DLBF Chapter 26

Chapter 26 – Dating Ceremony

Chapter 2, Part 4.1

Novel Title: ルーデンドルフ公と森の獣 (Duke Ludendorff and the Beast of the Forest)

Author：かわい有美子 (Kawai Yumiko)

Illustrator: 周防佑未 (Suoh Yuumi)

Translator: K (@kin0monogatari)

Protagonists: 藤森賢士 (Kenji Fujimori -MC), ユリアン ルーデンドルフ (Julian Ludendorff -ML)

*Please read at Novels Space.space, the original site of translation. TQ*

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“After hearing your explanations, I wanted to visit Kyoto and Nara. But I feel lucky to be able to admire such a magnificent garden right here in this mansion.”

In the detached tea room built in the sukiya style, with its view of the meticulously maintained garden. Julian said this as he stretched his long legs out on the tatami and placed his cup of hojicha tea beside him.

“This garden is of pretty high quality. Mr. Tanba is definitely a skilled gardener.”

Fujimori took a sip of his hojicha as well, letting out a satisfied sigh.

The hojicha came from some teabags Fujimori had tossed into his luggage. He said it had a taste similar to dandelion herbal tea, making it easy to drink.

Coffee would have been fine. But since they were taking their time to admire the Japanese garden with the shoji doors wide open, Fujimori thought it would be nice to brew some hojicha instead.

Drinking hot hojicha in the summer had its own unique charm. The coolness of the place and the breeze made it even more enjoyable.

Since the tea room was connected to this detached room, it was well-equipped with tea utensils, so Fujimori took the opportunity to explain everything to Julian.

Julian suggested, “Why don’t you use this tea bowl since we’re here?” but Fujimori was too nervous to use such an expensive antique piece, so he opted for the plain cups borrowed from the main house.

Even so, the cups that Frau Gessner lent them were antique Noritake pieces with gold embellishments, making Fujimori feel a bit guilty about using them for teabag hojicha.

Fujimori, gazing at the cup and thinking it must be expensive, suddenly felt Julian lean in close. He planted a quick kiss on his cheek.

When their eyes met, Julian smiled warmly. He was clearly pleased. The constant kisses and hugs reminded Fujimori, in no uncertain terms, that he was indeed dating a Westerner.

At this point, it almost felt like Julian was marking his territory.

Fujimori had thought Julian’s subtlety was somewhat similar to the typical shyness of Japanese people. But it seemed that being shy and being passionate were two entirely different things. In a culture where even family members kiss each other daily, it might actually be more unnatural not to show affection through kisses when it comes to a loved one.

Fujimori had gradually gotten used to Julian’s barrage of kisses and physical affection. But ever since that moment, Julian had been almost constantly by his side.

Before, Julian used to spend more time holed up in his room, doing various things. But now it was as if Fujimori had become a mother hen, with Julian trailing closely behind. Despite being a tall, handsome man with model-like looks, there was something oddly endearing about him at this point.

With his hair that was a mix of gold, brown, and grey, Julian felt like a big teddy bear or a puppy clinging to Fujimori. Fujimori found himself feeling a mix of affection, tenderness, and just a touch of exasperation.

But there was no denying that Julian’s face was truly striking.

Even as a fellow man, Fujimori couldn’t help but admire Julian’s features—so much so that, before he realised it, he was staring at Julian’s face, which was right next to him, rather than at the Japanese garden in front of them. Julian narrowed his eyes and smiled shyly, as if embarrassed.

Despite having such a perfectly sculpted face, Julian’s delicate expressions made it impossible for Fujimori to ignore him.

Fujimori had always had a fondness for things that were artistically beautiful and rich in character. His specialty in architecture stemmed from his belief in the beauty and allure that such structures could possess. Even as an expert, he wasn’t interested in just any building.

Nowadays, architecture is often associated with civil engineering and technical disciplines. But at its core, it’s driven by the ancient human desire to create comfortable and beautiful spaces.

In fact, Fujimori believed that architecture was intricately connected to various forms of art. Decorations like sculptures and stained glass, paintings, light sources, airflow, and sometimes even the sound of a suikinkutsu all work together to create comfortable and aesthetically pleasing spaces.

