I felt as though I’d received some monumental blessing, but my body didn’t feel any different. Before I knew it, our tea party had resumed.
"Well, it’s not as if your physical abilities have improved or anything."
Shiro, who had returned to her expressionless state, was once again seated across from me.
According to what Lilia had told me, a blessing was supposed to be a type of defense magic. Even if I asked Shiro for specifics, she’d probably just say, "I wonder?" or something like that...
"Does this mean I won't catch any endemic diseases or things like that?"
"Yes."
I see, I see... I felt like I was starting to get the hang of how to talk to her.
"...Shiro."
"What is it?"
"You’ve been eating those silently, but they don’t actually taste good, do they? Those Baby Castella."
"Yes. The flavor is so appalling I would consider it a type of calamity."
"Wouldn't it be better if you brought out something else? Something you actually think is delicious, for instance..."
"I see."
"Ah, but don't bring out black tea as a snack to go with the black tea."
"...!"
I was truly beginning to realize that humans are incredibly adaptive creatures.
More than that, ever since that blessing incident, I felt like I’d found some mental breathing room. Unlike before, Shiro was actually looking at me properly now. Realizing that she did, in fact, have emotions made that heavy atmosphere—the kind where my spirit felt like it was being chipped away just by talking to her—vanish completely.
Furthermore, though it was only discernible if I looked very closely... I was beginning to recognize the subtle changes in her expressions.
The corners of her mouth would twitch up or down by a fraction of a millimeter. Those two quick blinks just now probably meant I’d hit the nail on the head and surprised her.
"That is correct."
Her voice was as monotone as ever, but once I got used to it, I began to see it as part of Shiro's individuality. It didn't really bother me anymore.
Confirming my thoughts, Shiro manifested a plate of new Cookies on the table.
At first glance, they looked like ordinary cookies, but these were also staggeringly delicious. Simply because they were shaped like cookies, they felt like some sort of divine substance in disguise.
"Speaking of which, are you and Kuro close? You mentioned you accepted a request from her."
"Yes. We often drink tea together."
"I can easily imagine Kuro talking her head off."
"Kuro says about three things for every one of mine."
"Ahaha."
Hmm. The combination of Kuro and Shiro... they were a strange pair with completely different statures and personalities. However, Kuro would aggressively drive the conversation and didn't sweat the small stuff, while Shiro wouldn't start a conversation herself but would answer when spoken to. Being an airhead in both good and bad ways, Shiro actually seemed quite compatible with her.
At the very least, Shiro seemed to think well of Kuro, as the corners of her mouth were currently raised by a few millimeters.
Yes. Somehow, I had come to understand Shiro's emotional changes, and I’d grasped the knack for conversing with her.
For better or worse, Shiro took my words literally and gave me honest, straightforward reactions—and though the changes were incredibly difficult to see, her expression did change. Once it reached that point, talking with Shiro became fun, and before I knew it, I had forgotten about the time as our natural small talk continued.
"It seems your companions' blessing has finished."
"Oh? Is it that time already?"
"Yes. Ninety-three minutes have passed since your arrival."
"Time flies, doesn't it?"
Hearing Shiro's sudden announcement, I realized that over an hour and a half had passed without me noticing.
At the same time, a door appeared next to Shiro. It likely meant I could return by going through there. Since the conversation with Shiro had been so enjoyable, I felt a twinge of regret, but I stood up to leave.
"...You are a strange human. Usually, no human would describe a conversation with me as enjoyable."
"Is that so?"
I tilted my head at Shiro's words, which she spoke while faintly raising the corners of her mouth. I certainly felt like the conversation wouldn't last at first, but that feeling had vanished as we spoke.
"That adaptability of yours might be called a talent."
"Ahaha, maybe I'm just easily swayed."
"Perhaps so."
"You really won't deny it!?"
Well, Shiro was just that kind of person. That was exactly why there was a different kind of charm here compared to talking with Kuro...
"If you'd like, may I invite you to tea again?"
"Yes, by all means. It might be good to have Kuro join us next time as well."
"That sounds like fun."
"Ah, but it's bad for my heart, so please spare me from things like sudden teleportation."
"............I will think about it."
"If possible, I'd like you to make a snap decision there."
"I will think about it."
"And I’m not talking about the 'pause' before you answer!"
Well, in that case, Kuro would almost certainly dominate the conversation the entire time, but that sounded fun in its own way.
I used to think that tea parties were aristocratic, elegant things that wouldn't suit me... but after actually trying it, chatting while enjoying delicious Black Tea was quite pleasant. I felt like I finally understood the mindset of the "normies" who spent their time chatting in cafes.
As I was thinking that, Shiro held out her palm toward me and manifested a small jar.
"Here."
"Is it okay?"
"Yes."
When I accepted the jar, I saw dried tea leaves inside... Wait, was this the same blend as that incredibly delicious tea? This was a gift I could truly appreciate.
"Thank you very much."
"No, it was an enjoyable time for me as well."
Shiro spoke in her usual monotone voice while faintly raising the corners of her mouth, and then she gave her finger a slight flick. With just that motion, my clothes returned to the outfit I’d been wearing before I changed into the Ritual Robes.
After thanking Shiro one more time, I opened the door.
Dear Mom, Dad—there was quite a bit of confusion, but in the end, Shiro... she was an interesting person.
After watching Kaito pass through the door until it disappeared, Shallow Vernal stood serenely in the Hanging Garden.
"I see why you took a liking to him. He was indeed similar to you in some way, Kuro. Not in personality, but in the Brilliance of the Soul..."
She murmured to no one in particular, her lips curving upward ever so slightly.
"Perhaps it might be an interesting diversion to keep an eye on a single life form for a change."
A wind blew along with her whispered words, making the flowers blooming in the Hanging Garden sway as if dancing. The cloudless sky was clear, and the vast Earth ticked away the time leisurely.
As if reflecting her heart—it was, joyfully—