"The moon is beautiful, isn't it?"
"Eh? Ah, yes, it is. Is it... a full moon tonight, I wonder?"
We had stepped out into the deserted courtyard, wandering along the corridor and gazing aimlessly at the sky. Or rather, to be precise, I had merely caught a glimpse of the moon reflected in the pond, and looking up at the real thing had been an afterthought. Sara-san seemed to have noticed this, murmuring her impression as she followed my gaze.
"Fufu..."
"What is it?"
She let out a soft chuckle, her eyes drifting back from the stars to me. Bathed in the moonlight and the gentle glow of the garden lamps, she looked ethereal—so beautiful that even a sublime masterpiece of fine art might have slinked away in shame.
"No, I simply stated my impression because that is what I thought. But when I considered it carefully, I realized it was a line from a famous anecdote..."
"...Is it?"
"Yes. Though it is said to be a tale where the anecdote itself has taken on a life of its own, to the point where no one truly knows if the source is even correct."
"Heh..."
To be honest, that line didn't trigger any associations for me. Or rather, I lacked any literary knowledge, so it was only natural that I didn't understand. Whether that made me pathetic or not was another matter entirely.
"By the way, what kind of story is it?"
"A famous man of letters from long ago supposedly expressed 'I love you' as 'The moon is beautiful, isn't it?'. Personally, I find it to be quite a romantic turn of phrase, but thinking about it logically, the meaning isn't immediately clear, is it?"
"Ah... true. It definitely feels poetic, but if someone actually said that to me, I’d probably just wonder what they were talking about."
The mode of expression felt very much like a man of letters, but I couldn't quite grasp the logic that connected those words to that sentiment.
"Wait, but you said it 'took on a life of its own'..."
"Yes. The story itself is a famous episode, but apparently, no primary source has ever been found to prove that the author actually said it."
"Um, so in other words, it's possible someone just made it up?"
"That may be the case, or it may have been a true story. However, it seems certain that there is at least no evidence to prove it."
"I see... that was educational. But even so, I still don't get why you laughed, Sara-san."
"Fufu... there was no particularly deep reason for that either. I simply remembered that anecdote and realized I never dreamed the day would come when I would be conscious of it myself."
"Ah, I see..."
In other words, while she had known the meaning of the words as a piece of trivia, her past self could never have imagined the day would come when she would actually feel them. Well, considering how much of a man-hater Sara-san used to be, I could understand why she might find her current self strange.
"But that kind of romantic phrasing isn't bad. I'm always worried about my own lack of vocabulary, after all."
"Is that so?"
"Yeah. Especially when I want to praise you, Sara-san, it’s always really frustrating. With my cheap powers of expression, I can’t even say half of what I’m thinking..."
It was the same with the yukata the other day, and it was the same with her Japanese Clothing today. Whether the food was delicious or I was moved by something, I could only give extremely simple, plain impressions. But in truth, I wished that I could at least put the emotions in my heart into words a little better and convey them to her.
"Fufu... but Kazunari-san, I feel beyond happy just to have you praise me so directly."
"No, but it's always the same pattern... I have so many more things that I’m feeling and thinking, you know? But I can't put them into words well, and really, I want to tell you more and more, Sara-san..."
"Kazunari-san... I understand perfectly that you are happy from the bottom of your heart about the things I do, and that you are truly and sincerely praising me. Even if your words have no decoration, our hearts are firmly connected..."
"Sara-san..."
I felt like I understood the meaning of her words as a matter of actual feeling. Certainly, even without fancy words, I felt beyond happy just being praised by Sara-san, and I could tell that her words weren't flattery, but came from the heart.
"So, please do not say such things. I find you dear exactly as you are... the raw, honest Kazunari-san."
"Ugh... when you put it like that..."
That was a Killer Phrase. If I said anything more, I would just look like an idiot who was worrying over nothing. Well, I wasn't without the self-awareness that I was just being self-indulgent, though.
"Kazunari-san..."
Sara-san whispered my name and softly leaned her body against mine. She settled into her Fixed Position, nestling against my right arm and leaning a bit of her weight on me.
"I pride myself on being able to understand your heart better than anyone else, Kazunari-san. Even if words are lacking, as long as the two of us are close like this..."
"...You're right. People often say that words aren't necessary, and I'm sure it's for moments like this."
In the first place, since Sara-san could easily see through my thoughts, it wasn't surprising that she could do at least that much.
"Yes. On my pride, I have no intention of becoming a woman who cannot fathom the feelings of her beloved. Therefore..."
"It's the same for me. I have no intention of being a man who doesn't understand your feelings, Sara-san."
"Fufu... I am not worried about that at all, so please do not trouble yourself♪"
At this point, her expression finally broke into a cheerful one, though her eyes remained fixed straight on mine.
