After Sieg-san's confession, we became clear lovers.
However, that doesn't mean that the way we treat each other is going to abruptly change, as after we drank our tea and continued chatting, we got up to resume our walk in the forest.
Earlier, Sieg-san was walking in front of me, while I followed behind her, but this time. we started walking next to each other.
Maybe it's because we're so close, but I can smell a nice citrusy scent wafting from Sieg-san.
Is it perfume? It's typical for Sieg-san to have a fresh, gentle scent... and since I'm starting to think of Sieg-san as a woman, smelling her scent is kind of making me very nervous now.
As we continued walking for a while, Sieg-san's hand unexpectedly touched mine and slowly, held my hand.
[...Eh?]
[S- Something like this... i- is the least lovers can do...]
[Y- Yes!]
Her surprisingly soft hands... I don't know if it's because my temperature is higher than her, but her hand is cooler than mine.
Her little hand that fits perfectly in mine was lovely, making me feel that Sieg-san was a woman.
[...It kind of feels nice, isn't it? Walking like this...]
[...Are you talking about us holding hands?]
[There's also that but... the fact that I'm walking "next" to you like this... makes me feel like I'm closer to you, Kaito-san.]
[...Sieg-san.]
Hearing Sieg-san's words with a happy look on her face, I tightened my grip on her hand a little more.
It seems that my feelings were firmly conveyed, as Sieg-san also squeezed back my hand.
At the same time as my tension gradually raised my body temperature, not the kind of tension where my body just burned hot, the happiness of being with Sieg-san in this way also grew stronger with each step forward.
With me sleeping in the middle of our stroll and the confession that happened, we resumed our stroll later than we expected, and when the sky started to turn red, I was surprised that it was already sunset.
I would have enjoyed a few more walks with Sieg-san if possible... It was suggested that we go home because the visibility in the forest at night is worse and I might trip, so I nodded in agreement.
When Sieg-san and I returned to the city of Rigforeshia, both of us let go of our held hands in embarrassment, and when we reached Rei-san and Fia-san's home, it looked like they were just getting ready for dinner.
Rei-san and Fia-san looked at us when we came back with a smile on their faces and welcomed us back. Is it just my imagination that they look so happy right now?
Since it was going to take a little while to prepare dinner, I was allowed to take a bath to get rid of the dirt first.
As usual, Sieg-san punched out Rei-san, who strongly suggested that Sieg-san and I bathe together, and since Sieg-san suggested that I take a bath first since I'm their guest, they let me bathe first.
The bath at Rei-san and Fia-san's home is like a Japanese cypress bath, with a pleasant woodsy scent that soothes my tired body.
The large, luxurious baths in Lilia-san's home are good, but taking a bath in a familiar-sized bath like this is good too.
After I get mine, Sieg-san took a bath as well, and then, we gathered in the dining room to have our dinner.
Fia-san prepared a beautiful dish, decorated like a big flower, and looking closely, it's made of vegetables and thinly sliced meat, just like carpaccio.
However, the size of the dish is very large, and there seems to be a variety of vegetables and meat used in the dish, so it kind of looks luxurious.
[...It's a really beautiful dish.]
[This, you see… It's called Rigforeshia's Flower... A local specialty of our city.]
[...Wha... Wha...]
[Sieg-san?]
Fia-san tells me that the dish is called the Rigforeshia's Flower, and as I was admiring how beautiful it looks... For some reason though, Sieg-san blushes and looks as if she's seen something unbelievable.
Calling out her name, I tilted my head at her strange reaction, but it seemed that she was too surprised that she didn't hear me. Sieg-san just moved her gaze towards Fia-san and muttered.
[...W- Why... W- When?]
[Eh? When, she asked... Isn't it amusing, Rei?]
[Yeah, how many years do you think we've been Sieg's parents? I knew it the moment the both of you came home and saw your face.]
[ ~ ~!?!? ]
In response to Sieg-san's dumbfounded words, Rei-san and Fia-san looked astonished when they replied to her.
[...Errr, is something the matter?]
[Ahh, I see! Miyama-kun doesn't know about this. This Rigforeshia Flower is a dish that is eaten during certain celebrations in this city.]
[C- Celebrations?]
