Inside the living room, six people were sitting at the rectangular table. Sanya and Talia were next to each other with Cathia just beside her daughter. Andrew was also present. Even though he seemed a bit tired, his complexion was still good.

The dinner had started normally. The dinner was a mix of some dishes from France and others from Russia. Being married to a man originating from another country, Angelina was able to discover various recipes and culture.

The two families were now talking about the recent changes in the city and some other idle chat.

Near the end, Angelina shifted her gaze to Cathia. “So, how is Talia at work? Does she greet the customers correctly?”

Talia faked an angry expression in response to the obvious tease of her mother. Cathia giggled. “Since she works at the bakery, I have more people coming the weekend compared to the weekdays. I really wonder what is the reason. It might be because there is a cute little seller behind the counter.”

With a nod of his head, Adrien lifted his glass. “This is good to hear. When Talia first told us she wanted to work at your place, we were both surprised and delighted. She has always been a shy girl, so being in contact with clients really helped.”

Sanya looked with the corners of her eyes at the embarrassed girl on her right, gazing downward. She could still recall the first moments when Talia had started to work. The first client had thought that Cathia had put a mannequin behind the counter when they had seen Talia.

Suddenly, Angelina brought everyone’s attention to herself. “Then, should we wrap this up with the dinner. Cathia, I saw you arrived with a little something. Do you mind if we get a taste of it?”

“No, of course. I will help you.” As she was about to stand up to help the mistress of the house, Catia elbowed lightly Sanya.

Sanya looked at her but realized what her action meant. ‘...Yes, it’s about time.’

Under the table, Sanya’s hand grabbed her lover’s one. Albeit the latter was startled, she understood. The grip naturally tightened.

Shortly after, the two mothers came back with delicious-looking pastries on small plates with flowers painting on it. The delicacies varied from the traditional mille-feuille to the shortcake topped with slices of fruits. The quantity was plenty enough to satisfy everyone at the table.

“It looks delicious.” Andrew threw a compliment upon seeing the cake in front of him. Being the brother of a glutton such as Talia, he sometimes had to accompany his little sister when she had gone shopping. Because of this, he was able to a certain extent able to tell the quality.

After this short analysis, he was absolutely sure that the sweet tooth on his left had already partaken. However, the sight betrayed his thoughts.‘Eh? The cake is still intact. Impossible. This has to be the second in that case...But, there is no wrapping around the plate. Is she sick?’

His narrowing eyes looked suspiciously at Talia. He then noticed that she was indeed fidgeting on her chair. Just as he was about to ask if something was wrong-

“Humhum! C-Can I have a moment, please?” Talia stood up with a determined face. Sanya immediately followed suit, making her interlocked hand visible to everyone.

Talia felt her heart racing faster than any moment of her life. Compared to this, fighting against foes was a lot easier. Brute force, techniques, and tactics resolved those situations most of the time.

This was not the case here. None of the battles, diplomatic negotiations, failures or victories prepared her for this.

But, there was still a light amongst this sea of unknown. The warmness that she felt by being next to Sanya.

She took a deep breath, calming her nerves. Her eyes were now crystal clear, free of all doubt.

“Sanya and I are dating. We love each other!”

...Despite the four pairs of eyes on them, no sound came out of the people around the table.

Slowly, Adrien faced his wife. “Is this not nice? You always told me you thought the two looked cute together. Hahaha!”

“Oh, dear. You say this, but who was the one who declared he would accept not his treasure to see any boys, but if it was Sanya it was fine?” Angelina placed her head on her palm with a grin while openly discussing her husband’s secret. Well, it was also true the other way around.

“...Eh?” The three youngest, Talia, Sanya and finally Andrew, gasped in shock.

Talia was the first to ask in a hurry. “You don’t mind the fact that I love girls?”

Her parents exchanged a glance and shook their head in sync. “I don’t see anything wrong with it. I mean, Sanya is a good girl. She is diligent and caring for you.”

“Yes. In fact, we should congratulate you. You found yourself a hard-working girlfriend. Just like your father!” Adrien nodded in approbation.

"Oh, you." Angelina giggled with her eyes closed.

