I could surely count that as a slip of my tongue. But since I already care for her enough that shes already getting the same treatment as my girls, its just a phrase that I was holding off on saying.

Its fairly obvious just by looking at how I was treating her ever since the day I asked her to let me take care of her. Just that, I was trying to be considerate of her fear of men. As it was a trauma still deeply lodged in her mind, I had to be very careful concerning it. I even got to experience how it was for her. Shes close to breaking down in cold sweat. If I didnt do what I did back then, we wouldnt reach this point in our relationship.

True, telling me her past and the origin of her fear meant she started trusting me. Furthermore, I could say that she already warmed up to me, we even did more than just kiss. However, those were still in the context that shes finding my side and my presence to be the most comfortable after Haruko Ah. No. Its already the most comfortable, shes just not aware of it. We noticed that detail last week.

And today, when I came to pick them up, even if Haruko was next to me, Edel didnt think twice to jump in my embrace.

Nonetheless, its still not right to assume that she already developed romantic feelings for me. Only Edel herself could judge that.

Now that I slipped and confessed unintentionally, I fell under her inquiring gaze.

My hand noticeably paused on stroking her hair but its only a second or two. I quickly accepted my blunder and gathered my thoughts on what to do about it.

Since were not the only ones in the house, Akane, Haruko and Miwa-nee who were in the kitchen all stopped what they were doing. Even if I could only catch a glimpse of them at the corner of my eyesight, I was positive that they were staring at us, also waiting on how I was going to respond.

Are you surprised? I started with a question but my hand never stopped. Moreover, I searched for her hand and clasped it with mine, fitting it perfectly to calm it down if ever she started shaking.

Y-yes. I thought youre only helping me because Haru said so

I see. So thats how it looks to you. Remember what I said that day you told me about your trauma?

Un You asked me to let you take care of me.

Thats right. And that still held true Actually, even if I managed to convince myself that I was only going to help you overcome your trauma, my selfish mind already claimed you as mine.

Yep. I could fool myself like that but at the end of the day, as soon as I decided to help her, an inclination concerning how I would hate her to be taken by another guy had also rooted in my subconscious.

Its not just with her. Even when I decided to help Shizu, thats the same case. I was only deluding myself that I would be okay if, in the end, they chose to not stay with me.

The change that youre exhibiting ever since that day also didnt help. In fact, it reinforced the idea in my mind that I wanted to make you mine, completely. I continued. My fingers combing her hair slid down further until it reached its end. Following that, I raised it and placed it on her cheek, my thumb gently caressing her pale lips. Theres just one thing Im scared of when it comes to you. That telling you the entirety of my feelings will trigger that trauma again. You grew up while holding onto your fear of men. Even if I am this close to you now, its only because you find my side as the most relaxing. You can forget your worries and fears whenever youre clinging to me.

That is true.

With a slight pause, Edel nodded her head, agreeing to my words.

I stared into her pretty eyes that were now shaking, tears starting to well up from the glands. Shes too beautiful even at this moment and I admittedly felt a little pained for shaking her up like this.

Alright. I said my piece and now we return to the beginning. You didnt mishear it, Edel. I love you I relaxed my serious expression and put on another gentle smile. Well, I wouldnt say this smile was perfect or natural but at least, it's a genuine one. However, I cannot say that I love you more than the other girls connected to me. For this, even if others might find this distasteful, I wanted to be very honest with you.

You love me

Thats all she could say, just repeating my words as though shes still in disbelief that its the truth.

Nonetheless, even if that was her reaction, I felt relieved. It didnt trigger her trauma, not yet at least.

While her eyes remained focused on me, I also didnt stop at caressing her beautiful face and her naturally pale lips. To make her more comfortable.

At this point, the three in the kitchen had already resumed what they were doing. In fact, Haruko was slowly creeping towards us and settled herself close but not inside Edels eyes.

Even with her active quirk, shes more than aware that this was an important moment for Edel.

As for Minoru, even with an important conversation like this, hes focused on whats being shown on the TV. His giggles and laughter would even occasionally fill the room since its a very entertaining show. For kids.

Anyway, seeing that Edel couldnt form words or she was still failing to gather her thoughts on how she should respond with my accidental confession, my hand returned to the back of her head and gently pushed her down to my chest before resuming to stroke her hair.

Minutes passed but Edel remained silent. But thats fine, she didnt fall asleep or anything of the sort. Moreover, I wouldnt mind if she failed to come up with a response. Just the fact that shes not pushing me away was already an acceptable answer.

Soon enough, the delectable aroma of the dinner theyre preparing in the kitchen wafted over us.

Even with that, its enough to make my mouth water. And perhaps also influenced by that aroma, a short, almost silent, growling of an empty stomach sounded.

Since I heard it clearly, its only either me or the girl that became silent in my embrace. And going with the process of elimination, I wouldnt be lying to myself if I was the one who issued that growl.

I lowered my gaze and noticed Edels ear that was partly exposed beneath her silver hair gradually turned red from embarrassment.

Alright. Lets eat. Edel, can you stand? I grasped her chin and lifted her head and I was met with her reddened face, eyes closed shut and bitten lips.

Right. Before the girl gathered her thoughts, her stomach betrayed her. Or shes not really thinking of answering and just making herself comfortable in my embrace but I repeat the growls of her hungry stomach broke her silence.

I can.

Well, I didnt hear it. Let me carry you to the table.

Before the girl could react, I already lifted her from her seat. Its that easy considering how close we were.

When my eyes caught Haruko, she was clapping her hands, satisfied at what she witnessed. She then went to Minorus side, taking the boys hand to lead him to the dining table.

Edel, its fine, I whispered to her before putting her down.

Its perfectly fine not to react or answer if she really couldnt yet. Nothing will change anyway. I will still love her and as long as she doesnt push me away, I will continue helping her overcome her trauma.

And tonight, I will be pampering her all night.

Through my accidental confession, I already got Akanes nod at letting her stay in our room.

Husband, sit down next to her or help us prepare the table. You choose.

Coming in at the perfect moment when Edel was deliberating whether to let me separate from her or keep me close now that shes seated, Akane placed a dish down.

Its the dish that made my mouth watery and Edels stomach growl.

Seeing that and inhaling its scent up close, Edels stomach betrayed her for the second time. And that resulted in the girl grasping my clothes tightly. She then pulled me down to sit next to her before using my chest to bury her crimson face.

Its unusual. I felt like I won big time but at the same time, lost against a dish at gaining Edels reaction.. Either way, its better this way than letting her feel pressured.