As Confession Time Draws Near
The time drew ever closer. Ding-dong—ding-dong—
TRAIN DEPARTING SOON
The announcement echoed through the station. A surging crowd swept between them. But even so. Neither could tear their eyes away from the other. Words caught in their throats. They forgot to breathe. It felt as if time and space itself had frozen. A premonition bloomed: 'We've connected. You and I.' Both Vita and Carlyle felt it. Standing there in a daze, staring only at each other's faces. Vita nearly stumbled into the crowd.
"Ah… uh…"
Completely lost in the moment. She quickly regained her balance—no harm done—but she'd clearly seen Carlyle's face twist in urgent worry. Deep inside, Vita's guess hardened into certainty. Carlyle Schultz still hadn't abandoned her. Why else would he react like that? That desperate expression.
'Carlyle… he…'
So surely, he still. Liked her. It wasn't too late. The thought filled Vita with overwhelming joy and bewilderment. Her mind was a blank whirl. Once the crowd thinned, the platform felt peaceful again. Soft afternoon sunlight filtered in from outside. Now, nothing stood between Vita and Carlyle. No obstacles whatsoever. But words stuck fast in their mouths—they couldn't speak. Emotions swelled, ready to burst. Utterly speechless.
"…Bianca."
As expected, it was Carlyle Schultz who spoke first. Approaching her with an expression beyond words. But it didn't feel bad. Not at all. His golden eyes held only her in their gaze.
Vita snapped out of her daze. "C-Carlyle…"
"Bianca, you."
His voice came low and husky—the voice she'd longed to hear. But as he stepped closer, Vita thrust out her hand.
"W-Wait…!"
His face asked why.
"M-Me first…"
Vita blurted it out in a rush. She'd speak first. Tell him she liked him. That she'd finally realized it. She'd take the lead on the confession, at least. She didn't want to lose control there. She'd been too harsh to him lately—she owed him that much.
"Carlyle, I…"
So she halted him.
"I, you…!"
Vita was about to say it. Thump-thump—thump-thump— Her heart raced wildly, loud enough to hear. Her face burned hot. This was the first time she'd fully faced her feelings head-on. Her mind went blank white.
"L-L-L…!"
But she had to say it. It was just too embarrassing. She needed to spit it out, but the words wouldn't come. And then Vita realized something new. She had a fact to reveal first. Maybe confessing after admitting she used to be a boy would be right. She couldn't deceive him. Foolish as it was.
'So how do I even…?'
She had to smooth it over somehow.
"L-L…!"
In the end, after agonizing, Vita just blurted whatever came to mind.
"…Wanna grab dinner?!"
She hung her head. 'Ah, I wanna die…' Squeezing her eyes shut. She'd utterly shattered the mood. But she'd been too nervous. And spilling her secret right then felt wrong. So this was her excuse: the confession's climax, sunset, hadn't arrived yet. If she had to reveal everything, she'd compose herself first and do it then. As Vita finished rationalizing. Carlyle had closed the distance, right in front of her.
"You really…"
His eyes said unbelievable. But oddly, that gaze reassured her.
'That's the Carlyle I know…'
The one she knew. That comforted her. Carlyle's exasperated look softened into a smirk. The intense emotions faded like a lie. Utterly ridiculous.
'Always ruining the mood…'
She had a talent for it. But this was the Bianca Shama he'd always known and loved. His smile faded gradually.
"Why're you barefoot…?"
His gaze dropped. Naturally, to Vita's bare feet.
"W-Well…"
No need for other words.
"What're you doing—!"
Carlyle scooped her up effortlessly into a princess carry.
"Can't walk around barefoot."
"True, but…"
Vita's face flushed as she murmured softly.
"…I'd rather you piggyback me."
She couldn't keep staring at him up close right now.
"Fine, then."
Sunset was moments away. Thus, the two left the station pressed close together.
Vita rode on Carlyle's back, him bearing her weight. Even his coat draped over her, forced on despite her protests.
"…"
No words passed between them. Both their hearts overflowed with emotions. Unbelievable relief. They'd finally reached each other. Why they'd taken so long didn't matter. They'd made it. That's what they believed. Knowing that, neither dared speak first. But for Vita. This felt utterly natural. Yeah, this sensation. No need for talk—the heart was at ease, deeply comforting. His concern amid it all. Knowing that made her chest tingle. A soft smile slipped out unbidden. It curved her lips.
'I like this…'
Vita loved it. This dynamic with Carlyle. 'This is right for us.' With him, her heart just relaxed. Like old friends, reliable, no awkwardness. Time together felt good. Actually, Vita wondered. What feelings had Carlyle waited with? She could guess, but curiosity burned. 'Emily surely…' He'd said he'd confess to her. Had they met? If so, how'd it go? Carlyle felt the same. No expectations. Half-hoping, half-doubting. He'd never imagined her rushing to him in such disarray, that desperate dash. How could he know? That Bianca Shama would appear with such earnest longing, unwilling to let him slip away. And now? No words exchanged, yet she clung tight. Her arms softly around his neck. Plus, some inexplicable change. She seemed oblivious, but kept nuzzling her cheek against his neck.
