Chapter 229 - Entrance Exam and Valentines Day [26] (2/2)

「W-Was it really… Delicious?」

「No doubt. It was the best in the world.」

As I said so in a gentle voice to reassure Ria,

「I-I see… That’s good.」

She exhaled as though feeling relieved from the bottom of her heart.

「Thank you, Ria. This is the best Valentine’s Day.」

「Yes, thank you so much for accepting it too, Allen!」

Then we decided to go back to our dorm because it was late.

On the way back,

「But I was really happy.」

Ria, who was in a way better mood now, said so.

「About what?」

「Because you know. You fought so seriously, Allen. I haven’t seen you that serious in a long time. Nee, did you really want my chocolate that much?」

She looked up at me while bending forward slightly, and smiled like a mischievous child.

「Well, t-that…」

Of course, I wanted it.

I wanted it so badly.

But I feel a little embarrassed to say it again.

And when I was having trouble answering,

「I… am so happy right now.」

Ria said so and reached out her hand to the starry sky.

Standing under the moonlight with the darkness of the night spread all over, she looked like a princess who jumped straight out of a fairy tale.

「Haa… I wish this happiness would last forever and ever.」

She whispered towards the stars as though making a wish.

For some reason, a deep hint of sorrow was reflected in her eyes.

「Nee, Allen. This is just a what if, but… what if my “life” was set in stone by God, and I could never escape from that fate… What will you do?」

Ria tilted her head with a fleeting smile that showed a hint of having resigned herself to fate.

(As I expected, she seems to be shouldering a “serious problem”.)

It’s not the first time Ria has shown such a face.

(This is difficult.)

What kind of problem is it? Is it even okay for me to stick my nose into it in the first place?

Unless Ria tells me, I can’t understand.

So I decided to answer her question head-on.

「If there’s something that is binding you, something that is hurting you… I will cut it. May it be God, or Fate… I will come for you and cut it away with this sword.」

My “swordsmanship” is for the sake of protecting everyone. My family, my friends, and… my special someone.

「Fufu. If it were Allen, you might really just cut anything.」

「Aa, you can count on me.」

「Thank you… I am very, very happy.」

Ria said and hugged me.

In this way, the curtain quietly closed on the stormy “Valentine’s Day”.