Disclaimer: "Only the Ring Finger Knows" and all its related elements belong to Satoru Kannagi-sensei. The original concept for this story is NOT mine either. It is Kasumi Hayashibara-san's concept for the "Empty White Canvas" story (see her author's note on the last chapter of "The Untouched Ring"), and hence, it naturally belongs to her. She has generously granted me permission to use her idea to write this story. However, it does NOT mean that she will drop "Empty White Canvas". She will definitely return to it after she finishes "Endless Summer", the sequel to "The Untouched Ring". Therefore, this story should not be confused with Kasumi-san's story and vice versa.

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--Contentment--

The exhibition was over like a twinkling of an eye, but there was work to do even after that, namely to clean up. This time, knowing the boy´s tendency to attract danger, he discreetly kept his eyes on the kid all the time to prevent an accident similar to the previous one. Yet when everything finished, the kid somehow managed to vanish from his supervision range. Yuichi signed to himself. The boy was worse than Takako. Then he laughed at himself. What was he doing? The boy was not a child who needed constant chaperon. It was more like he was seeking the boy out. The feelings had truly messed him up. But he did not regret it. Within the month he encountered the boy, he had lived more intensely than his whole eighteen years. His life had suddenly been full of colours and emotions. It was difficult, but also fulfilling in a way.

Yuichi wandered to the backyard for some fresh air and to avoid some presumptuous girls. He found his lost lamb and the scene nearly freaked him out. The boy was again trying to climb on a tree, probably in an attempt to observe some bird´s nest. Yuichi held his breath. He knew better than to call out, which could startle the boy and make him fall down. Yuichi carefully moved closer to the tree, bracing himself for an accident. It seemed that his fear was unfounded, as the boy proved himself to be quite skilful in tree-climbing. Lowering his alertness a little bit, he stepped back to watch the scene. The boy was one of the liveliest creature he had ever known, and he enjoyed that.

Yet when something might go wrong, it went wrong. When the boy nearly reached the ground, he missed his footing and fell down. Fortunately Yuichi could intervene in time. Feeling slightly dizzy because of the warmth emanated from the feather-light body, he did not want to let go, yet knew enough to release the kid, who immediate flushed to the deepest of red and stammered.

¨Th-Thank you.¨

¨You scared me to death!¨ Yuichi said breathlessly. Once again he nearly lost his self-control. All his emotions: worry, relief, and a little anger were contained in that sentence. The boy looked at him in wonder and became flustered.

¨I-I´m sorry. It seems that you have to rescue me all the time. I´m sorry. Are you hurt somewhere?¨

Yuichi gently put one of his long fingers on the boy´s lips, effectively interrupting the speech. Having had the kid one more time in his arms, he could not contain his feelings any longer. The large dark eyes looked at him questioningly. Inwardly taking a deep breath. Yuichi brought both of the boy´s hands to his lips, sending everything he wanted to say in that long kiss. The small hands still tightly held by Yuichi, the dark eyes widened and full lips trembled, but the slender body went frigid, as if it did not know how to react. The boy gazed long and hard into the grey eyes as if trying to discern a lie or a joke. Yuichi looked back affectionately and slightly nodded with a soft sincere smile on his lips. He might look perfectly calm but inside his heart was beating anxiously in waiting for the final verdict.

The boy seemed to understand what was being communicated, for he blushed deeply, took his hands back and ran away, leaving the confessor alone in the backyard. Yuichi signed. The kid was indeed a Cinderella! The result was disappointing, but hope stubbornly refused to leave. It could be seen that the boy was more bashful than angry. In truth, Yuichi had half expected another slap, but that did not happened. There was no outright rejection either. On the other hand, it was not completely clear that he would be accepted. Yuichi forlornly looked at the direction his love went away. What needed to be done was done. All he could do now was to wait and pray that the boy would not only sympathize with his feelings but also reciprocate them.

***

Yuichi had to endure one more week being fried in the hellish flame of impatience and helplessness. There had been no response from the dark-eyed boy. Now that the exhibition was over, there was no reason to expect the boy to be at school. Calling the Fujii household was too risky as something might reach his father, and he did not have the kid´s cell phone number. The ambivalence of the situation was killing him. When he was fretting over his problem, his cell phone rang.

¨Hello, Kazuki´s speaking!¨

¨Hello, Kazuki-san. This is Fujii Karin.¨

Yuichi´s eyes widened in surprise. That was the last person he expected. Could it be something about her brother? Filled with hope, dread, and also curiosity, he hastily asked.

¨What do you need from me, Karin-san?¨

¨Well, could you do me a favour?.¨ The speech made Yuichi hold his breath. He could detect some plotting going on at the other end. ¨Tomorrow is my brother´s and my birthday. You know, we are twins. As our parents are busy, we often celebrate by ourselves. The problem is this year, a friend of mine from Osaka visits Tokyo, and I want to show her around. But it´s inconvenient to drag my brother along.¨

¨Get it! What can I do for you?¨ Yuichi´s whole body was in suspense, he could already guess the request. This unlooked-for help was too good to be true.

