Chapter 8 | “About the Future Ahead”
“Are you okay?” I asked softly.
Charlotte-san’s tears had begun to subside, her breathing steadier now. She gave a small nod, and I gently wiped her cheeks with the handkerchief I’d been holding.
“Thank you, Akihito-kun,” she murmured.
“No, it’s only natural as your boyfriend,” I replied, voice warm.
She shook her head slightly. “Not that. For supporting Lottie so much. The reason she’s so happy now is because you were there for her.”
Her words caught me off guard. It didn’t feel quite right to accept all the credit. “That feels a little off,” I admitted. “I’ve been greatly supported by Charlotte-san, too. If it’s not one-sided, but both of us leaning on each other, that’s what makes me happy.”
“Thanks to Charlotte-san, I was able to move forward,” I continued. “Just having her by my side brings me joy.”
Charlotte-san’s cheeks flushed, and she glanced down, clearly embarrassed. But her fingers tightened around the sleeve of my shirt—a quiet sign she was pleased.
“Hehe, what a lovely relationship,” Sophia-san chimed in, her tone light. “Well then, before Kanon-chan arrives, shall I share one more important thing? The reason I rushed to bring you two together, even using forceful methods—Akihito-kun, I know you’ve been curious about it.”
She was right. I hadn’t voiced it, but the question had been nagging at me. Sophia-san seemed to have read it in the flow of our conversation.
“As expected, there was a reason you had to rush, wasn’t there?” I asked, a guess already forming in my mind. The matter of the fiancée.
“Yes, that was the start of it all,” Sophia-san confirmed, her gaze drifting to the ceiling with a nostalgic air. “To be honest, Akihito-kun, I feel bad, but I was planning to entrust you to Kanon-chan.”
Her words stirred a memory. I’d met Kanon-san in the park, kicking around a soccer ball my older sister had bought me. It was the day after my sister left Japan. Kanon-san had approached me, all smiles, as if by chance. I hadn’t questioned it then, but now it clicked—she’d been sent to fill the void.
“It was me who introduced you to Kanon-chan,” Sophia-san continued. “When I had to leave Japan, I didn’t want to leave you alone. So I asked Kanon-chan, who back then wanted a younger sibling, to look after you.”
I hadn’t realized it was all orchestrated. “That said,” she went on, “I didn’t intend to leave everything to Kanon-chan forever. My plan was to return for you once you were older and fluent in English. But seeing Kanon-chan’s happy reports about you, I thought it’d be a pity to take you away.”
When had I become fluent in English? I couldn’t pinpoint it, but by middle school, daily conversations were no issue, thanks to Kanon-san and Kaguya-san’s help. They’d even prepared study materials for me at the facility. I’d thought it was a string of coincidences, but now I saw the truth: it was all guided. Too many coincidences, as they say, point to inevitability.
“I’m sorry for breaking my promise,” Sophia-san said softly. “But to me, Kanon-chan is like a daughter, too.”
“Like a daughter…” I echoed. Her expression as she spoke of Kanon-san was unmistakably maternal. Kanon-san was only a year older than Charlotte-san and me, but Sophia-san had known her since childhood, which explained the bond.
“Well, from the conversation, I gather Kanon-san has been a childhood acquaintance,” I said. “But does that mean the Bennett family had ties with the Himeragi family?”
“Yes, since I was young,” Sophia-san replied.
“…I didn’t have any ties…” Charlotte-san muttered, her voice tinged with dissatisfaction. It was odd, given those connections, that she and Kanon-san hadn’t met until recently.
“There’s not much I can say except that a lot happened,” Sophia-san said vaguely. “For starters, Lottie didn’t even know I was a company president, right?”
“Um… I didn’t know until recently,” Charlotte-san admitted. “But last week at the hotel, I heard people calling you president, so I figured it out…”
Last week was when she’d met Kanon-san at the hotel. Either Kanon-san or Kaguya-san must have referred to Sophia-san as President Bennett. For Charlotte-san to be unaware until then meant Sophia-san had kept it hidden from her own daughter.
“Sounds like a lot of complicated stuff,” I grumbled.
“You could say the current situation was born from a tangle of various things,” Sophia-san said with a wry smile. It did feel like everything was intricately intertwined. “Since you’ll probably ask, I’ll say it first: I didn’t tell Lottie because I have no intention of making her president. No matter how you look at it, she’s not suited for it.”
“She’s an honest, good girl, after all,” I agreed. Charlotte-san pouted at her mother’s words, but I couldn’t argue. She had a knack for uniting people and was adored by her subordinates, but she’d be too easily taken advantage of. In a world where some climb by exploiting others, her trusting nature would make her vulnerable.
