I followed Rosa-chan, took off my footwear, and joined her in the river.
The two of us splashed water at each other with laughter that sounded so full of joy.
A lot happened today, but this evening—this really is fun.
——
After feeling a little tired, we both sat by the riverbank, watching the sun that was about to set.
The distance between us wasn't that far, even our fingers were only a few centimeters apart.
I looked at her hand, and unconsciously, my face turned a little red.
Because I thought, maybe I wasn't brave enough to confess my feelings to her.
Even though these feelings aren't entirely real, I'm still sure that I somewhat like Rosa-chan.
I want this mission to end soon, and I'll return together with Hime and Yuu-chan.
That's why, this time, I'll lie to my own feelings.
—
I raised my hand, trying to hold Rosa-chan's hand.
This is the kind of beginning usually done by a couple in love.
Honestly, my hand kept trembling nonstop, which made me realize how nervous I was.
For most people, holding a girl's hand might be an easy thing to do.
But that doesn't apply to a guy like me, who has never dated anyone before.
So, what I'm about to do will become a historic moment in my life.
I'll remember it as the moment when Sahiko Yukito managed to hold a girl's hand for the first time.
This could be the sign of change for the future.
——
Before I could touch her hand, suddenly Rosa-chan said something.
"Today... was fun, right?" she said.
After hearing her words, I stopped my attempt to touch her hand.
I immediately turned my face away, then replied to her.
"Today was a bit complicated though..." I replied.
I didn't ask her back, but waited to see what she would say next.
"Lotte, I want to tell you something..." said Rosa-chan.
I turned and looked at her ear—her ears were red.
That means, whatever Rosa-chan is about to say... could it be?!
I swallowed my saliva, truly hoping for Rosa-chan.
"W-what do you want to say?" I asked back.
Could it be... I managed to win Rosa-chan's heart?
I don't remember ever doing something that could really make someone happy.
But if I did forget that moment, please remind me again.
"You lied to me, didn't you?" said Rosa-chan.
My eyes widened instantly, shocked by what she said.
What did Rosa-chan mean by "lied"?
As far as I remember, I've always been honest with her and have never once lied.
"Why are you quiet?" asked Rosa-chan, staring straight into my face.
I started sweating, feeling scared and anxious about what might happen next.
I couldn't answer, and I kept feeling cornered because Rosa-chan kept staring at me without stopping.
That gaze felt like someone truly observing the person in front of them.
As if she wouldn't let me go that easily.
"Uhmm... that..." I said nervously.
While my head was filled with all kinds of messy thoughts, Rosa-chan suddenly climbed onto my body.
She seemed to sit on my stomach, which made me fall backward onto the ground.
Then, she brought her face close to mine, almost overlapping positions.
Of course, I couldn't imagine a girl being on top of my body.
"M-maybe... did I do something wrong...?" I asked.
"Name," that one word was what Rosa-chan said.
Name? Why did Rosa-chan suddenly mention just one word—and that word was "name"?
Could it be that something's wrong with my name? I remember she called me Lotte—
Ah, I understand what Rosa-chan is talking about now.
All this time, I told her that my name was Lotte. But that was just my alias back when I was still a female maid.
But since I'm now a guy, I haven't told her my real name as Yukito.
And I think Rosa-chan feels like I lied about my real name.
Well, that's the most likely possibility I can think of right now.
And I'm quite sure that what I'm thinking is the truth.
"My name...?" I asked softly, a bit afraid that my answer would upset her.
But instead of getting angry or replying otherwise, she stayed silent.
From her expression, she looked like she was saying "yes," but it seemed she was waiting for me to continue.
It really looked like she wanted to know what my real name was.
"Sahiko Yukito... just call me Yukito, that's fine..." I answered.
This time, it was Rosa-chan's eyes that widened—it seemed like she was surprised too.
If my guess is right, people in this world usually don't have names like mine.
Meaning, my name might sound strange to their ears.
"Yukito..." she said softly, but it was still audible to me.
After hearing my answer, she got up from my body.
Of course, I immediately stood up as well, since there was no weight holding me down anymore.
Then, I turned toward Rosa-chan, who was starting to put her shoes back on.
I also picked up my footwear and put them on together with her.
Soon, Rosa-chan would probably invite me to return to the castle.
——
"Yukito-san... let's go home," said Rosa-chan.
That's right... it's been a while since someone called me that.
The last time I was called that was probably when I was still with Hime.
Ahh... now I miss Hime.
"Yukito-san?" asked Rosa-chan, who probably noticed I was spacing out thinking about Hime.
Well, it's understandable that she noticed I was daydreaming.
In some cases, or whenever I'm near a girl, they somehow tend to be quite perceptive.
For example, even if my hair's just a bit messy, that girl would immediately scold me about my appearance.
That's why, actually, I feel a little uncomfortable about it.
Well, even though I know it's my fault, it's just a little messy.
A little messy isn't a big deal, right?
——
"N-nothing's wrong!" I replied, trying to convince Rosa-chan.
Rosa-chan also seemed to believe my words, so maybe it's fine.
Then, Rosa-chan turned her body and started walking back toward the castle.
I immediately followed her—but not from behind, this time I walked beside her.
Well, maybe this is the right time to walk beside her.
"Yukito-san, thank you for today... I really enjoyed it," said Rosa-chan.
What Rosa-chan said this time made my heart feel so warm.
Maybe those words were exactly what I wanted to end this day.
Even though I thought Rosa-chan would confess her feelings to me, it turned out she didn't.
At the very least, our relationship hasn't changed—and I even feel like we've grown closer.