From the Start, Once More (Finale)

From the very beginning, once again. After the (Complete), the two of them bought parfaits and sat down together. But before eating. They set the parfaits aside for a moment, and Carlyle pulled her into his arms, hugging her tightly. Bianca was a little flustered. It felt so sudden?

"I've wanted to do this since earlier."

But she could understand Carlyle's words. After all, it must have been because of her own feet that he'd been holding back all this time. So Bianca obediently surrendered her body, still as a broken doll. It was warm, cozy. The places where they touched burned hot. The distance that had grown between her and Carlyle over the past few days felt unreal now. What on earth had happened? It felt a little different from before she'd realized her feelings. Something more embarrassing, something that made her shrink back. Even after he soon released his arms. Bianca had no idea where ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠to direct her gaze. She cleared her throat with a loud ahem and finally spoke.

"Sh-should we eat?!"

The time was approaching soon. After eating this parfait, she would confess her heart. So Bianca tried to devour it quickly and neatly. She had to time it right. Nom nom, chomp chomp.

"You said you hated sweet things."

Carlyle just smiled beside her. At his words, Bianca choked and coughed, cough cough. With a slightly guilty expression, she made an excuse for no reason.

"B-but... what can I do when it's this delicious..."

In truth, that was right. It was the first thing Carlyle Schultz had ever bought for her. So the parfait was bound to linger in her memories. Always, forever. Bianca probably wouldn't forget this snack. It was delicious to begin with.

"But aren't you going to eat yours?"

At Bianca's question, Carlyle shrugged.

"I don't like parfaits."

Ah, right. He'd said that last time too. And yet he'd bought one for her.

"Plus, just looking at you fills me up."

Bianca nearly buried her nose in the parfait. "Ah, seriously...!"

Regardless of whether she liked it or not.

"Don't say stuff like that."

She wished he wouldn't say such cheesy lines. Whether he meant to tease her or not, Carlyle chuckled. Meanwhile, the surrounding scenery was gradually turning red. Time was drawing near.

"Um, Emily..."

Finally, with difficulty. Bianca brought up the topic she'd been curious about. A question with much left unsaid. The answer came right away.

"I turned her down. The confession."

"I see..."

After replying, Bianca looked back at her parfait. But the one that had tasted so good moments ago no longer registered. ...He turned down her confession.

Carlyle had rejected Emily. For some reason, that fact settled Bianca's heart. Her mood lifted ever so slightly, floating upward. It was as if the assumption she'd held since seeing Carlyle's face on the subway had been confirmed.

Carlyle Schultz wanted confirmation too. He posed his own question.

"Remember our bet?"

"B-bet...?"

Her reaction drew a smirk from him.

"That hurts a little... You totally forgot?"

She was a girl with strong competitive spirit, so maybe she wanted to pretend not to know. But at his single word of "hurts," her expression changed rapidly.

"Ah, no! I remember. Of course!"

Carlyle Schultz asked.

"What do you think, Bianca? See any chance of winning?"

In a playful, somewhat light tone.

"I got curious, after all."

He was testing to confirm his own assumption. Bianca couldn't answer that question right away. Honestly, a bit.

...Feels like I'm going to lose or something.

With such childish thoughts. But the answer was already decided. She had resolved not to hide her feelings anymore.

Yeah, from now on...

She wouldn't hide them. Unconsciously, Bianca glanced at the surrounding scenery. Time was right before her eyes. During the brief hesitation, the sun began to set. The sunset of Confession Day was finally beginning.

Yeah, I...

Bianca closed her eyes for a moment and opened them. Thump-thump— thump-thump— Her heart raced. Her lips were parched. Her hands and feet trembled faintly, ever so slightly. Her heart was set; all that remained was to convey these overflowing feelings.

But before that, Bianca had something to confess first.

"Actually, Carlyle...!"

She tried to speak, but he stopped her. Embraced tightly, her amethyst eyes widened as he stole her lips.

Her surprise lasted only a moment before their lips parted. Very lightly and softly, like a feather alighting. Their touching lips separated just as quickly.

"..."

Bianca was a little startled. But her face flushed red in an instant, and deep down, she felt a twinge of regret. Carlyle's expression, right before her eyes, was serious.

"No need to say more. Confessions are for men."

