19 Your Affection
Nova was in his room, looking at the cookie Freyana gave him.
「It really is in a shape of a heart.」[Nova]
Nova was listless.
「Or rather, that was obvious!」[Nova]
He placed the packaged cookie next to his bedside.
「A girl... likes me?」[Nova]
「*Yawn* That just goes to show ya, partner.」[Reischneid]
「Oh? You're awake now?」[Nova]
「Yeah, sure. Why not?」[Reischneid]
「Why is she saying it's okay to date more than one person?」[Nova]
「Well, it's popular in noble houses- One of the great houses even encourage it.」[Reischneid]
Nova was visibly shaken.
「What?! Why?」[Nova]
「Because, strong mana breeds strong mana, and political marriages keep this nation together.」[Reischneid]
「But what about love?」[Nova]
「Haha! Sometimes. That's also another bonus! If your girl is open to it, you can love whoever you want!」[Reischneid]
「But.. What about loyalty?」[Nova]
「Listen, partner. If you love all your partners, and don't neglect a single one, you're loyal. As long as everyone is loved and happy, then it works.」[Reischneid]
「But.. What about those people who want you to stick to one person? If you date more than one person, aren't you a degenerate?」[Nova]
「Uh... Stop talking bad about me.」[Reischneid]
Nova felt a headache.
「..Damn it.」[Nova]
「..Did something juicy happen while I was sleeping?」[Reischneid]
「Nothing. Continue.」[Nova]
「Nova, love is a thing that many don't understand.」[Reischneid]
「...I think it's easy to understand that being in a relationship with more than one person is wrong.」[Nova]
Reischneid completely ignored Nova.
「So, what if another girl loves you? Do you let her stay alone for the rest of her life?」[Reischneid]
「...What?」[Nova]
「Great men attract women, as is the other way around.」[Reischneid]
「...I think I'll have to see how far I get with Freyana first...」[Nova]
「Baby steps, Nova. Baby steps.」[Reischneid]
Nova took a minute to reminisce about something.
「...You know, Rai was popular in middle school. He never had any intention of dating any of them. Do you know why?」[Nova]
「..Why?」[Reischneid]
「He always looked for the singular person who would match him in whatever he did. He had certain qualities that he wanted from them.」[Nova]
「That's another form of love. And everyone's first love is a trip and learn experience.」[Reischneid]
「...Maybe.」[Nova]
「Well, you're a good kid. I'm not sure how you weren't popular in middle school. 」[Reischneid]
Nova shrugged.
「Girls just weren't into me like that.」[Nova]
「No matter how I see it, you're going a bit quick.」[Reischneid]
「Well, If you had a girl that threw herself at you, what would you do?」[Nova]
「..Well, I did. She was my first wife.」[Reischneid]
「How did that go?」[Nova]
「I married her, then we lived happily until we died. The end.」[Reischneid]
Suddenly, a wave of exhaustion washed over Nova.
「Oh… Well.. I'm getting kind of tired..」[Nova]
「..Alright partner, I'm always at your side.」[Reischneid]
「..Thank you.」[Nova]
Nova drifted to sleep.
-------
『Good MORNING!!!』[Leo]
『Guh? Huh?』[Nova]
『It's time for training!』[Leo]
『..Okay.』[Nova]
『What will we be doing today?!』[Leo]
Nova stared at Leo, causing Leo to get shivers down his spine.
『..You're loud. Go wake up Rai.』[Nova]
『..Yes.』[Leo]
He exited.
After Nova got prepared, he left for the cafeteria.
Nobody was there yet, and the windows revealed it was in fact- 5 in the morning.
『..What?』[Nova]
He checked his Student ID, and he realized it was only 5:27.
「Well, if the cafeteria is open, Freyana should be here..」[Nova]
He walked into the kitchen, and looked around.
Freyana was there, silently concentrating on cooking.
She was manipulating her mana like the time Sarena fixed Nova's door.
All around her was a carnival of utensils.
「...Should I surprise her?」[Nova]
『Freyana.』[Nova]
『..?!』[Freyana]
She froze up, and all of the utensils started behaving erratically.
『..Nova.』[Freyana]
『I.. Uh… You're up early!』[Nova]
『..I couldn't sleep.』[Freyana]
『About yesterday..』[Nova]
『I meant it.』[Freyana]
『...I think I like you too.』[Nova]
Freyana looked at Nova with a look of surprise.
She stepped closer to him.
『Do you mean it?』[Freyana]
『..I mean it. I've never loved anyone before, but if I had to say, you're the closest.』[Nova]
Nova looked away, as she was a bit too close for his comfort.
『Are you sure you mean it?』[Freyana]
『I.. Don't know. But when someone dedicates so much of themselves to me, I can't just say no.』[Nova]
『Are you truly truly sure?』[Freyana]
『..Yeah. I think I am sure, but did you want to start off getting to know each other?』[Nova]
『...Anything for you.』[Freyana]
She gently guided his face toward her again.
She looked at him with tear studded eyes and a gentle smile.
『Ever since you risked yourself just to make me happy, my heart has been yours.』[Freyana]
『I… don't deserve you.』[Nova]
She lightly chuckled.
『If you aren't the one, then I believe that I will be alone till the end of my life.』[Freyana]
『But- you're a really beautiful person! I'm sure you could be with anyone you want.』[Nova]
『Then, I want to be with you.』[Freyana]
『..Are YOU sure?』[Nova]
She smiled and responded.
『Yes.』[Freyana]
『Truly sure?』[Nova]
『Truly, truly sure.』[Freyana]
『Then.. I'll try my best to make you happy, as long as you have eyes for only me.』[Nova]
『I will. I will love you, and you alone, until the end of time.』[Freyana]
Freyana jumped into Nova's arms and sunk her face in his chest.
『But tell me first, why did you say that you'd be okay being with me? Even to the extent of sharing me with others?』[Nova]
『..You're perfect. It's a given that you are going to be sought after by many girls.』[Freyana]
『I'm not perfect! If I was perfect, I could make everyone happy. But..』[Nova]
She looked up at Nova with tears in her eyes.
『You are. You make me complete. Besides.. You just can't say no to girls, can you?』[Freyana]
He felt his heart shake when she did this.
『..I'm sorry. I love you.』[Nova]
He embraced her, bringing her even closer to his chest.
『...I love you too.』[Freyana]
She pulled herself away a bit.
『..Will you love me, even if there are other girls who love you?』[Freyana]
『..I will. I will hold you above all else.』[Nova]
『Then.. That's all I needed to hear.』[Freyana]
She pushed her lips onto Nova's, taking their breaths away.
Inside of her, a vortex of emotions ran rampant.
『I love you.』[Nova]
They spent some time gazing into each other's eyes, before the bitter smell of burning food brought them back to reality.
They broke the embrace, and awkwardly took their space.
『..Let's uhm..』[Nova]
Freyana continued looking at Nova, despite him looking away. Her eyes seemed to shine like the stars.
『..Yeah.』[Freyana]