“...” Sanya blushed like a tomato with her gaze wandering downward. Being complimented so honestly was, without questions, embarrassing. Especially coming from her beloved’s parents. However, her absent mind dissipated when she saw the shadow beside her slumping down.

Talia heaved a sigh of relief upon sitting down. But, a sudden realization crossed her mind, causing her to turn her head toward her brother. Noticing the intense stare, Andrew waved his hands in panic. “I don’t mind at all. On the contrary, I’m happy!”

“...Happy? I see.” Talia took a few seconds and finally picked up her spoon and began to feast upon the mouth-wetting cake. It was unknown if the smile on her face was due to the food or the acceptance of her family.

Under the table, Sanya had the impression that Talia’s grip became a lot calmer than previously.

...Meanwhile, Cathia had stayed silent the whole time. It was as if she had been aware that things would have gone smoothly.

--------------------------------------

Back in her room, Talia closed the door after letting Sanya enter. It was already late enough for the two guests to go back home, but Cathia still let her daughter some time with her lover.

Sanya put her hands behind her back as she had a sigh accompanied with a smile. “This really surprised me. Your family was so supportive. Right, Talia?...Talia?”

Due to the lake of a response, Sanya turned toward Talia in confusion. Talia’s back was against the sole door of the room, her gaze cast downward. From her angle, Sanya could vaguely see a light blush creeping up to her ears.

However, as she was about to reach in her direction, she felt no ground under her feet. “...Eh?”

Before she knew she was on top of the bed, just like earlier in the day. But, this time she was not lying to her own decision. Talia was on top of her, her hair dropping on the side acting as a shield to prevent anyone other than her lover to see her face. Seeing it, Sanya opened her eyes wide. “...Talia, are oka-?!”

Before she was able to finish her question, her lips were sealed by the moist ones of her girlfriend. The sudden and intense kiss completely caught her off guard. All she was able to do was to enjoy the warmness.

Shortly after, Talia moved her face, to bury it in her lover’s neck. With a ragged breathing, she whispered. “...I can’t hold back anymore.”

Having her time stopped during her teens had a secondary effect on Talia. Inside her, all those fifty years of boiling hormones and yearning for the one she loved were released all at once. It was like a dam hammered down by finally knowing her relatives accepted her relationship with Sanya. The easiest manifestation to this feeling was what she was doing right now.

“!” Sanya’s mind was assaulted by tingles caused by the barrage of kisses on her neck. Each time, she could feel the sensation of the wet lips making contact with her skin. They went from the base of neck to her cheeks. Talia’s face was once again in front of Sanya.

The two girls both had their visages flushed crimson. Despite this, Sanya saw all the excitement inside Talia’s eyes as she was loosening her tie. Her own heart skipped a beat before speeding up once more.

A few words reached her ears. “...Open your mouth.”

The next second, she felt something wet and sweet touching her own tongue. Talia had never been closer than this.

Meanwhile, the blue-haired girl’s hand began to roam on the pinned-down girl. It descended alongside the top of the dress toward the thighs. When it finally touched the hem, the fingers started their adventure underneath.

Despite the several intense deep kisses and her mind already melted, Sanya was back to reality when her thighs were touched. She was tempted to give in to the warmness and the ecstasy. The only salvation had been the last ounce of clarity that she had left.

Sanya lightly pushed up Talia. She could still taste the sweetness and scorching sensation inside her mouth. With a dazed mind, she mumbled with difficulty. “W-We can’t. It’s too soon…”

Hearing the faint voice escaped from those desired lips, Talia’s mind cleared lightly and stopped all of her actions.

“...”

“...” They just stayed motionless, unsure what to do. They were so close to crossing the line that Talia didn’t have an idea of what to do now.

Finally, Talia sat up on the side and turned her head in shame. “...Sorry. I went too far. I must have scared you.”

“No!” Sanya’s immediate reply even surprised herself. She sat next to Talia and gently took her hand.

“...It's true I was taken aback and what you did was unexpected...A-Also, it felt good. But!” Sanya tried to make her point clear, however her true feelings betrayed her. Regardless, she managed to formulate what her point was.

