Chapter 3

Thoma pov

Ayato had just asked both Ayaka and I to the new restaurant that had opened up. I heard it was owned by an elderly couple, and was nice and cozy. I love restaurants like that.

"Do you wanna go for lunch?", I asked. Lunch seemed like the only valid option anyway.

"Sure", was all Ayato said. I wondering why his response was so short. Usually it's a long response. I decided to leave and go back to my room.

...

It was noon, and we decided to take a walk to the restaurant. It wasn't all that crowded, and we were greeted by a nice couple who gave us the menu and walked us to our table.

"Now here's the menu, and we will be back in a few minutes", the waitress said with a smile as she left. We sat in silence, quietly picking out the food we wanted.

Finally I broke the silence.

"What are you guys ordering? I decided to get this meal called Warmth, it's apparently Miso soup", I said.

"I'm ordering Quiet Elegance, a type of Sakura Tempura", answered Ayato.

"Hmm, I think Snow on a Hearth is good for me. It's Sakura Mochi!" Ayaka said happily.

Soon, our food came. We began to eat in silence, no conversations at all. Which was seemingly awkward. Usually there's always a conversation going on when we were sharing their meal together. But now, there was silence.

...

I threw myself on my bed and looked up at the ceiling.

Are they ignoring me?

Is Ayato ignoring me?

So many thoughts filled my head my head started to hurt. Since it was a Saturday, I decided to rest. Just for a little while.

"A little while"

...

I woke up with a startle and checked the clock next to me. It was 5 pm. No way, did I really sleep for 3 hours? I thought I slept for only 5 minutes. Another dreamless night. Makes sense since it was a short nap.

I went to the kitchen and looked around, Ayaka had gone to see Yoimiya, but Ayato was nowhere to be found.

He probably also fell asleep, it's been a long day.

I decided to make myself something in the kitchen. Specifically Rice Cake Soup. It's without a doubt the best soup to ever exist.

I decided to make an extra bowl just in case.

And then I heard footsteps.

I saw Ayato walk into the living room and greet me with a nod as he sat down at the table.

"Would you like some soup my lord? I have an extra bowl", I said as I pushed the bowl towards him.

"Sure Thoma. Thank you".

We both are in silence. Again. Finally I decided to ask him.

"My lord are you doing well? You haven't been that talkative today".

"It's fine Thoma, I'm just... confused about some things. Nothing to worry about", Ayato replied, smiling.

To me, the smile seemed sad and regretful at the same time, but I decided to shake the thought off.

...

The last time someone confessed to me was on a secret letter they left in front of the Kamisato Estate.

That was a year ago though. Back then I wouldn't have expected the Shirasagi Himegimi to be standing right in front of me, confessing her feelings.

"Thoma I have to tell you something", Ayaka said in a nervous voice.

"Hm? What is it milady?"

"I really like you. Not as a friend. Like more than a friend. But I'm so confused. I feel the same for Yoimiya too. Am I going crazy? I decided to tell you first because, well you get it. You don't have to like me back though I'm just saying-"

I couldn't believe it. Kamisato Ayaka was confessing her love, to me?!

I didn't say anything. I couldn't.

"I can see that you're at a loss for words. Maybe we should just try it out? It's not like we're going to be dating or anything, we could just go out. Wait isn't that dati-", I cut Ayaka out with a nod.

I was at a complete loss for words. I didn't want to hurt Ayaka's feelings, so I had to go along with it. But one day I would have to tell her that I didn't want to do this anymore.