“I love you, Lilies. Please go out with me.”
“Wha, wha, what?!”
Looking at Lilies’ greatly flustered expression, I felt a twinge of satisfaction.
Though I had long given up on the idea of besting Lilies, seeing her always composed self flustered like this gave a fresh feeling.
“What…wha…what are you talking about…”
She was so flustered her syllables were falling apart.
“Exactly as it sounds. A roleplay game. I heard people often do it with their families when they’re young. I remember envying the children who talked about it, so I thought we could try it now.”
“…What kind of role?”
Isn’t it obvious?
“A lover.”
“Phewt!”
Lilies barely managed to hold back spitting out her toothpaste foam.
“Cough! Cough! Does anyone usually roleplay as lovers?”
“Hmm… probably not?”
“Then-”
“Mostly as married couples, right?”
“…”
Ultimately, Lilies lost her words.
“Urrrrrllllppp.”
After completely washing away the toothpaste foam, I embraced Lilies from behind, who had become as stiff as a rock.
“Lilies promised to wait, but I can’t just leave you waiting. That would be a considerably rude, selfish action on my part towards Lilies.”
Listening silently to my words, Lilies spat out the toothpaste foam.
“So you’re suggesting we pretend to be lovers?”
“It’s not acting. For a moment, just be genuine with me.”
“…….”
“And I thought it would help me settle my feelings faster this way.”
Clearly watching from behind, I can predict Lilies’ expression.
Her composed back, obvious in its conflict, made a smile escape me.
“…For how long?”
“Hmm… for today at least.”
“For now?”
“If by doing it, I come to adore it and want to really be with you, then it will last forever.”
At my words, Lilies’ body trembled, then she slightly turned her head to glance at me.
“…You’ve changed.”
“Have I?”
I had decided to be brazen.
“So what now?”
“Since I’ve confessed already, please accept.”
Then Lilies turned toward me, her composed smile restored.
“With lips like that?”
While tapping her own lips, Lilies…
What a difficult Outsider.
I smiled wryly and kissed Lilies.
“Chh”
After the brief kiss ended, I looked into Lilies’ deep eyes.
“I love you, Lilies. Please go out with me.”
“Hmm…. What should I do~”
When she was flustered before, where is it now as she recovers her composure?
‘This is like Lilies.’
Watching her with a content smile, Lilies’ answer returned.
“Then… if you call me ‘Elder Sister,’ I’ll go out with you.”
“…What?”
What did she say?
Shocked at my reaction, Lilies turned red and shook her head frantically.
“I-I-it’s fine if you don’t want to… I was just trying…”
“No, it’s not that I don’t want to, it’s just… I couldn’t imagine this kind of address…”
Really, I couldn’t have imagined it.
Lilies… ‘elder sister’?!
Am I supposed to call Lilies ‘elder sister’? Is that even possible?
Judging by Lilies’ reaction, it seems she blurted it out without thinking…
‘Well, since she allowed it. Shouldn’t matter, right?’
“Nee…nuh…elder sis…”
“!!”
Lilies’ eyes grew wide as saucers.
“Lilies elder sister.”
It was awkward, but it definitely felt familiar, making me want to call it more.
“Lilies elder sister. Elder sister.”
Correcting the awkward pronunciation, I noticed Lilies covering her face with her hands when I looked up.
“Huu…”
Despite being extremely embarrassed, her glances through her fingers at me…
“Adorable.”
“Hiik!”
Now even hiccuping.
Lilies’ ears were bright red, almost hot to the touch.
“Are you that embarrassed?”
“Dot! Dot!”
“If that’s so, then why do you hide your face?”
“Huu… It’s just… I like it…”
A small voice, akin to a whimper.
“I like it so much…”
So, she enjoys being called ‘elder sister’?
In that case…
“Lilies elder sister.”
“Ha… Stop it…”
“Nu~ Elder Sister~”
“Hiiik!”
“AHAHAHA! Isn’t your reaction just too cute? Elder sister?”
And thus, my jest ended when Lilies gave me a whack on the head.
“BOP!”
“Stop teasing me!”
“…”
Lilies proved unexpectedly skillful with her hands.
“Oww…”
—
After checking out, we wandered without a set destination along the commercial streets.
Numerous stores lined the street, catering to a wide range of tastes, most of them high-end items I’d never seen before.
We joked about the purposes and prices of these items, sometimes scoffing, sometimes marveling, as we exchanged various bits of idle chatter with Lilies.
Lilies was not particularly well-versed in the items of this world either and thus expressed intuitive thoughts about human creativity and crudeness.
