Confession I

I took a moment to take them all in—the three girls I hadn't seen in nearly a year.

"I missed you three," I admitted, drawing each of them into a quiet hug. The words felt understated for what I'd truly felt in their absence.

Seraphina, always quick to catch an unspoken sentiment, tugged gently at my sleeve. "We missed you too, Arthur," she said, her smile bright but layered with a depth of relief that softened her gaze.

We shared a light laugh, but it was tinged with the echoes of months apart—questions unsaid, worries kept in silence, fears pushed aside. I glanced around, my gaze landing on each of them, feeling the weight of friendships rekindled.

Lucifer, leaning back with that trademark smirk, broke the moment with a dry chuckle. "You've certainly kept us on our toes, Nightingale. Good to have you back."

I let out a chuckle myself—a sound that grounded me in the present, comforting in its familiarity. "No more sudden disappearances, I promise," I replied, my words carrying a sincerity I hoped they could all feel.

Ren, ever observant, raised an eyebrow. "So, you've accomplished what you set out for, then?"

I nodded, a grin slowly spreading across my face. "You'll see for yourself during the mid-year exams," I replied, a glint of anticipation in my eyes.

The air around us buzzed with an unspoken energy, an unshakable bond that felt stronger than ever. For the first time in a long while, things felt like they were back on track—or at least on a new path worth following.

Rachel leaned forward, her brow raised. "What about the theory exams, Arthur?"

I sighed, scratching the back of my neck. "I still have to take them after the practicals. Seems like there's no rest for the weary."

Ian chuckled from the doorway, crossing his arms as he watched the scene. "Give him some time with his fan club," he teased, nudging Ren as the two turned away, leaving us to our reunion.

"Alright, Rach, Ceci, Sera," I gestured to the couch opposite mine, "have a seat. We need to talk."

The three girls exchanged a look, and in a moment of shared mischief, they ignored my suggestion entirely. Instead, Rachel and Seraphina took up positions on either side of me on my own couch. Cecilia, left without a spot, huffed with feigned exasperation before a playful grin overtook her face. She promptly settled herself onto my lap with a triumphant glint in her eye.

"It's not fair they get the best seats," she said, clearly waiting for me to tell her to move.

Instead, I wrapped an arm around her and pulled her closer, her surprise melting into a soft smile. "I missed your antics, Ceci," I murmured, catching the faintest hint of blush on her cheeks.

Rachel leaned in with an amused look, her head resting on my shoulder. "It's good to have you back, Arthur. Really."

Seraphina nodded, her expression soft. "We were all worried."

I looked between them, feeling the weight of what I'd missed, and the quiet relief of being back. "I missed all of you," I said simply. "And I'll make up for the time I was gone."

There was no reason to hold back anymore. I liked them—no, I loved them.

During the long, grueling months in the Isolation Chamber, thoughts of my family and these three were what kept me going, driving me forward through every impossible challenge. I missed them with a depth I could barely describe, each day stretching endlessly as I pushed myself to be stronger, to be worthy of them.

"Cecilia Slatemark, Rachel Creighton, Seraphina Zenith," I said, my voice steady. Gently, I lifted Cecilia from my lap, setting her beside Rachel and Seraphina on the couch. Then, without another moment's hesitation, I knelt before them.

With a flicker of mana, I activated my spatial ring, summoning three bouquets of crimson roses, their delicate scent filling the room.

"Will you three do me the honor of dating me?" I asked, holding out the flowers, each a symbol of the feelings I'd kept guarded for far too long. "I love you—all three of you. Equally. Truly."

I could see they were each taking in my words with a quiet reverence. It felt surreal, as if time itself had slowed to let this moment linger. And as I handed each of them the roses, I could feel my heartbeat loud in my ears, the weight of my confession settling around us.

Cecilia, being the bold one, broke the silence first, her lips curling into a mischievous grin. "Finally," she whispered, drawing out the word as though it held more than just relief—there was pride there, and maybe a touch of vindication. She took her bouquet and gave me a look that spoke volumes. "I thought I'd have to wait forever," she added, her tone light but layered with an unmistakable depth.

Rachel took her bouquet with the gentle poise I'd always admired, but there was a slight blush creeping over her cheeks, a crack in her usual composure that made her all the more endearing. Her eyes met mine with a blend of warmth and challenge. "You better mean that, Arthur," she teased, though I could see the sincerity beneath her words. "Because you won't get rid of us now." There was an intensity there, a promise that felt as tangible as the flowers she held.

Seraphina, always one for playful mischief, leaned back with a laugh that was bright, unrestrained. She took her roses last, her smile hinting at that familiar spark that made her presence so lively. "If you think you're getting away with just one bouquet, you're sorely mistaken," she quipped, a glimmer of amusement dancing in her eyes. Her voice, as always, was tinged with that lightheartedness that could lift any room.

I couldn't help but laugh, the sound freeing, as though a weight I hadn't even known I'd been carrying had lifted. The relief mingled with joy, swirling through me as I looked at each of them, the reality of the moment settling in. For once, there was no need to guard myself or hold back; no need to keep anything hidden. This was it—the start of something real, something that felt right.

As we shared this moment, I became acutely aware of how close we were, and not just in proximity. There was a new energy in the air, one that felt both thrilling and comforting. My gaze shifted between them, taking in each familiar expression, every little detail that I'd missed during my time away. Rachel's subtle smile, Cecilia's playful glint, Seraphina's steady gaze—they were all here, all of them feeling as vivid as they'd ever been.

Rachel, still holding her roses, looked around at the other two girls with a raised eyebrow, the unspoken question hanging in the air. "So… now what?" she asked, her tone almost daring.

Cecilia, never one to miss a beat, grinned. "We celebrate," she declared, her voice brimming with confidence. She shot a look at me. "What do you say, Arthur? How about a night out with all of us to mark this historic occasion?"

I chuckled, nodding. "I can't argue with that. It sounds perfect."

The laughter that followed was infectious, spreading between us and filling the room. For a moment, it felt as though the world outside had fallen away, leaving just the four of us together, bound by a new understanding.

But as much as I wanted to stay lost in this moment, a quiet realization crept in: this was just the beginning. There was still so much ahead of us—exams, challenges, and the ever-present weight of the futures we were all working towards. I knew that the road ahead wouldn't be easy, but standing here with them, I felt more prepared than ever to face whatever was coming.

Seraphina tugged on my sleeve, bringing me back to the present. "So, where are we going, Mr. Nightingale?" she asked, her tone light but carrying that familiar spark of adventure.

I glanced at the three of them, feeling a surge of excitement. "Anywhere you want," I replied, feeling an overwhelming sense of gratitude. "This night is ours."

With that, we gathered our things and left the room, our laughter trailing behind us like a faint echo. As we walked down the halls of Mythos Academy together, I couldn't shake the feeling that this was the start of something incredible—a chapter that none of us would ever forget.