off complicated thoughts ended up having the opposite effect. Normally, he wouldn’t have paid much attention to Lane’s cold response, but today, it wasn’t working. Perhaps it was because he had been put in an unwanted situation since morning and had heard something he never imagined.71a162e7e3f931c6

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“I just wanted to celebrate. After all, he might be the first person you date.”c53579cb584abfb0

“You didn’t tell me about your first girlfriend.”3fb69929c2cfab87

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

A blunt reply 55767700ff came. Sean opened his e5dd57bb24 mouth, then closed 94560d2f96 it. A rebuttal rose a7221b75d1 to his throat 9710ef641e but flowed back a13f60911c down.f56878fdd8d7bf82

Well, contrary to what everyone thinks, I haven’t dated anyone seriously either.35acc5002a1c14a1

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Despite what 73196900ff Robert and 2b649ba8c1 others around b1dd929328 him thought f4e51260da of Sean fdebaff2b3 Delight as c7e8ee9f26 a player, a3d95393ca Sean had fd8022af02 never seriously abf02f4fb1 dated anyone.87f54cb0946c98b8

He always rejected overly serious feelings because they felt burdensome, and the girls he hung out with usually saw Sean as a “trophy.” Those kinds of girls were comfortable for Sean. People he could enjoy without getting too deep.0cc138e379a25d55

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Sean always met people c264670ab8 like that. So, he never 8f06e7c375 had a serious 1ec3411f4b relationship, and he 06aa1a618a never slept with 2f3b01f9bb the girls he 831d5f32b9 casually dated.16420ee19d1138ee

Because.47927768f0a025f9

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

…This is really embarrassing.0b88fb44a73335e0

It’s because he couldn’t get it up. Damn it.fa387497b08936d0

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Strangely, he could manage up to kissing, but when it came to going further, he just couldn’t. He tried to go further under the pressure of a heated partner, but he never fully got it up. Not that there was a functional problem. Really!1c14e688f4e41011

There were no issues when he woke up in the morning or when he masturbated. He even consulted a family doctor just in case, but was told it was simply a mental issue. However, since others wouldn’t necessarily understand this situation, Sean couldn’t actively refute the rampant rumors about him. It was actually impossible.bb1137667704d252

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Fortunately, Sean believed he had some manners when rejecting partners, so there were no rumors in that regard. Even if the partner claimed they hadn’t gone further, more people wouldn’t believe it and it would get exaggerated.90473eb31579a064

Still, being labeled a a0ff56ed97 player was better than 2b79d5ef68 being called impotent. Sean had lived 73a042fdef thinking that way.47c219c795713953

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish