I Want To Die One Day Before You - Chapter 156
“…Sarubia.”
The man barely managed to call her name. At his call, she smiled warmly and looked at him. Just as she always did.
His heart pounded erratically once more.
Yes.
She had always been like this.
Every time he glanced at her, every time he raised his head, she was always looking at him with the same gentle warmth, like the sun that welcomed everything with its delicate heat. In that constant warmth, he unknowingly—
“I love you.”
His genuine feelings slipped out from his parched throat.
Sarubia burst into laughter at his blunt confession. Rufus watched her with a sullen expression.
Sarubia leaned toward Rufus, who was kneeling in front of her.
“Really, you’re not cute at all.”
“…”
Without saying anything, Rufus held out the ring to her.
The edge of the iron ring faintly glimmered. The red magic stone embedded in the center flickered like a flame.
“The light inside the gem moves. How fascinating.”
Sarubia’s eyes sparkled as she looked at the magic stone.
“But why a ring? Are you telling me to wear it?”
“Yes.”
“Hmm, shouldn’t you say something more romantic before putting a ring on your girl?”
Sarubia playfully ruffled Rufus’s damp hair.
“I don’t know what kind of romance you’re talking about.”
Then came a painful tease.
“That’s why you weren’t popular with girls.”
“…”
Rufus lowered his head like a dejected stray dog.
“I’m just kidding. Smile.”
Seeing Rufus deflated, Sarubia chuckled and poked his cheeks.
This man was truly not cute. He answered questions curtly, rarely smiled, and often cut conversations short with his terse words. He had no sense of humor, lacked patience, and his temperament was unnecessarily hasty.
But she liked this man who had no cute traits.
Because.
“I just want to love you with all my heart.”
In his own way, in a way no one could criticize, he was deeply in love.
That was cute in its own way.
“…”
Sarubia smiled softly and instead of taking the ring, she extended her left hand to Rufus. The ring, warmed by Rufus’s touch, encircled her finger.
“Sarubia.”
The emotion in his eyes as he looked at her overflowed.
“…I am in love with you.”
Until the day my already decayed soul finally perishes.
Until this worn-out body loses its life and returns to the earth.
Until death separates you and me.
In the short span of time given to me as a human, I don’t want to waste a single moment. I want to love you more.
That is all.
“I’ve fallen headfirst in love with you.”
I, who am alive now, love you who are fully alive.
I, who am broken and fallen, dare to love you.
I, whom you have loved till the end, am still loving you as always.
The man looked as if he would cry at any moment. But in the end, he did not shed tears.
He could not cry.
A dandelion-like sense of happiness fluttered into his lips, hardened by years of despair and loneliness. At this moment, he was too deeply in love to indulge in tears.
So.
“I love you, Sarubia.”
Instead, he smiled. There was no other answer.
Her face, smiling in response, came closer. There was no need to say who went first. They closed their eyes as if they had been waiting for it.
On the rock by the river where no one came, the two embraced each other.
Their gentle lips met.
At first, it was like confirming each other’s breath. A light kiss, as if walking gently on freshly fallen snow. Then, Rufus gently cupped Sarubia’s chin.
Slowly, very cautiously, Rufus stole a kiss from Sarubia’s lips.
The spot where their lips met felt hot.
“Have I never told you that I love you?”
Sarubia, nestled in Rufus’s arms, asked playfully.
“You did.”
“Really? Then listen one more time.”
Sarubia stroked Rufus’s cheek.
“I love you.”
Rufus couldn’t help but smile at her whisper.
At that moment, Sarubia stole a kiss from Rufus’s slightly parted lips. Smiling at her playful kiss, Rufus wrapped his arm around her waist.
Rufus’s breath brushed down her nose again. The tip of his warm tongue brushed against Sarubia’s lips. The tickling sensation made Sarubia laugh as she accepted him. The pleasant heat caressed the roof of her mouth.
At first, it was as soft as down feathers. The warm tongue that gently roamed around her lips gradually delved deeper.
What started as a light kiss turned increasingly intense. The familiar sensation washed over her lips like an unstoppable wave.
Her tightly closed eyelids trembled.
“Rufus.”
“Yes.”
“I love everything about you.”
I feel the same way. Rufus whispered, nibbling gently on Sarubia’s lip.
Sarubia hugged Rufus’s shoulders tightly.
She loved everything.
She loved everything about him, who was so tenaciously devoted to her.
Rufus’s tongue intertwined with her hot breath, creating a delightful shiver.
Sarubia’s fingers raked through Rufus’s hair. The soft sensation stirred everything within her. Her gaze melted in the approaching heat.
“Haa…”
“It’s okay.”
Rufus, as if stealing her sigh, gently inhaled and touched Sarubia’s cheek.
Sarubia instinctively opened her eyes. Rufus was staring at her intently. His gaze made her blush.
“You’re terrible! It’s common courtesy to close your eyes when kissing!”
“Sorry.”
Rufus lightly apologized and rested his head on her neck.
“But with you making such an expression, how could I close my eyes?”
“What expression— mmh…”
Rufus brought her hand back to his lips once more.
“Loveable.”
Rufus slowly kissed the back of Sarubia’s hand.
“You, truly.”
Thud.
The coat fell to the ground at Sarubia’s feet.
.
.
Until the dying campfire had cooled and scattered, she did not put the coat back on.
