“—What’s wrong…?”
“…It’s nothing. Don’t worry about it.”
“No, you have some serious dark circles under your eyes. You look exhausted.”
“Ah… I’ll be fine once I sleep in the magic vehicle.”
This was the morning of the long-awaited departure to the Demon Academy.
While everyone else was excited about going to a new place, I was the only one who had crashed from staying up all night.
So much so that Arthur, who shouldn’t have known anything, was worried about me.
The reason, of course, was Hera’s words from yesterday.
“When I’m next to you, Shin-kun… I somehow feel safe and calm. So— I’d be happy if you could stay with me…”
Those words lingered in my mind, and as I pondered their meaning, I found that before I knew it, the day had changed.
But I still hadn’t reached a conclusion.
If I think simply, what could it mean that she wants me to be with her? Would it really be something I would be told?
No, I probably show more affection to Hera than anyone else in her life.
After all, she can read emotions.
“…But I still don’t know if that’s love…”
If someone less experienced than Hera heard those words, they would definitely interpret it as love.
However, as someone who’s deeply invested, I know that Hera craves affection from family, so I can’t tell if her feelings are familial love or romantic interest.
“…Should I confess on a whim…?”
Since I’m genuinely in love, I like Hera as more than just my favorite. The more I get to know her, the more I fall for her… but our worlds are different— I knew she was beyond my reach, so I kept her as my “favorite.”
It might seem odd for an otaku, but if I could, I would want to date her and hold her hand.
Of course, I would want more than just R-18 stuff, but if Hera doesn’t want that, I’m prepared to remain a virgin for life.
As long as Hera can live happily with a smile, I’m okay with anything.
“—I’ve made up my mind. Saying this feels like a death flag, but… I’ll break that template. I’ll definitely protect Hera and confess to her…!”
Hera put in the effort to show me her feelings.
I can’t just ignore that. It would be way too rude.
Even if I get rejected and end up crying buckets, I won’t die until I’ve completely protected her.
“Phew… Alright— let’s go.”
After slapping my cheeks to get motivated, I climbed aboard the large magic vehicle, about the size of a bus.
Thanks to finally sorting out my feelings, I felt unusually good and light.
Meanwhile, in the front seat of Class A’s magic vehicle, Hera was sitting alone, exuding an aura that made her seem more distant than usual.
But it wasn’t because she was angry or in a bad mood.
“…”
(Oh, oh my god… this is too embarrassing…! I was going to greet Shin in the morning, but I can’t! I can’t even look at his face properly…)
She was still flustered, recalling yesterday’s events.
Just recently, Hera had resolved to pursue Shin.
However, in reality, she had never experienced romance, so she had always endured the embarrassment of trying to express her feelings… but what happened yesterday completely exceeded her limits.
(“I’d be happy if you could stay with me?!” That sounds like a confession or a proposal! What was I thinking! I’m such an idiot! I was actually planning to say it a little more subtly…)
Originally, she intended to have a brief chat and express her feelings as usual.
But the moment she saw Shin, joy and affection overwheramed her, making her forget everything she had planned.
Even though she realized it wasn’t like her to act that way, she couldn’t herap but be a bit childish.
(Just thinking about it now is so embarrassing… It’s a good thing no one else was around but Shin. I would never make such a mistake in front of anyone else.)
As she had told Shin, Hera always maintained the highest level of vigilance against everyone, everywhere.
With her cold eyes, an aura that warned others to stay away, and her monotone speech, she had played the role of someone whom people would avoid.
This was because, from a young age, everyone around her had been an enemy.
It was the same at home; both her parents and all the servants and relatives showered her with negative emotions.
They didn’t even consider how deeply that could wound a young child’s heart and close it off.
(…So I had resolved to stop wanting anything from others— or so I thought…)
Then Shin appeared.
He was different from anyone she had ever known; no matter what she did, he never hurt her heart.
And he was the first person in her life to direct pure affection toward her.
The more she interacted with him, the more she discovered new feelings, and she found herself trapped in those emotions, ultimately captivated by him.
(It was embarrassing, but I have no regrets… I wonder what Shin thinks about what happened yesterday…? But—)
“—I hope he realizes my feelings…”
Having gathered the courage to say it, she couldn’t herap but wish for that.
Yesterday’s events indeed became a turning point in their relationship.
And— little did they know, it was the final piece that would change her fate.
