"Yes... I... Will..."

Viora’s answer made my entire body freeze. For a second, I thought I had misheard her.

"You said yes?"

Even though I half expected her to accept it, it still felt a little strange hearing it directly. I thought she would tell me she needed time to think or something along those lines. But she just gave me the answer in only a few seconds.

"...U... Ask... My..."

Viora’s fingers tightened across the bedsheet and a soft pink shade appeared on her cheeks.

"So... I... Anser..."

She really agreed. Maybe loneliness played a part. Maybe it didn’t. But when she said yes, something in her voice felt too sincere to doubt.

And to me, it was more valuable than any grand words like, I love you, or, I like you. I never knew that a simple word like that would feel so relieving.

All the tension inside my chest loosened. The anxiety, the fear, the pressure that had been building up ever since seeing Jane on the news, it all faded slightly.

But now I had the kind of feeling that I was taking advantage of someone innocent.

’Even if this feels unfair... I can’t let her walk toward that ending.’

Suddenly, as I was busy thinking about the future events, a screen appeared in front of my eyes.

[The first condition has been met.

Final Condition Pending: Offer a Proposal Ring.]

My expression stiffened immediately.

The ring. I only need one thing and then everything will be done. I stared at the floating text for a few more seconds and decided to go back to my bed to think about what my next actions should be.

However, as I stood up and took a step, Viora stopped me by saying, "W... Wat..."

I looked at her and saw her face turned to the other side. Maybe she didn’t want me to look at her being all crimson and pink.

"Sit... For... Mor..."

Unbeknownst to me, a smile appeared on my face and I sat back at the same place I was sitting before.

I can just do all the thinking here too. There is no need for me to go back to my bed, is there?

. . .

That is what I should have done.

But, Looking at her flushed face and the way she avoided my gaze, I don’t know what had taken over me. Before I could think better of it, I grabbed her hand and gently pulled her closer.

Then, without thinking or saying anything, I grabbed her chin and shook it slowly.

"Why are you so cute?" I let out before my mind could process my actions or the words.

Though, after some seconds I came back to my senses, I still didn’t stop. Because instead of opening her eyes wide or dropping her jaw, she just closed them and didn’t mind what I was doing.

Well, only until she also moved her hand and grabbed my cheek and began shaking it weakly.

"Wy... R... U... So... Dum..."

When I heard her, I quickly let go of her but she kept her grip on me. Also, this time there was a different kind of smile on her face. How should I put it? It felt more predatory than gentle.

Nonetheless, a smile is a smile, doesn’t matter what kind it is. And I just need to make sure that it is always a smile that appears, not a hint of sadness.

I grabbed her hand and pulled it off my cheek.

"I think you should hold my hand now, instead of doing that."

I lent her my hand and she grabbed it. At first she was hesitant but when I let go, she instantly held it.

"Do you like it?"

When I asked that question I was expecting an honest answer but she just shook her head, implying she doesn’t like it.

’So, this is how it is? Huh?’

However, it doesn’t matter, since I know she likes holding my hand and I also know a way to get her to give me an honest response.

"Okay, if you don’t like it then you can just let go of my hand."

I said and tried to pull my hand away with the least strength I could use so that I don’t accidentally break the contact.

"Nu... I... Like..."

"I know."

After that I gave a small laugh and, confused by it, Viora asked me, "Wy... Lafin..."

"I was laughing, because... Because..."

Wait.

Why was I laughing?

My brows furrowed as I began to think really hard to know why I was. But no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t come up with anything.

There is no reason. I did so just because I felt like doing it.

"He... He... He..."

I heard Viora giggle softly while covering her mouth.

"...Dum."