'Is this… a dream?'
Carlyle couldn't believe it. Truly. Like a dream. So at this point. Nothing else mattered to either. 'Finally, with you, Bianca…''Anyway, with you, Carlyle…' They'd connected. Their hearts had touched—that premonition held. They'd nearly lost it. '…So good, too good.' Vita savored the moment. Being like this with Carlyle felt perfect. She ignored passersby's stares. Though running had exhausted her earlier. Now, that fatigue healed away. Nuzzle-nuzzle—unaware herself, she hugged tight, rubbing her cheek. Yeah. This affection. '…is why I fell for you.' Vita loved Carlyle. A faint ache in her throat. She'd nearly lost this precious time. Such emotions transmit without words. Carlyle couldn't quite grasp Bianca Shama's feelings toward him. Only after a while did he calm and speak lightly.
"Bianca."
"…Yeah? What?"
"Why're you such a scatterbrain girl?"
Words she'd heard before. Back then, they'd irked her. Not now. Instead, it felt like loving worry—Vita's mood lifted. Oh no, this is bad. Pretty serious case. "S-So… did you cover for me?"
She mumbled shyly, softly.
"Exactly."
Carlyle continued. She couldn't see his face, but he seemed to smirk.
"Can't be anyone but me. Stay by my side, Bianca."
The sudden strike turned her face scarlet, but rather than deny, she deflected.
"B-But. Where're we going…?"
"We're here."
Their destination: a shoe store downtown.
"Can't go barefoot."
"Yeah, true."
Inside, Carlyle asked the clerk for a handkerchief. And since they had one.
"Hold still, let me clean your feet."
Vita sat in a chair, forced to watch Carlyle kneel before her, wiping her feet.
Right now.
"N-No, it's just… kinda ticklish…?"
Actually, pure embarrassment. Her toes curled.
'Everyone's staring…!'
And they were.
"Your boyfriend's so romantic. Shoes here?"
"Yes. Thank you."
Carlyle ignored the stares completely. Focused solely on her.
'Ugh, seriously…'
Vita hid her flushed face with her hands. But honestly. Honestly, she kinda loved it. "That spot's a bit scraped."
"…I-It's fine."
His concern. Peeking through her fingers, Vita watched his face. Diligently cleaning her feet.
'See, this is why…'
This was why she'd fallen for Carlyle. Vita realized it anew.
Soon after, they left the shoe store. Carlyle naturally. Brushed back her slightly tousled hair. Stroked her nose, lips. Then gently her crown. Vita shrank a little with each touch.
"Hungry, Bianca…?"
He asked suddenly. Vita was a bit peckish but glanced at her watch instinctively.
'Already this late…'
It was past 5:30. Sunset neared through the clouds. So after pondering, she decided.
"Nah, not really."
Too awkward for a full meal anyway. Confession time approached. But a sudden craving hit.
"Wait, but… I do want something."
"What?"
Toward Carlyle. In a slightly trembling voice, Vita spoke.
"Y'know. That parfait from before."
She craved it. Super tasty, filling enough. It popped into her head.
"Perfect."
Carlyle smiled faintly.
"I was gonna take you there anyway."
He'd reserved a restaurant, but the timing was off. It'd been a ploy to catch her—lost reservation be damned, he didn't care. Their hearts aligned. Even this made Vita's mood lift. 'Yeah, with this guy…' They just clicked. Definitely. So they walked to the park. Holding hands felt natural. Vita quite liked him leading her. Honestly, great.
'Ah, that spot…'
Soon, Vita spotted it. The seat from before with Carlyle Schultz. And just yesterday—sunglasses on, wallowing alone. Like a tragic heroine in her sorrow. Now it felt like a dream. This whole situation. Everything felt dreamlike to Vita.
"Wait here. I'll grab it quick."
Carlyle seated her and moved to leave. Once, she'd grabbed his hem absentmindedly, then let go. Not now.
"Together! Me too…!"
She clutched his hem.
"No need."
"No, I…"
After hesitating, Vita voiced her true feeling. Eyes squeezed shut.
"I-I… don't wanna be apart…!"
Carlyle's golden eyes widened. A blank, uncomprehending look. That made Vita embarrassed instead.
"If you don't like it, just say so…!"
She'd mustered courage, and his reaction sparked defiance. So Carlyle grabbed the sitting Vita.
"No, let's go together."
Saying that, he raised both hands to rub his face dry.
'What the…'
What destructive power? Bianca probably didn't realize her own expression just now. Like a kitten clinging only to its mother. The Bianca who'd realized her heart was too cute. And once Carlyle recovered and agreed.
"Yay! I'll grace you with my presence."
Her wilted face bloomed into a radiant smile. Heart-realized Bianca Shama was adorable. Way too much. Meanwhile. Time steadily advanced. Toward today's most crucial moment: confession time.