While I was absentmindedly sitting on the bed, Lidi came back to my room.

… Seeing her face, I was sure I"d be told she chose Sion.

I don"t want to hear the definite words. Not wanting to accept it, on the spur of the moment I tried to keep Lidi away.
If I hear it, I"ll surely do something awful to her. I don"t want to do such a thing.
That"s why I asked her to leave me alone, and yet for some reason Lidi made an awfully angry face and plunged into my chest. Then with strength that didn"t hurt in the slightest (although it must have been her all) she started repeatedly hitting me.
With her utmost effort she appealed that it"s different and why won"t I listen to her.

―――― Honestly, I was bewildered.

After all, even if I was told that, my head was already filled with that possibility, so I couldn"t think of what else it could be. That"s how much I always think of her.
When I hugged my beloved in confusion, from within my arms Lidi said unexpected words.

"I love Freed"

The time stopped for a moment.
I thought it was a lie.
But, at the same time I thought she wouldn"t tell a lie.
She"d promised me, and above all I don"t understand why she"d lie at this time.
Still, I couldn"t think of it as a fact at all. I confirmed with her fearfully.
When I did, Lidi clung to me saying "I love Freed, so hold on to me properly".
She"d been avoiding clearly saying these words all that time, but finally it became reality that she said them clearly.
I intuitively sensed it"s the truth.

… How do I describe this moment.

All kinds of feelings of joy ran through my body in an instant.
I don"t know if I want to shout or cry anymore.
Still, one thing I"m sure is that I feel happy and fortunate.
Finally, finally she said it.
All that time since the day of the masquerade ball. I"d been waiting for her to say it all that time.

―――― I won"t let her go anymore.

When I told her I won"t let her go even if death do us part, that wasn"t a figure of speech. I simply stated the truth.
And the one who responded to those words is n.o.body else but her.
Actually feeling that she, who was inside my arms, is mine, I was so moved my vision blurred with tears.
Saying she felt lonesome not being embraced, she was so lovely it sent a s.h.i.+ver down my spine.

Hugging her as she clung to me, I kissed her lips, cheeks, forehead; I pecked all over her face over and over.
Lidi was unbearably cute as she accepted it with an enchanted face.
I felt delighted that when I repeated that I love her, she returned similar words.

A happy time with my beloved.
But, after all kisses aren"t enough.
My desire to embrace Lidi is swelling up.
It might have been only few days, but I was enduring not embracing her all that time.
I wanted Lidi so much, yet I bore with it.

… And now there"s no reason to endure.

That"s right. I can embrace her all I want.
We can confirm our feelings.
Feeling my lower half grow endlessly hot, I wryly smiled.
There was nothing but to laugh at my too honest reaction.
After all, I"m already at my limit. I can"t help wanting Lidi.
I want to deeply connect with her now that she finally said she loves me. I want to bore inside her and pour my s.e.m.e.n inside many times.
Isn"t it natural to feel so.

That"s why with that feeling I pushed her down on the bed.
Wanting to connect with her quickly, I impatiently kissed her.
Her arms wrapped around my back. Feeling that, I smiled, when suddenly I felt strength leave her.

"Eh… Lidi?"
"…"

I called out to her. No reply.
When I raised my body and looked at Lidi, for some reason she was peacefully sleep-breathing.
Overwhelmed by the situation I became speechless.

"… No way. You couldn"t possibly sleep at this timing?"

My body stiffened from the impossible development. I didn"t consider this.
There"s only one thing a man and woman in love can do in bed after communicating their feelings.
Moreover we are betrothed and will marry in two months.
There"s n.o.body to disturb us anymore, rather it"s encouraged in this situation, so I absolutely didn"t think she"d lose to sleepiness.

"Lidi…"

I dropped my shoulders dejectedly.
I sighed that it really is just like her.
Looking relieved, she fully departed for the world of dreams while sweetly sleep-breathing.
Her goofy sleeping face is adorable.
When I took a glimpse at the clock, it was still evening.
She"ll wake up in few hours.
If endure until then, that time I will certainly――――.

"Prepare for when you wake up Lidi… Until morning… no, until tomorrow afternoon, I won"t let you go"

I corrected myself after recalling Alex telling me that it"s fine until tomorrow afternoon.
It might have been because of my bad condition, but well, he"ll have to tolerate it this time.
I poked her cheek with my finger.
She fretfully rolled to change her position.
Looking at her sleeping comfortably, made me realize I am also lacking sleep. It"s shameful, but I couldn"t sleep well from anxiety.
It can"t be helped. It"s a good opportunity, so let"s take a nap while hugging her.
Anyway, I don"t intend to sleep later tonight.

"Nn… Freedo… Nmuu"
"… ah! Cute"

Maybe it"s because she told me she loves me, but she looks excessively cute.
I combed her hair with my fingers.
I finally obtained it. Her heart that I wanted the most.
She"s so lovely I feel like crying.
I"d never imagined such happiness could exist. Much less me obtaining it.

"Good night, Lidi. Till later"

Tightly hugging her, I lightly kissed her lips.

"… Unyu…"
"Aah… jeez, my Lidi is too cute"

She looked so cute and happy unconsciously snuggling up to me, that it became difficult to calm down my thing that grew even hotter.

"… This is… harsh… huh"

With my body I was made to experience what it means to be stuck in a limbo.

Author"s note

And so, it"s Christmas today. After a little over a year, Lidi and Freed finally got together. Fufufu. From now on I can write the two of them flirting with all their hearts (`・д・´)キリッ Actually, this is more fun than writing the main story (lol)