"It's quiet..."
"It is. On a moonlit night, being alone with you like this, Kazunari-san... slowly gazing at the starry sky and the garden... I am truly happy."
"Me too. It's different from being alone together at home. This kind of time is nice once in a while."
Alone with Sara-san, leisurely enjoying the scenery... looking up, the moon illuminated us, and the cloudless night sky was sprinkled with the constellations that decorated it.
"That is Betelgeuse at the top left of Orion, that one in Canis Major is Sirius... and rising from there, that shining star is Procyon in Canis Minor."
Sara-san, who was pressed tightly against me, pointed at the night sky and taught me the positions of the constellations. I pressed myself tightly against her to make it easier to see.
"E-Um... ah, I see it. Those are the two bright, prominent stars along with that red one, right?"
"Yes. If you connect those three with lines, it is called the Winter Triangle."
"Ah, I've heard of that! Heh... so that's what it is..."
To be honest, just like with literature, I had absolutely no knowledge of constellations. But I was a simple man; just by looking at them with Sara-san like this, I felt my interest suddenly piqued.
"And then... those two stars over there. Do you know what constellation that is?"
"Two? Um... then, maybe Gemini?"
"Yes, that is exactly right♪"
Sara-san turned a smile toward me so soft that it felt like I would melt just by looking at it. Shown a face like that, no matter how beautiful the starry sky was, my consciousness was completely stolen away by her.
"Fufu... is something the matter?"
"No... just, you're beautiful."
"Yes. The air is clear in winter, after all..."
"No, not that..."
"Eh?"
Perhaps not understanding the meaning of my words, Sara-san wore a cute, blank expression. But that was so agonizingly cute that I almost wanted to reach out and tease her cheek.
"Um, Kazunari-san?"
"N-No, I'm still talking about the stars."
"What do you mean by 'still'? That is practically declaring that I was wrong."
"Ugh..."
I couldn't say it. It was too cliché, too much of a worn-out phrasing, and I was extremely hesitant to actually voice it. It was just too cheesy. Or rather...
"Sara-san, you’re asking because you already know, aren't you?"
"No, I have no idea what you mean."
"Ehhh, you just said you could understand my heart right away..."
"If you are going to say that, then surely you understand my feelings as well, Kazunari-san?"
"Urgh..."
Even just from this mischievous smile, I knew for sure that Sara-san had noticed. I knew it!
"...Sara-san, you're mean."
"Fufu... it is no use sulking so cutely like that♪ Now, Kazunari-san, if you have something you wish to say to me, please do not hesitate."
"Ugh..."
Now that things had come to this, Sara-san would absolutely not let me off the hook until I said it. More importantly, because Sara-san was wearing Japanese Clothing today, I was even more flustered than usual when she brought her face close. In that sense, Sara-san was being unfair.
"...is."
"Yes?"
"The beautiful one isn't the starry sky... it's you, Sara-san."
But such was the weakness of a man in love. If Sara-san wanted me to say it out loud, then even if it was a total cliché and one of the most embarrassing lines I'd ever uttered...
"I am happy..."
I had expected her to tease me further, but Sara-san reacted normally. In fact, she seemed quite genuinely pleased.
"...It is strange. If it were the old me, I would have thought it was nothing but disgusting to be praised for my appearance by a man. But now, I can feel this happy just by having you praise me, Kazunari-san."
"I-I see, then I'm glad."
"Yes. I am truly... truly happy... fufu."
She looked truly blissful, gazing up at my face with a smile more dazzling than the moon or the stars.
"Well... I always think you're beautiful, Sara-san, but you have a mystical feel about you today. This Japanese Clothing looks exceptionally good on you... you're so beautiful that... I..."
"Kazunari-san..."
My embarrassment had already reached its peak—in fact, it was overflowing—but if I didn't say it here, I would miss the chance to praise her Japanese Clothing. So I made up my mind, and since my words were cheap, I put all the feeling I could into them.
"...K-Kazunari-san."
Trying to convey my feelings as sincerely as possible, I stared straight into Sara-san's eyes without looking away. Then, this time, her face began to rapidly turn red.
"Eh? S-Sara-san?"
"P-Please do not stare at me so much... it is, well, embarrassing."
Just as she said, she looked very embarrassed. She suddenly looked away from me, her face turning a deeper shade of crimson. She looked so lovely and adorable that I couldn't take my eyes off her, staring in silence. For a brief moment, Sara-san looked back at me, then buried her face against my arm with a soft thud. She hugged me tightly, clinging to my body.
This... was more than just cute.
"S-Sara-san... um."
"For now... please do not look."
"Ehh!?"
I felt something beyond just the words in Sara-san's line, and my heart began to pound even more violently. Moreover, this perfect mood was just too much.
"You are truly mean today, Kazunari-san..."
