Late that night, I logged in to Unlimited World. I had made preparations to go to everyone’s houses and pick them all up tomorrow, talked to our personal chef about making my friends’ favorite foods, and called Nozomi to invite her because she hadn’t been online earlier.
My family and Nozomi’s family didn’t get along well, but Grandpa was okay with her coming. His approval hadn’t come without a little grimace, but he hadn’t said no! Considering all that had happened so far, I thought it was great.
Most important of all, I was gonna get to meet Ren in person tomorrow! We had known each other through games for several years now, but this was the first time I’d meet him in real life. I had always wanted to meet him. Tomorrow, that would become a reality. The thought alone filled my heart with joy, but something was also causing it to ache and throb.
In order to make sure absolutely everything would go according to plan, I stayed in the bath longer than usual and laid out some brand-new makeup tools. I would be in the limo to pick everyone up, so I had to greet Ren with the biggest, prettiest smile I could! Hopefully, he would think I was cuter in real life than in-game.
While I was thinking frivolous thoughts and running simulations of the next day in my head, Nozomi invited me for a virtual chat. Last time we’d talked this late at night, our base of operations had been the floating cottage. This time, we weren’t in Summertide at all; we were in the normal world, on the floating island of Telluna.
Today’s secret meeting wasn’t at the guild house either; it was at the coastal park just outside of the guild shop district. As the name implied, it was a park situated at the edge of the airship port. The place was beautiful. Beyond the railing was a starry sky that stretched out like a vast, splendid painting.
Standing side by side, Nozomi and I took in this romantic spectacle.
“Well done, inviting Takashiro to your home. Allow me to be the first to congratulate you.”
I let out a sigh. “Thanks. I’m glad Grandpa was okay with me bringing people.”
“My brother has said this too, but you do look much happier when you’re with Takashiro. Anyone who knows that would have a hard time pulling you out of school, regardless of the so-called issues involved. I can also see why he would be hospitable enough to invite Takashiro, seeing as he has such a positive influence on you.”
“It really is all thanks to him.”
“I would have to say so. You’re less radiant in his absence.”
“Ahaha... Maybe you’re right.”
“That means you need Takashiro, doesn’t it? Do you understand now?”
“Well, yeah. I do.”
“Then that means you have important work to do tomorrow!”
“I know. I’m gonna make myself so pretty, he—”
Nozomi jabbed a finger toward me. “You’re lax! Far too lax!”
“Huh?! Then what else am I supposed to do?!”
“You have to tell him how you feel! You must move with haste, because you need Takashiro! It’ll be too late if he ends up with someone else! Even your grandfather accepts him, so what other problems could there possibly be?”
“B-B-But I can’t just... I wasn’t planning to do that tomorrow, so my heart isn’t exactly ready for it.”
“Then when will it be ready?”
“I-I... I dunno.”
“That’s not surprising—you’re just making excuses. Readiness isn’t something that just happens on its own—you make it happen! I’m here to help you, so do some preliminary practice! Otherwise, you’ll balk when the time comes.”
“Do some what?”
“You heard me! Look up into the sky and tell the world how you feel about Takashiro! He won’t come here, so you’re free to yell as loud as you can! I don’t see anyone else around, anyway.”
She was right; we were the only ones in the park. I could scream as loud as possible into the night sky, but nobody else would hear it.
“So that’s why you had me come here!”
“Yes. If we had met at the cottage or guild house, we would’ve risked getting caught.”
“B-But still...”
“You need practice putting your feelings into words! This is necessary for when the time comes! Now go on and say it. Once you do, you’ll understand your own feelings better. And in my opinion, it’s actually quite satisfying.”
“U-Umm... R-Ren, thanks for... all the good times. I-I love you.”
Whoa, I said it! What would he do if he heard this? Would he be happy? Imagine if he said he loved me back! Aah, that would be perfect!
“Well? How does it feel to say your feelings aloud?”
“It’s not that bad, actually. Kinda exciting, and... electrifying.”
“Then let us continue! Say it louder and clearer! And make sure to think of some responses for the real event!”
Urged on by Nozomi, I practiced my confession for a while. I got bolder over time, eventually succeeding in yelling “I love you!” out loud.
This really does feel nice, even if it is embarrassing.
After a while, we took a break.
“How should I actually say it, though?”
“From what I have seen, I believe a passionate confession regarding how you came to love him would be best. Would you like to try it?”
“Huh... What would that look like?”