Her feelings were truly powerful... Her confession felt as though it carried the weight of everything she had gained since her reincarnation from a Black Bear into a Beastman.
Before I could even find the words to respond, Anima spoke again.
"If I am not being overbold, I believe Master may have noticed these feelings long before I even understood them myself. And realizing that, you waited for me to reach the answer on my own..."
"..."
She really had grown. She was no longer just focused on her own world; she had matured enough to consider the feelings of others as well.
Anima was right. Thanks in part to my Sympathy Magic, I had started sensing something from her—a feeling that went beyond mere loyalty, yet differed from the affection one feels for family. I’d been aware of those faint feelings of love since shortly before the Six Kings Festival.
And... it had made me happy.
"I understood my own heart least of all. My respect for Master as an attendant... my devotion as a woman. I couldn't find the line where respect ended and love began. But now, I’ve come to realize that it’s alright to leave that line blurred."
"Anima."
"Perhaps it is selfish of me. Perhaps I should be scolded for my indecisiveness. However, I believe that this very ambiguity is what makes me 'me.' The part of me that respects Master as an attendant, and the part of me that yearns for you as a woman... both of them undoubtedly exist."
As she spoke each word as if savoring its meaning, I felt as though I was tracing the path of her growth. Looking back, she had grappled with so many doubts, finding answers one by one to reach this point.
She had navigated the shift in values after becoming a Beastman. She had adjusted to her new position as a leader with subordinates, and she had overcome the inferiority she felt toward those around her. And finally, she had faced the feelings she held for the person she called Master.
"It may be shameful to remain so vague after keeping you waiting for so long. But please... let me voice my foolish, selfish wish."
Her request was brief, but she must have spent countless hours agonizing over it, learning more about herself than ever before.
And the words she was about to speak were the ultimate answer she had reached.
"Master... while remaining your attendant, may I also... love you as a woman?"
Hearing the conviction in her voice, a smile naturally formed on my lips.
I slowly stood up from the sofa and gently pulled the trembling, anxious Anima into my arms.
"Wh-!? M-M-M-Master!?"
"It’s not selfish at all."
"...Eh?"
"The you who serves me as an attendant, the you who cares for me like family, and the you who shows me your adorable side as a girl... none of those are fakes, and none of them are more 'real' than the others. I love every part of you, Anima."
"!? !?"
As she looked up at me with wide, shocked eyes, I smiled again and gently stroked her hair.
"To be honest, I didn't know how to handle you at first. I didn't think I needed an attendant, and I spent a lot of time worrying about what to do."
"I-I'm so sor—"
"But..." I cut her off gently. "That was only at the very beginning. Your earnest, hardworking nature has encouraged me more times than I can count. Your genuine care has healed me time and time again. Before I knew it, having you by my side became my normal. Being with you brings me peace."
It felt as though her importance to me had grown in lockstep with her own maturity. At first, she was a handful of an attendant; then, she became reliable family; then, a girl whose presence was a comfort... Now, she had become so precious that I couldn't imagine my life without her.
"Well, there’s no point in being overly long-winded about it. I’ll keep it simple... I love you too, Anima."
"Ah..."
As I held her closer and spoke from the heart, I saw tears welling in her eyes. But they weren't tears of sorrow.
The answer had been decided long ago. From the moment I realized she was irreplaceable—from the moment I decided to wait for her to find her own answer—my heart had already chosen her.
"I want you by my side from now on. As my attendant, as my family, and... as my lover."
"...Yes..."
"So, uh... well, what I mean is... I'm looking forward to our future together, Anima."
"Yes! My body, my heart—my entire existence is for Master's sake!"
Her words were powerful... and more than anything, deeply nostalgic.
Anima had said those exact same words when we first met. Back then, they had only filled me with bewilderment. But now, it was different.
What filled my heart now was pure joy... and an overwhelming, irresistible sense of love.
Serious-senpai: "Somehow, Kaito's Handsome Level always spikes when he's dealing with Anima. And since Anima is actually pulling off the heroine role quite well, her Heroine Power Increase since her First Appearance is just off the charts... Ugh, the sweetness is giving me heartburn."