Epilogue

In the end, both washed his back too, and Aino invited him to soak in the tub again…

Amid their playful bickering, Toru stayed in the bath with Aino and Chika until he nearly fainted from the heat.

This life was unimaginable just a short while ago.

Would tomorrow and the day after be like this too?

Toru pondered this in the changing room.

Meanwhile, Aino and Chika were changing behind him.

“Don’t look, okay?”

Aino said with a giggle, while Chika puffed out her cheeks.

Having already seen them both naked, it felt a bit late for that.

Aino, who wanted to be his fiancée.

Chika, his former fiancée and still a dear childhood friend.

Toru lived with both and had to face them.

And that wasn’t all.

Asuka, who’d confessed her love for him, deserved his consideration too.

Then there were Fuyuka, the secretary, and the head of the Kōnoe family, moving forward regardless of their feelings.

(What should I do from now on?)

What truly mattered?

What did he want?

He wouldn’t find answers without thinking. He’d promised to protect Aino. He wanted her to be happy.

What could he do for that?

“Toru-kun♪”

“Wah!”

Aino hugged him from behind, nearly making Toru collapse in surprise.

She’d apparently finished changing while he was lost in thought.

“Want help changing?”

“N-no, I can do it myself.”

“Aww, but…”

“I’d rather you help me with something else.”

“Something else?”

Aino tilted her head.

Yes. No matter the challenges.

With Aino—his fiancée—by his side, he felt they could overcome anything.

Aino giggled.

“If there’s anything I can do to help you, Toru-kun, I’ll do it.”

She said it with an angelic, gentle expression.

《The End》

Kaori TL