Before Bianca could even reply.

"I like you, Bianca."

His confession rang out. His hot breath poured toward her. Nose to nose, eyes locked.

"There was a time I really thought about giving up on you..."

Unexpected words. It was recent. When the malicious rumors spread, Carlyle had reflected on his past life.

"I thought you were too good for me. That's what crossed my mind."

"M-me...?"

"...When I think about my past. It's not something I can be proud of."

Carlyle's eyes were earnest. A flicker of pain passed through those golden eyes. But what remained was something burning fiercely.

"But the more I thought, the more I realized I couldn't let you go, Bianca."

So, why?

"Because of the faith you kept showing me amid those rumors. And the love."

"What does that...?"

As Bianca's eyes widened, Carlyle chuckled softly.

"You're too innocent; it all shows on your face. You need to practice acting."

Bianca was at a loss for words.

No, I mean...

He knew everything? Carlyle had seen through all her acting?

Her face burned.

"H-how...?"

"It was obvious. All of it."

Carlyle just laughed. And before she knew it, he was down on one knee before her.

"So, Bianca."

He pulled out a box he'd cherished in his arms. Months of his labor were in this one item, but he had no regrets.

"Will you marry me?"

Showing the amethyst necklace inside the box, Carlyle Schultz proposed.

"Wh-what?!?"

Bianca was naturally flustered. A sudden proposal?! But his expression showed he was utterly serious.

"What, you don't want to?"

Even as he spoke, he showed no sign of expecting rejection. Carlyle Schultz was confident.

"No, I mean..."

Bianca was dumbfounded.

This guy's always been like this...?

And she suddenly remembered. Looking back, he'd been quite strange from their first meeting, overflowing with composure.

Still, maybe.

I don't hate it at all...

If she were ever to marry someday, it would only be this guy before her. A sudden proposal...? It felt too distant, something she hadn't considered.

With her face bright red, Bianca stammered.

"Saying something like that so suddenly... It's still too far off..."

"I won't marry anyone but you."

Carlyle had regained his leisure somehow. What a brazen guy.

"Wh-what... Why marriage all of a sudden?!"

Bianca's face heated up; she bit her lip slightly. At a loss, but having confirmed his feelings, she felt good on one hand. Good—too good. Honestly, really good.

The necklace in the box. Bianca had a feeling she knew why Carlyle had chosen that particular one. She snatched the necklace matching her eye color with her hand.

"F-for now...! I'll take this...!"

Her face was fully ablaze. Carlyle's chuckle made her even more embarrassed. Thankfully, it was sunset time; otherwise, her flushed face, her obvious liking, would have shown completely.

...Yeah.

But. Then Bianca remembered. Actually, honestly. There was something she had to reveal.

Should she reveal the truth first and then confess her feelings, or confess first and then the truth? She'd agonized over it. Until moments ago, she'd leaned toward the former, but now it shifted to the latter. Still, she wanted to convey her heart first.

Confess my feelings first...

Though her opponent had already stolen the first move.

Bianca's feelings weren't light either.

I like you, Carlyle.

As she tried to voice it. Suddenly, her emotions welled up thickly. They overflowed in an instant. Amid the red sunset.

Bianca placed a hand on her chest. Thump-thump— thump-thump— Yeah, right now. I really like you so much.

Realizing that, she struggled to open her sealed lips.

"Carlyle, I also..."

She took a deep breath, reaching the moment of confession. The red sunset light was dyeing everything around them. The peak of the sunset. Soon, this time would end like a dream.

But Bianca wavered—her heart changed again.

"Actually, I..."

Her feelings were that complicated now. She liked Carlyle Schultz, and he liked her back. That joy was immense. But lovers couldn't hide the most important truth.

So I have to tell him. That originally, I was a man...

She had to say it. On second thought, maybe she should say it first? That idea struck her. But when it came to actually revealing it, the words wouldn't come.

Bianca squeezed her eyes shut and clenched her fists tightly.

"Ha... Ngh..."

Breathing was hard. So she took a deep breath.

"What's wrong, Bianca...?"

She could see Carlyle's expression had hardened. It scared her, Bianca. Honestly, she was terrified.

But... this is...

Still, she had to say it. She couldn't deceive him. Couldn't trick him. If it would come out someday, better now.

