"Eh… Lidi?"

Freed stared at me with surprise as I raised a loud voice.

As he finally made eye contact with me, I glared at him with all my heart.

"Freed, you idiot! Deciding things on your own, not listening to me saying it's wrong! And finally telling me to leave because you want to be alone! Why did you reach such a stupid conclusion! I haven't said a word about loving Sion!!"

"Lidi…"

I walked up to Freed who was staring at me in wonder, and vigorously threw myself into his embrace.

Sitting on the bed, he caught me in his arms in a fl.u.s.ter. Despite me nearly jumping at him, as expected of him, it didn't break his stance at all, I thought so in the corner of my mind.

Having succeeded at throwing myself into his embrace, just like that I hit his chest.

Not minding that it might hurt a bit, I repeatedly hit him with both hands without holding back.

"It's different! The reason I was troubled was completely different, you just misunderstood! I don't feel that way towards Sion at all! Who I love is not Sion, but Freed! Idiot! Idiot idiot!"

"Eh"

I heard a hoa.r.s.e, astonished voice over my head, but I paid it no heed.

I continued hitting his chest with the momentum.

"Since I finally realized, I came back thinking of telling you! So why are you only saying such things? Have you come to hate me already? Is that why you're only saying unkind things?"

"T, there's no way. I've always…"

Freed impatiently denied. Using all my strength, I hit his chest with both hands.

"Then, why! You weren't the usual Freed just now! The usual Freed would hug me tightly to convey that he'll never let me go no matter what, and yet why are you trying to drive me out? Haven't you promised before! That you won't hand me over to anybody! Was that a lie!?"

"… There's no way that'd be a lie"

At that moment I was tightly hugged.

The embrace made me unable to move the arms that were hitting him. Still, I struggled violently. Freed immobilized such me with his strength.

A voice tinged with pa.s.sion hit my ears.

"Really? Do you really love me? Not Sion?"

"Why are you bringing up Sion here? Freed… I only love Freed"

"Lidi…"

Saying my name together with a sigh, he released my body.

Freed gently fixed my position inside his arms, and peered into my eyes. His eyes were hot and moist.

I absentmindedly thought he's about to cry.

Freed slowly asked me.

"You love, me?"

"Yup"

I immediately nodded to his question. There's no reason to hesitate anymore.

After all I properly understand now that I love Freed.

Despite my clear reply, Freed piled up words.

"If you nod here, I'll never again let you go, Lidi. I won't listen even if you later say that you were wrong. Even so?"

I took offense in being asked to confirm.

It's too much. Even though I've been saying that until now.

"I won't regret it later. I love Freed. That's why… hold on to me properly"

"ah…"

I don't want him to let me go. I want to stay with him.

When I snuggled up to his chest with that feeling, I was strongly hugged again.

I can feel his heartbeat. Thump thump, it's beating strongly and quickly.

Freed's hair touched my cheek, and a trembling voice resounded in my ears.

"Finally… Finally you said it… I'm happy…"

The sound like he was crying touched my heart.

"Freed…"

"I'll never let you go anymore. Till death do us part, no, even if it does, never. Lidi's all mine… That's fine, isn't it?"

"Yup… It is"

Surely this feeling won't change. So I believe.

That's why I resolved myself, and gave him a small acknowledgement inside his arms. When I did, I could tell strength left Freed's body.

He was probably nervous too. Once again letting go of my body, Freed met my eyes.

I deeply gazed at his gently-colored eyes.

With a smile, Freed told me.

"Lidi, I love you. These past few days, I'd been in pain all the time. Thinking that Lidi might choose Sion, I couldn't concentrate on anything. Out of fear of being rejected by Lidi, I couldn't even embrace you…"

"Err, sorry for making you misunderstand…"

He got it totally wrong, but it's true that I was worried and distracted.

When I gave a small apology, Freed shook his head.

"It was also my fault for being so scared I didn't ask. I misunderstood on my own. I couldn't stand thinking Lidi has no feelings for me anymore"

When he gently touched my cheek, I put my hand on top of his.

"I wouldn't do that…"

"Yup. I know. Lidi loves me, right?"

"Y… yup"

It's embarra.s.sing to be asked that again. Still, I was happy that I could nod clearly.

Bringing his hand to the possession mark on my chest that had grown pale, Freed asked.

"… Did Lidi feel a little lonely not being embraced by me too?"

"… Yup. I did"

There's no point glossing over it. As I obediently nodded my head, Freed narrowed his eyes.

"I'd be happy if you said that"

"… I can't. Not something like I was lonely just because I wasn't being embraced for a few days"

"Lidi…"

Freed's face drew near. Understanding his intentions, I calmly closed my eyes.

I felt a hot sensation on my lips. After a light kiss, he separated from me.

When I opened my eyes, I met Freed's gaze. Both of us giggled.

It was a very gentle time.

I felt happy being able to accept him. With that, my words naturally overflowed.

"Freed… I love you"

"Yup, Lidi, I love you too"

Tightly gripping his clothes, I clung to him.

"Lidi…"

"Nn…"

With a smooch, he kissed my forehead. It's ticklish.

When I writhed while laughing, Freed's voice grew hotter and hotter. Again and again he kissed me all over my face.

While receiving that, this time strength left me.

Actually feeling that he loves me, all sorts of tension I had until now left me.

With that, I was a.s.sailed by intense sleepiness.

Come to think of it, I couldn't sleep well these past few days from worrying.

"Free… d"

"Lidi, I love you"

"Nn… Me too"

When I answered while enduring drowsiness, I was pushed down on the bed. I wrapped my arms around Freed's back as he got above me and impatiently kissed me again… Then I reached my limit.

My consciousness spontaneously clouded. It must be from relief. I was so sleepy I couldn't help it.

Somehow, it was game over when I wrapped my arms around Freed's back.

Aah, I can't anymore, with such a final thought my consciousness cut off.