Volume 3 Chapter 10 Even Without Words──
As I finished licking the lollipop and headed towards the guard post, something strange happened. It turned out that the girl's mother had filed a missing person report.
As soon as the girl saw her mother's face, she ran towards her, and her mother, with tears in her eyes, hugged her tightly.
After saying goodbye to the grateful mother and waving to the girl with a smile, the two of us set out into the city once again.
Although we only had a short amount of time, the girl had grown quite fond of the young lady. The young lady seemed to be enjoying herself as well, walking hand in hand with the girl.
"It must feel good to see her mom again."
"...Yeah, it does."
It took me a moment to respond to the young lady's pure joy at being reunited with her family.
Oops, that wasn't the right thing to say.
It's too late now to realize my mistake. As I glanced at the young lady, I could see a shadow cast over her previously happy expression. It was as if she had failed at something and was wearing a face of regret.
Walking side by side, there was an awkward atmosphere between us. It felt like the excitement I had felt when I met the young lady again was all a lie.
But I couldn't stay silent forever.
I should have been prepared from the beginning... from the day I first met the young lady. I had just been caught up in the miraculous reunion until a moment ago. It was just a matter of realizing it through her words.
I made up my mind and asked the young lady,
"Hey... Umm"
"What I said earlier... is true."
The young lady responded as if rejecting my words, not even looking at me, as if she were monotonously reading from a script.
"It's not official yet, but in the near future, I am going to be engaged to someone my father has chosen."
"Um, what can I even say?"
"Were you... surprised?"
"......"
All I could do was nod.
I knew that the person I like was out of my league. But, when I found out that she was actually had a partner, it was even more shocking. I couldn't bring myself to offer congratulations in this state of mind.
"──As a nobleman's daughter, I was aware that my marriage might not align with my own wishes."
"Don't you... dislike it?"
"Before harboring any rejection, I felt a stronger sense of resignation. I've been educated to feel that way since I was young. The feeling of inevitability came first."
The young lady smiled wryly. Even with that expression, she looked beautiful. Yet, my chest ached as if it were being squeezed tightly.
"But, now I can't help but feel a little opposed to it."
She held my hand.
"Only while walking with you. Without being desired by anyone, without being forced, I can just be myself. I can do as I please. Holding your hand like this."
Even if it was already decided that I would let go,
Even if it was destined for us to be apart,
I will never let go of the hand I held in this moment.
I felt that my determination was conveyed.
That's why I held her hand back.
That hand, which will eventually belong to someone else,
Is mine only in this moment.
"...You might have already noticed. ...I have two lovers."
"I heard it from Meister-sama."
I thought it was unnecessary, but I clearly have no right to curse that old man.
Fortunately, the young lady did not express rejection to my words. I didn't know what she truly felt inside, but I continued.
"Both of them are incredibly wonderful women who are too good for me. I have decided to make them happy."
I am aware that I am saying terrible things. But this is a kind of resolution.
Towards those two. And towards the young lady.
"But"
I looked into the eyes of the woman walking next to me and said,
"Right now, I belongs to no one else. Only you, the one and only."
"...Yes."
The young lady nodded, her fingers gripping tightly.
──Right now, my hand belongs to the young lady, even though we haven't explicitly exchanged words.
But we understood each other's feelings completely.
We already have a partner for each other.
But for now, it's just the two of us.
Eventually, we stopped walking.
It was the bridge where I had parted ways with the young lady before.
We hadn't planned to come here, but our feet naturally brought us here.
"It's the end... isn't it?"
"Yes, it's the end..."
The young lady and I let go of each other's hands.
It's hard to say who let go first. It was probably almost at the same time. Both of us cut it off, despite feeling reluctant.
And with big smiles on our faces, we bid each other farewell.
The second miracle comes to an end.
We don't look in the same direction, but we walk forward, wishing each other happiness.
Before, we exchanged mementos. This time, there are none.
But, there was something exchanged.
Her feelings for me.
My feelings for her.
Maybe, it would have been better if we never met.
The pain of parting with her feels even more intense. The stronger the longing, the more it will smolder in my heart endlessly.
But I think.
This pain in my heart is the strength of my feelings for her.
If such feelings continue to linger with her.
Even though I know it's selfish, it makes me happy.
And if the young lady holds the same feelings as me.
I feel that what clings to my heart is not a bad thing at all.
Ah, but.
If a third miracle were to happen.
At that time, I──
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