[Yes, it's a celebration for Sieg and Miyama-kun.]
[Wha!?]
I didn't understand the situation and asked, but Fia-san and Rei-san smiled at me and replied... Eh? Wait a moment... Does that mean they already know that Sieg-san and I are now lovers!?
I- Isn't that too fast... I- I mean, it happened just a few hours ago, and we also let go of each other's hands before we went into the town... I- I guess it's to be expected from Sieg-san's parents, they immediately knew if Sieg-san had changed.
After they told me that they had clearly seen through it all, I can feel my face flushing red... While Sieg-san's shoulders are trembling, and even her ears turned bright red.
[...That's why... this food... is a dish to be eaten for a "wedding celebration"!!!]
[Eeeehhhhh!?]
Hearing Sieg-san's words as she shouted with a bright red face, I couldn't help but let out a yell as well.
Ehhh… When they say "a certain celebration"... they meant a wedding celebration!? No, no, no matter how you look at it, isn't that too fast!? It's really making me embarrassed here...
[Unnn? Does that really matter? You're eventually going to be married, right?]
[Wha!? Ah, t- that is...]
[Or perhaps, does Sieg-chan think that there's a chance you will break up with Miyama-kun?]
[That is, ummm... u- unlikely... but...]
[ [ Then, it's all good! ] ]
[...U- Uuugghh…]
Hearing what the two of them said with smiles on their faces, Sieg-san blushed so red that it feels like she's going to start releasing steam on her ears, and she then sits down, covering her face with her hands.
Unnn, ummm, I don't think I'm going to Sieg-san either... but still, I can understand why Sieg-san is that bashful.
I mean, if your own parents are that openly delighted, I would obviously be embarrassed... Unnn, that's why, pull yourself together, me... Stop thinking that Sieg-san who had turned bright red is cute...
Then, after Rei-san looks at Sieg-san, who has sat down on her seat, he then turns to me and gives me a serious look.
[...Miyama-kun.]
[Eh? Ah, yes!]
[...Sieg is our very precious daughter. I know she'll be fine with you by her side but... Please give her happiness.]
[...Yes. Ummm, I might still be inexperienced and unreliable yet but... I'm going to do my best, and not just let Sieg-san support me. I want to be there for Sieg-san as well.]
[ ~ ~!?!? ]
While being exposed to his gaze extremely filled with his fatherly thoughts, I still firmly looked back into Rei-san's eyes and replied to his words.
I am a man... It's times like this when I have to be able to say something strong and reliable... I hope that in the future, I will be someone that is worthy of being by Sieg-san's side, and a person with whom Rei-san and Fia-san can leave Sieg-san at ease... I will do my best.
[...Unnn. I really am glad that you've become Sieg's partner.]
[Come already, enough with that man-to-man talk... Let's go eat! I'm really confident with what I made today.]
Hearing my words, Rei-san suddenly releases the serious expression on his face and calmly smiles at me.
Perhaps, sensing that our conversation has ended, Fia-san cheerfully suggested that we sit down, and we followed her suggestion.
Sieg-san, even with her face still red, stood up and took the seat next to me.
[...Leaving that out of the way… Miyama-kun.]
[Eh? Yes?]
[...I may be repeating myself, but the room is completely soundproofed. Also, the "replacement sheets" are in the drawer next to the bed. Also, I'll make sure that the bathtub is properly adjusted to work late at night, so you can use it to your heart's cont—— Bfueeehh!?]
[...Can you please... go die one time?]
The fatherly expression Rei-san had on his face just a moment ago disappeared, turning into the face of a perverted old man, and hearing what he said, Sieg-san punched Rei-san with a tremendous force.
A vein could literally be seen popping out of her forehead, and her eyes are completely set... It seems that she's angrier than ever before.
[W- Wait right there, Sieg... Why are you pulling out your sword... Wait!? Wait a moment!? Wa—– Gyaaaaaahhhh!?]
Thereupon, in the late night of Rigforeshia, Rei-san's loud screams echoed.
Dear Mom, Dad——- The fact that Sieg-san and I had become lovers was instantly revealed to Rei-san and Fia-san. However, why does Rei-san have to say unnecessary things... Doing actions that shouldn't be necessary——- Even though he would have been a good father... If it weren't for that...