“Plus, I wanted Lottie to freely do what she loves,” Sophia-san added.
“So, were you planning to entrust it to a relative?” I asked. Perhaps Emma-chan, though her free-spirited nature and guarded heart made her seem even less suited.
“No, there are no relatives,” Sophia-san said. “The company is bigger than the Himeragi conglomerate’s, but our family wasn’t blessed with many children. Even I was adopted.”
The revelation hit like a shockwave. Charlotte-san’s eyes widened, mirroring my own surprise. Perhaps Sophia-san had taken me in because she saw her own past in me.
“We’ll talk about that later,” she said, patting Charlotte-san’s head with a reluctant smile. “For now, it’s about Akihito-kun.”
An intriguing topic, but one for another time. Just then, a soft knock—three times—came at the door.
“May I come in?” a clear voice called.
“Of course, come in, Kanon-chan,” Sophia-san replied.
The door opened slowly. Kaguya-san held the knob, while Kanon-san stood in the center, bowing gracefully. “How far have you discussed?” she asked, gliding in with elegant steps and settling onto the sofa, her gaze on Sophia-san.
“We veered off topic a bit, but I’ve covered most of it,” Sophia-san said. “Though we haven’t talked about that matter yet.”
“I see. Then I shall explain it myself. That’s only proper,” Kanon-san said, her tone resolute.
“Yes, please do,” Sophia-san said. “Did things go well on your end?”
“Yes, mostly according to plan. Thanks to Onee-sama,” Kanon-san replied.
Charlotte-san’s expression shifted subtly, likely bristling at her mother being called Onee-sama by a girl her age. I could imagine feeling the same if it were my mother.
“Akihito, Charlotte-san,” Kanon-san began, turning to us and bowing deeply. “First, let me apologize. I’m sorry for dragging you into our selfish desires.”
Her apology came out of nowhere, though it seemed she’d anticipated the conversation’s direction. Charlotte-san waved her hands frantically. “N-no, um…! Please don’t apologize…!”
“Please raise your head, Kanon-san,” I added. “Both Charlotte-san and I understand you were doing it for us.”
“Thank you, both of you,” Kanon-san said, her smile bright and tinged with relief. Despite her sharp, cultured demeanor, she was only a year older than us, carrying her own anxieties beneath the surface.
“Where to begin…” she mused, then straightened. “Since you’ve heard most of it, I’ll be brief. It all started a few months ago when the idea of finding a fiancée for Akihito came up.”
Perfect timing—she was addressing the very topic we’d been circling. “I didn’t approve of it,” she continued, “so I sought Onee-sama’s help.”
“I heard about the fiancée matter from President Himeragi recently,” I said. “But why did it suddenly come up?”
If it surfaced only a few months ago, the timing felt off. I hadn’t even been recognized as part of the Himeragi conglomerate yet. And judging by Charlotte-san’s glance, I realized I’d forgotten to mention it to her. Still, she likely knew it had been nullified after my exchange with President Himeragi.
“Does Charlotte-san know about the quota imposed on you?” Kanon-san asked.
“I briefly mentioned needing a special recommendation to a certain university,” I said.
“That’s good. I wasn’t sure if you’d share something like that,” Kanon-san said, a teasing lilt in her voice.
“Ugh…” I winced. If I admitted I hadn’t told Charlotte-san until recently, would she be upset?
“Why was that special recommendation made a condition?” Charlotte-san asked hesitantly, her curiosity piqued.
I glanced at Kanon-san, who nodded with a smile, signaling it was fine to explain. “That recommendation is only given to students with exceptional grades at a specific high school,” I said. “They said if I was outstanding enough to earn it, they’d recognize me as part of the Himeragi conglomerate.”
It was a grueling requirement—only one student every few years secured it. Even after losing hope of fulfilling my promise with Onee-san, I’d studied relentlessly, driven by a need to atone for hurting Kanon-san in middle school and to prove my worth to her.
“They didn’t have to test you like that…” Charlotte-san said, her eyes lowering with sympathy.
“It couldn’t be helped,” I said. “That president wouldn’t easily accept an orphan like me.”
“However,” Kanon-san interjected, “your grades by this summer proved your competence. You ranked in the single digits on the national mock exam, and the teachers’ evaluations were glowing. Your middle school record was already known, and your chances of getting the recommendation were high. So they began preparing to welcome you.”
Surprisingly, while President Himeragi claimed she didn’t acknowledge me, she’d recognized my potential behind the scenes. Was her stance meant to keep me sharp, or was it her policy to withhold recognition until results were final? Either way, it didn’t matter now.
“And that’s where the fiancée came in?” I asked.
