After the battle with the demon king, Takashi and Aria returned to Hikari High School of Magic as heroes. The students cheered for them as they walked through the halls, and even the teachers congratulated them on their victory.
But Takashi couldn't stop thinking about what had happened during the battle. As they had fought together, he had realized something about his feelings for Aria. He had been hesitant to admit it before, but now he knew that he was in love with her.
Takashi had never felt this way before. He had always been focused on becoming a strong magician and proving himself to others. But now, he found himself wanting to prove himself to Aria, to show her how much he cared for her.
As he sat in his room, he couldn't stop thinking about how to tell Aria about his feelings. He didn't want to ruin their partnership or make things awkward between them, but he knew that he couldn't keep his feelings hidden forever.
The next day, Takashi and Aria were practicing their magic in the forest when Takashi finally gathered the courage to speak up. "Aria, there's something I need to tell you," he said, his heart racing.
Aria looked at him curiously, her wings fluttering slightly. "What is it, Takashi?"
"I...I think I'm in love with you," Takashi blurted out, unable to keep the words in any longer.
Aria looked surprised, but she didn't seem uncomfortable. "I see," she said softly. "Takashi, I have known about your feelings for a while now."
Takashi's eyes widened in shock. "You...you knew?"
Aria nodded. "Yes. As an angel, I can sense the emotions of those around me. I have sensed your feelings for some time now, but I didn't want to say anything until you were ready to talk about it."
Takashi felt relieved that Aria already knew, but he was still unsure about how she felt about him. "And...what do you think about my feelings?" he asked hesitantly.
Aria smiled at him, her eyes shining with warmth. "Takashi, I care for you deeply. You have grown so much as a magician, and I am proud to be your partner. But I also feel something more for you, something that I haven't felt for anyone else before."
Takashi's heart skipped a beat at her words. He had never imagined that Aria would feel the same way about him. "Aria...does this mean that you...feel the same way I do?"
Aria nodded, a blush spreading across her cheeks. "Yes, Takashi. I love you too."
Takashi couldn't believe his ears. He had never felt this happy before. He leaned in to kiss Aria, and she met him halfway, their lips meeting in a gentle embrace.
As they pulled away, Takashi felt a sense of contentment wash over him. He knew that his bond with Aria had deepened, and that they were now not only partners but also lovers.
From that day on, Takashi and Aria's partnership became even stronger. They continued to practice their magic together, but now with a newfound sense of intimacy and closeness.
The students of Hikari High School of Magic noticed the change in their relationship, but instead of mocking them, they respected them even more. Takashi and Aria had proven that their bond was unbreakable, and their love for each other had only made them stronger.
Takashi realized that he had found not only a partner in Aria but also a soulmate