Ever since that day we confessed the truth to her, something about Aoi had changed.
No—something had awakened.
If she was clingy before, now she was unstoppable.
"Harutooo~" she whined, hugging my arm tightly as we walked to school.
I sighed. "Aoi, people are watching."
"Let them." She puffed her cheeks, leaning her head against me. "I don't care anymore. You're mine."
I nearly tripped on the sidewalk. "…Can you not say that out loud!?"
She giggled, clearly enjoying how flustered I got.
---
At lunch, she placed her bento right in front of me. "Say 'ahhh,' Haruto."
I blinked. "Wait—you're going to feed me? Here? In the classroom!?"
"Yes." She smiled sweetly, holding a piece of tamagoyaki with her chopsticks. "Now open wide."
Half the class turned to look. I wanted to dig a hole and disappear.
But when I saw her eyes sparkling with joy, my heart gave in. With a deep sigh, I opened my mouth.
She popped the bite in, then clapped her hands softly. "Yay! Haruto ate my love."
I choked. "D-Don't say it like that!"
---
At home, it was even worse.
"Haruto, sit. I'll dry your hair after your shower."
"Haruto, rest your head on my lap. I'll give you a lap pillow."
"Haruto, you can't sleep yet. I haven't hugged you enough today."
By the end of the night, I was lying in bed with Aoi curled up against me like a cat, her arms locked around my waist.
"…You're unbelievable," I muttered, though my hand stroked her hair gently.
She looked up at me with a smile that melted my heart. "…I just can't help it. Now that you're really mine, I want to hold you every second."
I chuckled softly, kissing her forehead. "Then I guess I'll just have to get used to it."
Her smile widened, and she buried her face against my chest, sighing happily.
And as her warmth spread through me, I realized—
Even if she drove me crazy, even if she clung to me until I couldn't breathe…
I wouldn't trade this for the world.