“Yes,” Kanon-san said. “Political marriages are an effective way to strengthen a family. Since the family only had daughters, they likely saw a son like you as an opportunity they couldn’t pass up.”
Her phrasing nagged at me. As far as I knew, Kanon-san was an only child. Why specify ‘daughters’? Perhaps it was just for clarity.
“Just to confirm,” I said, “my fiancée is still being searched for and hasn’t been decided, right?”
If it wasn’t finalized, canceling it would be simple. But if it was set, it could involve a third party, complicating things. Kanon-san’s own fiancé issue had been messy, after all.
“That’s right,” Kanon-san said. “Well, the most likely candidate was Charlotte-san.”
“…What?” Charlotte-san and I said in unison, our eyes meeting in shock.
Kanon-san’s words, delivered with a playful smile, caught us off guard. Sophia-san, too, was stifling a laugh, clearly amused.
“I thought someone as sharp as Akihito would have figured it out by now,” Kanon-san teased, her smile widening. “But you hadn’t?”
…Wait, what had all our efforts been for?
“W-what does that mean…?” Charlotte-san stammered.
“To put it simply,” Kanon-san said, “the real reason we had Charlotte-san come to Japan was to become Akihito’s fiancée.”
So Kanon-san had arranged it, likely coordinating with Sophia-san rather than Charlotte-san directly. She’d mentioned asking Sophia-san for help earlier. But then…
“It’s natural to be confused,” Kanon-san said, her tone serious now. “When the talk of finding a fiancée for Akihito arose, I turned to Onee-sama. To prevent Father from acting as he pleased and to protect Akihito’s freedom.”
Her sincerity was unmistakable. “The reason you didn’t reveal she was a fiancée candidate was because it wasn’t finalized—right?” I asked.
“No, that’s not it,” Kanon-san said, shaking her head. “If that were the only reason, I would have told you she was a candidate. The real reason was that we wanted you two to get close without our interference. We wanted you to fall for each other by your own will and have a marriage you both desired.”
So that was their scheme. Thanks to it, I was dating Charlotte-san, and I couldn’t complain. In fact, I owed them gratitude.
“I can guess why Charlotte-san was the top candidate,” I said. “But was it President Himeragi who didn’t finalize it?”
Since this was before Charlotte-san arrived in Japan, the fiancée talk must have been at least four months ago. With Kanon-san and Sophia-san in agreement, only President Himeragi could have stalled it.
“As you say, Akihito,” Kanon-san confirmed. “After coming to Japan, Onee-sama proposed to Father that Charlotte-san be your fiancée, but he didn’t agree.”
“Why?” I asked. “A political marriage with a prominent family is what President Himeragi wants, right?”
“He was wary,” Kanon-san explained. “Father has known Onee-sama for a long time and knows she’s sharp and capable. He didn’t believe she’d offer her daughter for a political marriage, so he was deeply suspicious. Plus, Onee-sama’s company is larger in scale.”
It made sense. With her company’s fate at stake, Sophia-san wouldn’t accept a deal with unclear intentions, especially from a less powerful partner.
“But for that reason, he couldn’t outright refuse,” Kanon-san continued. “They’re important long-term business partners, and we’d be the ones in trouble if the deal fell through.”
I recalled Kanon-san whispering during my confrontation with President Himeragi that the Himeragi conglomerate was in a weaker position. That explained why the fiancée talk had stalled. President Himeragi, despite being older, couldn’t dominate Sophia-san, a testament to her influence.
“If we had stayed quiet, could I have lived with Charlotte-san without issues…?” I wondered aloud, feeling like my actions might have been unnecessary.
But Kanon-san shook her head. “No, even if things went as planned, there was a high chance you’d have become Father’s puppet. Moreover, they could have chosen another candidate besides Charlotte-san. Your actions were correct. That’s why Onee-sama and I lent our support.”
Indeed, if I’d been misguided, Kanon-san would have stepped in. While Charlotte-san supported my every move, Kanon-san would intervene if she thought I was wrong. They were similar, yet distinct—Charlotte-san as my girlfriend, Kanon-san as a sister.
“Thank you…” I said softly.
“No need to thank me,” Kanon-san replied. “It’s because you worked hard, Akihito. Truly… including with Charlotte-san, you did well.”
Her eyes, warm and proud, made me feel like a younger brother under her gaze. It was a bit embarrassing.
“Now, we’ve talked about a lot,” she said, wiping her eyes with a handkerchief. “But Akihito, what do you want to do from now on?”
“What do I want…?” I echoed.
