To be honest, my mind couldn't catch up with the situation at all and I was stunned.
　I have to say something, but my mouth doesn't move as if it had stopped functioning, and my thoughts are completely undefined.

　The seriousness of Zeke's eyes, the look of determination on his face without looking away... there is no longer any doubt that he is serious about what he just said.
　In contrast to me, who froze without being able to say anything, Zeke's expression fell a little later and he smiled bitterly.

''........I understand. Until now, Kite-san wasn't aware of me as such an object.......I think the confusion is understandable.
Oh no, no, no, no.

　It's true that Zeke is right, I've never been aware of Zeke-san as an object of romantic interest.
　It's not that I'm not attracted to Zeke, it's just that....she's the woman of my dreams.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find it in the same way that you can find it in the same way that you can find it in the same way that you can find it in the same way that you can find it in the same way that you can find it in the same way that you can find it in the same way that you can find it in the same way that you can find it in the same way that you can find it in the same way that you can find it in the same way that you can find it in the same way that you can find it in the same way that you can find it in the same way that you can find it in the same way that you can find it in the same way that you can find it in the same way that you can find it in the same way that you can find it in the same way that you can find it in the same way that you can find it in the same way that you can find it in the same way that you can find it in the same way that you can find it in the same way that you can find it in the same way that you can find it.　I think he was looking at it that way.



　Shamefully, what spilled out of my mouth was a question that........stretched the conversation.
　While I haven't been able to wrap my head around it at all, Zeke-san smiled and opened his mouth with a smile that made me feel relaxed.

''It wasn't until the Treasure Festival that I became clearly aware of it.
Well, it wasn't that long ago that...
'Yes. But it took me a long time to find the courage to express my feelings.
....

　What should I answer?　I don't know ... I can't think of a good response at all.
　Zeke's amazing you're so calm and smiling in a situation like this and I'm so.........

I don't want any trouble, do I?
...What?

　Hearing those words, which were announced in a slightly, slightly sad voice, the vision that had been confused and narrowed until now opened up at once.
　.........Zeke's, hand.......is it trembling?

'I'm sorry. I knew it was sudden and would only confuse you, but I just wanted to let you know that I really wanted to share these thoughts with you.
"...Mr. Zeke.
'You don't have to answer me now I won't rush you. But it would be nice if you could just remember that in a corner of your mind.
....

　Zeke-san's face, laughing like that, looked like he was about to start crying.
　And then Zeke-san removed his gaze from me as it was, and reached out to put away the magic tools he had placed there.

''.........it's time to leave--eh?''
Well, wait a minute.

　The next thing I knew, I was holding Zeke's outstretched hand.
　I wasn't conscious of anything. My head is still a mess but I know clearly that I can't let it go on like this.

''Well give me a little, little time to think!　I'll get back to you here!
'What?　Yes, yes.....

　Mr. Zeke confessed his feelings to me. He knew that I hadn't seen Zeke-san as that kind of person, but he still had the courage to tell me his feelings.
　I've also confessed my feelings to Black and Aisis-san before.

　With Black, I was so preoccupied that I didn't have time to think about the rest.
　With Isis-san, I was aware that she was favoring me... but I still felt very uneasy until she answered me.
　 ...

　If I take advantage of Zeke's kindness and withhold my reply at this point, I'm sure I'll just drag it out vaguely and unfairly.
　If that happens, Siege-san will continue to have an uneasy feeling for a long time...so I thought I had to at least confirm the thoughts I have in my heart right now and reply.

　In front of Zeke, who has turned to face us, I slowly close my eyes and let my thoughts run through my mind.
　How do I feel about Mr. Zeke?　How do I want to interact with this person in the future?

　First of all, I don't see Zeke as a respectable adult woman or a high-upperforming woman or anything like that but as a woman.
　As far as whether I like her or not of course I like her. Even now, I'm really happy that he confessed to me and that he likes me.

　When I first met Zeke, I had the impression that he was a cool guy with a slender body and a beautiful face.
　But when I talked to her, I found her to be a gentle person who paid attention to every detail, and she was a gentle woman with such family-oriented interests as making tea and cooking.
　I had just come to Lilia-san's mansion and she didn't look at me too favorably, but she treated me without even turning her gaze oddly, and I was happy about that, so we began to talk a lot.

　After returning from the Treasure Trove Festival, she would sometimes serve me home-cooked meals and teach me how to cook when I was feeling like I had too much time on my hands.
　When I was attacked by Eta and Theta, she was the first to run to me and fight for me, risking her life for me.
　After we got Belle, she taught me how to take care of her, even though I had no experience with animals, and she often came to help me when she was not at work.

　I'm such an idiot... Looking back on it like this, the fact that Zeke was favoring me should have been evident in his behavior, but I didn't notice it at all, and took advantage of his kindness.
　How insensitive I am........

　I slowly open my eyes and stare into those beautiful blue eyes as I remember each and every one of those memories, the words I exchanged with Zeke, and Zeke's thoughts.

'........Zeke-san.
Yes?
''To be honest, I didn't understand...Zeke, you're right, I've been oblivious to Zeke's fondness for me until now, and even though I'm thinking about it now on the spur of the moment, I couldn't put it all together tightly.
I suppose that's understandable. As I said before, I'm in no hurry--"But! --

　I interrupt Zeke's words as he looks a little sadly down, and I continue to speak as I wrap both of his hands in mine.

''If you ask me if I like or dislike Zeke-san, I will answer without hesitation that I like him!
Huh?

　Yes, I couldn't come up with a smart answer. I couldn't come up with a cool reply.
　However, even if I removed all the filters I had selfishly attached to my perception of Zeke, I still had the feeling that I liked him.

''I'm aware that it's a very selfish thing to say.
....
'But... if I see and treat Zeke-san as a person of the opposite s*x, as a love interest, from this moment onwards today, I may like you more than I do now, but I will never dislike you. I can assure you that!
?

　Yes, I really thought that much was certain.
　If I were to walk with Zeke from now on I would love him even more than I do now. And there's no way I'm going to hate him.
　I'm glad that Zeke told me, and I want to know him even better than now. I want to like him more.
　I think that's already ... one thought, a clear answer.

'So, um ... so ... from now on ... as a lover ... tell me a lot more about you, Zeke. Get to know me a lot more and make me love you even more than I already do.
...Yes, yes!

　
　Hearing my answer, Siege-san shook his head strongly and then burst into large tears from his eyes.

''........Eh?　Oh, what?　Ugh, I'm so happy... why...
"...Mr. Zeke.
Oh....

　I gently hug Zeke's body, which is wiping away the overflowing tears, with a happy look on his cheeks.

"That insensitive, stupid, and unreliable man?
...Yes. I'm the one who's timid and unreliable, but it's nice to meet you.

　Somehow, we felt as if we had come one step closer to each other than we had ever been before... I continued to hug Zeke, who was shedding tears, enjoying the feeling that the distance between our hearts had crossed a single boundary.

　Dear Mom, Dad - Mr. Zeke and I have become lovers. I'm so insensitive and stupid, and I'm only just beginning to finally make progress, and I think I'm going to have to work hard for a full dose of it. But now, for sure, I think we're both deeper and closer than we've ever been before.