Chapter 240: Hera / Star on the Rooftop (2/2)

Her face showed that she somewhat got it, but was waiting for more of a complete explanation.

「Kotone-chan and Suzune-chan and Kazane-chan were all lovey-dovey with Taiyou-chan from the beginning. Kohaku-tan was also lovey-dovey with him, and Aoba went with the flow」

「Not detailed enough」

「Of the two whom Taiyou-chan himself sought out, the first one he succeeded with was Yuri-chan」

「Ohhh」

「So, thank you indeed」

Hera “embraced” Youran’s cheeks.

Her small body closely adhered to it.

「Thank you indeed. Success indeed spurs men on to greater heights」

「But you’re the one who’s making him stronger」

「No, I am different. Those are different things」

「How so?」

Youran sighed, half exasperated.

The two of them looked up at the sky together.

「Moon-san is indeed pretty」

「What kind of moons do you like？」

「New moons！」

Hera answered promptly.

「Thought you’d say that. But you can’t even see new moons」

「It is indeed best that way」

「Yeah？」

Youran looked at Hera with doubtful eyes.

Hera flew off from her shoulders, stopping in front of Youran’s eyes, aiming her body at her.

「It is indeed true. After all, Kohaku-tan is “amber”」

「Hm？」

Youran wondered what she was on about. Right afterwards…

「Taiyou-chan is “sun”」

「……」

「So I indeed like new moons. I also like full moons. Everyone likes Moon-san」

「……」

Youran looked up at the moon while looking at Hera.

After thinking briefly, she spoke.

「Then why don’t you just become the moon？」

「No, I’m always a star――Uwaaaaah」

Quicker than Hera could finish, Youran had hit the fairy’s small body.

She flew off like a shooting star, returning after a bit.

「Hey, what did you do that for, Youran-chan?」

「I sorta feel like I’ve understood how that guy feels. Couldja at least stop the teasing when you’re trying to have a serious conversation?」

「I am not teasing」

Hera spoke with a smile on her face in front of her――but with just a tone of seriousness.

「See, I am the stars」

「……」

「Moon-san can also be seen when the sun comes out, see, but the stars cannot be seen. Butt, they are definitely there. I have always been so up until now, and I am fine with that from now on」

「……You really are？」

「I really am. After all…」

Hera grinned mischieviously.

「It’s decided that I will die the same instant Taiyou-chan does」

「……Huh」

「I cannot be killed by anyone other than Taiyou-chan. But Taiyou-chan will definitely not kill me. And the moment Taiyou-chan dies, I also die. So I will be together with Taiyou-chan until the very end, and die in the same moment he does~」

「……」

「The sun and the stars are “together”, see」

Youran discerned that this was a double meaning.

「……I might be a bit jealous of that」

「Huhun」

Hera puffed her chest out, purposefully making an “ahem” sound.

「So I will be the stars from now on too」

「Yeah, I gotcha」

「So I look forward to working with you, Moon-sama」

「……Likewise」

While resting her chin in her hands, Youran smiled as she shook Hera’s small, outstretched hand.