"N-No, I didn't really mean to be..."
"Even during the meal earlier, you did something to humiliate me."
"H-Humiliate!?"
Where did that word come from!? It sounded like I was doing something absolutely terrible!
"Kazunari-san... you're mean."
"Urgh... I-I'm sorry..."
"Are you truly reflecting on your actions?"
"I-I am reflecting."
Finally pulling her face away from my arm, Sara-san puffed out her cheeks. As always, it was a 120% cute "I'm angry, you know?" kind of look. Of course, it went without saying that this was to hide her embarrassment, but I should obediently do as she said here.
"Fufu... then, please show me your attitude of reflection."
"Attitude?"
"Yes. Here..."
Moving a little away from my right arm, Sara-san spread both hands in her "Welcome (Kazunari-exclusive)" Pose. There was no need to ask what she wanted from me, and pointing out that it had nothing to do with reflection would have been boorish.
"I'm sorry."
"Fufu... good boy♪"
With a token apology, I dived into Heaven. Immediately, Sara-san wrapped her arms around the back of my head and gently pulled me in, embracing me softly. Since she was wearing Japanese Clothing today, the feeling of being held was completely different from usual, but I could certainly feel the warmth and various other sensations.
Besides, feeling happy was what mattered most.
"I have been busy since this morning and could not do this at all..."
"...Now that you mention it, that's true."
"Honestly... I have been looking for an opportunity this whole time."
"I-I'm sorry."
"Fufu... as a punishment, I shall extend the time for our hug♪"
"Mmph..."
With Sara-san's voice sounding incredibly happy and joyful, the force pulling my head into her embrace grew slightly stronger. But today, the stiffness of the Japanese Clothing was in the way, and the place for my face to escape—that is, the place to enter Heaven properly—was the biggest... no, it's nothing.
"Kazunari-san. I will always be by your side. No matter when, no matter what happens, always..."
"...Sara-san?"
"If you ever find yourself in need of courage, I shall help you. I will stay close to your heart, always with you."
I see... so that's what it was. Because our hearts were connected, she understood without me saying anything.
I reaffirmed the meaning of those words. Because this was Sara-san's way of cheering me on for what I was about to do.
"...Did you notice?"
"Of course. Or rather, did you think I would not notice?"
"Haha, you're right. It’s only natural for you, Sara-san."
It wasn't even a matter of her pointing it out. It was true that I felt a bit of tension and an indescribable anxiety about "that talk" coming up. That was why I had been trying not to think about it as much as possible, but Sara-san knew. I really am someone who can't hide anything from her. Not that I mind, though.
"If it is a change in you, Kazunari-san, there is nothing I could fail to notice."
"You're right. That's just like you, Sara-san."
"Yes♪"
As if happy to hear those words, Sara-san gently stroked my head. For my part, I wanted to spoil myself with that kindness right now, so I hugged her back.
"...Sara...san."
"Fufu... good boy... good boy."
A voice so completely pampered came out of me that it was almost pathetic. But Sara-san stroked my head, sounding even happier at the sound of my voice. That was why I couldn't just stay here being spoiled; I had to at least tell Sara-san this.
"Sara-san... I'm really going to work hard. For what comes next, for my studies, for myself... and for our future."
I voiced my renewed determination as I softly pulled my face away from Heaven. There, I found Sara-san's gentle smile—mystical and more beautiful than anything in this world, illuminated by the moonlight, with eyes as beautiful as if they were sprinkled with the stars of the night sky.
That smile made my feelings soar.
"Yes. As your partner... as your spouse, I will continue to support you with all my might. So Kazunari-san, do not be afraid. Do not fear. Please proceed straight ahead, exactly as you wish. I will follow you anywhere..."
"Sara-san... thank you."
Sara-san's eyes, filled with determination, wiped away even the slight anxiety that had been inside me. All that remained was firm confidence and overflowing affection.
"Sara-san..."
Driven by that affection, I reached my arms toward her. I gently grasped her slender shoulders and pulled her close. Far from resisting, Sara-san leaned her body toward me of her own accord.
"Kazunari-san..."
Sara-san brought her body to just the right distance, gazing intently at my face with a look that seemed poignant and tinged with expectation. It felt like she was setting the stage for me, which felt a bit uncool, but considering our usual dynamic, I suppose this was our way of doing things.
"I love you... Darling."
"I love you too... Sara."
"Fufu, well done... mnh."
The instant after she let out a smile like a blooming flower, Sara-san closed the distance all at once, standing on her tiptoes.
And then...
"Nn..."
In the end, it was as if Sara-san stole my lips.
The two shadows created by the moonlight became one, and I vowed once more in my heart that I would never break for the sake of Sara-san—the most precious treasure in the world held within these arms.
It was such a warm, happy, and gentle moment.