"Actually, I...!"

"To me, you're a woman."

A sudden sentence. Bianca's eyes trembled.

"No matter your past, even if you were a man. It doesn't matter to me. To me, you're a woman."

Carlyle continued earnestly.

How on earth...?

Bianca had no idea how he knew, but his words went on.

"From the start, you've been one woman to me. That hasn't changed until now, and it won't after."

Carlyle Schultz was trying to give assurance. To his partner.

"So, Bianca. To me, you're a woman."

"No matter how you see yourself, no matter others' gazes."

"Because it has to be you."

That was enough. No other woman meant anything to him. Bianca Shama, you're the only woman to me—Carlyle wanted to assure her.

She trembled faintly. Carlyle stood, embraced her, and gently stroked her hair.

"Because you're Bianca Shama. That's why I fell for you."

"No other woman could replace you."

He gave assurance.

"What does that...?"

What did he mean? Bianca wanted to ask. How did he know? She wanted to ask.

She was the one who had to confess so difficultly. Yet he knew and confessed instead.

"To me, you were a woman. From the very start."

That moment from the school trip. In the mountain night. The words she'd heard then overlapped with now. With just a few words and a little action, Carlyle had blown away all of Bianca's agonizing dilemmas up to now.

The agonizing dilemma, so hard to confess.

"So stay by my side."

"Ah, um..."

Bianca's eyes grew hot; suddenly her throat tightened. She couldn't speak. Couldn't express it. So when Carlyle took the necklace from her hand and gently placed it around her neck, she remained dazed.

"Just stay by my side."

But those words stirred feelings in her. She forced her mouth open.

"...I might have a lot of shortcomings."

"Doesn't matter."

Carlyle Schultz replied. He wasn't without flaws either. He reflected on his past. So he felt inadequate too. Being an orphan, no background.

They were the same.

"Me too."

"...With my pride, I might say something stupid."

Carlyle chuckled.

"Doesn't matter. Misunderstandings can be cleared. I know you well."

"...I might get jealous of you."

"Doesn't matter. I'd even like that."

Everything was fine, he said. Bianca was speechless.

"Then why are you crying, Bianca...?"

"Uh, ah..."

Bianca suddenly realized she was crying. His long, rough fingers wiped her tears; his sunset-golden eyes held only her. Whatever emotions dwelled in those eyes, whatever color they shone toward her. She understood it all. The infinite affection, the undeniable longing. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠And one last thing.

Actually... you're...

You're scared too. Deep down. Worried that his final persuasion might not work.

Bianca loved this about him, his kindness. How steadfastly he approached her. So, finally. She spoke her true heart.

"But, Carlyle."

Bianca smiled brightly. Tried to smile brightly. She wanted her confessing face to look sincere.

"...Even with all my shortcomings, I like you."

Carlyle's expression changed. Slowly, to joy. Beyond joy to something more. He suddenly pulled her into his arms.

"Ah, wait... I'm still talking..."

"Ah, sorry."

Bianca pushed Carlyle away and continued conveying her heart.

"You're good at everything, so diligent too. So at some point..."

At some point, she might have admired Carlyle Schultz. Knowing his circumstances, she'd thought him amazing. Orphan from an orphanage. Top grades even while working part-time. And good at everything. But surely before that.

I might have admired you, Carlyle.

Jealous enough to envy his superiority in everything. She'd once mistaken those feelings for dislike. But looking now, it was admiration. She hadn't acknowledged it because of her excessive competitive spirit.

But this admiration...

She'd keep that thought inside. Right now, another truth was more important.

Resolved, Bianca continued.

"You kept approaching me, and at first, it honestly annoyed me. But at some point... I ended up liking you too."

It was Carlyle Schultz's fault. She half-seriously thought so.

"You kept coming closer, shaking my heart."

Always saying kind words she wanted to hear. She'd been fine until suddenly she wasn't.

"So take ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠responsibility."

Bianca said with a sly smile at her lips. Tears welled up again from her eyes. Her small fists pounded his chest lightly.

"It's your fault I'm like this! You take responsibility for me!"

Because of Carlyle Schultz. She'd become a woman. And now Bianca couldn't turn back. This guy who made her this way had to take responsibility. She had no intention of anything with anyone else.