Immersed in this ordinary yet purely enjoyable idle banter, I suddenly wondered…
‘…What’s different from usual here?’
My sudden realization hit me hard.
Looking back, we’ve already done almost everything lovers usually do long ago.
Hugging, holding hands, kissing.
‘…Hmm? What’s different then?’
If this is the case, then saying we’re just role-playing loses its meaning.
Desperately thinking, I recalled an act not yet done with Lilies.
Releasing our clasped hands, I intertwined our arms in what is commonly called arm-linking.
“Huh? This is…”
It’s typically called arm-linking. Until we actually did it, it felt similar to holding hands, but putting it into practice, it was a completely different sensation.
Our shoulders drew closer to brushing each other, and my elbow… touched something soft, but I desperately pretended not to notice.
“Hmm~ I didn’t know lovers do this too when they’re dating.”
“I thought it would make us look more like a couple…”
“Hmph, you’ve grown on me, Arthur.”
‘…Eh? ‘Our Arthur’? ‘Our’?!’
Just by adding those two characters before my name, the feeling was completely different.
The phrase made my chest tingle, and my lips naturally wanted to curve upwards.
Catching on like a ghost, Lilies smirked.
“Huh, you’re smiling aren’t you? Why~? Do you like being called that? Our Arthur~?”
Trying desperately to keep my lips from curling upward.
“Hmph…cute…”
Eventually, a smile broke out despite myself.
“Yes, I like it. Elder sister Lilies.”
“H…!”
“Shall we go there, elder sister?”
“Th… stop it…”
“Why, elder sister?”
“…Because we’re outside, I can’t hit you…”
While rolling her eyes, Lilies seemed to come up with a clever idea, and a sly smile appeared.
Linking arms, Lilies drew closer and whispered in my ear.
“Hey.”
“!!!”
Upon hearing those words, my whole body shuddered as if electrocuted, and goosebumps rose all over.
“Huh? Does something hurt? Your face is red, our dear…”
‘Huh, our de…ar…?!’
Each element was already making my heart race, but combined, my heart was pounding so hard it hurt.
“Isn’t that too seductive, Lilies…?”
Total defeat. No stronger form of address comes to mind.
…If this continues, yesterday’s resolution might break in just a day.
“Dear, let’s go inside?”
With a crimson face, all I could do was slightly nod in response.
Following Lilies’ lead, I shuffled my feet toward the ground.
Raising my head slightly when Lilies stopped, I saw…
“… Here is..?”
From the entrance, a pinkish sign welcomed us, a dessert shop clearly targeting a certain clientele.
-Sweet Love~♡
The red heart attached to the sign’s name made my head spin.
‘Is there such a place…?’
“Welcome, customers~ Welcome to Sweet Love!”
The energetic greeting came from a staff member dressed in a uniform of appropriately mixed pink and white.
“Are the two of you a couple? If you are a couple, we offer discounts and special services.”
Answering the staff’s question with increased arm grip, Lilies responded confidently.
“Yes, we’re a couple.”
“Excellent! We have tables and rooms. Which would you prefer?”
‘…Table? Room? What does that mean?’
Noticing my curious reactions, the staff continued the explanation in a gentle tone.
“The table is about enjoying desserts freely in open spaces on the 1st floor, while the room offers a cozy time together in the enclosed rooms on the 2nd floor-”
“Room.”
Interrupting before the staff could finish, Lilies gave an immediate answer.
Despite this forward attitude from Lilies, the smiling staff only nodded approvingly.
“Alright~ We’ll guide you to a double room.”
Following the staff into the interior, an expansive space opened up.
The 1st floor with its windows on all four sides was filled with scattered tables where most of the couples were feeding each other sweets with happy smiles. Occasionally, a lone diner could be seen, but they were far from the majority.
As expected, the interior design was all pink.
Pink everywhere, giving a sense of dizziness to anyone who glanced.
‘How could anyone eat desserts in such a place? Aren’t nobles incredibly shameless? Don’t they feel embarrassed?’
I was almost driving myself crazy just looking.
A sideways glance revealed… good heavens. Lilies’ face expressed tremendous anticipation.
Looking around at the couples here and there, Lilies noticed my gaze and whispered near my ear.
“Isn’t the atmosphere good?”
“I think I might vomit…”
“Phuhuhu…Why~ Occasionally, places like this can be nice too, right?”
“I’m covered in goosebumps…”
“Really? Where?”
Lilies slid her hand inside my sleeve.
“Ah, what are you touching?!”
“Wow. Your goosebumps really came up? You’re all prickly.”