“Since Father is no longer involved, you’re free,” she said. “No more surveillance, and you can join the Himeragi family if you want, or live freely if you don’t. The Himeragi conglomerate will support you financially until you get a job. That’s the least we owe you.”
So I had the option to not join the Himeragi conglomerate—or to join without meeting the quota. But something she said caught my attention.
“I was being watched…?” I asked, my voice tight.
“Ah, well, let’s set that aside,” Kanon-san said, smiling nervously.
“Since when was I being watched…?” I pressed, cold sweat forming. I’d never noticed any surveillance. How long had it been, and what had they seen?
“Well, from the beginning,” she admitted, looking away.
“The beginning…?” I repeated. “You mean since I started high school?”
“No, since you started living with me.”
The room fell silent. Everyone has secrets they’d rather keep hidden, and I was no exception. The thought that all of it—every private moment, even my dates with Charlotte-san—had been observed and reported to Kanon-san filled me with dread.
“They’ve stopped now, right…?” I asked, clinging to hope.
“Of course we’ll stop it,” Kanon-san said. “I think it’s unnecessary, and privacy is important.”
If that was true, maybe I was safe. Barely. I had to believe they hadn’t invaded my home. “O-okay,” I stammered. “Let’s deal with that later…”
I forced myself to move on, desperate to avoid digging deeper. “To answer your earlier question, before joining or not joining the Himeragi conglomerate, I want to be with Charlotte-san forever from now on.”
“Ah, Akihito-kun…!” Charlotte-san’s face lit up, her blush deepening as she gently took my hand, clearly overjoyed.
“Hehe, that’s wonderful,” Kanon-san said.
“We’re rooting for you two,” Sophia-san added, both watching us with warm, satisfied smiles. No one was left to tear us apart.
“As for joining the Himeragi conglomerate,” I said, “could you first tell me what you think, Kanon-san?”
My resolve hadn’t wavered, but I wanted her perspective. Kanon-san glanced at Sophia-san, who nodded encouragingly, bolstering her determination.
“I want you to officially join the Himeragi family and become my younger brother,” she said, her eyes unwavering.
Our feelings aligned. “I also want to join the Himeragi conglomerate to be useful to Kanon-san,” I said. “Changing my surname now would complicate things, so please let me do it after graduation.”
I bowed deeply, my sincerity laid bare. Kanon-san reached out, tears of joy glistening in her eyes. “Finally… we can truly be siblings…”
She hugged me tightly, her warmth enveloping me. Beside me, Charlotte-san froze, and across the room, Kaguya-san’s glare bored into me, but I was certain I hadn’t done anything wrong.
“Um, Kanon-san… in front of everyone…” I mumbled, flustered.
“No need to be shy—well, I can’t say that,” she teased, pulling back. “You have a girlfriend.”
Kanon-san must have caught Charlotte-san’s reaction. With an awkward smile, she gently released my hand. Charlotte-san’s gaze flickered between our joined hands and my face, her expression caught in a quiet struggle. It was a little embarrassing, but…
“There’s no need to hold back,” I said softly.
“Ah…” A warm breath slipped from Charlotte-san’s lips as I drew her closer.
“Oh my,” Kanon-san teased.
“That’s bold,” Sophia-san added with a grin.
Having their eyes on us—my sister and her mother—made my cheeks burn, but I’d been putting Charlotte-san through enough emotional strain lately. This much, I could handle. Their smiles only encouraged it, after all.
“Should we leave if we’re in the way?” Kanon-san asked playfully.
“N-no, you don’t have to go that far…!” I stammered, easing my hold on Charlotte-san. She gave me a reluctant, almost lonely look, but I silently promised to spoil her plenty once we got home.
“Then let’s move the conversation along,” Kanon-san said with a mischievous smile, “so Charlotte-san can cling to Akihito sooner.”
“—!?” Charlotte-san’s face flared red, as if a boom sound effect had gone off, and she ducked her head. Kanon-san really loved her teasing…
“There’s one thing I’d like to bring up, if that’s alright,” I said, shifting the mood. So far, Sophia-san and Kanon-san had led the discussion, but there was something I needed to confirm.
“Of course,” Sophia-san replied. “What is it?”
“Charlotte-san and I are already dating, and the issue with President Himeragi is resolved. So, Sophia-san, you’ll be returning home properly from now on, right?” I understood why she’d stayed away, and from what I’d heard, there was no reason for her to keep her distance any longer. It would mean the end of my cohabitation with Charlotte-san, but living with their mother was better for her and Emma-chan.
“Of course,” Sophia-san said. “I plan to return from now on.”
“Thank you.” That was how it should be. Living next door, I could see Charlotte-san and Emma-chan anytime. Or so I thought…
“So, here’s my suggestion,” Sophia-san continued. “Akihito-kun, why don’t you live with us?”
