...Aha.

You actually took it.

The bright red Love Apple, having left my fingertips, sparkled like glass in the sunlight. Every time the sugar coating glinted, I felt like the hidden meaning inside might be exposed. To be honest, until the very moment I handed it over, I thought it would end as a half-joke.

I thought you'd laugh and hand it back to me, saying, "Oh, come on, you're joking."

...

But you really took it.

...Pfft.

My lips were the first to break into a smile.

What's this, what's this? If you accept it so readily, it puts me in a spot.

I shrugged and raised both hands high.

Shouldn't you at least react once with something like, 'This is suspicious,' or 'Is this poisoned?'

Giggle.

As always, a laugh leaked out.

But strangely, today's laughter was a bit higher-pitched than usual.

'Damn it.'

I'm nervous.

Guest turned the candy apple this way and that. The red sugar sparkles every time it catches the light.

If you bite into it, it will surely make a crisp 'snap' sound.

...Just imagining it already made my throat feel dry.

Guest stared down at the Love Apple.

In reality, it was only a few seconds. A silence so brief it could end in a single blink.

Yet strangely, to me, it felt incredibly long.

'...Eat it.'

I muttered only to myself.

'Go on.'

Break that red sugar.

Swallow the sweetness I gave you until your mouth is full.

Remembering exactly who gave you that sweetness.

Until the very end.

Don't leave a single bite.

Eat it. Eat it. Eat it. Eat it. Eat it.

Because then, at least for today, the flavor that lingers longest inside you will be mine.

It will be me.

...Why are you looking at it like that?

I waved my hand with a smile, as if it were nothing.

Are you really suspecting it's poisoned? Don't worry, it's only called a 'Love' something-or-other. As for what it does when you eat it... well.

The corners of my mouth were turned up lightly as usual, but my gaze never shifted away from Guest holding the Love Apple for even a second.