The faint morning light filtered through the window, painting a soft blush across Syr's exquisite features. This was the first time Bell had ever received a confession from a girl. Completely caught off guard, the usually composed boy hesitated for a rare moment.
His goal was to become a hero and build a harem. But when faced with this adorable human girl, Bell had no choice but to turn her down. A dream like that had to be shared honestly. If he hid it, only to one day meet another girl and bring her home, it would hurt them. Bell would never do something so disgraceful.
To win the smiles of all girls, he steeled himself and slowly spoke.
"Syr-san, I know this might sound like an excuse, and it's a little ridiculous, but I have to tell you… my real dream is actually…"
Whether others misunderstood him or cursed him, Bell would always be truthful with himself. But before he could finish, a slender, pale finger pressed lightly against his lips.
"I already know."
Syr's gentle voice lingered in his ears, as if freezing the air around them. After a brief silence, she continued.
"Your dream, the harem—I heard everything from Airmid-san."
For a moment, Bell felt a flicker of doubt. How could someone as serious and upright as the Dea Saint reveal something like that? Judging from what happened at the mixed bath, Airmid didn't seem especially close to the tavern staff either.
Just like everyone else, Syr also carried secrets of her own.
Honey-sweet words flowed softly from her lips, leaving him no room to think.
"I know all of that. That's exactly why I couldn't wait to confess to you."
Bell brushed aside his earlier suspicions. Everyone had their secrets; he couldn't use that as a reason to dodge her confession. He was simply surprised. If one strictly examined their relationship, he and Syr weren't even close to being friends. They'd barely interacted.
"But we've only just met…"
Those calm words of his lit the fuse.
"Even if we've only met a few times, I still like you, Bell."
Syr bit her lip, as if barely restraining the rush of emotion in her heart. "I've never said anything like this to a boy before. Even if you think I'm being frivolous, I have to say it—ever since the first time I saw you, I've liked you!"
"Every time I saw you, you were covered in wounds, yet you always smiled like it was nothing."
"I love your strength. I love your smile. No matter what it is, I love all of it."
Freya Familia was silent to an eerie degree. Across the entire base, it felt as though only this room held life.
Syr kept pouring out her feelings, letting every word spill freely into the air until the whole room felt dyed with her confession.
"After hearing about this morning's incident, I was terrified—afraid the person I like would disappear, afraid I'd never see you again. Even if we don't know each other well yet, isn't it still possible to start now?"
"Bell, no matter how many times it takes, I'll tell you how much I like you. No matter how many days pass, I'll stay by your side. So..."
The boy understood. Every word came from the depths of the girl's heart. How did she feel when she heard about his dream? How much courage did it take for her to say all this?
"Syr-san, I—"
"W-wait, wait..." She cut him off again.
She suddenly realized a simple fact. She was crying.
At some point, tears had already soaked the collar of her white dress. Why was she crying uncontrollably during what should have been a joyful, shy confession? The more Syr noticed it, the more the clear tears flowed.
He's going to reject me.
With no real reason, Syr felt that pitiful premonition.
"Just... give me a moment. These aren't sad tears, they're... happy ones... so just wait a little longer."
The girl knew what the boy sought: a future filled with smiles. Someone like her, crying nonstop, had no place in that. But she couldn't stop it.
She had never been in love before, had never even been alone with a boy. Once she realized her feelings, conflict and shyness tangled inside her, as if the center of the entire world had shifted onto him.
That bittersweet ripple fermented in her heart, spreading until it became a wave she could no longer contain.
She loved Bell Cranel. Even if everyone in Orario slandered him, she would stand beside him without hesitation.
Who would be willing to share someone they loved this deeply with another girl? This was a precious love she had never experienced, something she yearned for yet had never been able to obtain.
And the thought that his smile might one day belong to another girl—
Syr's tears cascaded like a waterfall.
She had already compromised. Not for anything else, but simply because she wanted to be the boy's first lover. The title itself didn't matter. What mattered was having him to herself.
Maybe for a year, maybe a month, maybe only a few days. As long as she could be his only one, she could turn that brief, precious time into a memory, sealing it forever within her heart.
Her love had reached a blind, almost frantic intensity. So when the boy opened his mouth, she feared the outcome. Countless thoughts swirled in her head, spilling out as fresh tears.
Bell waited silently. Whatever his answer was, it would hurt this sincere girl. So he looked at her tear-streaked face without wavering.
These shining tears were his sin—something he decided he would spend his life repaying.
An unfamiliar room, unfamiliar sobbing, unfamiliar stillness. Yet the fire in his heart remained steady.
When Syr lifted her head and met his gaze with her beautiful gray eyes, Bell gave his answer.
"Syr-san, I really like the way you smile when you comfort me. So please, don't cry anymore."
With every word he spoke, Syr's heart pounded wildly.
"I was surprised by your confession. I should have told you before you cried. I want to go out with you. Honestly, for a girl as cute as you to like me... I'm the one who should be crying from happiness."
Syr sat frozen, unsure how to react. His words soaked into her dried, fragile heart.
"But a lot might disappoint you. I'm penniless right now and can't give you any gifts. And I got caught up in the monster incident this morning. For safety's sake, even taking you out on a date in the streets is a luxury."
Bell quietly explained his current situation.
"So, Syr-san... even with all that, are you still willing to go out with me?"
The courtyard remained silent. But to Syr, that silence tasted sweet.
She already knew her answer.
...
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