Silence
The room had fallen into an extraordinary stillness the moment Minamoto Senya knelt on one knee and spoke those words.
Up close, their eyes met, and neither of them made a sound. The only noise was the faint whoosh of the air conditioner, softly blowing across the room.
After a long pause, seeing Takanashi Toka frozen as if lost in thought, Senya slowly spoke again:
"I'm sorry… I should have told you this that night at the hotel. But back then, confessing my feelings to you and receiving your response, I was so happy that my mind could think of nothing else. I only wanted to be close to you, and everything else… everything else slipped from my mind.
After we came back from the beach, my reason returned a little, and I wanted to find the right moment to confess… but…"
Senya trailed off, leaving the sentence unfinished.
Toka slowly came back from the daze she had been lost in, turning her head to the side. Her hand, still held in Senya's, tried to pull back—but it didn't move.
He held it tightly, almost as if afraid that if he let go, he would never be able to hold it again.
There was no need to explain further. She understood.
He had wanted to confess to her, but since she had been deliberately avoiding him since returning, he never had the chance. That's why it had dragged on until now.
By that logic, it seemed like the responsibility fell on her…
No, no!
Even knowing that Senya was seeing Saeko, she had still responded to his feelings.
And even then, the only person she should feel guilty toward was Saeko.
As for this two-timing, flirtatious scoundrel… well, now he's not even pretending anymore.
For a man truly walking two paths at once, she had no reason whatsoever to feel guilt or unease!
"What do you expect me to do with this information?"
Her voice was cold.
Senya feigned surprise.
"Don't talk about that first—Toka, you accepted this so easily! I thought you'd be at least a little shocked."
Her heart slammed in her chest, beating wildly, yet she maintained a calm, indifferent expression on the surface.
"I am a little surprised, but not entirely unexpected. I had noticed for some time that your interactions with Saeko were… different from how you are with other girls."
"I see… no wonder, Toka, so perceptive as always."
Her sharp glare met his cheerful smile, though the anger wasn't directed at him, but at herself.
How could she even feel a faint thrill at his compliment now? How could she almost smile for a fleeting moment? She had barely restrained herself…
"Sorry, am I being too casual right now?" Senya asked.
"...You tell me."
"Cut me a little slack. I'm a bit nervous facing you, so this is just my way of calming down."
Nervous…?
The same guy who shamelessly pressed against her at the hotel that night… who had touched her every inch in the middle of the night… the nerve!
Toka closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and reopened them, her gaze colder than before, a faint chill in her eyes.
Yet even this icy exterior did not intimidate Senya. On the contrary, it awakened a strange sense of nostalgia in him, even reminding him of a friend far overseas.
That cold-outside, warm-inside feeling, when experienced over time, could be intoxicating. The contrast was impossible to resist.
But for now, it was best to respect Toka a little. After all, they were discussing something important—their future. A bit of formality was needed.
Senya adopted a mock-shocked expression, which satisfied Toka to a small degree. She remained still, waiting to hear what he wanted to say next.
Returning to the conversation he had strayed from, Senya continued:
"The reason I confessed my relationship with Saeko to you, Toka, is because… just as I made that promise to Saeko, I want a happy future with you too."
"You're promising two girls at the same time… do you even know what you're saying?"
"It might go against modern values, but… I can't help it. Both Saeko and you are far too extraordinary. Both of you are the perfect mothers of my future children. I simply cannot give either of you up.
I tried imagining a life following society's normal rules, which would have required me to choose one of you. But I can't do it. Even imagining you with someone else makes my heart ache so much I can't breathe.
During that time, I struggled endlessly, until I happened to attend a literary publisher's annual conference. A certain writer—known for his colorful private life—gave a speech. The audience didn't criticize him for being involved with multiple women. They admired his charm and intellect.
I realized then that the rules of this world are made for ordinary people. Those with ability enjoy privileges and can break them.
At that moment, I understood—I'd rather strive to become someone remarkable, ignoring the rules of the world, than suppress myself to live an ordinary life filled with endless regrets. That's the future I desire!"
At some point, Senya had stood up.
Toka looked up, her gaze falling into the shadow cast by Senya's backlit figure. His eyes burned with relentless fervor.
