I poured the wine Alice had given me into a glass and held it up to the night sky, where the meteor shower cascaded with dazzling intensity. The shooting stars reflected off the surface of the liquid; it was a scene so ethereal and beautiful it felt almost surreal.
"Everything is so brilliant. It makes me feel as though I’m partaking in something truly extravagant."
"I suppose we are. To be fair, Alice-sama's Wine is an exceptional vintage, and we’re watching a meteor shower from a vantage point of breathtaking beauty that few humans could ever hope to reach. By any definition, this is luxury."
"Plus, we have these delicious snacks you made. That really completes the experience, Sieg-san."
"N-No, comparing my simple cooking to fine wine or a meteor shower makes it seem so paltry... it's a little embarrassing."
"Actually, between the wine, the stars, and Sieg-san's Cooking, your food is the part that makes me the happiest."
"You're exaggerating... though it does make me happy to hear it."
I wasn't just being nice; her homemade food really was the highlight for me. Sieg-san was a talented cook, but I rarely had the opportunity to actually eat her meals.
Since I usually ate at the dining hall in Lilia-san's mansion, the food was typically prepared by the head chef and the other staff Lilia-san employed. Furthermore, Sieg-san’s duties with the Security Force often meant her meal times were irregular, so she usually cooked and ate for herself.
I knew she was kind enough to make me something whenever I asked, but that was exactly why it was difficult to ask on a whim. I didn't want to impose on her limited free time.
When we had tea together, she frequently brought out handmade sweets, so I enjoyed her baking often enough. However, actual savory dishes were a rare treat, making this evening feel very precious.
"I mentioned it earlier, but Sieg-san's Cooking has this gentle, soul-soothing quality to it. I’m a big fan, so being able to enjoy it like this makes me very glad."
"...If you're willing to go that far, I'll make us a bento next time. Perhaps we could take a trip somewhere further away?"
"That sounds wonderful. A picnic would be great, but maybe we could go sightseeing in another city and eat in a park? I’ve had more chances to visit places outside the capital lately, and it’s been fun seeing how each town has its own unique character."
"I'd love to hear more about that. I haven't traveled much outside the Kingdom of Sinfonia myself, so I'm curious about what the streets of the Arclesia Empire or the Hydra Kingdom look like."
"Well, for instance, if we're looking for a peaceful vibe... there was that time I joined the Flying Board tournament..."
As we ate the snacks and sipped our wine, I passed the time with idle chatter. Sieg-san listened with a soft smile, nodding along and occasionally offering stories from her own life.
As we talked, our plans for the future naturally expanded—places we wanted to visit together and things we wanted to see. I had called it a luxury earlier, but more than that, it felt like I was drifting through a moment of pure, heartwarming bliss.
"...By the way, Sieg-san..."
"Yes?"
I started to ask her something, but as soon as I looked at her face, my train of thought simply derailed. Sieg-san was already a striking beauty, possessing that refined yet gentle allure characteristic of a high elf, but her visual charm tonight was nothing short of staggering.
Perhaps it was because I was her lover, but she looked almost defenseless as she leaned against me with such a trusting expression. Her face, bathed in the starlight, was flushed a soft crimson from the alcohol. Seeing her like that hit me with the force of a physical blow; I realized all over again just how incredibly cute she was.
"Ah... sorry. I completely forgot what I was going to say."
"Fufu, that happens sometimes. Just let me know when you remember."
"Right."
She laughed softly at my lapse and nuzzled her cheek against my chest. Honestly, her cuteness was bordering on the criminal. She seemed even more relaxed and affectionate than usual tonight, showing me a vulnerable side that created a heart-melting gap with her usual composed self. Every little thing she did was adorable.
"Hmm?"
"Ah, er..."
I must have been staring too intently, because Sieg-san tilted her head with a puzzled look.
As I struggled to find a way to explain myself, she gave me a gentle smile and spoke.
"...Would you... like to kiss?"
"Eh? Oh, yes. Then, if you don't mind..."
That hadn't actually been what was on my mind, but by staring at her, I had apparently given the impression that I was waiting for the right moment to lean in, perhaps hesitating because she had been drinking.
And well, when a lover as beautiful as her makes an offer like that, there was no way I wasn't going to take it. I nodded, leaned toward her, and pressed my lips against hers.
"Nn..."
Maybe it was the wine, or maybe it was just the touch of bashfulness, but Sieg-san’s lips felt even warmer than they had during our kiss a few minutes ago. The sensation was so irresistibly sweet and pleasant that for a while, I completely lost myself in the moment.
Serious-senpai (Full-body Konpeito): "..."
Machina: "Munch, munch... Hmm... Right... Hup!"
Serious-senpai: "Gah!? M-My body is back to normal! Did Machina restore me? I mean, I'm grateful, but with the current sugar levels in the air, I'm just going to turn back into Konpeito immediately—"
Machina: "It's fine. I adjusted your settings so you won't turn into Konpeito before I revived you."
Serious-senpai: "Are you a God...? Wait, you are a God. Wow. I thought you were just a deranged, psychopathic lunatic, but I guess you do have a soft spot—"
Machina: "I got bored of the Konpeito flavor, so I adjusted you to turn into a Star-shaped Milky Cookie next."
Serious-senpai: ".........You're the same deranged, psychopathic lunatic as always......... I was an idiot for respecting you even for a second."