That’s why he couldn’t help but marvel at the parquet flooring of this mansion and the elegance of the stained glass transoms.

In that sense, the thought he had when he first saw Julian’s clean-shaven face—that even a man could make him weak in the knees—still held true.

He couldn’t help but wonder if someone like him was really suitable for Julian.

“Hey, in Japan, is there usually some kind of ceremony when people start dating?” 

Julian asked as he traced the patterns on the tatami mat with his large hand. He was clearly intrigued by the unfamiliar material. His curiosity was insatiable, and he had been asking detailed questions all day.

Fujimori was happy that Julian was taking an interest in Japanese culture. So he patiently explained everything to the best of his ability.

“A ceremony, you say… Well, it’s more common to have a formal request, like asking someone to date you. I guess sometimes it starts more casually. But even then, there’s usually some kind of confirmation, like saying, ‘We’re a couple now, right?’ The way people ask varies. And in more traditional cases, it might involve something like a love letter. There’s also a uniquely Japanese custom where, on Valentine’s Day, women give chocolates to the men they like. It’s sort of an opportunity for women to confess their feelings.”

Julian’s eyes widened as he heard this for the first time. “In Germany, Valentine’s Day is for couples, not really a day for confessing feelings to someone you like.”

“Well, it’s pretty well-known that the whole ‘giving chocolates on Valentine’s Day’ thing is unique to Japan. So no one here really expects it to be a global standard. But if you start dating someone without explicitly asking them out, it can often lead to misunderstandings. That’s why, if a guy is serious, he’ll usually make a proper request to start dating. Especially if the other person is popular—if you don’t make your feelings clear, someone else might come along and take them away, or your intentions might not be understood.”

“Hmm…” Julian murmured, gazing up at Fujimori’s face as if trying to peer into his thoughts.

“In Europe, it’s actually more common not to have a formal ‘let’s date’ conversation,” Julian added.

“Ah… I kind of suspected that from how things have been going recently,” Fujimori nodded.

Julian’s increase in physical affection had been noticeable. And the way he’d casually initiated kisses was surprising at first, considering how cautious and shy Julian usually was. But it seemed the differences in romantic values and culture between Japan and Europe played a significant role.

In Europe, where same-sex marriage is recognized, and where it’s common for couples, regardless of gender, to live together and have children without getting married, the concept of family structure is quite different from Japan.

Fujimori, having grown up in a typical Japanese environment, sometimes felt that this approach lacked a certain level of sincerity. However, considering the fundamental differences in family values and religious beliefs between Europe and Japan, he didn’t feel like outright dismissing it either.

Until now, the idea of dating someone from the West hadn’t crossed his mind. So it all felt somewhat distant.

“In fact, some people think that constantly seeking confirmation is old-fashioned and overly formal. It was not really seen as smart these days.”

“Is that so? I don’t know about Germany. But in Victorian England, everything was so old-fashioned.”

That era, about 150 years ago, placed a great emphasis on faith, chastity, and morality.

That said, even in Japan, while the patriarchal system is becoming a thing of the past, it hasn’t completely disappeared.

“You might be right,” Fujimori replied, wondering what Julian thought of his response as Julian gazed at him with a somewhat dazzling expression.

“But seeing your reaction, I thought maybe I should formally ask you to date me…”

So that’s why he asked, “Do you want to be my lover?” Fujimori couldn’t help but chuckle. It was probably just a matter of Julian quickly translating his thoughts into Japanese in his head. For Julian, it was likely a very polite way of asking, “Would you be my boyfriend?”

Amused by the situation, Fujimori leaned back and rested his head on Julian’s thigh, which was stretched out in front of him.

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*GLOSSARY: 

• Suikinkutsu is a type of Japanese garden ornament that creates subtle, beautiful sounds.

☝🏻One type of suikinkutsu. The focus here is the sound of the water trickling down.

☝🏻Sukiya-style tea house

☝🏻Hojicha

☝🏻Antique Noritake Nippon Tea Set

Next update: 2024.11.15

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