Becoming the Terminally-Ill Villain Who Torments His Disciples - Chapter 54.1
It felt like the world was spinning.
Talking with Ryan always made him feel this way—his heart thudding in an unbelievable rhythm.
“…No kissing for a while.”
“Mmm, I can’t agree to that.”
“Why not?”
“Even if it’s just this once, I really can’t. The last time I followed the trace I left on you, it disappeared afterward.”
With a mischievous smile, Ryan explained that he had to leave a new mark this time.
When Cielo shot him a pouty glare, Ryan said that even that was cute and kissed him on the cheek. The affection behind the gesture made Cielo let out a soft laugh.
It’s because of things like this…
Whether it was Ryan or Oscar, they never once wavered. Both looked only at Cielo.
Their emotions, expressions, and actions—everything was directed solely at him. They never gave him a moment to doubt or bury himself in guilt.
“I’m truly grateful to you.”
“Hm?”
“If it weren’t for the affection you and Oscar have shown me… when Sol—no, my brother—tried to shake my mind, I might have wavered.”
But they had taught him that he was someone worthy of love. They had filled his arms with a love vast enough to match those words.
That was why he could endure.
“But… at the same time, I’m a little afraid.”
“What are you afraid of?”
Cielo glanced at Ryan’s face, then slowly looked away.
From the very beginning, Ryan had shown interest in Cielo. And maybe because of that, he was afraid—afraid that the person Ryan truly liked wasn’t him, but the real “Cielo.”
He had hinted at it once when their relationship started to heal, telling Ryan that he might not be the same person he remembered. But he hadn’t been able to explain the situation clearly.
“The me you met back then… and the me now, we’re not really the same, are we? So…”
Ryan had been about to reply with, “Aren’t you both still the same person?”—but held his breath for a moment.
“I’m probably not the same person who exists in your memories.”
Then, a line Cielo had said on the day he was forgiven flashed through Ryan’s mind.
If this was why he was bringing it up now…
“I like your kindness.”
“…What?”
“I like how you try to sacrifice yourself for others. How you endure pain to avoid worrying anyone.”
Cielo’s lips parted in surprise. He had asked Ryan when he started liking him—but the answer was completely different from what he expected.
Ryan looked at every part of Cielo’s face with fondness as he continued.
“I like how your lips stick out a little when you’re deep in thought. How you frown when you hear something ridiculous. I like how you cover your mouth with both hands when you yawn because you’re sleepy, and how you always hide your smile with the back of your hand when you laugh.”
“…”
“I like how you can’t even scream when you’re startled and just shut your mouth. I think it’s cute how you’ve grown your hair out this long but don’t really know how to take care of it.”
With every word, Cielo’s face grew redder and redder.
This wasn’t an answer like, “I started liking you at this point in time.” It was a confession that he liked everything about the person in front of him.
“I just like you.”
“….”
“Does that answer your question?”
Cielo bit his lip.
Rather than knowing when Ryan had fallen for him, those words—spoken now—felt far more precious and meaningful.
What should he say?
Unable to find the right words, Cielo looked up and met Ryan’s gaze.
Then, gently cupping Ryan’s cheek, he closed his eyes tightly and kissed him.
Cielo pulled back with a soft smacking sound.
“…I like how blindly devoted you are. It feels almost foolish.”
“…Huh?”
“I like how you always treat me like I deserve another chance.”
“…”
“Ugh, damn it. I’m too embarrassed to say any more. How do people even say things like this… ngh!”
As Cielo—blushing furiously to the tips of his ears—turned his head to hide, Ryan gently grabbed his chin.
“…Let me kiss you.”
“….”
“I want to kiss you.”
Gulp.
Cielo swallowed dryly as he looked into Ryan’s eyes, blazing with intensity.
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