After finishing the expensive but delicious meal at Alice’s stall, I spent some time chatting with Noin-san until Alice suddenly spoke up.
“...Oh? It looks like things are wrapping up over there. Well then, time to pack it in!”
She produced a hammer and, once we had stepped away from our seats, gave the stall a few sharp taps. The entire structure promptly collapsed into a neat pile of lumber. I had no idea why a hammer would trigger a disassembly sequence like that, but since it was Alice, I decided it was better not to overthink it.
Once Alice vanished with the wood in tow, I expanded the reach of my Sympathy Magic. Almost immediately, I sensed a familiar signature heading our way.
Is this just Fia-sensei? It doesn’t feel like Kuro is with her.
Right as the thought crossed my mind, a Hummingbird from Kuro materialized before me. When I touched it, a message appeared in the air: I’ll come by to thank you properly later. Thank you.
The letters dissolved into light, and almost at the same instant, I saw Fia-sensei sprinting toward us.
“Hikari! Miyama-kun!”
“Fia-sensei, how did the talk— Whoa! Wait, Fia-sen—!”
“Miyama-kun!!”
“Ugh!?”
The moment she spotted us, her speed increased to a blur. She closed the distance in a heartbeat and threw her arms around me, pulling my head into a suffocating embrace.
“Miyama-kun! Oh, Miyama-kun!”
“F-Fia-sensei!? What’s... what’s this all of a sudden? I can’t... breathe...”
She was clutching me so tightly that my face was buried directly into her chest. I was pressed firmly against her ample, soft curves. The fabric of her priestess robes felt smooth against my skin, and a gentle, natural fragrance—perhaps herbs—wafted into my nose.
Stunned by the sudden turn of events, I tried to pull away, but it was useless. With my physical strength, I couldn't even budge, let alone break free. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Noin-san frozen in place, her mouth hanging open as she struggled to process the scene.
Fia-sensei seemed completely oblivious to my struggle. Not content with just the hug, she began nuzzling her cheek against the top of my head.
“Thank you, Miyama-kun. Thanks to you... Ah, geez! I don't even know what to say. I just don't know how to put this gratitude into words!”
“F-for now... please let go for a second...”
She continued to squeeze me, her voice trembling with emotion. Between the lack of oxygen and the vivid sensation of her soft form, my head began to swim. I felt like I was drifting off into a daze.
“What am I going to do? You’ve done something for me that I could never repay in a hundred lifetimes. On top of the sins I have to spend the rest of my life atoning for, I now have a debt to you that I can never fully return. I’m so happy... I’m just so happy...”
“T-that’s good to hear... but... please... let go... suffocating...”
“Eh? Ah!? I-I’m sorry! Are you okay, Miyama-kun?”
“...Y-yes. Barely...”
My voice finally seemed to reach her, and she hurriedly released her grip on my head. As I straightened up and sucked in some much-needed air, I saw her looking at me with a radiant, tearful smile. Her eyes were red and swollen from crying, yet she looked profoundly at peace.
“...Wait! F-Fia!? What do you think you’re doing all of a sudden?!”
“Hikari, thank you so much, too!”
“Eh? A-ah, right. You’re welcome, I guess?”
Noin-san had finally snapped out of her shock to protest, but she was immediately steamrolled by Fia-sensei’s high spirits. It was clear that her talk with Kuro had gone perfectly.
Fia-sensei thanked Noin-san several more times before turning back to me and bowing deeply.
“Miyama-kun, thank you again. Truly. I’m sorry for all the trouble I caused you.”
“No, it’s fine. So... things went well with Kuro, then?”
“...I’m going to keep working as a doctor, so I won't be moving into Chrome-sama’s home. But she told me I can come visit whenever I want... and she said she’d come visit me at my place, too.”
“That’s... truly wonderful news.”
“Yeah. And it’s all thanks to you...”
She wiped the remaining tears from her eyes and looked me straight in the face, smiling. The expression of relief on her face was so beautiful it almost seemed to glow.
“Miyama-kun, I’ve decided... I’ve fallen for you as a man.”
“...Eh?”
Wait... what? Did I hear that right? I felt like a very strange sentence had just reached my ears. Before I could even begin to process it, Noin-san interjected with a panicked shout.
“Fia!? W-what are you saying so suddenly?!”
“Hmm? Did I say something odd?”
“O-odd?! You just said you f-f-f-fell for Kaito-san!”
“Yes. I mean, look at everything he did for me. He fulfilled the dream I was always too cowardly to chase—reconciling with Chrome-sama. When a man shows you that kind of forceful, cool side of himself... well, of course I’d fall for him.”
“F-fall for him...? You can’t just...”
It was an incredibly blunt confession. I couldn't keep up with the breakneck pace of the conversation, but my face felt like it was on fire. Noin-san looked stunned, but Fia-sensei didn't seem bothered at all as she kept going.
“Oh, it’s fine, Miyama-kun. I’m not asking for an answer right now or anything.”
“E-err, okay...”
“You’re the one who told me... that while I should keep atoning for my past, I should also try to be happy. You made me realize that.”
“I... see...”
“That’s why I’ve truly come to love you. Of course, I don’t think I’m a good enough woman yet to deserve an answer... so I’m going to work hard from now on!”
“Work hard... at what, exactly?”
“To make you fall for me, of course! Hehe, you’d better be prepared. I might say so myself, but I’m incredibly devoted—and quite stubborn.”
She spoke her feelings without a trace of hesitation, leaving both Noin-san and me completely overwhelmed. I suppose I shouldn't be surprised; she was the person who once started a war solely for the sake of the person she loved. She really was incredibly passionate.
“Ah, but I should probably ask first... Miyama-kun, is my appearance or personality just not your type? If there’s something you don't like, tell me and I’ll fix it.”
“Eh? N-no, I think you’re... a very beautiful and wonderful woman, Fia-sensei.”
“Really? Hehe, thank you. That makes me so happy.”
She gave a soft, gentle laugh, then took a step closer.
“...Well then, I’ll do my best to make you love me. I look forward to it, Miyama-kun.”
“Y-yes...”
Smack.
“Wha—!?”
It happened in a flash. Fia-sensei leaned in with a fluid motion and planted a light kiss on my cheek. I felt the blood rush to my face as I stood there, utterly speechless and mortified.
“W-what do you think you’re doing, Fia?!”
“What do I mean? It was an expression of affection.”
“B-b-before marriage?! T-t-to... to k-kiss like that?!”
“It wasn’t on the lips. I’m saving those for after I’ve properly made Miyama-kun love me.”
“That is not the point! It’s... it’s scandalous!”
“Is it?”
Fia-sensei simply tilted her head in genuine confusion, a stark contrast to Noin-san, who was screaming with a bright red face.
Dear Mother, Father——A lot has happened, but I think the situation with Fia-sensei and Kuro has finally been settled. But, that aside... Fia-sensei is, well... she’s much more direct than I expected. She really is a passionate person.