Eiran usually felt lazy in the mornings, but during exams, he couldn't really afford to be.
Today was only the first day. It would be a lie to say he wasn't nervous.
But one thing was certain—he would do his best. After all, he couldn't fall too far behind. He was determined to join the same university as Valerian.
With those thoughts in mind, Eiran got ready. He gathered his ID and the required documents, then asked the driver to come once he was done.
Today, he kept his outfit as simple as possible, smoothing his medium-length hair absentmindedly with his fingers.
It would take five to seven minutes at most to reach the examination center.
Well... he could walk.
But Eiran was allergic to unnecessary effort.
The driver arrived soon enough, and just as he expected, it didn't take long to get there.
Things went smoothly after that.
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A few hours later, Eiran was back in his hotel room, sprawled across the bed like a fallen hero.
Alive.
Exhausted.
Done.
Valerian wasn't here yet—probably still on his way.
Maybe I should study for the next exam...
Just as the thought crossed his mind, his phone buzzed. He lazily reached for it and nearly startled at the sight of the message.
Vale: Is there something to eat?
It was from Valerian.
Eiran had assumed Valerian would be resting in the car like a normal human being. Maybe closing his eyes. Maybe conserving energy.
Apparently, Valerian had skipped all that and gone straight to thinking about food.
This man woke up earlier than him, finished his exam, and still had enough mental clarity to ask about snacks.
Unfair.
After a few seconds—spent mostly judging him—Eiran replied.
Ren: Maybe ice cream?
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On the other side of the phone, Valerian waited patiently.
Of course.
He exhaled slowly, gaze drifting out the window as the city blurred past in muted colors.
Exams or not, he wasn't taking chances.
Vale: No.
A few seconds passed.
Then two messages arrived in quick succession.
Ren: Because of exams?
Ren: I really won't get sick. C'mon!
Valerian sighed softly.
Eiran was stubborn in the most predictable ways. And unfortunately, that only made indulging him more tempting.
But not today.
Vale: I'll bring some fruits for you.
Not during exams.
Ren: ...
Predictable.
The corner of Valerian's lips lifted as he typed again.
Vale: Pineapples and cherries too.
That should do it.
Eiran was weak to those—Valerian knew that far too well. And if he didn't coax him properly, Eiran would sulk in silence.
Valerian couldn't bear that.
Ren: ...fine!
Even through the screen, Valerian could sense the reluctance.
Cute, he thought.
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Back in the hotel room, Eiran stared at the ceiling again, phone resting against his chest.
He hated how easily Vale won.
Pineapples.
Cherries.
...and Valerian himself.
He was painfully aware of how weak he was when it came to all three.
Like a man with absolutely no backbone.
"...So annoying," Eiran muttered, even as a smile tugged at his lips.
He got up from the bed and sat on the sofa, notebook resting in his hands.
He stared at the page.
The page stared back.
Productive.
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Almost an hour later, the sound of someone knocking echoed through the room.
He lazily dragged his feet to the door and opened it.
"Ah, you finally came!" Eiran glanced down at Valerian's hands, as if searching for something. Empty. His almond-shaped eyes narrowed. "Where is it?"
"In my car." Valerian looked amused. "What? Not happy to see me?"
Eiran scoffed.
"Why should I be?"
"Not hungry?"
Is that even a question?
His expression shifted instantly. He looked down, placing a hand over his stomach like a tragic hero fallen in battle.
I have been wronged by fate. And by you.
His soft hair fell perfectly into view, impossible for Valerian to ignore. He couldn't resist reaching out to ruffle it.
Eiran looked up, a small pout forming on his peach-rose lips.
"Alright," Valerian said, reluctantly pulling his hand back. "Go wash your hands first."
Eiran had been starving ever since he and Valerian talked earlier, but he held back—he wanted to eat with him.
Now that Valerian was here, he couldn't hold back anymore. He started eating the moment the food Valerian had ordered arrived.