I blinked, stunned. “A-are you serious…?”
“If I return, Lottie and Akihito-kun’s cohabitation will end, which would be a shame. Plus, I want to fulfill the promise I made to you long ago.” She spoke so casually about knowing our living arrangement, but I let it pass. She was genuinely considering having me live with them. But… was it alright to rely on them so much?
“Either way,” Kanon-san chimed in, “Akihito is officially my brother now, so I’ll be living with him.”
“What!?” Her words hit like a bombshell, delivered with that same easy smile. Even though we were proper siblings, we weren’t blood-related. Living under the same roof… mistakes could happen. Was that even allowed? Sophia-san, meanwhile, was beaming brightly.
“N-no, Akihito-kun, you can’t…!” Charlotte-san tugged at my clothes, her eyes teary with jealousy. “Living alone with her is not okay…!” She must have feared Kanon-san would steal me away. If Kanon-san moved in, Kaguya-san would surely follow, but Charlotte-san didn’t know that.
“Please live with us…!” she pleaded, her eyes shimmering. “Since we’re lovers, there shouldn’t be any problem…!”
Kanon-san wasn’t joking. If she decided to live with me, she’d make it happen, no matter what. That would only strain Charlotte-san and spark unnecessary misunderstandings. Above all, I didn’t want to give up living with Charlotte-san.
“Then… Sophia-san,” I said, “I’ll take you up on your offer.”
And so, I decided to live with the Bennett family—and Kanon-san.
“Yes, I think that’s best,” Sophia-san agreed.
“That settles it,” Kanon-san said. “The house is already prepared, so let’s move in tomorrow.”
“…Wait, we’re moving?” Her casual words caught me off guard, and I couldn’t help but ask.
“The apartment you’re living in can’t accommodate this many people, right? I’ve prepared a house nearby, so you’ll move there.” By “prepared,” she didn’t mean they’d built it from scratch—that would’ve been impossible in time. They’d likely bought an empty house.
“Wait, the apartment we’re living in…”
“Yes, it’s owned by the Himeragi conglomerate,” Kanon-san explained. “It was originally leased room by room, so we arranged for you and Onee-sama to live there.”
I see… that explained how they’d placed Charlotte-san next door. I’d simply moved where Kanon-san told me, never questioning it.
“A house means we can have a cat, right?” Kanon-san added.
Just how much did she know? Her smile was starting to unnerve me.
“A cat would be nice…” Charlotte-san murmured, her face flushed and dreamy. “Emma would be thrilled…” This girl loved cats, too. I was happy about the idea of a cat, so I had no objections. Emma-chan would be overjoyed.
“Plus, moving isn’t just about space,” Kanon-san continued. “It’s also to ensure Akihito and Charlotte-san’s safety.”
“Ah…” She was right. The issue with President Himeragi was resolved, but at the cost of losing my shield against public backlash. Even if something happened, I planned to face it with Charlotte-san. But our safety wasn’t guaranteed. Kanon-san likely had top-notch security, so I should accept her help.
“You’re right, Kanon-san,” I said. “Can we leave it to you?”
“It’s settled. Charlotte-san, any issues?”
“Y-yes…!” Charlotte-san replied, her voice bright. “As long as I can be with Akihito-kun, I’m delighted…!”
“Hehe, great,” Kanon-san said. “I’ve prepared a king-size bed, so the three of you can sleep together as usual.”
King-size… I’d never heard of that.
“The room is large enough for you two to use comfortably, so don’t worry,” Sophia-san added with a bright smile. “When you want to sleep alone or get cozy, I’ll take care of Emma.” Even she was saying embarrassing things so casually. I wondered if Sophia-san actually wanted to sleep with Emma-chan, but since they’d been sleeping together, she might feel lonely without her. It depended on Emma-chan’s wishes, but I preferred we sleep as three.
“In an empty room… just Akihito-kun and me…” Charlotte-san muttered, holding her cheeks, her ears red. What was she imagining?
“Thank you for everything,” I said. It felt like they were preparing us for marriage, but their blessings were clear. Above all, they were doing this with our best interests at heart, and I was grateful. But—
“Oh, right,” Sophia-san said. “There’s one condition for living together.”
It seemed things wouldn’t be so simple. Given everything they’d done, I braced for something outrageous.
“What’s the condition?” I asked.
“Become Lottie’s fiancé,” she said. “That’s our condition.”
“Fiancé…!?” My face heated as I turned to Charlotte-san. Her eyes met mine, her cheeks flushed as she shyly tugged at my sleeve. I understood her unspoken words instantly. Together, we faced Sophia-san and Kanon-san.
