“It’s repayment for the flower festival. I made it myself. I’m still not that skilled, but will you accept it?”

“…For me?”

“Yes. I made it for Phil.”

Compared to the ones made by Jamie who excelled at embroidery, mine was child play. Still, I thought it was better than the handkerchief.

“…I love you.”

“Huh?”

“I love you so much, I could die.”

Suddenly, he spoke with a serious expression.

“Really, you always said these sorts of words.”

At my remark, Philip gently picked up the bookmark and stared at it. Then, he laughed like a child.

Speaking of which, his direct onslaught of, ‘I love you,’ and overly dazzling smile almost stopped my heart.

“…I honestly think it’s a very beautiful fish.”

“Thank you. By the way, that’s cat.”

After we went fishing the other day, I made a cat motif because I felt that it resembled Philip of that time. As usual, he failed to recognize the motif. Despite that, the fact that he didn’t misunderstand it as an earth worm was already a big improvement.

“Thank you very much, Viola. I don’t know how to thank you. What would you like me to give you?”

“There’s no need. In the first place, this gift is meant to express my gratitude for the other day.”

“I don’t think what I did warranted that much…”

“That should be my line…”

There was no way that bookmark could compare to the flowers and accessories he had given me. Philip might be the only one in the world who would be so delighted with such a gift.

Anyway, I was glad he was pleased. While I was relieved, Philip’s mouth broke loose—“How cute.” “I love it.”

On the other hand, I, whom was already turning bright red, could only nod a little.

After having tea for about an hour, I asked if I could meet the parakeet just a little before I went home.

Philip seemed to be troubled. He finally relented after I pleaded that it’d only be for a while. Vio-chan seemed to already be inside Philip’s room. As Philip waited outside the door, I approached the bird.

I just wanted to thank the bird. Thanks to her, I realized something important.

“Vio-chan, I’m sorry for a while ago.”

“Viola, I love you!”

“Fufu, thank you. Vio-chan has been a great help to me.”

I smiled involuntarily at Vio-chan’s remark. I knew the bird was merely imitating other’s words, but still, how cute.

I caressed its little head. After thanking the bird once again, I turned around, and left—

“But, I will be hated by her.”

“Huh…?”

Such words flew towards my back. The tone was emotional and sorrowful. I reflexively stopped.

The next moment, Philip’s voice echoed from behind the door. “It’s time for you to have a snack.” Thus, I quickly left the room.

***

“Eh? Really, you finally realized Philip loves you? How?”

Rex’s eyes shone like that of a boy. He asked that while bringing a piece of cake towards his mouth. That day, very unlike usual, Rex and I were going to have dinner together.

My father, who had reserved that popular restaurant since a while ago, suddenly couldn’t make it. As such, I was told to go with Rex whom happened to be in my house. As long as it was Rex, Philip wouldn’t mind.

When I explained about Vio-chan, he laughed to the point he annoyed all the surrounding guests.

“Ah~ so Philip told you he loves you to the point that he could die? If I was a woman, I’d surely make him happy.”

While spouting such nonsense, Rex wiped tears from the corner of his eye with his fingers. As he sipped his tea, he stared back at me.

“Then, how about you?”

“!?”

“How do you feel about Philip?”

“…I…”

How do I feel about Philip?

Honestly, I wanted to ask myself the same thing.

I didn’t hate him. I was also no longer awkward around him. As a matter of fact, I was too confused to understand my own feelings.

“You’ve also grown to love him, haven’t you?”

“…Love, what kind of feeling is that?”

“It’s the kind of feeling that makes you want to touch him, to be touched by him, and also to be kissed by him.”

“Ah, that’s not the case, then.”

When I replied in a straightforward manner, he laughed once again.

To be honest, it wasn’t like I was unhappy at being told that I had grown to love Philip. It was just that Rex was an annoying person, and I disliked being told by him.

“Never say something like that in front of Philip, you understand? Otherwise, he’d die on spot.”

“G, got it.”

“Then, do you still want to break off your engagement?”

“…I haven’t thought about that.”

“Hee, is that so.”

While Rex listened to me, he happily replied with. “Hoo.” Or “I see.”

“Continue to fake amnesia. After all, you’re still uncertain about his attitude up until this point, aren’t you? Besides, if you were to suddenly declare that your memories have returned, Philip would also die on spot—or, at the very least, become a shut-in.”

“Eh?”

“I don’t want my cute Philip to become a shut-in~”

“…A shut-in…”

“Hence why, even if it means deceiving him, I want the current Viola to take a look at the current Philip.”

I was sure Rex was right. Eventually, I agreed and he laughed with satisfaction.

---

***T/N: I honestly think Philip is an adorable human bean.

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