***

He wasn’t quite certain how to respond, he’d already had two women in his heart whom he deeply loved, Fischl and Hu Tao and yet he couldn’t deny he felt something special for Lumine, too.

He felt his heart expanding, as if breaking free from the constraints of his previous emotions.

He realized that he had been holding back his feelings for Lumine, hesitant to acknowledge them fully due to already having two most important people of his life in his heart.

But now, as he looked into her eyes, he knew that he loved her. It wasn’t a fleeting feeling or a passing infatuation. It was a deep, abiding love that had been growing inside him for a long time, waiting for the right moment to bloom.

Back when she confessed to him, he accepted her feelings, as who would deny the feelings of a cute girl in love.

He cared about her a lot, yet he wasn’t entirely sure he was in love with her.

But this latest display of her affection only solidified his feelings. She didn’t know it, but by expressing those sentiments over and over again at multiple occasions, Lumine had revealed the full extent of her true feelings and opened herself up to Yomite completely.

Her confession before made his chest ache, thinking he would disappoint her feelings because he didn’t feel quite as like as she did, but now there was no turning back. He was in love and he knew it.

Her lips were parted, ready to accept his kiss…but not just any kiss; one that promised undying devotion and boundless passion.

A kiss that meant to show his love for her.

The moment hung precariously in the balance as Yomite stared down into Lumine’s eyes.

Then, as if on impulse, he leaned forward and tenderly placed his lips on hers.

They kissed softly at first, but soon grew more passionate until they were desperately exploring each other’s mouths like two lost souls yearning to be reunited.

Yomite couldn’t contain himself anymore. His hands gripped her silken hair as he continued kissing her, savoring every second of their embrace.

“You’re important to me as well.” The words escaped him before he could stop them, and he couldn’t believe how easily it rolled off his tongue.

He wasn’t the type who told women he loved them out loud, but for som reason he felt she needed to hear it.

Once he heard the words come out of his mouth, all rationality was abandoned as the words reverberated in the room like the crackling thunder that accompanies the coming storm. “I love you as well, Lumine.”

Lumine broke away from the kiss for a moment and looked into Yomites’ eyes with a warm smile, which gradually blossomed into a radiant grin.

“That’s the first time you’ve said you truly loved me too,” Lumine whispered, her voice brimming with happiness.

She leaned in for another tender kiss, their love cementing in that instant.

Yomite held her close, knowing that his heart had expanded to make room for Lumine.

This new love didn’t diminish his feelings for Fischl and Hu Tao; instead, it added another dimension to his life, making him feel more complete than ever before.

He couldn’t help but think to himself that he was weak against girls who told him they were in love with him.

He had never really had anyone to love in the past, and the affection showered upon him by the girls of this strange world was both overwhelming and intoxicating.

Barbara too, had been growing on him by constantly telling him she loved him, despite his initial protests.

Yomite realized that he had a vulnerability when it came to love, and at first, it made him question whether his feelings for Lumine, Fischl, Hu Tao, and even Barbara were genuine, or if he was simply responding to their affection and his own lust.

His feelings for Lumine had grown over time, nurtured by their shared experiences and the support they provided each other.

Fischl and Hu Tao had captured his heart with their individual charms and the bonds they had formed through their adventures together.

And while his relationship with Barbara was different, Yomite couldn’t deny the warmth that her constant affection brought to his life.

Her begging for attention or kisses, warm smile or repeated talks about how she loved him…all of that made it hard for him to resist.

As he considered each of them, he realized that the love he felt for them was real and unique in its own way.

It was true that he might have been more susceptible to the love of others due to his past, but he knew that the feelings he had now were more than genuine.

It didn’t matter what others thought of him. If he ever had other girls who told him they loved him, he would accept their love and love them back.

Yomite held Lumine’s gaze for a moment, a playful smile slowly spreading across his face. “You know,” he said, his voice light and teasing, “I’ll find your brother, and once I do, I’ll make sure to drag that bastard to our wedding!”

Lumine’s eyes widened, and she stared at him in disbelief.

Then, a small laugh bubbled up from within her, and she playfully swatted at his arm. “I swear! You’re such a dummy sometimes!” she exclaimed, her face flushing a lovely shade of pink.

As they shared a tender laugh, Yomite noticed that Lumine’s eyes had become glassy. Tears brimmed at the edges, threatening to spill over at any moment.

For so long, she had buried a part of herself beneath the weight of her responsibilities and her search for her brother. It had been ages since she’d allowed herself to feel this light and carefree.

Always somber and quiet, not talking much to the point she used Paimon as her spokesperson at many occasions.

“Can’t have my beautiful bride missing any family members on her special day, even if it means dragging your brother to the wedding kicking and screaming.”

Lumine laughed loudly, a sound so genuine and joyous that it warmed Yomite’s heart.

It was a rare sight to see her this happy.

“Thank you, Yomite,” she said, her voice still laced with laughter. “I can’t tell you how much it means to me that you’re willing to go through all this trouble for me and my brother. I really love you.”

Her laughter subsided, but her smile remained, bright and unwavering.