So to Bianca's demand, Carlyle answered with an embrace.

"...Yeah, I will. That's why I proposed."

As he hugged her and said that, Bianca pouted.

"Th-that kind of thing... depends on how you act."

Carlyle Schultz sometimes didn't understand a delicate woman's heart.

Proposing like this...?

Her inner thoughts showed on her face. Carlyle chuckled.

"Playing hard to get again."

"...I'm not playing hard to get."

But they'd seized it with difficulty. Both Bianca and Carlyle knew. So they laughed together, then fell quiet again. Perhaps their relationship was a bit different from normal. Because it started differently.

Maybe for real. It wasn't a normal, ideal relationship. Liking each other, without deception. Gradually falling, one confessing, first hand-holding, first hug. It wasn't that ideal start, that direction.

Their path hadn't followed that way. In some ways, one might say it wasn't pure love.

...Up until now.

Carlyle Schultz thought. But not all love could be pure. Even pure-started romances could end badly, and vice versa.

Yes, this was. His conclusion after recent agonizing.

"Bianca, us."

To voice that conclusion. He took her delicate small hand and gazed at the sunset before nightfall.

"Let's start over from the beginning."

Purely as a man and woman seeing only each other, forgetting all past misunderstandings and worries cleanly.

"...Yeah, let's."

Understanding his intent. Amid the setting sun of Confession Day. Bianca nodded. She'd wanted that too, all along.

What happened after—

"Say it one more time."

"Ah, seriously...!"

He kept being annoying. After confessing and expending so many emotions, they both felt hungry.

"Kinda hungry, huh..."

"Anything you want to eat?"

"Just anywhere nearby?"

They ate dinner at a nearby restaurant. Fitting for Confession Day, couples everywhere. Neither fully grasped it yet. But surely. To others' eyes, they looked like lovers too. Thinking that made it a bit awkward but nice. That's how Bianca felt. Still thinking of Carlyle as her boyfriend, or herself as his girlfriend. It felt a little cringy.

But still...

Thinking of their special bond with Carlyle made her happy.

"I'll walk you back, Bianca."

"...Yeah, okay."

She accepted his words happily right away. Holding hands while walking tickled. If only Carlyle weren't so persistently ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠annoying.

"Say you like me."

He kept asking for one more time. Bianca's face reddened as she grumbled.

"I already said it, earlier."

"Still want to hear it once more."

Ugh, really. Earlier, she'd been moved by his words, emotions overflowing, so she could say it honestly. But now reason had returned. Even if she accepted her feelings, it was embarrassing.

"Say it, Bianca."

Still, his request. Bianca glanced aside and caught something. The mischief lurking in Carlyle's golden eyes. In other words. He was doing it on purpose, to see her embarrassed. Teasing her.

...This guy, really.

Suddenly, Bianca wanted to show him. She hesitated briefly, then decided.

"Just once?"

She beckoned him. Understanding, Carlyle leaned down, and Bianca whispered in his ear. Yes, definitely. If she hadn't realized he was teasing, she probably couldn't have said it from embarrassment. But who was Bianca? The incarnation of competitive spirit—! Since Carlyle had stirred her fighting spirit needlessly. She aimed to surprise him back.

So Bianca confessed her true heart to Carlyle in a quiet, clear voice.

"...I like you, Carlyle."

An unexpected attack; he flinched for a moment. Bianca didn't stop, adding two more spoons.

"So from now on... spoil me lots...?"

She didn't even know what she was saying. Impulsively, she'd come up with something sure to shock him.

Heh, how's that?

This was enough for Bianca to feel she'd landed a solid hit on Carlyle, quite satisfying. But apparently, she'd messed up big time. Carlyle's expression hardened seriously.

"You're gonna drive me crazy..."

And right away, Bianca was. Pulled by his large hand around her waist, the two shared a deep kiss on the street.

"Y-you're crazy...?!"

"Don't provoke me then."

Of course, afterward, the thoroughly flushed Bianca protested to him. Carlyle laughed lowly and kissed her again—it wasn't strange. Even as she protested. It wasn't strange that Bianca gradually immersed herself, even going on tiptoes. For both, each other. They'd confessed their hearts. So perhaps such moments between them would happen even more often from now on.

-Complete-