While cleaning, there wasn’t much difficulty. I had cleaned Angelique’s room before, so it was just a routine task.
However, I couldn’t get used to the atmosphere while cleaning. I had never felt uncomfortable being alone with Angelique before, but today for the first time, I felt that she was watching me, and being alone with her made me feel uneasy.
It wasn’t about liking or disliking; I couldn’t understand what thought made her watch me like that.
Gradually, our conversations stopped. I tried to recall if I had made any mistakes with Angelique recently.
No matter how hard I tried to remember, nothing came up beyond calling her “sister” when we first met.
When I looked around after finishing some of the cleaning, our eyes met as she sat on the sofa. Her gaze, which had been fixed on me, shifted elsewhere.
Whatever happened, it was something that made her avoid my gaze… I can’t seem to recall it no matter how hard I think.
“Umm… Team Leader?”
“Huh? Yes?”
In this cautious atmosphere, even speaking to her felt awkward. Despite just calling out, her startled expression made it difficult for me to speak.
If I were to become frozen in an indescribable state just because I watched her, I wouldn’t be able to do anything.
“Do you have something to say?”
Even though she suddenly appeared, it was clear she had something to say to me. Although this situation was unexpected for both of us, I would prefer if she clearly expressed what she wanted to say now.
“…Yes.”
Angelique nodded slightly, still not looking directly at me. It felt similar to previous situations where I sensed a similar atmosphere, but I didn’t have the leisure to recall those past memories.
Since I didn’t know what Angelique would say next, I focused on her, and her trembling lips opened again.
“How are your girlfriends?”
This was the same question as before. Was there any intention behind repeating the same question?
Come to think of it, when we talked at the headquarters café a few days ago, I asked about her girlfriends too.
I don’t think there was any particular reason to repeat the same question several times.
Could it be that others might see a problem in my relationship with my girlfriends?
Or could it be that there was an order from higher-ups to check the situation?
Although it’s a personal matter, since I’m part of Spacystro, dating a hyper-human is a significant issue. The higher-ups issued countermeasures because they considered the possibility that dating could affect the confrontation.
The questions seemed similar, but there was a slight difference. The previous question was about the recent situation with my girlfriends, while this one was about each individual girlfriend.
“They’re good. I enjoy being with them. Although dating multiple people is harder than I thought, there are many more good things than difficulties.”
Unlike the complicated thoughts in my head, my answer was straightforward and sincere. There was no need to analyze the intent behind the question or give a roundabout response.
I simply answered honestly based on what I felt and thought, and Angelique nodded again.
“Would you accept Esmeralda as a partner?”
This somewhat difficult question made me hesitate in answering.
“I don’t think it’s about accepting her. The choice is hers. Of course, I hope Esmeralda will also join us. It’s complex, but…”
Angelique might have thought that my relationship with Esmeralda needed acceptance from one side for it to work. It’s quite possible she would think that way.
She knew Esmeralda’s feelings and had secretly become friends with five girlfriends without the team leaders knowing.
It felt like Esmeralda was naturally integrating into my group of girlfriends, but I didn’t think so.
For my girlfriends too, I don’t consider myself the final decision-maker. The final decision lies with the other person, and what I need to do is sort out my feelings.
By clearly sorting out my feelings toward the other person, I follow their choices. It might look like I’m passing the buck by leaving the decision to them, but with multiple girlfriends, this is unavoidable.
I’ve sorted out my thoughts about Esmeralda. She has always been important to me, and I hope we continue together in the future.
As a member of Spacystro, I focus on training right now, so we’re not discussing our relationship. But after training, I plan to talk about this properly.
“I see.”
Was my answer satisfactory? Angelique, who had been cautiously asking questions, gave a faint smile.
“Is my relationship bothering you?”
“Huh?”
I thought again about why Angelique was asking such a question.
She had always taken care of me. Ever since I was a new recruit, she had shown interest in me and cared about my surroundings.
Recently, I realized I didn’t know much about my surroundings because I often talked with my girlfriends. Maybe she wanted to know these things now?
“Yes, it does bother me.”
“Don’t worry. There are no problems now, and if any arise, I’ll definitely seek advice.”
“Then I hope there won’t be a need to seek advice?”
“That’s best.”
I was aware that Angelique had been consistently taking care of me. After a long silence, I could imagine she felt anxious and wanted to confirm everything was fine.
Angelique smiled more comfortably than before, and I noticed her lips tremble slightly.
No, something’s different. Though she seems okay, Angelique hasn’t fully expressed what she wants to say.
Though I noticed subtle changes in her expression, I didn’t know how to draw out her true intentions.
Since she kept asking about my relationship with my girlfriends, should I continue talking about the same topic?
“Many things have changed since I started dating. I smile more often now. Having a special person really makes a big difference.”
Angelique continued to look at me silently.
I felt I needed to say more, so I continued with what I wanted to express.
“I didn’t realize before. I always relied on others. Of course, my girlfriends still take care of me, but I also try to take care of them.”
“I think A would do well.”
“It’s not that simple. While there are many good things, I often make mistakes and get scolded.”
“I think it’s all because A takes good care of everyone. Since A constantly thinks about and cares for the girlfriends, they keep staying with A.”
“Is that so?”
I approached it with the determination to do my best despite my shortcomings, and I believed it would be hard to satisfy all my girlfriends.
Angelique said that the overall lack of major issues in my relationship showed I was doing well, which gave me some strength.
“Being with the team leader gives me strength.”
“Huh?”
“I’ve never mentioned it, but it’s been like this since before. When the team leader speaks, it boosts my confidence and brings out energy I didn’t have.”