In a panic, I tried pulling my arm away, but Lilies’ embrace was as firm as if bound by steel chains.
“You only use your strength at times like this?”
“If not now, when else should I use it?”
After a few more failed attempts and giving up, I noticed the staff was looking this way.
Unable to raise my head from the staff’s satisfied smile…
Ascending the stairs to the 2nd floor revealed an entirely different atmosphere.
Using slightly dim lighting, the 2nd floor differed from the open 1st floor with a narrow central corridor flanked by rows of doors.
“Our rooms come with top-grade soundproofing magic, so please enjoy your time without worrying about the surroundings.”
…Isn’t this a dangerous place in many ways?
“Here we are. You can write your order on the order sheet, hang it outside the door, and press the bell. Staff will come to collect it. In case of an emergency, pressing the bell will bring a staff member at any time. Also…”
The staff, with a meaningful smile, whispered.
“Our shop is not an adult establishment, so please don’t leave any marks.”
‘…Isn’t this saying you can do anything as long as there are no marks? Is this place really okay??’
Even under my astonished gaze, the staff walked away with neat steps.
“Hmm… Shall we go in?”
Upon entering, the inside was a small, adorably decorated room.
The overall design gave a warm atmosphere, and since there was less pink than expected, the feeling of unease decreased.
One side wall was lined with shelves, and looking at the spines, most appeared to be sugary romance novels.
The opposite wall had a menu board hanging on it, and as expected of a place where nobles visit, the prices were all astronomically high.
Lilies dragged my stiffened figure from the moment we entered into the inner side.
“Here’s nice too. Better than the 1st floor for just the two of us. The atmosphere here is good.”
Sitting down on the floor, Lilies signaled for the still-stupidly standing me to do the same.
Even sitting slightly away from Lilies after hesitatingly doing so, she immediately closed the distance.
Sitting shoulder to shoulder, it felt like my breath was getting cut off.
“Uh, shall we order something first?”
With my trembling jaw managing to speak only with difficulty, Lilies nodded.
“What would you like to eat?”
Looking at the menu, honestly, I didn’t recognize a single item.
‘Isn’t it alright to just go for any cake? Montblanc, B…rulé? What’s an éclair?’
Though written in Common Language, I couldn’t make sense of any of it.
At least, I ordered a few items based on names I had heard somewhere.
After ordering the food, silence returned to us.
‘…Feels suffocating…’
Just then, I felt a weight on my shoulder.
Fine strands of hair tickled my neck, and warmth spread.
“Ri, Lilies..?”
Lilies, with her head on my shoulder, had her entire center of gravity relying on me, eyes tightly closed.
“With this proximity… I can hear your heartbeat. Thump thump… thump thump… It’s beating extremely fast, isn’t it?”
Caught.
Even to my own ears, it was clear; there was no way she couldn’t hear.
“Let me hear your heartbeat.”
With that, I slowly moved my frozen body towards Lilies’ side.
As I placed my cheek on Lilies’ head and enjoyed the warmth, in that moment…
-Thump… Thump….
“… I can hear it too.”
“How is it?”
“….Not particularly fast.”
It made me feel a little unfair that I was the only one so tense.
“Puhuhu… How adorable. The method to make my heartbeat faster, you already know, right?”
I figured. But that method would make not just hers, but my own heart race as well.
I rubbed my cheek against Lilies’ silky hair, savoring its texture.
Drawing strength from the softness and warmth, I turned my hand to her back and gently encircled her delicate waist.
Her slimmer-than-expected waist made my pounding heart beat faster.
Drawing her close by her waist, Lilies and I became even more entwined, and I whispered softly.
“…I love you, Lilies.”
-Thump Thump Thump…
Lilies’ quick heartbeat response arrived.
At this, she slightly turned her head to face me.
Our tender gazes exchanged and Lilies opened her mouth.
“I also…”
The rapid heartbeats filled the quiet room.
I couldn’t distinguish between my own heartbeat and Lilies’, but differentiation wasn’t necessary from the start.
Our breathes interlaced in the close proximity, and we moved towards each other, as if enchanted.
At the moment Lilies’ sweet breath grazed my tongue…
-Ding Dong!
“The food you ordered is here. Customers~”
Our movements solidified.
Just a little closer, just need to be a bit closer…
Lilies’ inviting breath was stimulating my salivary glands…
-Ding Dong!
“Customer~? Is everything alright?”
As I reluctantly tried to stand up, pressing down on my burning insides…
The partly risen me was pulled and toppled over by Lilies.
“Ri, Lilies? Just a moment… Ump?!”
Lilies climbed on top of me and covered my mouth with her soft lips.
