"Hold my hand, you say... is that really all you want?"
"Yes! That's what I'd like you to do for now!"
Dorothea nodded firmly in response to Allen's question.
It seemed like there was no lie in those words, and Allen breathed a small sigh of relief.
"E-eh, eeeehhh!?"
However for some reason, Charlotte next to him was in a complete panic. Allen didn't really understand why.
Holding hands, talking while looking into each other's eyes.
After all, they'd done that many times before.
It didn't seem like something as simple as that would change anything now.
(Huh... considering that introduction, that's a pretty straightforward request.)
Still, if this was enough to satisfy Dorothea, it was an easy price to pay.
Without hesitation, Allen moved into action.
"Alright, let’s get this over with quickly."
"Hyah...!"
He gently took Charlotte’s hand, which was right next to him.
Her fingers were warm, fitting snugly into his palm. It was a little embarrassing, but nothing he couldn’t handle.
The forbidden box that he had hidden deep in his heart would not spring into action.
Yes, he had been feeling relaxed, but――
"Come on, look at me, Charlo..."
The moment he looked into Charlotte's face, Allen froze.
"Uh, uhh..."
Charlotte was staring at Allen with a bright red face.
Her wide eyes were glistening, reflecting the sunlight pouring through the window, sparkling even more than usual.
From her soft lips escaped the sweetest sigh, and when that breath brushed against his cheek, Allen’s heart pounded wildly.
The heat from his whole body rushed to his face, turning him even redder than Charlotte. The heat from all over his body gathered in his face, turning him even redder than Charlotte's. The palm of his hand was shaking slightly from nervousness, which made Allen lose all thought.
"See? The setting is that you two already confessed and are together, right? Even something as simple as holding hands feels totally different now, doesn’t it?"
In front of the sofa, the little devil that was Dorothea grinned and whispered mischievously.
"Well, Allen-shi? What do you think?"
"Ah, ah..."
They held hands and looked into each other's eyes.
That was all it was, yet an overwhelming happiness flooded him, washing away his ability to think clearly.
"...Not bad."
"Wow! What a good reaction! So, what do you think Charlotte-shi?"
"Um, um...well..."
Pressed by Dorothea, Charlotte panicked, her face bright red.
She looked up at Allen with tearful eyes and squeezed out a tiny voice.
"I-it’s making my heart race..."
"Uh......!"
At that moment, a shock like a lightning bolt pierced Allen's brain.
Cute.
Adorable.
I want to hug her right now.
Such uncharacteristic emotions welled up inside him and he couldn't stop it.
(This is...obviously impossible!!)
Allen finally gave in and screamed internally.
At the same time, the forbidden box he had so carefully sealed inside his heart burst open, the contents spilling out in an unstoppable flood.
It was as if a great flood had been unleashed, washing everything away.
Allen finally became aware of his own feelings, and admitted them.
That he loved Charlotte...
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