SWNOVELXO Chapter 107.2
Stage 4-14. I Love You
It’s so smooth that I worry she might slip away in the crowd.
I see. That’s why couples interlock their fingers—so they don’t lose each other.
…Then maybe I should do that too?
We’re already holding hands, so there’s no need to be embarrassed about interlocking fingers…!
Encouraging myself, I press my palm firmly against hers.
“Ah…”
Then, I interlock my fingers with her slender ones.
“…Mashiro. I’m embarrassed to say this, but I don’t have much experience going out alone with a girl. If there’s anything you want, don’t hesitate to tell me.”
“O-okay… got it…”
After confirming with a firm grip, we enjoy the shops lining the market.
“Ouga-kun, let’s check out that accessory shop!”
Pulled by Mashiro, we enter an accessory shop filled with women’s trinkets, some of which even look cute from a guy’s perspective.
Earrings, hairpins, bracelets, rings, necklaces…
Among the variety, Mashiro’s eyes are drawn to a ring with a small, clear white gem.
“Wow~, this is so cute~”
Though, Mashiro herself is cuter.
“Though, Mashiro herself is cuter.”
…Huh!? Crap, I accidentally said what I was thinking!
My brain’s going haywire just because Mashiro’s cute.
“Mou~! Don’t tease me, Ouga-kun!”
“I didn’t mean to. Sorry. But it’s true that I think you’re cute… Should we buy it? I think it suits you.”
“No, it’s okay! I already have this…”
Mashiro tightly grips the special ring I gave her before the academy magic tournament, embedded with a magic stone.
“…You really treasure it, huh? That makes me happy.”
“I was so happy when you gave it to me, I could’ve jumped for joy.”
Mashiro grips the ring even tighter, as if praying.
Her expression seems to hold more than just cherishing something precious.
“Let’s go to the next shop? Spending time with Ouga is important too.”
“…Ah, okay.”
From there, we hop from shop to shop, window shopping.
I’d buy her anything she wants, but Mashiro seems content with just looking.
“Ah~! That was fun!”
We’ve finally reached the end of the market.
Exiting the shop, Mashiro stretches.
The sun is already setting, and the moon is rising.
“…I really didn’t expect to end up buying nothing.”
“Ouga-kun, you’re such a noble~. From my perspective, this is pretty normal.”
I guess I’ve gotten used to the financial sense of this world.
In my past life, I would’ve held back on buying things I wanted, just like Mashiro.
“Did you have fun, Ouga-kun? I dragged you around a lot.”
“Of course. Because I was with you.”
“…Ouga-kun, you say things like that so casually. That’s why Alice and the others…”
“Did something happen with Alice?”
“No, it’s nothing… Ah~… no, I can’t brush it off here…”
Mashiro spins around and beckons me.
“Ouga-kun… could you crouch down a bit?”
“Hmm? Sure—”
“Gotcha~! Ouga-kun captured~!”
“—Bwah!?”
Caught off guard, I’m perfectly captured by Mashiro’s chest.
Thinking it’s not appropriate in public, I try to escape, but hearing the thumping of her heart, I stop.
I understand how much courage it took for her to do this.
“…Hey, Ouga-kun. Can you hear it? My heart’s pounding, right?”
Unable to answer, I tap her back once in response.
“Why do you think that is?”
I can’t answer.
This time, not because my face is buried, but because I’m unsure of the answer I’ve arrived at.
“I wouldn’t do this with anyone else, you know? There’s only one person in the world I want to hold like this.”
Mashiro’s breath brushes my hair. She’s so close, and she says the words I was supposed to tell her.
“…I love you, Ouga-kun. I want to create lifelong memories with you.”
“————”
Mashiro’s confession blanks out my mind.
It’s not from lack of oxygen.
It’s because the happiness she’s given me has overwhelmed all my thoughts.
…Right. I need to respond! I have to respond…!
“Mashiro! I—”
“Wait, stop. Save the rest for after the dates with everyone.”
“…………”
My mouth is sealed against her chest again, so I tap her back.
“Alright.”, she murmurs, releasing me, and the first thing I see is—
“I love you.”
—Mashiro’s smiling face, whispering her feelings once more.