Chapter 145: Fugaku and Nono 2
Nono looks at the man ahead of her, who apologizes sincerely. She finally breathes a sigh of relief. At least he is not like what she had imagined.
Taking a moment to collect her thoughts, Nono responds. The sincerity in Fugaku's eyes surprises her, and she feels a tinge of vulnerability in him that she hadn't expected.
"Thank you for apologizing," she says softly, her gaze still fixed on Fugaku. "I appreciate that you're taking responsibility for what happened. It means a lot to me, and I have lots of responsibility; it can’t be that simple either."
Fugaku nods, looking relieved that Nono didn't lash out or reject his apology outright. "I don't want things to be awkward between us. We were strangers before all of this happened, but we have a thing between us, and I want to find a way to move forward if you're willing."
Nono hesitates for a moment, then nods. "I'm willing to give it a shot, but we need to be honest with each other. Can you promise that?"
Fugaku nodded again, his expression serious. "I promise, Nono. No more secrets. I want us to be able to trust each other."
As he thinks, Fugaku sighs. “I thought you… Wait, you agreed to it!”
Nono’s shy demeanor makes Fugaku realize what she meant. He remembers vividly that night. He had been the one to initiate that night.
Nono's heart skips a beat as she gazes at Fugaku, her face flushed and her eyes reflecting a different light. Fugaku, noticing the change in her gaze, endeavors to calm himself, moving unconsciously towards her.
Reaching her, he sees her face turn even redder. She stumbles, on the verge of falling, and Fugaku instinctively embraces her.
“Mmm…” Nono is in Fugaku’s arms, her lips quivering and her eyes glazed. Unable to resist, Nono reaches out and touches his face, her slender fingers soft and delicate.
As Fugaku holds Nono in his arms, a quiet understanding begins to develop between them. The tension that had lingered between the two seems to dissolve with each passing moment.
They find a place where they can sit, and Fugaku gently guides Nono to it.
Nono, emotionally exhausted from the events that unfolded, leans against Fugaku for support. He, in turn, allows her the comfort of resting her head on his shoulder. The night air is cool, and the soft rustle of leaves overhead provides a calming soundtrack.
They sit in a comfortable silence for a while, the weight of unspoken words gradually easing. Fugaku, running his fingers through Nono's hair, speaks softly, "I never meant for any of this to happen. I just wanted to make amends and never expected it to go this far."
Nono, feeling a mixture of emotions, looks up at him. "Sometimes, things don't go as planned," she says, her voice soft but sincere. "But I appreciate your honesty and the effort you're putting into making things right."
Fugaku nods, a sense of gratitude evident in his eyes. "I want to be someone you can trust," he admits.
As they continue talking, Nono begins to feel the weight of the stress and emotional turmoil. Fugaku notices her eyelids growing heavy, and he suggests, "You should rest for a bit. It's been a long day."
Nono hesitates for a moment but then nods. Fugaku rearranges their position so that she can comfortably rest her head on his lap. The quiet surroundings, coupled with the rhythmic sounds of the night, create a tranquil atmosphere.
Soon, the gentle rise and fall of Nono's breathing indicate that she has drifted off to sleep. Fugaku, mindful of her vulnerability, stays still, letting her find solace in the peacefulness of the moment. The night unfolds, and Fugaku reflects on the unexpected turn of events, hopeful that this night might mark the beginning of a new understanding between them.
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A few hours later
He isn’t sure how much time has passed, but Nono, who has been sleeping on his lap, begins to stir.
She realizes she is on his lap and moves to scream, but he swiftly covers her mouth. “We’re close to the camp. Don’t let them hear you.”
Quickly nodding, Nono conveys her understanding as Fugaku removes his hand, offering her a sympathetic smile.
“That… Just now I…” Nono is mortified by her actions, feeling deeply embarrassed.
Fugaku smiles gently. “Don’t worry; it happens sometimes.”
Nono feels even more ashamed. “Please, don’t tell anyone about this.”
She has felt drawn to him, and when he is near her, she can’t control herself. She has acted like that. If anyone finds out, she will die of shame.
"Of course,” Fugaku assures.
Nono stands up. "I... I should get going.”
“Alright, you go ahead. I’ll follow later. If we go back together, it will look suspicious,” Fugaku agrees, nodding.
Nono adjusts her clothes, feeling like a secret lover sneaking behind her parents' backs, afraid of being discovered. As she moves farther away, she is shocked by her own thoughts. Turning her head to look at him leaning against the rock behind her, she feels an indescribable emotion.
Fugaku, in no rush to leave, places his hands behind his head and leans against the rock, sighing. “Mikoto, her future is bleak. I’ll make her your sister.”
“Huh, the future? As if you know the future.”
Someone responds from the opposite direction from where Nono had departed.
Translation Notes: I have made changes to Nono and Fugaku story from the first encounter to the following events. It requires some time to adjustments to ensure a fluid connection in the story.
Following this, I will be busy proofreading and publishing the chapters. It has been a long time since I did one, and I believe there may be errors here and there. The next two days will be one chapter per day.
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