I felt I understood the gist of Illness-san’s dilemma, yet I couldn't help feeling we hadn't quite reached the heart of the matter. After all, her reason for coming to me was her supposed inability to verbalize her feelings. From everything she had told me so far, she seemed to be doing a perfectly fine job of it; her emotions were coming through loud and clear.
"Illness-san, correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't your main concern that you couldn't put your feelings into words?"
"Yes... I believe I understand it in my mind... the nature of the emotions that have sprouted within me, and what I desire as a result... but giving them form through speech is quite difficult. No... perhaps it is more that I am faltering. I may simply be afraid—afraid of uttering the very words that might irrevocably change an environment I once believed was perfectly fine as it was."
"I think I understand that. Because the current relationship is so comfortable, the thought of it changing is frightening..."
A confession was likely the closest word for it. Honestly, if anyone were to point out that the conversation had already reached the level of a confession, they wouldn't be wrong. Yet, for Illness-san, loving me—or rather, pouring out her devoted affection in a multitude of ways—seemed to be second nature, something she did without a second thought. It was the act of seeking something for herself that caused her such deep hesitation.
"That is true... Although the destination I aim for should be clear, perhaps I simply cannot envision the path to reach it. However... at the same time, I feel I must arrive at the answer properly, by my own volition. Though I am quite conflicted, this is certainly something I desired for myself... I want to think deeply on what I wish to do, and how I wish to be from this point forward, until I find my own answer."
"I see. So you wanted to use this talk as a way to help organize your thoughts?"
"I suppose that is part of it... but how should I put it? This, too, is difficult to explain... perhaps I simply wanted Kaito-sama to know my heart?"
Illness-san tilted her head, a rare expression of uncertainty crossing her features. I had always known her to be dignified, composed, and decisive, but when it came to romance, she was genuinely at a loss. I could hear the hesitation trembling in every word she spoke.
Since she had expressed a desire to reach her own conclusion, I felt the best thing I could do as her confidant was to offer some kind of hint to guide her toward it... though even that was a tall order.
"To be honest, there isn't much advice I can give, but... well, there is one thing I can say. If what I'm thinking right now isn't just a result of my own ego... if the answer you're trying to reach is what I think it is... then when you finally say it... um... I don't think it will ever be something that makes you sad, Illness-san."
"Kaito-sama..."
"So, I don't think you need to rush. You can take all the time you need to think about what you want to do and how you want to be from now on."
"...Kuhihi... Kaito-sama, you truly are..."
At my words, a look of surprise flashed across Illness-san’s face for a fleeting moment. It was quickly replaced by a smile, and she gazed at me, her eyes narrowing with a deep, fond affection.
Serious-senpai: "...In other words, this is that, right? She wants to properly confess to Kaito, but she's troubled because she can't put her feelings into words... Isn't it practically a confession already!? And with that response from Kaito, aren't they already mutually in love and established as a couple!?"