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Areum and Yuno decided to stay at the peak of a mountain where the lights from the royal kingdom could be clearly seen. Both teenagers lay on a soft carpet, gazing at the breathtaking view before them.
Areum had grown much closer to Yuno, and it was a relief that he didn’t seem to mind.
Yuno glanced at her as she rested her head on his shoulder. He flinched at the sudden contact, unprepared for the closeness. But despite his initial surprise, he stayed calm, letting Areum do as she pleased.
"Hey, Yuno," Areum mumbled, catching his attention.
He hummed in response, his gaze still fixed on the scenery.
"How does it feel to be powerful?" Areum asked, her voice soft yet filled with curiosity.
Yuno turned his head slightly. "Do you feel insecure around me?" he asked. There was no arrogance in his tone—just genuine curiosity.
Without much thought, Areum answered, "Yes." She exhaled deeply before continuing, "I was insecure about how you can effortlessly save others without worrying about yourself. Growing up, I always watched Papa Julius being praised for saving the kingdom from crises. It was... cool, and I wanted to be like that. But I can’t. Being mana-less holds me back. Instead of saving someone, I’d probably end up being the one saved."
Her voice softened as she poured out her thoughts, her head still resting on Yuno’s shoulder. She blinked in surprise when Yuno gently took her hand and began to caress it.
"You're cool," Yuno said suddenly.
Areum stayed silent, letting his words sink in. She felt a strange comfort in them. She closed her eyes as he softly tapped her hair.
"Not everyone has the kind of dedication, deep affection, wisdom, and knowledge that you have," Yuno continued. "You know your strengths and acknowledge your weaknesses. Most importantly, you use your gifts to help others. That’s what makes you really cool. I admire you for that."
Areum bit her lip. His words reminded her of what her father always told her. She had been too shallow to appreciate herself, even when others saw her as someone worthy.
Yuno kept caressing her hand. He wasn’t typically affectionate, but he couldn’t stop himself when it came to Areum. He reasoned that he only wanted to tease her, but deep down, he knew his intentions were different.
He liked her.
Yuno liked Areum so much.
And it scared him.
"Thanks, honey," Areum said sincerely. "That helped me a lot."
Yuno unknowingly smiled. He had grown fond of hearing her call him by that endearment. Sometimes, he even mistook other couples using similar terms as Areum calling him.
The two of them fell silent again, basking in the comfortable stillness.
"Areum," Yuno said suddenly, his deep voice breaking the quiet.
"Hm?" she hummed in response.
"I’ve been thinking."
"Thinking about what?"
"Thinking about whether you still want me or not."
Areum’s heart skipped a beat at his words. She blinked, trying to process what he had said, but before she could reply, his gaze locked onto hers. The moonlight reflected in his eyes, revealing a mix of emotions she couldn’t quite read.
"'Cause you know, Areum," Yuno continued, "I think I’m starting to fall."
Her breath hitched as he pulled her into a hug.
"Like, really hard," he whispered into her neck.
Areum’s mind raced, her heart pounding loudly in her chest.
"Whenever I’m alone, I think of you. You fill the empty spaces in my mind. You’re the reason I no longer worry about the unknown."
She didn’t know how to respond. Her thoughts were jumbled, and for the first time, she felt completely overwhelmed.
"For some reason, I want to see you every day."
Yuno confessed.
"I want to watch you learn new things, smile over silly situations, and laugh at Asta’s jokes. I just want to see you—being you. I don’t know what kind of magic you’ve cast on me, but I’m bewitched. And I’m not complaining."
He looked at her with such intensity that she felt rooted to the spot. Yuno almost smiled at her stunned expression—it was exactly the reaction he’d imagined when planning his confession.
With trembling lips, Areum managed to ask,
"What’s so great about a mana-less girl who only has brains but no magic?"
"You made me fall for you. Isn’t that enough?"
It was in that moment Areum realized she had found her wind mage.
Yuno gently cupped her cheek, and Areum closed her eyes, savoring the warmth of his touch.
Then, she felt his lips on her cheek.
Yuno chuckled softly. "I want to kiss you on the lips when I can already provide for you."
Areum smiled. "We could sell my inventions, eh?"
Yuno flicked her forehead lightly. "Not happening."
She pouted, and he couldn’t help but focus on her lips.
"Please don’t tempt me, Areum. I’m no saint."
"Please, do the honor, sir," she teased.
"You’re impossible."
Areum laughed and threw herself into Yuno’s arms. He didn’t complain—he never did when it came to her. For the first time in his sixteen years of life, someone had brought out emotions he never thought he had.
What Yuno didn’t know was how thankful Areum was for his existence. She didn’t know what the future held, but she was sure of one thing—her feelings were genuine.
"I like you, Yuno," Areum said suddenly.
Yuno’s small smile widened, his eyes shining with emotion. He kissed her temple, and Areum closed her eyes.
"I like you too," he replied.
Ah, those were the sweetest words she had ever heard.
