It was the fifth day of the Month of Earth. I stood before the East Gate of the Royal Capital of Sinfonia.
Was it masonry or sun-dried brick? I lacked the architectural knowledge to tell just by looking, but the heavy, formidable walls and the massive gate were quite majestic when viewed from this close.
Since the walls surrounding the capital were enchanted with barrier magic, monsters generally couldn't approach, and the gates were kept open. The only exceptions were creatures like wyverns that possessed significant power and the ability to fly; however, while common in the Demon Realm, monsters with that level of flight capability were almost non-existent in the Human Realm.
Lilia-san's mansion was located near the city center, as befitted a noble, so I rarely came near the gates. It was my first time visiting the East Gate, and while I’d heard it was usually bustling with merchants and travelers, today it was wrapped in a silence that felt unnatural for a time just before noon. Even the gatekeepers had been reduced to a skeleton crew.
The reason was simple: Isis-san would be arriving here shortly. Thanks to my Sympathy Magic, I didn't fear her Magic Power of Death, but I was a special case. Whenever Isis-san visited a city, this sort of situation was the inevitable result.
As my pocket watch struck eleven—the time for our meeting—shimmering pillars of ice materialized before me. Shards of ice danced through the air like falling petals, and Isis-san appeared in their midst.
"…Kaito… hello."
"Isis-san! Hello. Thank you for coming out today."
"…No… but… is this okay? …Am I… a nuisance?"
"A nuisance? I’ve never thought of you that way, not even once."
Isis-san didn't specify what she meant by being a nuisance, but I could guess from the way she kept glancing at the shivering gatekeepers. She was worried that her visit to the capital would cause me trouble.
"I'm sorry for the sudden invitation. Do you remember what I told you when you helped me during the Treasure Tree Festival?"
"…Y-Yes."
Isis-san nodded, looking a bit bewildered by my smile. The reason I had invited her to the capital today was to follow through on an offer I’d made back then. I had promised her that we would go out for a meal together.
"…B-But… if I… go to a normal shop…"
"It's all right. I've thought that part through."
This was something I’d realized after the fact. Isis-san was constantly cloaked in her Magic Power of Death, which meant she unconsciously intimidated any living thing nearby. If we went to a regular restaurant, the staff would be terrified and the other customers would scramble to stay away. Isis-san wouldn't be able to enjoy herself in an environment like that.
"So, Isis-san. Today, let’s go on a 'picnic' together."
"…A picnic?"
"Yes. An acquaintance told me about a gentle hill past the East Gate that offers a panoramic view of the capital. Let's go there. I’ve even prepared a bento."
"…Won't I… be a burden… to Kaito?"
A picnic was the solution I’d devised. It would allow Isis-san to ignore the stares and reactions of others, and it would naturally give us the privacy I needed for my confession. However, she still seemed deeply concerned for me. I gave her the warmest smile I could manage to put her at ease.
"Far from being a burden… to be honest, I feel like I’m the one being helped by you, Isis-san."
"…Eh?"
"See, I’m quite weak, so I can't really venture outside the city on my own. I was actually hoping you’d protect me."
"…Hehe… okay… it's all right… I will… protect Kaito."
My intention seemed to have reached her. Isis-san smiled happily and nodded. We stepped through the East Gate and began walking away from the main road toward the hill.
"The weather turned out great today."
"…Yes… it’s been… warm lately."
"Now that you mention it, are there seasons in this world? Like warm months and cold months?"
As we strolled up the gentle slope, I asked her about the world's climate. The temperature was similar to spring in Japan, but I wondered if they had four distinct seasons here.
"…Yes… the Month of Light is… the warmest… and the Month of Heavens is… the coolest… The Demon Realm… varies by region."
"I see. So right now, we’re right in the middle of the range."
"…Yes."