¨Well, our tradition is to go on a ¨date¨. Could you replace me? Please come by our house at 10:30 sharp, for I have to leave then. In case you don´t know our address, I already texted it. Are you willing to do it?¨

¨You bet I am! Thank you so much, Karin-san!¨

¨It´s nothing. A certain person is in a slump lately and I want to cheer that person up. See you on Saturday!¨. They broke out laughing and hung up.

Yuichi had to pinch himself to make sure that he was not dreaming. Excitement filled his body. Blessed be all kind sisters in the world! He made a mental note to get Karin the best present he could afford. The road was opened, and it was up to him to do the rest.

***

Yuichi showed up punctually at the Fujii household, dressed casually but with special care. It was the birthday of the person he was pursuing after all. He did consider bringing flowers but decided to leave it for later. He rang the door bell, and Karin appeared. With a mischievous smile on her face, she signalled him to be silent and led him inside the house. Another voice, obviously belonged to the dark-eyed boy, asked.

¨Who´s it, Karin?¨

¨Wataru-chan, I forgot to tell you that I can´t celebrate our birthday with you today. But I´ve found a substitute. Hope he´s good enough for you!¨

¨He?¨ The boy curiously asked. There was sound of walking, and the boy, already dressed to go outside, appeared. Yuichi´s heart raced. A bride on the first visit to her in-laws could not be more nervous than him.

His already large dark eyes even larger in surprise, the boy stuttered.

¨Wh-What is this, Karin?¨

¨I can´t be with you today so I´m sorry about that. But Kazuki-san is kind enough to help out. Have fun!¨ The girl smiled half teasing, half encouraging to her brother, opened the door and quickly vanished.

Yuichi was more or less prepared for the situation, but he was still awkward. When he was trying to find the suitable words, the boy fell down on the sofa.

¨That girl is impossible!¨

¨Please don´t blame her. Consider it my fault. Now be honest! Don´t you want me to be with you?¨ Yuichi gazed straight into the boy´s pretty eyes. There was a mixture of dread and anticipation in those words. Whether he would be in heaven or hell depended on this one answer.

The boy blushed deeply but did not reply. Instead he diverted his eyes. Yuichi knelt down beside him one the sofa. Once again, he brought the small hands to his lips, confirming the sincerity of his feelings. The boy turned his head to Yuichi and their eyes met. A moment long as eternity passed by.

Beyond his expectation, the boy threw himself forward and hugged him tightly like a lost child finding back his family. His face buried in Yuichi´s chest, he murmured.

¨If this turns out to be another joke, I´ll hit you!¨

Triumphant joy filled his whole being, Yuichi returned the embrace, enjoying the moment he had been waiting for so long. He ran his hand through the silky dark hair, and affectionately whispered into his love´s ear.

¨Do I look like that kind of fool? You already hit me twice! I´m not so dumb as to learn nothing¨ He parted from the boy to adore his newly-found love to his heart´s content. ¨Happy birthday! What do you like as a present? I´ll do anything!¨

The boy laughed embarrassedly under Yuichi´s loving gaze. He muttered sweetly.

¨Do you have any idea where we should go for the date today?¨

¨Your wish is my command, Fujii-san! Wait, that name was for that ¨girl¨. What should I call you?¨ He asked the boy teasingly.

¨What´s wrong with ¨Fujii-san¨?¨

¨You want me to see you as a girl?¨ The comment immediately provoked a scowl, but Yuichi smiled half defiantly, half reconciliatory. ¨How is it with Wataru?¨ It was partly to tease the boy, but he was also serious. With that name he felt he could finally identify his love. He had had enough confusion to last for a lifetime.

As predicted, Wataru was completely flustered on hearing his given name from Yuichi´s mouth, which just served to delight the latter. He tenderly lifted the boy´s face and gazed into those captivating dark eyes. He brought his lips closer to the tempting rose-like lips. The boy closed his eyes, but Yuichi chose that moment to stop. He whispered into his love´s ear

¨I know you don´t like me forcing you. So it depends on you.¨

¨What do you mean?¨ The dark-eyed boy was baffled.

¨I will be waiting. So kiss me if you really want to.¨ Yuichi smiled quizzically. He kept his face seductively close to the boy´s.

Wataru blushed and scowled, but still closed his eyes and leaned forward. That response was all Yuichi was waiting for. He pulled the boy close and passionately kissed the sweet lips he so desired. It had come full circle. The prince had found his Cinderella, and all was good and well.

HOPEFULLY IT´S REALLY THE END.

***

*Wave white flag* Once again, I´m sorry for the mess. And thank you for reviewing and criticizing me. I´m particularly grateful for Kasumi Hayashibara-san for allowing me to use (and mess with) her idea.