Once I’d laid my feelings bare, Fia-sensei’s face lit up with pure, unadulterated joy, only to be clouded a moment later by a flicker of hesitation. Through my Sympathy Magic, I could feel a knot of conflict tightening in her heart.
"Miyama-kun, I’m happy. I’m so, so happy, but... is this really all right? After everything I—" "None of that matters," I said, cutting her off as I pulled her into my arms. "Whatever happened in the past, my feelings for the woman you are right now won't change, Fia-sensei."
"I see... Hehe, I knew you’d say that, Miyama-kun, but hearing it still makes me so happy. Is it really okay for someone like me to experience so much bliss?"
"Of course it is. You deserve to be happy, Fia-sensei."
Her voice trembled with unshed tears as she gently wound her arms around my back. She had a habit of being too hard on herself, so I made sure to speak with absolute conviction.
"Miyama-kun, you really... time and time again... you keep saving my heart. Thank you. Thank you so much."
"No, if anything, I’m the one who should apologize for making you wait so long."
"Not at all. The sheer happiness of this moment has blown all of that away."
She looked up at me with a blissful, radiant smile, and she was so incredibly captivating that I found myself momentarily breathless.
"Though I suppose I shouldn't sound so high and mighty," I added. "I really have Tre-san to thank for the push."
"If you're going to say that, then so do I. Big Sis Tre’s message card told me, 'Let's re-examine your feelings for Kaito.' It made me look back on everything from the moment we first met... and I realized all over again just how much I love you. Then, Envelope Number 9 said: 'Accept Kaito's feelings without being afraid.'"
"I suppose she saw right through the fact that you might hesitate when the moment actually came."
"Ahaha, I guess so. As expected, I’m no match for Big Sis Tre."
Fia-sensei had shown a tendency to get cold feet during the final stretch before, much like during the incident with Kuro. Tre-san must have written that message specifically to counter her hesitation.
We smiled at each other and eventually pulled apart to face one another.
"Um, well... once again, I look forward to everything that comes next."
"Yes. Me too... Oh, that reminds me, I still need to check Big Sis Tre’s final envelope."
"You’re right. Mine also said to open it once things had settled. I wonder if there’s one last instruction?"
"Hmm. Maybe it says: 'Now, give each other a kiss!' or something like that?"
"Knowing her, I feel like that’s actually quite possible."
Now that our feelings were out in the open and the moment had reached a natural pause, I took out the final envelope labeled '10'. Since there were no instructions to view this one in private, I opened it alongside her.
Without a word, we pulled out our respective cards simultaneously. Both were identical.
'I desire high-end chocolate!'
Seeing that demand written in bold, forceful characters, we both burst out laughing.
"So it was a request for a bribe, of all things."
"Ahaha! That’s so like Big Sis Tre. But this is a tough one; after everything she’s done for us, I can’t exactly refuse her."
"She certainly went through a lot of trouble to set the stage for us."
The final envelope was simply a request for a reward for playing matchmaker. It was so quintessentially Tre-san that it caught us both off guard.
"Well then," I said, "we still have plenty of time left. Why don't we continue our date and find some high-end chocolate for Tre-san along the way?"
"That sounds perfect. I’m all for it."
"Then it’s settled. Since we’re already out, maybe we should head back toward the North District of the Kingdom of Sinfonia..."
I stopped mid-sentence when I felt a sudden tug on my sleeve. Fia-sensei was looking at me, and when I tilted my head in confusion, she spoke softly.
"Hey, Miyama-kun. Do you remember what happened right here, back when I first told you I loved you?"
"Eh? Yes, of course I remember."
"Then... can I hope that you remember what we said afterward, too?"
Fia-sensei turned toward me and gently closed her eyes.
Looking at her, the memory came rushing back. After she had surprised me with a kiss on the cheek that day, she had whispered: "I'll save the lips for once you've truly fallen for me."
I knew exactly what she was asking for. Placing my hands on her shoulders, I leaned down... and pressed my lips against hers.
Serious-senpai: "Uwaaaaahhhh... Gwaaaaa!? Pant, pant... Is... is it over?"
???: "Yes. The second half of the date starts in the next chapter."
Serious-senpai: (Despair)