POV: Torikachi

Today is the final day of spring break, meaning that we will be sophomores tomorrow.

To be blunt, I was neither excited nor bored about my upcoming year, because I already knew everything that is going to happen until the moment before the Sports Festival next year.

I, at the moment, have many scenarios that are flowing through my mind, creating methods of how to continue to protect Ayanokouji Kiyotaka's school life, while experiencing my actual school life in this new world as well.

It has been a year since I got teleported into this world, and I feel more comfortable compared to my previous world.

I just hope that no troubles will happen to me next year that might ruin my school life. (Sike! It's called foreshadowing)

Because the future might unknown to me since I interfered too much that I might change the outcome of the light novel, I would not know if there will be different freshmen tomorrow compared to the light novel.

Speaking of the unknown future, I redeem my action for this past year, realizing many interferences into the light novel itself, which might cause different results in the future.

But what is the most unexpected interference that I encountered?

Well, it was an encounter that was special and unique for me. Even though I thought of it before, never in my life I would experience this special encounter.

"Tori. I love you." She said.

That is right. I remember now.

She confessed to me before our Paper Shuffle exam takes place, while I kept doubting myself about showing my true self to her.

Now, our relationship is as strong as it had ever been. Most of the time, it was her contribution for us to develop the feeling of connecting to each other.

At the moment, we are standing underneath the sakura tree, where most students mostly come here for confessions.

But, the reason why we are here, will create a mark to symbolize our relationship at the moment.

No, not carving symbols on the tree. I might get my points deducted from it.

"It has been 6 months since that day, isn't it, Ryuko?" I asked while trying to hide a small gift that I prepared for this day behind my back.

"That's right, Tori. It has been 6 months since we are in this relationship." She replied with a gentle smile.

"And it is the final day of our first year, meaning that I wanted to have another significant memory before we start our new journey," I said. "During the time we are dating, I now know what I've been missing all along. Do you know what it is, Ryuko?"

"I have no idea, Tori. I still couldn't understand your motives at a time like this." She answered while continuing to think of an answer.

"It is simple, Ryuko.

It's called Warmth..."

"H-heh?" Ryuko pondered while trying to think of a reason why I said that.

"That is right, Ryuko. It is not just normal warmth.

The warmth of having someone caring for you...

The warmth of having a person, who is ready to step by your side on every single step of mental development...

The warmth of the human body..."

"T-Tori..."

"That is why Ryuko. I have something to thank you for accompanying me during our journey." I said as I bring out the small gift that I prepared for her for a long time.

"What is it?" She asked while holding the box.

"You can open it up."

As she opens the case of the box, her tears begin to fall through her cheeks.

But these are the tears of happiness.

"T-Tori... do you know how much I liked this necklace since I first saw it?" She asked.

"Yes. I noticed that every time we walk through the mall, you always focused on the necklace out of everything." I answered.

The necklace has a shiny blue gem, with small handwriting on it which has a certain meaning.

"TR?" Murmured Ryuko while her tears continue to drop.

"That is right, Ryuko. Glad that you noticed it." I said.

Moments later, she rushed to me and embraced me between her arm.

"T-Tori!!! I-I love you so much...!" She shouts as she continues to let her emotion go with the flow.

I hug her back gently while displaying a genuine smile on my face.

Yes, I am truly in love with her. I realize that it was the 'Love' factor that I have been missing all along.

Yes, I love Nishikawa Ryuko. I am looking forward to our future.

"I love you too, Ryuko.

And thank you, for appearing into my life."

The moment we touch, I could feel the warmth...

The moment we kiss, I could feel something greater...

I never had something for me to appreciate throughout my whole life until she came.

And that is why I shall be by her side,

Forever and after...

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