"So, now that we're officially boyfriend and girlfriend, a couple, what changes do you think we should make in our lives?"
"Well, obviously, we'll go out together, study together, live together, hold hands, hug, cuddle, and maybe... kiss?"
"Then what's the difference from before? We were already kind of doing all that."
The setting sun was dipping below the horizon as the two of them walked hand in hand toward the inn.
Hermione's confession had come naturally, and Glenn, unsurprisingly, accepted it without hesitation. Their relationship had officially transitioned into that of a romantic couple.
But when Glenn asked Hermione about the changes in their relationship, he realized that their life as a couple didn't seem all that different from before.
"Well, that just means we were already in love with each other. We just hadn't said it out loud. I was just waiting to see if you'd figure it out and make the first move; otherwise, I would've confessed to you long ago~"
Although their successful transition into a couple was expected, Hermione was still overjoyed. She swung their joined hands playfully, skipping along with a faint smile on her face.
"Figure it out?"
Glenn couldn't quite grasp the term.
"It means I was waiting to see if you'd take the initiative to confess to me, like I did today~"
"Is that what 'figuring it out' means?"
"... It's not just about confessing. It means you've thought deeply about 'like' and 'love,' and about my feelings. That counts as figuring it out. Although it's a bit of a pity that you didn't confess first, the result is what matters."
"Alright, let me make up for it."
"Huh?"
"Hermione, I love you. Please be my girlfriend."
Glenn said seriously, using words he had carefully crafted in his mind after referencing Hermione's confession. Although his expression remained as composed as ever, it was clear he was making an effort.
Hearing this, Hermione quietly moved behind Glenn and gently pounded his back with her small fists.
"This is exactly why I like you so much..."
She buried her head into his back, speaking softly and indistinctly.
"Why?"
"You should consider a girl's shy feelings and pretend not to hear sometimes!"
"Don't say it out loud; it's so embarrassing!"
Was Glenn's hearing too good or what?!
Hermione rubbed her face against Glenn's back, paused for a moment, and then laughed at their interaction.
She decided to explain anyway. After all, she did like this guy.
"It's your honesty~ You always tell me exactly what you think, even though it makes me a bit shy... I don't dislike it, though."
Having spent so much time together, Hermione naturally knew the right way to communicate with Glenn. This boy, while often making the right decisions and taking the lead in their lives, seemed to have zero experience in basic life skills and social interactions. He needed her guidance.
Besides, she really enjoyed Glenn's unintentional sweet words. If her excessive shyness made him think this behavior was unwelcome, it would be a huge loss.
"So expressing one's thoughts directly is called 'honesty'?"
Glenn nodded, indicating he understood, and mentally took note.
"Then can I always say whatever I think about you? After all, similar situations have happened before. Sometimes you'd pinch my waist, and other times you'd cover my mouth."
"Well... Your thoughts are wonderful to me, but saying them in front of others is a bit too embarrassing. Let's keep those words for when we're alone."
Hermione smiled awkwardly. That kind of behavior was no different from showing off in public. Although she really wanted to declare to others that Glenn was hers, she wasn't bold enough for such public displays of affection.
At the end of the day, Hermione was still a shy girl.
Seeing Hermione clinging to his back, Glenn estimated the time and crouched down to carry her.
Hermione didn't protest. After all, they were now officially a couple. She no longer needed to act reserved, pretending not to want closeness when she actually did. Now, she could openly accept Glenn's kindness.
She nestled against his back, nuzzling her face into the crook of his neck, feeling the touch of his slightly curly black hair and breathing in his reassuring scent.
Come to think of it, her confession as the start of their new relationship seemed rather ordinary.
On an ordinary day, under an ordinary sunset, on ordinary snow, after ordinary play, her confession had come out so plainly.
But on this ordinary day, Hermione felt she would remember it forever.
Other girls might wish for a grand or special moment to mark the beginning of their romantic relationships. Perhaps she had once thought the same.
But now, Hermione realized her thoughts had changed.
She found that she preferred the calm, reassuring kind of moment over something grand and exhilarating.
It was simple but gave her an unparalleled sense of security.
The warmth, the temperature, the touch—everything about Glenn was real and tangible to her now. The love in her heart spread and fermented, filling her with an incomparable warmth and peace.
Things had indeed changed after they became a couple.
At least Hermione felt her affection for Glenn had increased tenfold.
"I like you..."
"What?"
Glenn, carrying Hermione on his back, heard her murmur near his ear.
"I said I like you..."
"Mm, I like you too."
"Hehe..."
"..."
"Does it make you happy when I say that?"
"I think so. A pleasant feeling seems to spread in my heart. That should be happiness."
"Good, then."
"So, Hermione, does it make you happy when I say those words to you?"
"Of course~"
"I like you."
"Mm."
"I like you."
"Mm."
"I like you."
"Mm."
As their playful exchange of affection drifted with the wind, Glenn and Hermione's figures gradually faded into the sunset.
Their shadows stretched out behind them, overlapping as one.
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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