White sands and blue waters—it was the quintessential seaside view. Fate-san and I sat on a leisure sheet, finishing the lunch we had bought at the stalls.
The air was a little brisk, making it a bit too cold for a swim, but it was perfect for a meal while gazing out at the waves. The food from the stalls wasn't exactly high-class, but perhaps the setting made up for it; everything tasted wonderful.
As our lunch came to an end, I looked out over the quiet beach and spoke up.
"Still, for such a beautiful beach, there’s hardly anyone here."
"I made sure they weren't," Fate-san replied.
"Wait, was that using your power to manipulate fate?"
"Something like that."
Her voice was incredibly calm, but the eyes she fixed on the sea seemed to hold a flicker of resolve. She hadn't said much while we were eating, appearing lost in thought.
I had a feeling she had reached an answer. She had finally figured out if the feeling in her heart was truly love, or something else entirely.
I didn't press her. I simply waited for her to speak while I got lost in my own thoughts. It was still only midday; we had only been on this date for a few hours. It was a short amount of time, yet it had been more than enough for my impression of her to change completely.
"Hey, Kai-chan."
After a long silence, Fate-san began to speak softly, still looking out at the water.
"You know, I’m having so much fun right now. I’ve lived for ages and thought I’d seen everything... but now everything looks different. I must have seen the ocean countless times, yet it looks so much more beautiful today than it ever has before."
"..."
Her voice was as gentle as a whisper to herself, yet it carried a trace of sadness, like a confession.
"I think... I’m in love with you, Kai-chan. I really like you. No, truth be told, I’ve known for a while. I just couldn't bring myself to admit it. I kept looking away."
"Fate-san..."
"But... But, you see..."
I wondered why. Why did she have such a heartbreaking expression on her face while telling me she loved me? Why did her voice sound like she was on the verge of tears?
"I don't... I don't have the right to love you."
"What?"
A single tear spilled from her eye. She turned to me, then quickly cast her gaze down, looking pained.
"I’m sorry... I’m so sorry, Kai-chan. I spent so much time trying to use you. I kept saying I took a liking to you, but all I was really doing was thinking about how I could exploit you to make my own life easier."
The words were squeezed out of her, heavy with guilt. But something felt off. I couldn't be sure, but I didn't think that was the real issue. Guilt wasn't the primary reason she felt she lacked the right to love me. There was something else tormenting her.
"I don't think anyone needs 'qualifications' to fall in love," I said.
"..."
"Besides, I’ve genuinely enjoyed the time we’ve spent together. I don't hold any resentment toward you. And if you say you 'were' trying to use me... that means things are different now, right?"
"Yes..."
"Fate-san, please tell me the truth. What is it that’s really hurting you? Why would you say you have no right to—!?"
Before I could finish, Fate-san buried her face in my chest, her hands gripping my clothes tightly. Her small shoulders were trembling; she looked like she was terrified of something.
"I’m... a God. A Supreme God. That’s why... that’s why..."
Her voice cracked with tears. She looked up at me, her eyes pleading as she spoke.
"Even if I love you, Kai-chan... I can't put you first! If I had to choose between you and Shallow Vernal-sama, I would choose her! I have to choose her!"
I finally understood. That was what had been eating at her all this time. To Fate-san, Shiro-san was an absolute existence—her very reason for being. She was suffering because she knew that even if we shared our feelings, she could never make me her top priority.
She was so incredibly earnest, so clumsy... and so very precious.
"To someone like that... there’s no way I have the right to love—"
"Of course you do."
"Eh?"
Fate-san was a truly courageous woman. Despite her guilt and the burdens of being a God, she had managed to put her feelings for me into words.
So, what was I supposed to do? The answer was simple. I would accept her for exactly who she was.
I pulled her small frame into an embrace. Looking straight into her tear-filled eyes, I spoke.
"It’s okay, Fate-san. It really is."
"Kai-chan?"
"You can put Shiro-san first. In fact, please do. If Shiro-san and I ever end up on opposite sides, I want you to side with her without hesitation. Even if you do that, the fact that you still care for me... that’s enough to make me happy."
"Is it... really okay? For someone like me..."
"Because, you see, I love you exactly as you are—including the fact that Shiro-san comes first."
"Ah... ugh..."
In the end, there was no problem at all. The Fate-san I had met and fallen for was someone who prioritized Shiro-san from the very beginning. There was nothing to worry about. I would simply accept her as a whole. After all, that was the most "Fate-san" way for her to be.
"Is it... truly okay? Can I really love you? Am I allowed... to not give up on you?"
"Yes."
"!?"
I gave her my firmest affirmation, validating her entire existence more strongly than anyone else could.
Fate-san’s eyes widened at my words. Then, as a different kind of tear began to fall, she buried her face in my chest once more, clinging to me.
"I’m sorry, Kai-chan. Just... just give me a moment. I’ll go back to being my usual self in a bit... but for right now... let me lean on you."
"For as long as you need."
"I’m a real handful, you know? I’m selfish... lazy... and I’m going to cause you so much trouble."
"You’re a bit late with the warning. I already fell for that selfish, lazy person... because she’s also kind, incredibly bright, and makes me smile just by being around."
My answer had been decided long ago. When I first realized Fate-san might have feelings for me, I had been happy. Even our awkward, fumbled start to this date had been fun. The answer had been clear from the start.
"Thank you... I love you, Kai-chan. I love you so much."
At this very moment, my heart was overflowing with happiness.
Dear Mother, Father—
She suffered because she is a God, a Supreme God serving Shiro-san. It felt very much like her, and it reminded me that she has a surprisingly pure-hearted side. To be able to accept her feelings... more than anything, I felt proud.
Serious-senpai: "Aghhhhh! Dammit! This is the absolute worst-case scenario! This is that thing, isn't it?! Their relationship changes mid-date and they just keep going as a couple! Aghhhhhh!"
???: "Kaito-san is such a heartthrob. I'm so jealous of Fate-san."
Serious-senpai: "Aghhhhh! I hate this so much!"
???: "House."
Serious-senpai: "Gyah!?"