“We have only started dating a week ago. Doing this type of thing, I think it’s too soon…”

The two girls stayed in silence. The only audible sound was the faint noise coming from downstairs.

Talia finally opened her mouth. “When?”

“Eh?”

“When do you think will be the right time?” Talia took her lover’s hand and placed it against her chest. Sanya could feel the fast pace of the heart through the layer of clothes. Talia acting all meekly instead of confident was really the moment when Sanya remember Talia was still the same girl as before. Sometimes, Talia was just unsure of what to do.

If it was fighting again monsters or dealing with a troublesome people then she would just have to show her strength and it was done. If it was something else, then she would just have to work this out. It was not like the consequences would be catastrophic anyways.

But, the same could absolutely not be applied to her relationship with Sanya. In other words, she knew they loved each other, but she had no previous experience to tell the correct steps. All she could do was waiting for Sanya to give the signals. Just like she did the day she had confessed her love.

Sanya somehow got the gist of the situation. Her response to Talia’s interrogations and the matter in hands was simple. She embraced Talia from the front, allowing her to whisper directly in her ear. “...It’s fine to take our time. My love for you is certainly not something that will fade away. I can’t picture myself becoming older without you next to me and I want to believe it’s the same for you. Knowing this, you don’t have to worry...A-As for when, we can take the next step, I can’t tell you for sure. Maybe on a special day?...”

Talia’s gaze was directed downward. The words were being carved on her mind. Her brain proceeded faster than a computer the different upcoming dates. Her eyes flashed as she reached a perfect solution. “How about your birthday?”

“...That would be January….Oh my god. When I think of what we are talking about, I can’t help but be embarrassed!” Sanya buried her face in palms in shame, as redness took over up till the tips of her ears.

Talia put on a teasing smile and brought her lips just beside the scarlet ear. “On this day, I will-”

Sanya heard the rest of the sentence and became stoic for at least ten good seconds. The sound of the last bit was too low to be heard even from someone next to them. Only Sanya was allowed to know the remaining part. It was only after hearing this, did she became aware of how much Talia desired her.

--------------------------------------

Talia and Sanya were going down the stairs. It was already time for the mother and daughter to leave. Sanya’s cheeks were still slightly red from what happened earlier. Still, she decided to carve what happened deep in her heart.

When they reached the first floor, Cathia was already in the corridor with her handbag, speaking with Andrien and Angelina. They stopped talking when they saw the two girls coming down. When they reached where they were, Cathia opened her mouth. “Then, how about we...Oh, how daring.”

Sanya tilted her head after hearing her mother’s words. But, seeing where her line of sight was pointing to she suddenly had a thought. She covered her neck in a hurry. ‘No way! Did Talia left a mark?!’

Sanya turned to get an answer from Talia, but the earlier naughty girl avoided her eyes with a drop of sweat on her temple. It seemed Sanya’s guess was correct.

Fortunately, Talia’s parents could not see from where they were standing. She still covered the marks to be sure though. What she didn’t know was what her small hand could not hide all the traces of her girlfriend’s love.

Which meant that when Andrew arrived to say goodbye, he saw a faint hickey sticking out. His mouth gasped as he was momentarily shocked.

“Then, we should go. Thank you for the dinner. It was delicious.”

“No, we should be the one to thank you for looking after our daughter. Be safe on the way home.”

Sanya followed her mother as she was making her way out. She rotated slightly her body and waved toward Talia. "...See you tomorrow.”

Talia waved back with a thin smile. “...Yes.”

The door closed, leaving only one family at the doorstep. Angelina and Adrien left, letting Talia and Andrew alone.

Talia’s eyes were resting on the door in silence. She could not help but feel happy to have Sanya in her life. Suddenly, she sensed a gaze on her. “What is it?”

“...Nothing.” Andrew slowly looked away from his sister. Of course, Talia frowned a bit in confusion, but she decided that it had to be nothing. She walked up the stairs and returned to her room.

Meanwhile, Andrew was still standing in silence. Then, he pumped the air with his fist. A few words escaped his lips. "I sure have to talk to him about this tomorrow. I bet he will be envious.”