Takanashi Toka, now free of her slippers, leaned against the headboard, cradled in Senya's arms. She panted slightly, her gaze still tinged with lingering heat, and faint traces of moisture remained at the corners of her lips—the proof of their earlier kiss.
Her earlier apprehension about letting him into the room had been entirely justified.
Once she faced him, she was completely dominated, at his mercy.
Even though she had secretly glimpsed his diary and understood some of his thoughts, having him confess everything in person hit her with a force that was hard to process.
Her entire life—years of disciplined education with her mother and sister, social norms instilled at school—was shaken in an instant.
She was at a loss, unsure how to react.
Senya found her dazed state incredibly endearing. Unable to resist, he cupped her neck and lowered his face closer.
Toka vaguely remembered objecting softly, but her protest was ignored.
Initially, she sat while he bent down. His deliberate closeness weakened her knees, and she was gradually pulled into his embrace.
And now… this.
An aftermath of sorts.
"I knew it… you've kissed Saeko quite a few times before."
Toka's words were her only attempt to save face.
Senya chuckled, a familiar sense of nostalgia stirring within him. He tightened his hold and pressed his face against hers, teasingly:
"Jealous?"
"Hmph."
Her cool laugh sounded sharp, but combined with her trembling body and flushed cheeks, it carried no hostility. Only a challenging cuteness that was impossible to resist.
Even such minimal intimacy revealed that Toka's body might be more sensitive than Saeko's.
"Yes, I have kissed, but Toka is completely different. If you want, I can explain more."
"No need."
Senya was entranced by her attempt to turn her head and roll her eyes, leaning in again.
Toka struggled to breathe for dozens of seconds. Once she managed, she panted lightly.
"Remember to breathe during, or you'll suffocate."
"Do you think this is because of… never mind. Let me go!"
Senya didn't. Instead, he flipped her underneath him, pinning her completely.
Face-to-face, she had nowhere to escape.
"Oh, right. Besides what I just told you, there's something else very important I need to say."
"I don't want to hear it."
Toka was still sulking over his reckless behavior, silently chastising herself for the excitement it stirred.
Senya's voice softened.
"It's about Saeko—her attitude toward what's happening between us."
"…!"
Toka froze, then practically exploded in frustration.
"You told her about us?! You promised me before that our relationship would remain private—"
"Relax. I kept my promise," Senya quickly soothed, anticipating her reaction.
Toka calmed slightly, though she maintained a stern expression, waiting for him to continue.
"Just like I confessed to you, Toka, I also told Saeko the truth. That I liked other girls besides her. She said, and I quote, 'I understand. As long as you stay by my side, I can accept everything else.'"
Senya said nothing further, simply watching Toka.
He had asked Saeko before returning home, and she had indeed given that answer.
Yet while Saeko accepted it so easily, Toka was utterly stunned.
"Wait… wait a moment."
She needed time to process the overwhelming information.
Senya nodded silently.
"You mean… Saeko doesn't mind you having other girls around besides her?"
"She didn't exactly say that, but I think that's her stance."
"What did you do to her?"
Could an ordinary girl allow this?
She wasn't ordinary… she had special circumstances that couldn't be generalized.
"I did nothing. I didn't hide anything, didn't deceive her, didn't guide her—I just asked, and after some thought, she gave me that answer."
"…."
Toka pressed her fingers to her forehead, unsure how to comprehend what she was witnessing.
Is the world really like this? Or is it simply that Senya and Saeko are extraordinary?
"Alright. I've now told you everything: my deepest thoughts, my secrets, and Saeko's perspective on our relationship. I'm fully transparent with you, Toka. You can relax a bit."
Senya gently laid his head on Toka's chest.
"I don't expect you to respond immediately, but I will continue pursuing the goal I just mentioned. I want to be with both of you for life. This isn't a whim or a joke. I just want you to know, and in the future… I hope you will see for yourself."
"…."
Toka was overwhelmed—stunned and shocked simultaneously.
Her mouth slightly open, she didn't know what to say. She could only place her hand on his head, gently stroking it as her response.
Senya, as a child, had never liked anyone touching his head. But there were exceptions—people he felt close to, people he cared for.
"Toka…" He breathed in her faint, pure scent, closing his eyes like a contented, lazy cat after a satisfying meal.
"What is it?"
"In the future… can we have three children?"
"Don't even think about it."
Having children isn't that simple…
Two… just two.
That was the most she was willing to concede.