The words Sieg-san suddenly said… were a confession about how she
likes me as someone of the opposite sex. To be honest, I was quite
dumbfounded and my head wasn't able to catch up with the situation at
all.
I felt like I should be saying something, but my mouth doesn't move as if
something was keeping them shut, and my thoughts won't completely
settle.
The seriousness on Sieg-san's eyes, the look of determination on her
face that doesn't look away from me… I don't feel any doubt that she's
serious about her words just now.
Seeing me frozen, unable to say anything, Sieg-san's expression faltered
a bit before she wryly smiled.
[…I know. I know that until now, Kaito-san wasn't recognizing me as a
target of affection… So I understand why you're confused.]
[…Ah, no, errr.]
It certainly as Sieg-san said, I've never seen Sieg-san as a target of
romantic interest.
It's not that Sieg-san is unattractive or anything, it's just that, to me,
Sieg-san is… her existence is like a woman I admire.
She is a kind, dependable, mature woman. She's a high-ranked woman,
or something like that, I guess? I think that's how I looked at her.
[…S- Since… when did it start?]
Shameful it may be, the words that leaked out of my mouth… is a
question to stretch out the conversation.
In response to me, who hasn't been able to wrap my head around it at
all, Sieg-san gave me a reassuring smile and spoke.
[It wasn't until the Sacred Tree Festival that I became clearly aware of
it.]
[…I- It's been that long…]
[Yes. However, it took me a long time to ind the courage to express my
feelings.]
[...]
How should I answer her? I don't know… I can't think of a good
response at all.
SIeg-san is amazing… she's calmly smiling in a situation like this, while I
was just…
[…It was just troubling, isn't it?]
[…Eh?]
Hearing the words she said in a slightly sad tone, my vision, which had
been confused and narrowed before, opened up at once.
…Sieg-san's hand… they're trembling?
[I'm sorry. I know that it would confuse you if I suddenly told you about
it… but I really wanted to share my feelings with you.]
[…Sieg-san.]
[You don't have to respond now… I won't rush you for your response.
However, it would be nice if you could remember it… even in the corner
of your mind.]
[...…]
Sieg-san's face, as she said that with a smile, looked like she was about
to start crying.
Thereupon, Sieg-san moved her gaze from me, and reached out to put
away the magic tools she had placed around us.
[…It's about time for us to head back—— Eh?]
[…P- Please wait.]
Before I knew it, I was holding Sieg-san's outstretched hand.
I wasn't conscious of anything. My head is still a mess… but I clearly
knew that I couldn't just let this happen.
[…Just a bit, please give me a bit more time to think! I will give my reply
to you right here!!!]
[!? Y- Yes…]
Sieg-san confessed her feelings to me. Sieg-san knew that I hadn't seen
her that way, but she still built up the courage to tell me her feelings.
I've also confessed my feelings to Kuro and Isis-san before.
With Kuro, I was so preoccupied with all the stuff that was happening
that I didn't have the time to think about what was about to come.
When it was with Isis-san though, I was aware that she already had
affection towards me… But still, I felt terribly uneasy when I confessed
until she answered.
I'm sure Sieg-san is more anxious now than I was at that time…
Confessing even though she doesn't know how I felt, and even having
no expectation of a response, how much courage did she need to have
to do that…?
If I were to indulge Sieg-san's kindness and withhold my answer here…
I would deinitely end up dragging it out and would ambiguously stall
it.
If that happens, Sieg-san would end up having to carry her anxiousness
all the time… That's why, I knew I had to respond, or at least, make sure
I had the thoughts on my mind right now.
In front of Sieg-san, who had turned back towards me, I slowly closed
my eyes and let my thoughts wander.
How do I feel about Sieg-san? How do I want to interact with her in the
future?
First of all, I must stop seeing Sieg-san as just a mature woman I
respect, or that she's a high-level woman… I must only see Sieg-san as
the woman she is.
