Comfort
Lux’s Side
I didn’t know why Florence-san was hugging me, but I instinctively felt that I shouldn’t push her away. So I let her hold me for a little while, without resisting.
After a short while, Florence-san gently let go of me and said,
“I’m sorry for hugging you so suddenly, right after we met again, Lux-sama.”
“N-No! I was a little surprised, but I didn’t dislike it, so please don’t worry about it!”
“I’m very glad to hear that.”
With those words, Florence-san gave me a gentle smile.
Then she continued,
“Please look, Lux-sama. Isn’t the sight of all these flowers simply beautiful?”
“Yes, it is. It’s beautiful. I was looking at these flowers the whole time until you arrived, Florence-san.”
“I see… Lux-sama, beautiful things suit you well. Flowers really do look perfect on you.”
“R-Really?”
“Yes.”
“Th-Thank you.”
Embarrassed by her compliment, I blushed a little. Florence-san smiled at me… but in the next moment, her expression turned somber.
“…Is it truly alright for me to stay by your side, Lux-sama?”
…Huh?
“W-What are you talking about? There’s no reason at all why you shouldn’t be by my side, Florence-san!”
When I firmly denied her sudden question, Florence-san replied,
“As I mentioned earlier, beautiful things suit you, Lux-sama. But I am not so beautiful as to deserve that description, and I cannot fully blend in either. I’m powerless. For someone like me to remain at your side… it feels meaningless.”
I cut her off and said,
“Florence-san, you’re beautiful and amazing. You don’t need any special reason to stay with someone. If it feels comfortable, that’s enough.”
“But… I’m so powerless that I can’t even act on my own beliefs.”
“You’re not powerless. And even if you were, it wouldn’t matter.”
“Why… would you say that?”
When Florence-san asked, I answered clearly,
“Because you’re a kind person, and we’re friends.”
“…!”
Florence-san widened her eyes and looked straight into mine.
Then, after a moment, she gave a gentle smile and said,
“Lux-sama… I’m truly so happy to have met someone like you.”
“I’m glad I met you too, Florence-san.”
As we exchanged those warm words, Florence-san spoke again,
“By the way… I believe I mentioned my engagement before. So when you said we’re friends, does that mean you’re rejecting the engagement?”
“W-What!? Th-That’s not what I meant…”
“Then, does that mean you’re willing to be engaged to me?”
“U-Um… well…”
As I fumbled for a response, Florence-san gave a small smile and said,
“Fufu. I’m sorry. I was teasing you a little because I wanted to see that embarrassed face of yours, Lux-sama.”
“…!?”
“I had a wonderful time today, so I think I’ll be going now. Please enjoy the rest of your day off, Lux-sama.”
“…You too, Florence-san. Have a nice day off.”
I forced down my embarrassment and managed to say it, and Florence-san smiled at me before turning and walking back toward town. After that, I was left completely red-faced for a while.
But even so… spending time with Florence-san really did feel comfortable.
Violet’s Side
…Around the same time.
After her brief argument with Violet, Siana was now seeking advice about her worries over how to hold Lux’s hand.
“Should I go with a normal way of holding hands first? Or would the interlaced fingers way make him more aware of me as a girl?”
“If you’re holding hands, either way should be fine.”
“That’s not true! I’m sure there’s a huge difference…”
Violet, watching Siana lose her usual logical mind whenever it involved Lux, let out a sigh and said,
“Don’t you think it’s time to return? Rodwell-sama may be feeling lonely without you.”
“…! I can’t let Lux-kun feel lonely. I’m going back to him now. But you’re to continue keeping watch for his safety. Got it?”
“…Understood.”
And so, Violet saw Siana off as she headed back toward Lux.
It’s about time I had a moment with Rodwell-sama, too.
Violet decided it was time to start making her own plans to spend some time alone with Lux.