“Aisha and Snow… about them.”
After making up, we started talking about the two of them.
“I think I’ll take them with us, just like Sofia said.”
“Um… is that okay? I thought Fate had his own reasons.”
“Yeah, that’s true. I thought it would be safer if they stayed hidden in the village.”
“Then why?”
“…Maybe because Sofia was the one who cared about the two of them more.”
Until Licorice pointed it out to me, I had completely forgotten about Aisha and Snow.
I was only thinking about myself.
But Sofia was different.
Without anyone telling her to, she naturally cared about the two of them.
Even when she was arguing with me, she ended up putting them first.
That difference felt huge to me.
“…That’s why I think Sofia’s opinion is the right one.”
“…Do you really think so?”
“You don’t have to look so anxious about it.”
“To tell the truth… I think Fate’s idea has a point too. It’s like both are right.
So, whether it’s right or wrong, that’s…”
“It’s okay.”
I gently took Sofia’s hand.
I could understand her anxiety.
If I were in her position, I’d feel the same.
But…
That’s exactly why I’m here.
“I’ll support you, Sofia. I’ll work hard so that this choice really feels like the right one.”
“…Fate…”
“So hold your head high. Be the cool Sofia you always are.”
Sofia gave a small, soft laugh.
“‘Cool’ isn’t really a compliment for a woman, you know?”
“S-sorry… it just slipped out.”
“But when Fate says it, it makes me really happy.”
Sofia squeezed my hand in return.
Our hands touched, sharing warmth.
It was warm, gentle, and so comfortable…
like being wrapped in a soft feeling.
I wanted to stay like this forever.
“Will you keep helping me from now on?”
“Of course.”
“Then I’ll stay by your side too… always.”
“Y-yeah.”
Somehow, it felt almost like a proposal…
Realizing that made me a little awkward.
Sofia, though, seemed to have said it unconsciously and didn’t seem bothered at all.
If I pointed it out…
She’d probably get embarrassed and flustered.
Better not.
This little mix of happiness and awkwardness was mine alone for now.
“Alright, let’s go tell Aisha and Snow about this…”
“Wait.”
As I was about to leave the room, my hand was tugged back.
“What is it?”
“It’s late now, so the two of them are probably asleep. Tomorrow should be fine, shouldn’t it?”
“Oh, that’s true.”
“More importantly, right now…”
Sofia looked at me with a faintly heated gaze.
“Right now, I just… want to stay with Fate a little longer.”
“Eh? Th-that is…”
“N-no, not in a weird way! It’s just… lately, with everything going on, we haven’t had any time alone together. So, once in a while…”
Now that she mentioned it, we really hadn’t spent time alone lately.
It’s not that I dislike being with Aisha and Snow.
Our time with them is precious and makes me happy.
But separate from that, I also had this selfish wish to spend time with Sofia alone.
“Then… shall we stay together a little longer?”
“Yes!”
Sofia nodded with the brightest smile.
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