“Yes, gladly,” I said.
And so, Charlotte-san and I became engaged.
◆◆◆
“—Finally, we can relax, huh?” I murmured, perched on Kanon-san’s bed, my gaze softening as I watched Emma-chan’s gentle breaths in her sleep. Charlotte-san, beside me, rested her head on my shoulder, her fingers tightening around mine as she clung close.
Kanon-san and Sophia-san had excused themselves after we settled in, saying they had matters to attend to. Most likely, they were handling things with President Himeragi.
“When I first arrived here, I was so anxious about what might happen…” Charlotte-san said, her voice light with relief. “But for me, it turned out in the best possible way.”
“You mean becoming fiancés?” I teased gently.
“Akihito-kun, that’s mean…” She puffed out her cheeks, fixing me with a playful glare.
“I wasn’t trying to tease you,” I said, chuckling.
“But saying it out loud again is so embarrassing…” Her protest carried a familiar tone, as if to say, You already know that.
It wasn’t just about becoming fiancés, of course. The fact that we could continue living together, and above all, the realization that her mother didn’t hate her, must have lifted a heavy weight from her heart.
“We’re happy, aren’t we? Surrounded by such good people,” I said, my voice warm with gratitude. People like Kanon-san and Sophia-san were rare in this world, and we were lucky to have their watchful care.
“Yes, I think so too,” Charlotte-san agreed, nodding. Then, a slight hesitation crept into her tone. “But—”
“But?” I prompted, tilting my head.
“I wish they’d talked to us more…”
“Yeah… you’re right.” Kanon-san and Sophia-san had orchestrated much of this behind our backs, and it was understandable to feel they could’ve shared more. Given Charlotte-san’s gentle nature, I could see why they’d kept things secret to bring us closer, but they should’ve at least been upfront about her father. Their silence had led Charlotte-san to misunderstand her mother’s feelings, deepening her anxiety. Still, Charlotte-san’s tendency to bottle things up might’ve made it hard for Sophia-san to notice.
“But we weren’t exactly open with each other either,” I admitted, rubbing the back of my neck. “We can’t really complain. Let’s make sure we keep no secrets from now on.”
“Yes, I’ll speak up properly too,” she said earnestly. “It feels more reassuring that way.” It wasn’t quite learning from their mistakes, but caring for each other meant consulting on everything. That way, we could avoid unnecessary misunderstandings, and maybe even find solutions we hadn’t considered. This whole ordeal had likely strengthened our bond.
“Still, I was surprised,” Charlotte-san said after a brief pause, her tone shifting. “To think the person you talked about was my mother.”
I laughed softly. “I was shocked too. I thought you looked alike, but I never imagined you were Onee-san’s daughter.” Back then, Sophia-san hadn’t seemed old enough to have children, and I’d never heard anything about her being married or having kids.
“There’s one thing I’m curious about…” Charlotte-san’s voice grew tentative, her eyes flickering with unease.
“Hm?”
“You didn’t fall for me because I look like my mother… right…?” Her question came hesitantly, as if she feared the answer. She must’ve picked up on my earlier comments about my special feelings for Onee-san, and now she worried whether I truly saw her. No one wants to feel like a substitute.
“…I’ll be honest,” I began, meeting her gaze. “When I first saw you, I thought you were my ideal girl.”
Her eyes widened, a small gasp escaping her lips. The admission clearly shook her. I could’ve softened the truth or dodged the question to spare her feelings, but we’d just promised no secrets. Besides, she’d likely see through any lie. So, I chose to lay it all bare.
“But thinking you were my ideal girl doesn’t mean I was seeing Onee-san in you,” I continued, my voice steady. Yes, my admiration for Sophia-san had shaped my ideal type, but that didn’t mean I was chasing her shadow. “You’re indeed Onee-san’s daughter, but Sophia-san is Sophia-san, and Charlotte-san is Charlotte-san. You’re not a substitute. I’m dating you because I’m drawn to your kindness, your cuteness—because of you. I need you to understand that I’m not with you just because you resemble Onee-san.”
Her appearance and voice had caught my attention, no doubt. But it was her inner qualities that made me fall for her. I didn’t want her to misunderstand. —Though, if I’m being honest, I did fall for her at first sight, so her looks played a big part… But choosing to be with her was about who she is inside. That’s the truth.
“Is that so…?” Charlotte-san murmured, her voice trembling with relief. “I’m glad…” She pressed her face against my chest, her warmth seeping into me. She must’ve been genuinely worried.
“Sorry for making you misunderstand,” I said softly, brushing a hand through her hair.