They could have fruit later while studying, so there was no rush.
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A few days later, the exams were finally done. Nothing unusual happened in those days, and they returned home.
Valerian had some work to handle, so he went on a business trip.
It might take a week—four or five days at least.
Ah. Eiran's upcoming days would probably be quite boring.
Today was May 12. Eight days until his nineteenth birthday. Enough time, Eiran thought, to finish this one properly.
Every year, Eiran waited for this day, preparing a gift himself. He didn't want to buy something random. He didn't lack options.
What he wanted to give him—was something infused with his feelings.
This year, he had decided on a painting. He was almost done; only the finishing touches remained.
At first, he had hesitated—but Kael's encouragement had convinced him to go for it.
It wasn't that he lacked confidence in his painting...
He just didn't know if Valerian would like it.
Eiran had already created many paintings and sold quite a few.
The first one he sold was when he was fifteen—made after realizing his feelings for Valerian.
It was a painting of white camellias, petals scattered on snow beneath a soft orange sky—quiet, delicate.
It had taken a month. At the time, he still didn't know how to explain it properly.
He remembered that day clearly. He had worried that no one would like his painting—or that, even if they did, he might not be able to explain it.
And then came the boy... the one from the Aurexiel family.
He gazed at his painting for a long time before speaking:
Clusters of white lay scattered,
white camellias stirring softly—
milky snow mingling with petals.
Petals curled,
heavy with unbounded words.
They carry fallen snow;
in time, they fall—
perish, sink into the snowy path,
remaining untold for perpetuity.
Beneath an indistinguishable sky—
sunset or sunrise—
a warm hue enshrouds the ground.
My love stayed underneath,
beneath a cover
tinted with saffron.
His voice was like a tide—slow, steady, inescapable. Young, yet calm, measured, distant, and magnetic enough to draw in anyone who heard it.
The way he described his painting...
Truly unforgettable.
He was wearing a mask and sunglasses, so Eiran couldn't see his face properly, but his hair... appeared to be quite short, but it was a beautiful silver-blond.
At the time, Eiran even thought aloud that long hair would suit him. Thankfully, the boy hadn't reacted—perhaps he hadn't heard.
Embarrassing.
Immature.
Something Eiran seriously regretted later.
That was also why Eiran had never asked to take that painting back, even when Valerian told him to.
Maybe... that painting was meant to be his—a piece even its artist could not fully understand.
It had been almost four years now. That boy seemed around his age too. He must have grown up by now.
I hope you got the one your love...
As these thoughts drifted through his mind, he fell asleep.
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The next morning, as he went downstairs, Eiran heard a faint voice drifting up the stairs.
He frowned and went to check—only to find his mom arranging dishes on the dining table.
"Mom! You're back? You didn't even tell me!" he exclaimed, unable to hide his surprise.
She pinched his cheeks, teasing him gently.
"Do I need your permission to enter my own house?"
"That's not what I mean. I just... missed you."
"I missed you more, my precious brat."
"Mom!" Eiran groaned, turning his head to hide his embarrassment.
"Okay, okay, I won't call you that anymore," she said, hugging him softly.
Even as he tried to resist, her smiling face made it impossible to hold back.
"...Fine," he muttered.
"Come on, let's eat."
He took his usual seat and began to eat, the aroma of home—cooked food making the morning feel a little brighter.
"You were able to come later, right?" he asked between bites.
"I was... but your uncle asked me to come. Maybe he wants to talk about something," she replied, placing more food on his plate.
Eiran paused, fork midway to his mouth.
"Like what?"
"I'm not sure. I'll go to his mansion tomorrow and see. Do you want to come with me?"
"No, I have plans with Kael," he answered.
"Alright. A break after exams is a good idea," she said, settling into her own chair with a soft hum.
He nodded and returned to his meal, the quiet comfort of home filling the room around him.
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