Every time Angelique offered advice or supported me during tough times, she became a great source of strength. Even when I lost my parents and felt abandoned, she took care of me with utmost devotion.
“I think I wouldn’t exist without the team leader.”
Since leaving my parents’ embrace, she has been the one helping me grow. She provided me with the opportunity to think and helped me stand up when I was about to collapse.
Everyone around me is precious, including my girlfriends and team leaders. My colleagues are equally important. And it was Angelique who allowed me to value and think specially about the people around me.
“I’m grateful for the attention you always show me.”
I relied on her as much as she paid attention to me. Whenever I felt like my heart was breaking, I found myself seeking her out without realizing it.
Her gentle voice and bright smile seemed to ease my worries, and every word she spoke lightened the heavy burden on my shoulders.
There are many people who are dear and special to me, and I can’t rank them, but if I had to prioritize who I should repay, Angelique would undoubtedly be number one.
As I told her, without her, I wouldn’t exist.
If I had encountered a different superior when I was a new recruit, I might have been expelled from the military.
Without her, I might have made extreme choices when my heart was breaking.
When I had nightmares and convulsions, she stayed by my side, and when I cried endlessly, she held my hand.
Without her, would I have been able to meet my girlfriends? Would I have met Esmeralda? Luche? Could I have continued with Seira?
“I look forward to continuing our relationship.”
Suddenly, the desire to hear what she wanted to say disappeared, and I continued speaking with honest sincerity. A smile spread across my face, expressing gratitude towards her.
Angelique looked at me with wide eyes. Her face slightly flushed, she stared blankly at me, her lips trembling. Gradually, her voice reached me.
“A…?”
“Yes?”
“What do you think about me?”
Her voice was a mix of anxiety, anticipation, tension, and excitement.
There was no reason to hesitate in answering.
“You are the most precious person in the world to me, the one who made me who I am today.”
Angelique, who had been smiling oddly, finally returned to her usual warm smile. She seemed to want to hear how I felt about her.
“Then, can I continue being with A?”
“Of course. Actually, without the team leader, I’d be worried about when and where I might break down.”
Now, she had become someone I could rely on so much that I didn’t need to worry about her anymore.
I relied on my girlfriends too, but it was different. For me, she was someone whose presence alone gave me strength and confidence.
As I answered with a smile, Angelique looked intently at me. She slowly approached me, and her soft hands cupped my cheeks.
Since she usually did this when looking at me, I remained still, and she leaned in and kissed me.
“!”
Time seemed to stop. Her gentle lips quickly parted, and Angelique blushed, her eyes moist.
“I was worried. You are a special person to me, but I thought you might not see me that way.”
Her voice, close and clear, seemed louder than any sound in the world. I couldn’t avoid her steady gaze, nor did I want to.
Maybe because I was surprised by the unexpected situation?
“When compared to others, I don’t seem as special. Everyone else has a special relationship with A, but I just feel like I’ve been around for a long time and nothing else…”
Her sincere voice trembled. This was a heartfelt truth I hadn’t known before, and it hurt to realize that someone so special to me felt this way.
“Thank you for valuing me and making me one of A’s special people.”
Actually, I should be the one to thank her. Though she had taken care of me for a long time, she saw herself as just one of the many people she cared for.
But I was wrong. To her, I was a little more special than others.
What led to this? Is it important to have a specific reason?
Angelique had also been with me for a long time, so it’s not strange that she might have felt certain emotions.
I felt I needed to repay her because she had given me so much and had been someone I could rely on. However, the many things she had given me weren’t just out of kindness.
Even if it started as mere kindness, I had somehow become her special person.
I felt a bit disappointed in myself for not noticing sooner.
“Do you like me, Team Leader, Angelique?”
“…Yes.”
She still seemed uncertain as she hesitated and nodded.
I like Angelique too, but my liking her is different from her liking me.
“I enjoyed when A listened to me. Many people avoid me, thinking I interfere. But whenever A tried to talk with me, listen to my stories, it made me think ‘this person enjoys talking with me.’ That’s why I wanted to talk more and spend more time together.”
Just like I relied on her, she also relied on me. She gained strength from her initial kindness and became stronger the more she relied on me.
Though our dynamics were different, we had unknowingly become incredibly special to each other.
“Suddenly kissing you must have shocked you. I’m sorry.”
She seemed to regret her impulsive action and tried to smile as she removed her hands from my face.
Only then did I realize the feeling I had experienced since meeting her today.
The tension of wanting to know the other’s feelings and the unease of fearing an unwanted response.
It felt like the same emotion I had when I received a confession from Milky Way.
If asked whether I view Angelique as a romantic interest, I’m not sure yet.
I don’t want to approach it simply with the idea that I accept her because she genuinely loves me.
Her feelings for me are so precious that I must cherish and respond to them sincerely.
However, apart from that, I felt it was crucial not to let her withdraw her hand now.
After releasing her hands from my face, I hugged her waist tightly as she tried to pull away.
“!”
“It’s okay.”
I whispered softly to her, who was breathing in surprise.
Angelique, who had been frozen in shock by my sudden action, soon relaxed and hugged me back.
“Uh-huh.”
I couldn’t tell what she was responding to, but it didn’t matter.
Just as it didn’t matter that the reason why she started seeing me as a special person wasn’t important.
What mattered was that she was currently thinking of me.
“Can we continue as we have until now?”
“Yeah, that’s fine.”
I needed to organize my thoughts. Just because she shared her cherished feelings with me, I shouldn’t hastily respond. Impulsively accepting her feelings and organizing my thoughts later would be treating her feelings lightly.
So, I needed a little time.
Angelique understood that the current situation was sudden, so she didn’t rush me and decided to give me ample time.