“It’s okay… As long as you’re truly seeing me, that’s enough.” Her voice grew quieter, more vulnerable. “I was just scared that if you were seeking my mother in me, once you reunited with her, I’d become… unnecessary.”
She was so negative about love, despite her charming face and personality that captivated everyone. Her lack of confidence tugged at my heart.
“That would never happen,” I said firmly. “You’re the most important person to me. Just having you by my side is enough.” I’d said it before, but it bore repeating. No matter what hardships came my way, as long as she was there, I could face them. That’s how much she healed and supported me.
“Then… promise you’ll never abandon me…?” Her voice was small, almost pleading.
“I’m more worried about you dumping me,” I teased, trying to lighten the mood.
“There’s no way I’d ever want to break up with you,” she said, her cheeks flushing. “Even being apart for a little while feels so lonely… You’ve made me completely unable to live without you…” Embarrassed, she turned her face away, her words so heartfelt they’d surely be misinterpreted if anyone else heard. Thankfully, Emma-chan was fast asleep and didn’t understand Japanese, so we were safe.
After a moment of silence, Charlotte-san began to fidget, sneaking glances at my face. I could sense what was coming.
“Want to sit on my lap?” I asked, a knowing smile tugging at my lips.
She nodded eagerly, her eyes sparkling. As expected, she’d been waiting for the invitation.
“Come here,” I said, opening my arms. Normally, she’d sit sideways, but this time, she faced me directly, our gazes locked. The closeness was… intense, and a flush crept up my neck.
“What’s up?” I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.
“I thought this might be nice for a change…” she murmured, her cheeks pink. She just wanted to try something new.
For a moment, her eyes flicked to Emma-chan’s sleeping form, then to the door, scanning the room restlessly. Then—
“A-Akihito-kun, close your eyes…” Her voice trembled, her face bright red as she made her request.
I knew where this was going. Obediently, I closed my eyes. A soft warmth brushed my lips, gentle and familiar. “Mm… mwah…” But then, something warm and soft slipped past, entering my mouth, moving against my tongue. A ticklish, tender sensation—shocking and new.
My eyes snapped open to find Charlotte-san gazing at me, her eyes glossy and feverish. Had she anticipated I’d open my eyes, or had she kept hers open all along? Before I could process it, she closed her eyes and deepened the kiss, her tongue entwining with mine. I was utterly at her mercy.
“—Pwah!” When breathing became too difficult, she pulled back. A thin thread of saliva stretched between us, suggestive and fleeting, before it broke. Her face remained flushed, her eyes still shimmering with intensity, as if she were burning with fever.
“C-Charlotte-san…” I stammered, my heart racing.
“One more time…” she whispered, her hands cupping my cheeks as she leaned in again, slow and deliberate.
Her switch was fully flipped, and I was losing control. “W-wait, this is too much…!” I grabbed her shoulders, halting her advance.
“Huh…?” Her eyes, now tinged with sadness, met mine.
I wanted to let her do as she pleased, but Sophia-san and Kanon-san could return at any moment. A simple kiss could be broken off quickly, but this… this was too consuming. Her deep kisses were overwhelming.
“L-look, Emma-chan might wake up, and Sophia-san and the others could come back…” I said, trying to soothe her disappointment.
She fell silent, her expression crestfallen. She’d likely mustered immense courage for this, and now she thought I was rejecting her.
“It’s not that I didn’t like it, okay?” I rushed to explain. “If we’re alone, I’ll do it as much as you want. Please don’t be so sad…”
“Yes… I’m sorry…” Her voice was barely a whisper, and my words didn’t seem to reach her.
“Really, it’s not like that.” I pulled her close, stroking the back of her head gently. She relaxed against me, her tension easing slightly.
“I thought maybe it’s okay to kiss like this now…” she mumbled, rubbing her cheek against my chest. “I got carried away… Becoming fiancés made me so happy I couldn’t hold back…”
“I was happy you did it,” I assured her. “It’s just not the right time or place. Let’s do it again when we’re home.” I wasn’t displeased—far from it. I was thrilled, but the timing forced me to hold back. —Though, I felt a bit pathetic for it. Charlotte-san moved so boldly.
“I want to go home soon…” she said, her voice tinged with longing. With her switch fully on, her impatience was understandable.
I kept soothing her, and after about ten minutes, her excitement faded, replaced by a wave of embarrassment. “If there was a hole, I’d jump in right now…” she groaned, pressing her face into my chest, writhing in shame.
“I really was happy, you know?” I said, trying to ease her discomfort.
“But now you think I’m a shameless girl…” she mumbled.
