Under the white sandy beach and blue seas, the very scenery of a beach, Fate-san and I were sitting on leisure sheets, eating the lunch we had bought.
The temperature was a little cool, not ideal for swimming, but perfect for eating while looking at the ocean.
None of the food I bought at the food stalls was super expensive, but I don't know if our current situation enhanced its taste... but they were very tasty.
As we were about to finish our meal, I looked around at the quiet beach and spoke.
[...Even so, even though this beach is beautiful, there isn't any person around.]
[I made it that way after all.]
[Errr, is that because you used your power to manipulate fate?]
[Well, something like that.]
Fate-san's voice is very calm, while she gazed at the sea... with eyes that were somehow filled with determination. As we were eating lunch, Fate-san didn't say much, but she seemed to be thinking about something.
This is just a guess but... I think Fate-san has come up with an answer. Whether the feeling within her heart really was love or is it something else...
That's why I didn't say anything else, quietly waiting for what Fate-san would say next as she was lost in thought. It's still noon anyway... I still have a couple of hours in my date with Fate-san.
I guess one could say that it's a short time. However, I think it was enough time for my impression of Fate-san to change.
[...Hey, Kai-chan.]
After a short pause, Fate-san began to quietly speak without looking at me.
[I'm having a great time right now. I thought I'd lived a long time and seen a lot of things in my time... but this feels different. I've seen the ocean more times than I can bother counting, and yet, today's ocean looks more beautiful than ever.]
[...…]
It sounded as calm as a soliloquy, yet somehow, her voice sounded sad, as if she was repenting something.
[...I think... I'm in love with Kai-chan... I think... I love Kai-chan. No, I actually understood this long ago. But I couldn't admit it, so I turned my back on it.]
[...Fate-san.]
[...But... but you see...]
I wonder why? Even though she's telling me that she's in love and was feeling affection for me... Why is it that Fate-san... have "such a sad look on her face"? Why does her voice sound like she's about to start crying?
[...I am... "not qualified to like Kai-chan."]
[...Eh?]
As a single tear dripped down the corner of Fate-san's eye, she turned to look at me and with a pained expression on her face, she lowered her head.
[Sorry... I'm sorry... Kai-chan. I've always... been trying to use Kai-chan. The whole time I was talking about how much I like you... All I could think about was using Kai-chan to make things easier for myself.]
The words Fate-san squeezed out was the guilt she felt... but I wonder why? I'm not entirely sure, but I think... she's talking about something "different".
The most important reason why Fate-san says that she isn't qualified to love isn't because of her guilt. There is still something else that is tormenting Fate-san's mind.
[...I don't think anyone needs any sort of qualification to fall in love with someone though.]
[.....]
[In addition, I've enjoyed the time I've spent with Fate-san, and I don't feel any resentment towards you. Moreover, that "you were trying to use me"... It was different now, right?]
[...Unnn.]
[Fate-san, please honestly answer me. What is it that you're worried about? Why do you think you don't have the qualification to like me————-!?]
As soon as I said that, Fate-san's face was pressed against my chest, and tightly held unto my clothes. Her small shoulders were slightly trembling... She even looked as if she was scared of something.
[...I'm... a God... a Supreme God. That's why, that's why...]
After telling me this in a tearful voice, Fate-san looked up at me with clinging eyes and spoke.
[Can't you see!? Even though I love Kai-chan... "Kai-chan could never be my first priority!" If I had to weigh Kai-chan and Shallow Vernal-sama, I would side with Shallow Vernal-sama... I would always side with Shallow Vernal-sama!]
I see, it finally makes sense. That was what had been worrying Fate-san for so long... For Fate-san, Shiro-san is an absolute being, and just as she had once said, just like the other Gods, she's the very reason for her existence.
Even if she likes me and our feelings are mutual... She's worried about the fact that she can't make me her top priority. Ahh, she really is quite clumsy... I wonder why she's so "adorable"...
[...That's why, Kai-chan, I don't think I'm qualified to love———]
[Of course, you are.]
[———-Eh?]
Fate-san truly is a brave person. Even though she was feeling troubled with her guilt and her distress that comes with being a God, she was able to put her feelings for me into words.
In this case, what am I supposed to do about this? It's obvious. Filling my heart with courage, I received Fate-san's words.
[...It's alright, Fate-san. That is alright.]
[Kai-chan?]
[You can make Shiro-san your top priority. No, please do that. If Shiro-san and I were to face against each other, please don't hesitate to take her side. But if you would still love me... I would be happy.]
[...Is it... alright? I am...]
[After all, "including that part of you, taking Shiro-san as first priority"... is a part of the Fate-san that I loved.]
[Ahh... Uuuu...]
Yes, after all, there is nothing wrong with what she said. In any case, the Fate-san that I had met "prioritizes Shiro-san right from the very start", and I fell in love with her when she was like that, so there was no need for her to worry about anything.
I will just receive Fate-san's everything... including that part of her. After all, I think that part of hers also "makes Fate-san the person she is".
[...Is it... alright? ...Is it... really alright... to love Kai-chan... and "not give up"... on Kai-chan?]
[Yes.]
[!?]
Thus, I strongly affirmed her. Even more strongly than anyone else, I affirmed the current Fate-san.
After Fate-san's eyes widened when she heard my words, tears filled with different kinds of emotions leaked out of her eyes as she buried her face in my chest, as if she was clinging to me.
[...Sorry, Kai-chan. Just a few moments, okay? Please wait just a few moments... I'll be back to my normal self in a little while... so please... spoil me for a bit.]
[I'll spoil you as much as you want, Fate-san, until you have your heart's fill.]
[...I'm a repulsive person, you know? I'm selfish... troublesome... and will bring Kai-chan lots of trouble, you know?]
[It's already too late for you to say that though. I've already known you were selfish and troublesome... but still, I've fallen in love with you because you're kind in some way, cheerful to the core, and you make me smile whenever I'm with you...]
Yes, I already had my answer. When I found out that Fate-san might be in love with me, I was happy about it.
Even at the beginning of our date, which had spiraled out of control, I somehow had fun. At that point, I already knew my answer.
[...Thank... you... Me too, Kai-chan, I like you... I love you.]
Because, you see, at this moment, my heart... is overflowing with so much happiness.
Dear Mom, Dad————– The distress that comes from being a God, a Supreme God who serves Shiro-san. Such worries are very much like Fate-san, and it reaffirms how pure her heart is. To be able to accept the feelings from such a Fate-san————– I felt more proud than ever.