83 - Ayaka Tojo's Love ⑨

RAW

The moment Haruto spoke, I couldn't take my eyes off him.

I forgot even to blink, simply staring at him.

Haruto’s gaze was soft and gentle, as if wrapping me in warmth.

"That’s why… could you allow me to keep doing reckless things for your smile?"

His words completely stole my heart.

I felt cherished. Truly cared for.

Hearing Haruto say that, I realized for the first time how wonderful it felt to be treasured by someone you love.

At this moment, I was completely captivated by Haruto. My gaze, my heart—every part of me seemed to be reaching out for him.

Then, I remembered something Saki had told me.

—Now's the time to take it slow and figure out what Haruto Otsuki really means to you.

Saki had said that love truly begins after you start dating. Spending time together as a couple would help me see if Haruto was truly the one for me.

But… I think I already know.

Because, ever since earlier, my feelings have been shouting over and over again: “It’s him! He’s the one!”

It almost hurt how strongly my heart was declaring it.

Haruto was my first love, and I’d never fallen for anyone else before him.

I wondered if I could really decide he was the one based on that alone. At the same time, the thought of meeting someone I could love this much in the future felt impossible.

Right now, I’m completely, utterly smitten with Haruto Otsuki.

Someone so wonderful, so kind, who treasures me, and whom I love with all my heart—there’s no one else like him.

I thought back to the conversation with Saki when she stayed over during the barbecue. We’d speculated whether I’d have fallen for someone else if a different boy had come as the household assistant.

Back then, I’d told her I wouldn’t. Honestly, I wasn’t sure, but imagining anyone else in Haruto’s place just didn’t feel right.

Now, I can say it with certainty.

I love Haruto because he’s Haruto.

No one else could ever compare.

The one I love, with all my heart, is him and only him.

I tightened my embrace around Haruto, wanting to express the overwhelming emotions swelling within me.

“I love you, Haruto. So much.”

The words “I love you” barely scratched the surface of what I felt, but they were the best I could find. I poured my feelings into those words and the strength of my hold around him.

“That’s why I want you to keep smiling, Haruto. I don’t want you pushing yourself too hard.”

It made me incredibly happy that he was willing to go to such lengths for me, but I didn’t want him to hurt himself in the process.

In fact, I wanted to be the one to make him smile, to stay by his side and give him everything I had.

Looking down at me, Haruto’s face softened into a slightly troubled smile.

“Hmmm, that’s a bit of a problem.”

“Why?”

“Because I love you even more than you think,” he said, his cheeks flushing slightly as he grinned.

Just seeing his reaction made my heart soar.

Was this what it felt like to fall in love all over again?

Since meeting him at the start of summer vacation, I’d slowly fallen for him through the time we spent together.

But now, it was different.

Now, I felt like a heroine in a romance story—utterly smitten, my heart pounding uncontrollably.

This must be the moment when love truly takes hold.

Before, I’d been in love with the idea of being in love. But now, every feeling I had was purely for Haruto.

“Haruto.”

“Hm?”

“Can I ask for something?”

“Of course. Anything.”

Hearing his immediate response made me blush slightly as I gathered my courage.

“Can you… hold me tighter?”

“Of course.”

With a gentle smile, Haruto wrapped his arms more securely around me. Warm, tender, yet firm enough to make me feel completely safe.

Each time he held me, I felt an overwhelming happiness and a sense of being cherished.

And in that moment, I realized—there was one word that could better express my feelings for him than “love.”

“Haruto… I love you, but it’s more than that. I…”

As I lifted my face to meet his, I whispered the words I’d never said to anyone before:

“I love you, Haruto. Truly, deeply. With all my heart.”

He was my first love, and I knew with absolute certainty—he would be my forever.