Not shameless, maybe… a bit daring? I swallowed the thought, knowing it would only fluster her more. “Only I know, so you don’t need to worry.”
“I don’t want you to think that most of all…” she protested, her voice muffled.
That was beyond my control. Maybe she’d feel better if she embraced it? “I think that side of you is cute and charming,” I said gently. “Isn’t that fine?”
“…Really…?” She peeked up at me, her teary eyes no longer feverish but brimming with embarrassment.
“Of course. I love every version of you.” The line was embarrassingly sappy, but I meant it. If it eased her mind even a little, it was worth it.
“If you say that, I won’t be able to stop…” she murmured, her voice trembling.
“Uh, well, I’d appreciate it if you could stop…” I said, scratching my cheek. “Not because I don’t like it, but because of others watching.” I didn’t want to be that couple, flaunting affection without regard for our surroundings. …Though, others might already see us that way. Still, some restraint was necessary.
“I don’t have confidence…” she admitted, her voice small.
“You don’t, huh…” I couldn’t argue with that.
“I love you too much… I want all of you…” Her words echoed what Shimizu-san and Riku had said—Charlotte-san adored me deeply. No guy could be unhappy being wanted like this, but if Kanon-san or Sophia-san saw us, our living-together plan might crumble. …Wait, we’re fiancés, so it’s fine, right? I had no idea how they’d react, never having been in this situation before.
“Akihito-kun…” Charlotte-san’s voice pulled me from my thoughts. She fidgeted, her index fingers pressed together nervously.
“Huh, what’s up?” I braced myself, half-expecting another kiss request.
“Since we’re fiancés now… I want you to call me by my first name…” Her request caught me off guard, but it made sense. Still, calling her by her first name…
“I’m not big on calling people by their first names,” I admitted. “Is it okay to keep it as is?”
“But you call Karin-chan by her first name…” she pointed out, her tone insistent.
Well, yeah, but… “She’s my little sister.”
“Even for a sister, you could use ‘-chan,’ but you don’t…” Charlotte-san wasn’t backing down. She really wanted this.
“Hmm…” I hesitated, weighing her request. Maybe, as my girlfriend, she wanted to feel special? I called Kanon-san, Sophia-san, and Kaguya-san by their first names with ‘-san.’ Did she want to stand apart from them? But calling her by her first name would overlap with Karin…
“Then, will you call me by my first name too?” I suggested. If she wanted this change, it felt fair for her to do the same.
“M-me too…?” Her eyes widened, clearly caught off guard.
“Yeah, I’d like that.”
“…” She looked troubled, her gaze darting around. Then, shaking her head, she said, “I can’t…”
“That’s how I feel,” I said gently. “I can’t call you by your first name either.”
“Ugh…” Her eyes welled up again. She wanted this so badly. I racked my brain for a solution—something that wasn’t her first name but would satisfy her. A nickname, perhaps? Emma-chan called her Lottie, but that wouldn’t feel special enough. Then it hit me. In a manga we’d read together, there was a character named Charlotte.
“Hey, Charlotte-san,” I said, catching her attention.
“Yes…?” She looked at me, her eyes still teary.
“How about—Charl?”
“—!?” Her resigned expression transformed into one of pure delight. “Charl…!” she repeated, her voice brimming with excitement.
“Is that okay?” I asked, smiling.
“Yes…! Charl is wonderful…!” Her joy was infectious.
“Then, Charl,” I said, testing the new name, “I want you to call me by a nickname too.” I liked being called Akihito-kun, but since we were doing this, I wanted something special from her—something only she’d use.
“A nickname for Akihito-kun…” Charl put a hand to her mouth, her expression adorably serious as she pondered. I watched her cute, thoughtful face, waiting patiently. Then—
“How about… A-kun…?” she suggested, blushing shyly. She bent slightly, looking up at me with those irresistible eyes.
…Too cute.
“If Charl wants to call me that, it’s fine,” I said, my own cheeks warming. It was embarrassing, but she’d put so much thought into it. I wanted to honor her effort. Besides, she’d chosen it because she wanted to use it.
“Hehe… A-kun, A-kun♪” she chirped, her mood soaring as she murmured the nickname. Her happiness was contagious, warming my heart.
“Well then, nice to meet you again, Charl—mm.” Unable to resist her overwhelming cuteness, I leaned in for a quick kiss. Holding back too much felt wrong, and this much should be fine.
—From a third-party perspective, my judgment was a complete mistake.
“A-kun, that’s unfair… One more…” My kiss had flipped her switch again, her eyes pleading. Since I’d initiated it, I couldn’t refuse—and that’s when Kanon-san and Sophia-san returned, catching us red-handed in the middle of our kiss.
