Chapter 53: Sprouting

To confirm this, the Demon King’s eyes were hot.

“…Mica.”

When I hear my name mingled with his breath, I tremble. It’s simply a name call, but he says it as if it means something special, and my body temperature rises unexpectedly.

“T-This must be because I’m the Shrine Maiden.”

“I still love you even without the Shrine Maiden’s power—I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to bother you—you will return to your world eventually, but I…”

My hand was gripped by the Demon King.

“I’ve fallen in love with you.”

His hand is warm to the touch. It’s like having a fever. Hot?

For quite some time, the Demon King’s face has been flushed. And his eyes are moist , and his sentences are short. I was wondering whether it was, so I touched the Demon King’s cheek, which was quite hot.

“O’Dowell-sama, you have a fever──.”

It’s the fever talking, isn’t it?

Before he could say anything, the Demon King’s body slumped down.

“I love you.”

I almost panic when he whispers “I love you” over and over again, but he does have a fever after all.

Somehow I manage to support the Demon King and return to his office. I put him in a chair and called Yulin, who came immediately. I return to my room after leaving the rest to Yulin.

“….”

When I returned to my room, I felt weak and slumped to the floor.

──I love you.

Even though I’ve never been in a relationship, I understand what it’s like to fall in love.

But the Demon King was my friend. But I never felt troubled by it. If anything,

“I’m glad.”

Yes, I recognized that the Demon King’s approval made me pleased. My heart continued to pound. I could still feel the warmth of his touch on my skin.

the Demon King said that if he wanted me to stay by his side forever, that seemed like a marriage proposal. No, that’s too far-fetched, but…

I imagine myself standing next to the Demon King. It’s so──.

My body gets hot. By any chance, I’m…

“To the Demon Lord…”

■□■

I awoke to find myself in a bed I knew. I got up, and Yulin came in.

“How are you feeling? Brother.”

“…Yeah—I’m still a little dizzy, but I’m OK.”

My temperature seems to have subsided, but my head still aches. The reason isn’t because I’m unwell; it’s because of what I told Mica…

I told her I loved her. I didn’t want to tell her, but in the heat of the moment, I’m too loose-tongued. I thought I’d never tell her for the rest of my life, and I never imagined I’d tell her the day I discovered my feelings for her.

When I got upset, Yulin said, “My brother has always been honest when he catches a cold.”

He burst out laughing.

“But I didn’t realize my brother had a fever—I’m glad the Shrine Maiden is the one who noticed.”

I wasn’t aware of it myself. I assumed my heated body was caused by love, but it wasn’t.

“I’ve caused Mica so much trouble…”

She supported me in the office when I collapsed with a fever, despite the fact that it would have been a bother for her after I told her my feelings and she would have had to go home sooner or later.

I wonder if Mica would have hated me. How could she not hate me when I told her how selfish I was? We had just become friends, but would I lose this relationship too?

I wish I could pretend I’ve lost my memory, but I distinctly remember telling Mica over and over how I felt about her.

I sigh. What in the world am I supposed to do?

“…what should I do?”