🌸🌸🌸
WE hand over the bad guys to the town’s authorities, who take over the case to wrap it up. The paperwork seems like it could turn into a hassle, so Kazuya and I skip town quickly. We only came to find out how to seal the Demon King, and seeing as nobody we asked knew, we’re going to try our luck gathering information elsewhere.
Oh, and Luke didn’t ask me to rejoin his party again. But as we were parting, he said, “As I am now, I’m no match for you. But when I’ve matured as a hero, a man, and as a human being, I’d like to court you again. I’d appreciate it if you’ll wait for me until then.”
What?! Court me?!
Does that mean he was courting me before?! Luke’s already mature. If he matures any further before he comes to court me again, I’ll waver for sure!
I was already starting to feel myself waver when Kazuya glared at me.
Sorry. Sorry, Kazuya.
But can you blame me? Luke’s so upfront with his affection. I’ve never experienced that before, so of course I’d get happy. Because Kazuya won’t go so far as to admit he likes me…
I walk behind Kazuya, who’s keeping a brisk pace. The sight of his back curled over as he looks at a map bugs me. I’m so torn and frustrated. Meanwhile, he’s always perfectly calm. Do I waver as to whether or not I like him because he’s hardly ever upfront? Probably.
I pout, glaring at him.
He suddenly turns around. “Hey, Sakurako. It looks like there’s another big town ahead…” He frowns. “Why are you looking at me like that? You look awful.”
Saying I look awful is awful! I pout even more.
“What? What’s wrong? Are you angry?” He’s so oblivious, I can’t stand him!
Kazuya’s eyebrows shoot up, like he’s just thought of something.
“Are you sulking because you can’t be with Luke? I didn’t really do anything to cause that. He left of his own volition, saying something like once he grows up, he’ll court you…or something.”
No, that’s got nothing to do with why I’m pouting.
But Kazuya’s on a roll. He starts mumbling, embarrassed. “But whatever, right? You have me.”
Huh?
“What do you mean by that?”
“What? What do I mean by what?” Kazuya replies, bewildered.
“I said, what do you mean by, ‘You have me?’”
For some unfathomable reason, he looks like he’s desperate to say something, but the words won’t come out.
Well, words are coming freely to me! “By that, I mean what do you think about me, Kazuya? What am I to you?”
He winces, like he didn’t expect to be asked such a question. Then, he steps closer to me and cups my cheek in his right hand. “What? What’s wrong? Don’t you already know exactly how I feel about you?”
His face draws near mine, looking worried.
I worried him by asking that out of the blue. But give me a break, I asked it because he won’t just come out and say it!
“No, I don’t know. Because you’ve never told me straight out what you think of me.”
“What? What are you saying? I’ve told you over and over that I love you… Hmm?” Kazuya’s head reels back and he mutters, “Hold on a sec. Come to think of it, maybe I haven’t said it…”
I glare at him. “You haven’t said it!”
Kazuya’s eyes go wide. But soon, a sly smile spreads across his face. “What haven’t I said? You mean you’re frustrated because you don’t know how I feel?”
He leans forward until our foreheads are touching. I hate his happy smile, and it’s embarrassing seeing his face this close! But I’ll lose if I’m the first one to look away, so I keep my eyes fixed on his.
✦ ✦ ✦
“You big dope, Sakurako.” Kazuya smiles kindly, then presses his lips to mine. It’s so sudden! But I’m so happy, I let him do what he wants.
When he pulls away, he’s beaming, genuinely happy. “Obviously, I like you. I love you. Otherwise, I’d never kiss you.”
His smile is tinged with a little embarrassment, and he looks cooler than anyone I’ve ever met. My heart pounds fast.
“That aside, you love me, don’t you?” he asks cheekily.
“Huh?! Wh-what?!” My voice raises an octave.
Seeing me like this, Kazuya smiles spitefully again. “I’m asking, what do you think of me?”
“Wh-wh-wh-wh-wh-what do I think of you?! Gimme a break!” I stammer. I didn’t expect him to ask me like this!
“Tell me. It’s only fair,” he whispers in my ear, unusually lively, like he’s enjoying my reaction.
Stop it! I’m blushing all the way to the tips of my ears!
But…… Yes! He’s right, it’s only fair. I’ve heard how he feels, but I haven’t told him.
“K-Kazuya. I… I don’t know how to say this, because I only worked it out recently, but I… might, just maybe, like you more than I thought—”
“Bwa ha ha ha ha ha! Lady Sakurako, I have finally caught up with you! You forgot about me and went on ahead, but your airheaded nature is yet another thing I find charming about you!”
—I love you! Just when I was about to shout out how I feel, an unnatural, high-pitched laugh bursts out overhead, interrupting me.
“D-Demon King?!” I look up to see the Demon King back in his usual demonic form.
Oh, yeah! I forgot about the Demon King! He got drunk on booze, and we abandoned him at the inn…
“You timed this for the worst possible moment!” Kazuya yells in annoyance, glaring at the Demon King with total and utter loathing.
“I won’t let a lower lifeform get the jump on me! Ha ha ha ha!”
“Just when I thought I got lucky enough to ditch you for good…” Kazuya mutters, frustrated.
Oh, so he didn’t forget? He left the Demon King on purpose?
Kazuya…
Isn’t it too dangerous to leave him on his own in a built-up area? Well, I forgot him, too, so I don’t have the right to point that out.
I’m still reeling, but the Demon King and Kazuya launch into an argument like they always do. It’s a familiar sight to me now.
Just a minute ago, Kazuya was toying with me as well, so I can’t help but laugh.
But there’s no mistaking how I felt about Kazuya then. I love him. Not like family, but like a woman loves a man.
“Hey, Kazuya, Demon King, should we get going? We’re heading to the next town, aren’t we?”
The two of them turn to face me.
“As you wish, dear Lady!” The Demon King puffs out his chest with pride and walks the same way we were heading before.
“Sakurako, we can pick up where we left off… No, the mood’s all ruined.” Kazuya’s shoulders fall in a slouch.
I smile, sidling up next to him. “I like you, too. I love you,” I whisper quietly so that the Demon King doesn’t hear.
Kazuya’s eyes widen and he blushes bright red, right up to his ears. Seeing that, I get embarrassed, so I quicken my steps to catch up to the Demon King who’s leading us.
“What? Hey! Sakurako, say that again! One more time!” Kazuya yells.
I only shoot him a smile over my shoulder, my heart pounding, and let this unfamiliar joy I’m feeling sink in. If this is what they call love, then love is wonderful!
Kazuya always makes me feel like a ‘normal girl’. No… He always makes me happy. Very happy. I couldn’t help but fall head over heels for him!