Though only a few hours had actually passed, I felt as exhausted as if several days had gone by by the time I returned to Lilia-san's mansion.
Ein-san mentioned she wanted to speak with the Goddess of Time a bit more... or rather, "exchange views" with her fists, so we parted ways at the temple. Thinking back on it, those two might actually be on good terms in their own strange way.
When I stepped off the carriage, Lunamaria-san was there to meet us, approaching with a look of concern.
"Welcome back, Milady, Miyama-sama."
"Thank you for meeting us, Luna."
"Milady? You look quite exhausted... Since it was an audience with the Goddess of Time-sama, I suppose that is only natural, but..."
"No, it would have been fine if it were only the Goddess of Time-sama... but I never imagined I would end up meeting the Creator God-sama..."
At Lunamaria-san's greeting, Lilia-san's shoulders slumped dejectedly, her voice heavy with a weariness that seemed to reach her very soul.
Lunamaria-san blinked in confusion, tilting her head.
"What are you saying, Milady? There is no reason for the Creator God-sama to visit the Human Realm except during the Hero Festival."
"Yes, exactly... That is what I thought as well."
"Eh? Um, Milady?"
After muttering with her head down, Lilia-san suddenly whipped around to face me and grabbed the front of my shirt with both hands. Her face was frantic, her eyes welling with tears of pure desperation.
"Honestly... what is the meaning of this, Kaito-san?! You told me you didn't have any more outrageous connections! You lied to meeeee!"
"N-No, well, I didn't know either, or rather..."
She continued to grip my collar, shaking me back and forth as she wailed. Lilia-san really is incredibly strong! I can't breathe!
It seemed that Lilia-san, finally released from the extreme tension of the audience, had her "panic switch" fully flipped. She seemed completely unaware of her own strength as she squeezed tighter and tighter.
"The most outrageous connection of all was still hidden! Why, of all people, did it have to be the Creator God-sama?! And what is this about receiving a Blessing?! Kaito-san, what are you trying to do to me?!"
"Wait, Lilia-san... my neck... I'm... choking..."
"Um, Milady..."
Lunamaria-san hovered nearby, looking flustered as she tried to calm Lilia-san down, but it was clear she wasn't being heard. This is bad. My life is actually in danger.
"I thought my heart was going to stop! I mean, that was the first time I've ever even heard the Creator God-sama's voice! There aren't any more, right? This is the last of them, isn't it?! If you're actually friends with the World King-sama or something, please just tell me now! My heart can't take any more of this!"
"...No... before that... your hands... let... go..."
"Milady! Milady!"
Everything was starting to go dark. I felt like my feet were physically leaving the ground. Lilia-san's strength was so overwhelming that I couldn't even try to break free.
Now that I think about it, I'm sure Kuro mentioned something about using magic power for Physical Enhancement... If I learn how to do that, maybe I'll be able to survive this kind of thing...
"Milady!!"
"What is it, Luna? I'm in the middle of a very important conversation..."
"I understand how you feel, Milady. I'm sure you've suffered quite a bit today... but if you don't let go this instant, Miyama-sama's soul is going to depart for the afterlife before he can offer an explanation!"
"...Eh? Ah?! K-Kaito-san?! I-I'm so sorry! Are you alright?!"
Lunamaria-san's voice finally pierced through the panic. Lilia-san turned pale and hurriedly released her death grip on my collar.
Finally free, I crumpled to the floor. My feet really had been dangling in the air.
"...I can see them... My late mother and father are calling to me..."
"Kaito-san?! Please, pull yourself together!"
As Lilia-san's voice drifted further and further away, I let my consciousness fade.
When I finally came to, Lilia-san gave me a full dogeza apology—she was so desperately sorry that I actually felt guilty for being the cause of it all.
Still, considering the sheer mental strain she had endured today, I couldn't exactly complain.
Lilia-san had started making some rather reckless offers, like "I'll do anything to make amends," so I quickly told her that I was partially to blame and that she shouldn't worry about it before retreating to my room.
While I hadn't been pushed quite as far as Lilia-san, I was still drained. I sank deep into my chair... and as I sipped the coffee that had been provided as if it were the most natural thing in the world, I reflected on the day.
"Ahaha, that sounds just like Shiro. You certainly had a rough time."
"...I'm exhausted."
I didn't even bother questioning why Kuro was in my room again; it was practically a given at this point. I just nibbled on a Baby Castella and reported the day's events to her.
"By the way, are Ein-san and the Goddess of Time actually on good terms? They seemed like they were ready to kill each other..."
"Hmm. They certainly fight a lot, but at the end of the day, Ein probably respects Chronoa-chan's strength more than anyone else does. And Chronoa-chan feels the same about Ein. I bet they've already finished their usual draw and are off sharing a drink somewhere right now."
I see. When she put it that way, I suppose you could call them friends.
If the Goddess of Time and Ein-san were "fighting friends" who could be brutally honest with one another, then they really were quite close. Still, I really wish someone had explained that to me beforehand.
"You certainly have a lot of worries, Kaito-kun."
"I have a feeling most of them are your fault, Kuro..."
"Ahaha, you might be right."
Seeing Kuro's wry smile, I couldn't help but chuckle as well.
In the end, talking to Kuro always put me at ease. She was the person I had spent the most time talking to since coming to this world, and because I didn't feel the need to be on my guard around her, it was incredibly relaxing.
I mean, she's technically an incredibly high-ranking being known as the Underworld King... but she usually doesn't have an ounce of dignity.
"Wait? Did I just get the vague feeling you were insulting me?"
"...It's just your imagination."
I spent some time enjoying our idle chatter, watching Kuro’s expressions shift and change as the fatigue of the day slowly melted away.
After a while, Kuro clapped her hands as if she had just remembered something.
"Oh, that's right. Kaito-kun, are you free tomorrow?"
"Hmm? Tomorrow? Well, I'm pretty much free all the time until it's time for me to go home."
Was she planning another surprise? I hoped it was something that wouldn't be too taxing.
"Remember how I said before that the two of us should go out and have some fun together?"
"Ah, right. You did say that."
I remembered her whispering that to me as she left Lilia-san's mansion the other day. Seeing me nod, Kuro gave me a brilliant, wide smile.
"So, tomorrow... let's go on a 'date'!"
"...Huh?"
Dear Mom, Dad—Kuro being impulsive is nothing new, but today she really outdid herself. To put it simply... for the first time in my life, I've been invited on a date.