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As numerous thoughts run through my mind, Alfred suddenly takes my right hand.

Holds it lightly.

“…Uh, Alfred?” I say, staring up at him.

His blue orbs, just recently the color of the clear sky, are growing darker.

“…sama… Please… him away…” He spoke so quietly that I didn’t manage to catch his words.

“What did you say?”

However, Alfred refuses to answer. He only stares at me with dull eyes.

No, he only appears to be staring at me. His focus isn’t on me but on some intangible space. For some reason, that’s the feeling I got from his gaze.

“…protect him. I’ll treat him with great care, so…”

I’m really unable to discern his mutters. “Alfred? What are you saying?”

This time, Alfred’s gaze finally focuses onto me, and he flashes a smile. However, his smile somehow looks ugly, like he’s on the verge of crying. “…It’s nothing.”

“What do you mean with nothing— Ahh!”

Alfred wraps his arms around me and lifts me up.

Because he does it so forcefully, my torso collides into his with the same amount of force he used to lift me.

Despite this, Alfred remains in place, not a twitch or movement to be seen from him. Moreover, he has a large build. So uselessly large. Meanwhile, I’ve only grown a couple of millimeters since we were kids. I don’t have defined muscles either. I feel like I’ve reached the end of my gro—no no no. I can still grow. I still have room left to grow taller. And grow some muscles soon. Yes, that’s right.

…But then, I will never compare to Alfred, who has grown considerably large and robust.

Well, it’s only natural for him to have grown this much. He’s the future hero, after all. This should be a good thing.

As a matter of fact, I also feel… happy. That his body developed so well.

Though I’m a tad bit envious, I also wish to see him grow taller and bulkier, just like this.

That way, he can become stronger. To the point that he’ll be unmatched by anyone and anything in this world. That is my desire.

So please—

All of a sudden, Alfred squeezes me in a tight hug.

“Huh?! W-Wait, Alfred! Hey…!”

Please consider our location right now!

We’re outside! And there are people in our vicinity!

“Al—”

I feel tremors running through Alfred’s hand on my shoulder. I stop my attempt to push myself out of his hold.

I try to inspect his condition, but from my current position, his neck is all I can see, so I give up.

Instead, I turn my head, gazing at the hand on my shoulder. Though almost indistinct, Alfred really is trembling. “Alfred?”

However, I don’t receive a reply.

What happened to him?

He was fine this morning, but now, I don’t know what’s on his mind. He currently seems inscrutable.

I feel at a loss, but for the time being, I wrap an arm around Alfred and pat his back, trying to calm him down.

This situation seems to have already happened multiple times to me today.

Like I’m comforting one crying child after another.

Though the child before me is rather large.

Well, everyone feels insecure and lonely at times, whether they’re an adult or a child.

His hug grows tighter and tighter, making it harder for me to breathe.

“Ugh… H-hey, Alfred! It’s painful!” I complain. It is then that Alfred finally slackens his embrace.

Finally freed from his grasp, I take a few breaths before taking a look at his face.

Because of the backlighting, I can’t see his expression well. “What happened, Alfred? Do you feel tired?”

“…No,” says Alfred, shaking his head and flashing me a smile.

I scrutinize him more closely. His eyes have returned to their previous sky blue. The color of the great expanse of the clear sky.

And my favorite color.

Out of nowhere, Alfred rises to his feet and grabs my arm, trying to make me stand as well. “Lian, before we return, let’s check the constructed fences.”

“Ah, yes. Of course I’ll do that— Ah!”

Because Alfred pulls me up so suddenly, I lose my balance and fall onto him again. Hurriedly, I place a hand on his chest to straighten myself.

Following that, I raise my head. “S-Sorr— mm?!”

Alfred steals a kiss from me.

Though It only lasted for a second, he did it in a fierce manner.

Alfred presses his lips firmly against mine, seeming to be confirming something, before releasing me.

“Haa… You—you!!!”

“It’s okay. No one saw us. They’re far away from us.”

“You idi….”

So he’s aware that he has done something he shouldn’t have!

That’s even worse!!

He does speak the truth, though. Alfred’s large figure keeps me completely hidden from the workers’ and villagers’ sight, so they’re not able to see the kiss we shared. But still!

Not showing any sign of reflection from his previous actions, he leans down for another kiss, and I… I…

Close my eyes and let him.

…Ahh, really.

I think I’ve started getting considerably used to this lately…

Even if I were to resist, this animal doesn’t listen to me anymore these days. Moreover, he always does it so randomly and thoughtlessly. I really don’t know what I should do with him anymore.

It’s like letting him kiss me is inevitable.

…Also, Alfred’s kisses are always inexplicably gentle. Always make me feel warm and relieved.

So—

His warm lips slowly part from mine.

When I open my eyes, Alfred has a smile on his face, filled with joy and some satisfaction. “Let’s go, Lian.”

“…Yeah.”

Alfred grabs my hand, pulls at it, and walks forward, forcing me to follow him.

Toward everyone.

As I stare at his broad back and happy profile, I make sure not to expose the relief inside my heart.

Yes, this is the usual Alfred.

Though I don’t understand how, his depressed mood from earlier, unusual coming from him, seems to have disappeared.

The warm breeze blows past us.

The large, warm hand of such a kind person enveloping mine.

It’s not just him either. There are all these kind people around me that have made this village a warm place for me.

I’ll definitely protect them, regardless of what I have to do.

Definitely.

Without realizing it, I put some strength into my grip on Alfred’s hand, causing him to turn to me. “Lian?”

I stare up at his confused expression and tell him nothing’s wrong, the usual smile painting my lips.

The one I use when lying.

I will protect you and the villagers. Up until the end.

And I’ll do everything in my power to achieve that.

I’ll even lie if necessary.

“No, nothing. Oh, it seems like you built the fence well. They look very sturdy.”

Alfred’s stare gives the impression that he wants to tell me something, but I pretend not to notice.

As we grow nearer to everyone, I attempt to take my hand from his grasp since our joined hands will soon be visible to them.

However, that only makes Alfred grip my hand tighter. Thus, I’m unable to shake off his hand.

I feel a mix of distress and happiness at that. But the distress outweighs the happiness, and I gain an inexplicable urge to cry.

Because some day, one not too far into the future, he will understand how big of a liar I am.

When that time comes… would he rather choose to shake my hand off?

After all, he can be surprisingly sensitive.

No, maybe he wouldn’t even want to look at me anymore.

Still, I—

I lower my gaze to Alfred’s firm grasp on my hand, which seems to be sending me a silent message that he won’t let me go.

My gaze shifts to the ground. Just a little bit longer. At the same time, I squeeze his warm hand in return.

UGH JUST GET MARRIED ALREADY (ノಠ益ಠ)ノ彡┻━┻

also I’m thinking of picking up a new novel someone pls stop me

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