As for whether I like her or not… I obviously like her. Even now, I'm
really happy that she confessed to me and that she liked me.
When I irst met Sieg-san, I had the impression that she was a cool
person with a slender body with a beautiful face.
But when I talked to her, I found her to be a gentle person who paid
attention to every detail, good at brewing tea and cooking, and had such
family-oriented interests.
Back when I had just come to Lilia-san's mansion, where everyone
didn't look at me too favorably, she's the one who connected with me
without looking at me with strange eyes. Because I felt happy about
that, we began to talk a lot.
After we got back from the Sacred Tree Festival, she would sometimes
give me her home-cooked meals… And even when she had little time on
her hands, she taught me how to cook.
When I was attacked by Eta and Theta, she was the irst to come
running and risked her life, ighting for me.
After we got Bell, even though I had no experience with animals, she
taught me how to take care of him in many ways, and she often came to
help me when she had some spare time out of her work.
I must be an idiot… Looking back on it like this, I can see Sieg-san's
affection was evident in her behavior, but I didn't notice it at all and just
took advantage of her kindness.
How insensitive am I…
Slowly opening my eyes, I stare into those beautiful blue eyes,
remembering each and every one of the memories I had with Sieg-san,
the words I exchanged with her, and her thoughts.
[…Sieg-san.]
[Y- Yes!?]
[To be honest, I didn't really understand… Sieg-san, you're right, I've
been oblivious to Sieg-san's affection for me until now, and even though
I'm thinking about it right at this moment, I haven't been able to irmly
put it all together.]
[…I think it isn't unreasonable. As I said earlier, I'm in no hurry—— [
However ! ] ——-]
Interrupting what Sieg-san is saying as she looked slightly sad, I
wrapped both of her hands in mine, and continued to speak.
[If you ask me if I like or dislike Sieg-san, I will answer without
hesitation. I like Sieg-san!]
[ ! ? ]
Yes, I couldn't come up with a smart answer. I also couldn't come up
with a cool reply.
However, even if I removed all the ilters I had selishly attached to my
perception of Sieg-san, I still had the feeling that I like her.
[I'm aware that it's a very selish thing for me to say.]
[...…]
[However… From this moment on, if I were to see and treat Sieg-san as
someone of the opposite sex… as a love interest… I can assure you that I
may like you more than I do now, but I can't possibly hate you!]
[ ! ? ! ? ]
Yes, seriously thinking about it, that much was certain.
If I were to walk with Sieg-san from now on… I would probably like her
even more than I do now. And there's no way I'm going to hate her.
I'm glad that Sieg-san confessed to me, and I want to know her better
than ever. I want to like her even more.
That would mean… I've already thought of one clear answer.
[That's why, errr… That's why… from now on, as your lover… I want to
know more about Sieg-san. Please let me understand more… Please let
me like you even more than I already do.]
[…Y- Yes!]
That's the answer I chose… I want to be lovers with Sieg-san from now
on, and I want to know a lot of things with her, see a lot of things with
her.
When Sieg-san heard my answer, she vigorously nodded her head and
then, large drops of tears spilled out of her eyes.
[…Eh? A- Arehh? E- Even though I'm feeling so happy… why…]
[…Sieg-san.]
[Ahh…]
As Sieg-san wiped away her overlowing teas with a happy smile on her
face, I gently brought her into my embrace.
[Ummm, I may be an insensitive, stupid and unreliable man but… I look
forward to being with you from now on.]
[…Yes. It was me instead, who's timid and unreliable but… I will be in
your care from now on.]
I continued to hug the crying Sieg-san as I felt the distance between our
hearts have crossed a single boundary… as if we had somehow come
one step closer to each other than ever before.
Dear Mom, Dad——- Sieg-san and I are now lovers. I'm insensitive,
stupid, and I'm only just starting to make progress, so I think I have to
do my best from now on. But now, for sure——- I think our relationship
has become deeper and closer than we've ever been before.