It’s only a few days before the New Year.
For the past few days, I worked at Canal’s Bar from morning until night. The bar had special business hours during the holidays, to accommodate the rush of custors until dawn. Because everyone is holding their year-end and farewell parties at this ti, there’s a continuous stream of groups coming to the pub in the span of twenty-four hours. The seats never stay unoccupied for long.
Canal’s Bar is popular for the cheap liquor and food. Because of that, work has been so hectic that I’d even welco help from a cat.
At dawn, we closed the pub to rest and recharge. Once the clock tower strikes ten, we’ll be back to business again.
This is becoming a test of endurance, but it can’t be helped. For restaurants and bars, now is the best ti to make a big profit. After all, there are always more drinking parties being held during the holidays.
Also, if we close the store at the usual ti, the custors might throw a fuss. Might spout unreasonable things like “Why are you closing the pub this early? Do you not want to do business?!”
Fueled by anger, they might even spread so bad rumors about us. Not to ntion, if we lose our regular custors, our profits would take a huge hit. We have no choice but to extend the pub’s business hours. The pub owner’s wife can only sigh and grumble about it.
A hired employee like doesn’t have the privilege of taking a break in between working hours while my employer and colleagues run about, seething.
Just getting the cold shoulder wouldn’t be too bad. But worst case scenario, they could fire . Yeah, they definitely would. The owner’s wife was staring at everyone with bloodshot eyes. Paired with that smile on her face, it’s quite disturbing.
On the other hand, Lian seems to be enjoying the holidays.
He frequently visited the church and played a lot with the kids. He also read books, took naps, and had tea with Marie. The kids told about how much fun they had with him, joy evident on their faces.
And a few days ago, they had a picnic at the hill behind the church.
“Marie-sama and Lian-sama made lots of different sandwiches!” the kids had also said. “There were all sorts of flavors, and they were all very delicious!”
It seed like Lian had done so more activities with them. Walked together hand in hand, hugged them, and even lent them his thigh to act as their pillow.
I’m so jealo─ no. It’s great that they had fun.
I’m not sulking or anything.
I don’t mind that they didn’t invite to the picnic, since my part-ti job at the pub is swamped during the end of the year. Nor do I mind not being able to rest my head on Lian’s thigh even once.
Ah, who am I kidding?
The day after that, I et Lian by the entrance just as I’m setting off in the morning at my usual ti.
Comnting that my timing is great, Lian pulls sothing wrapped from his bag and hands it to .
I sneak a slight peek inside. Sandwiches. They’re spread with a nut paste with so bits of bean.
“I made too much so I’m sharing it with you,” mutters Lian, cheeks tinged pink. “Eat it when you’re hungry!”
In my delight, I subconsciously pull him in for a tight hug.
Sure enough, Lian’s face flushes like a tomato. He flies into a rage and whacks my head.
Ti flies by. Before long, the last Saturday of the year has arrived.
My shift at Canal’s Bar lasts until dawn of the next day.
The owner’s wife usually lets out after closing ti, even during the holidays, saying that a student’s main responsibility is to study. But this ti, she asked to stay until Sunday morning.
At around midnight, three drunk young n start harassing one of our female staff, telling her to sit beside them while pouring more alcohol into their cups.
Imdiately after that, they get up on stage to sing, paying no heed to the other custors. When so people ask them to be more courteous to others, they start a fight. The owner’s wife and I promptly restrain the three and throw them out of the pub.
Left with the impression that I’ve seen them before, I ask them about their identities. In their own words, they’re the sons of an apple farr, a wheat farr, and a grape farr in Leis Village.
They apparently ca to the pub to get together and celebrate the year-end.
We let it slide and allow them back in. But not long after, they once again cause trouble. The pub owner’s wife just decides to take them back to their hos. And entrusts the task to .
She tells I can imdiately go ho afterwards, so after sending these drunk sons to their respective houses, I head back to the church. But I don’t walk through the doors straight away.
Those three young n poured liquor on my head in their drunken states. I didn’t plan on entering the church while reeking of alcohol. After Marie hands my pajamas, I head for the bathroom first.
How could those guys waste liquor? It may be cheap, but liquor is still liquor. What a waste. It deserved to be drank, not on the floor.
I give myself a quick wash before making my way to my room.
And I find Lian sleeping soundly on my bed.
My heart stops for a mont.
Why’s he here?
Have I been missing too much sleep that I’ve started hallucinating?
Or maybe, I sohow fell asleep while standing, and this is a dream?
Nope, I’m awake. My mind is clear too, I think.I don’t really understand the situation, but for now, I decide to first get into bed. It would get too cold for to endure standing all night without the warmth of my covers.
After Lian wakes up from my presence, I try to get so answers out of him, but nothing coherent leaves his lips.
Looks like he’s still half asleep.
Lian probably had himself excused from his responsibilities today, and he decided to stay in the church overnight.
He complains when I climb into the bed. But he doesn’t kick out, either. On the contrary, he even scooches over to the edge of the bed to give so space to lie down.
Although this brings joy, it won’t be a lie to say I also felt slightly upset.
I don’t get it. Are you okay with this?
I already told you that I like you. You heard it crystal clear, right?
Yet, you allow to lie in the sa bed as you. When you’re sleeping and utterly defenseless. Do you really understand what you’re doing?
I really don’t get it.
Maybe… no, it can’t be.
It sounds unlikely, but… does he think I wasn’t being serious back then? That my words were just a joke?
But I clearly rember his face flushing. I clearly rember him telling to wait for him a little more.
He didn’t run away. He even let kiss him, and kept on holding my hand.
No matter how you looked at it, that was a yes, right? He accepted , right?
Well… he still hasn’t given a clear answer, though. Is that a good thing?
Is it okay for to indulge right now, without having to wait for two years? I think so. I don’t think I’m wrong.
So sure of myself, I make a move. And end up infuriating him.
I guess it still isn’t a good ti.
However, as I shift closer to Lian, he doesn’t seem averse to it. In fact, he leans even closer. Growing bolder, I pull him into my arms. He doesn’t push away. Well, the fact that he’s barely awake probably had a lot to do with it.
Maybe it’s because my body temperature is higher than average, and he’s just seeking heat. I know that Lian’s body temperature is colder than most people’s. And he gets chilled easily. Sotis, his hands are cold enough to make worry.
Lian gradually relaxes in my arms, his breathing growing steady as he falls into a deep slumber.
I’m ecstatic. He actually trusts enough to let his guard down enough to sleep with . On the other hand, he trusts too much. I can’t break it. I must make sure that I don’t unconsciously make a move on him.
A sigh escapes my lips. This is going to be a tough night in so many ways.
I want to kidnap Lian and keep him in my bedroom… _:(´ཀ`」 ∠):_
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