The 30th of the Month of Heavens was the day I had been summoned. The temperature from then until the new year had felt like autumn at most, so it seemed the seasonal shifts here weren't as extreme as they were in Japan. I was fine with the cold, but I tended to sweat easily and hated the heat, so a world that mostly felt like spring or autumn was very comfortable for me.
"It’s nice to go out like this once in a while. Though, I suppose you’re used to traveling to all sorts of places for your collection."
"…Yes… but… going out with someone… it’s been a very long time…"
"Is that so?"
"…That’s why… having Kaito with me today… makes me… so happy."
As she spoke with a blissful smile, I was struck once again by how lovely she looked when she was happy. Isis-san blushed slightly and whispered a request.
"…Um… Kaito… may I… hold your hand?"
"Yes, of course."
"…Ah… it's warm…"
I smiled and gently grasped her hand. It was small and soft, fitting perfectly in mine. It felt a little chilly at first because of her low body temperature, but it soon warmed up as our heat mingled.
After about an hour of pleasant conversation, we arrived at a vast meadow that looked like a carpet of grass. We were quite high up now; the beautiful cityscape of the capital stood out vividly against the green landscape. It was a breathtaking view.
"It’s beautiful."
"…Yes… the weather is so clear today… we can see the capital perfectly."
We stood side-by-side on the hilltop, looking down at the world below. Isis-san snuggled close to me. Feeling her body heat and knowing what I was about to do, my nerves began to flare up.
"I-It’s about that time, so let's have lunch!"
"…Eh? …Okay."
My voice went up an octave from the tension, and Isis-san tilted her head curiously. I pulled a leisure sheet—actually, just a nice piece of cloth—out of my Magic Box and spread it on the ground. Once she was settled, I produced the bento.
"Um, so. I’m sorry if it’s not very good."
"Eh? K-Kaito… made this?"
"Y-Yes. I’m not particularly good at cooking, but a friend who is quite skilled has been teaching me recently. Since this was meant to be a thank-you to you, Isis-san, I wanted to make it myself."
"…Ah… thank… you."
Yes, I had actually made this bento myself. That said, I couldn't handle anything complicated, so I’d just managed to put it together under Sieg-san’s careful guidance. In stories, protagonists are often master chefs just because they lived alone, but I wasn't that lucky. I’d lived on my own, but my cooking had mostly consisted of stir-frying meat and vegetables with store-bought sauce. I couldn't make anything fancy.
Experience really made a difference. Even with the same ingredients and the same measurements, the food Sieg-san made was several times better than mine. I clearly needed more practice. If I’d known I would eventually be serving my cooking to a woman, I would have taken it more seriously.
"It might look a bit unrefined, but I tasted it as I went, so the flavor should be decent..."
"…No… Kaito… made this for me… I’m so… so… happy."
As I scratched my head sheepishly, Isis-san beamed at me with pure joy. She said "itadakimasu" and reached for the food. I felt incredibly anxious. Sieg-san had told me I’d done a good job, but I was still worried about whether she would actually like it.
Isis-san cut a rolled omelet in half, pierced it with a fork, and brought it to her mouth. Even her way of eating was refined and ladylike—nothing like a certain airheaded idiot I knew. She chewed slowly, as if savoring every bite, and then a single tear rolled down her cheek.
"Eh?! I-I'm sorry! Was it bad?"
"…No… that’s not it… it's really… delicious… More than anything I’ve ever eaten… it's much… more delicious."
"…Isis-san."
"…My heart feels so warm… and I’m so happy…"
Tears like shimmering pearls began to fall one after another. Seeing her so genuinely moved by my clumsy efforts warmed my own heart. In that moment, I knew. If I was going to tell her, it had to be now.
"…I-Isis-san!"
"…Eh?"
"T-There’s something I want to tell you…"
My voice was shaking with nerves. I looked straight into her ruby-like eyes.
Dear Mother, Father—I came on a picnic with Isis-san. She was as ladylike and lovely as always, and my heart wouldn't stop racing. But I’ve made up my mind. Right now—I'm going to confess to Isis-san.