"So, the country depicted in this story is modeled after a city in the Demon Realm?"
"...Yes... a large city... in the Eastern Region. Because of the many materials... that luminesce with magic power... it is called... the City That Knows No Night."
It was the eighth day of the Month of Earth. Now that Isis-san and I were officially a couple, I had come to visit her castle, where we were currently reading a book together.
Now that our relationship had progressed from friendship to love, I found myself feeling much more at ease, allowing me to visit her more casually than I once had. At this rate, I wouldn't be so easily startled or nervous by sudden occurrences; I felt like I was becoming capable of maintaining a calm, composed response. Perhaps I was even starting to develop the sophisticated air of an adult man...
"...Ka~ito."
"Uhyah!?"
"...A-Are you all right?"
"Ye-Yes! I-I'm perfectly fine!"
I take back what I just thought. A single sweet whisper in my ear was enough to send the blood rushing to my head. It seemed that "adult composure" was still far out of my reach.
Since we had become lovers, Isis-san had become much more proactive with her physical affection. In short, the opportunities for us to be in close contact had increased. She approached me in a way that was almost entirely defenseless, which made me incredibly nervous.
Even now... how should I put it? We were both huddled together under a single blanket—a deeply unsettling position for my heart.
"...Kaito... aren't you cold?"
"No, I'm actually quite warm. What about you, Isis-san?"
"...Because Kaito is by my side... not just my body... but my heart, too... is warm."
This had all started because Isis-san, worrying about me as a human, had prepared a blanket. Thanks to Shiro-san's Blessing, I didn't feel the freezing cold even inside this castle of ice; at most, it felt slightly chilly. However, I couldn't simply brush aside her kindness, so I had accepted the blanket. That part was fine, but then Isis-san had naturally huddled close and wrapped herself in the same blanket.
Between the warmth of Isis-san's body, the heat trapped by the blanket, and her face being so close that I could feel her breath against my ear... I no longer knew which of them was making my face flush so intensely. But while I was certainly embarrassed, more than that, I felt happy. It was difficult to put into words, but I felt as though our hearts were deeply connected. Even without doing anything special, I felt enveloped in an overflowing sense of bliss just by being together.
I was staying at Isis-san's castle for only one night this time. Of course, as a healthy young man, I had certain... well, imaginations. I'd thought about what it would be like to savor every inch of her, but I desperately suppressed those thoughts.
To be honest, I suspected that even if things headed in that direction, Isis-san would likely welcome me with joy. My restraint was more a matter of my own meager pride. I wasn't trying to claim that a "pure" relationship was the only way to go, but I felt that moving to that stage only a few days after we started dating was just too fast.
Because Isis-san didn't have a finite lifespan and had already lived for tens of thousands of years—Kuro was the same way—their love was incredibly pure and straightforward. She accepted me completely and found happiness just in the time we shared. Perhaps because of that, she took the stance that she would respond whenever I desired it, meaning the timing was entirely up to me.
Honestly, that made it incredibly difficult to make a move. Since her affection was so pure, I—a total novice in these matters—had no idea when it was appropriate to take the next step. I didn't want it to seem like that was my only goal by being too aggressive, yet I knew I wouldn't be able to endure being left in this state of suspense forever. Things were never simple.
For now, I supposed I was just waiting for the right moment. I hoped that if the atmosphere naturally felt right, I would be able to act... I should be able to... I really hope I can...
"...Kaito... here."
"Thank you."
"...Is it... good?"
"Yes. It's even more delicious than the last time I had it."
I shook off my agonizing thoughts and ate the food she gently offered, her hand supporting the bite. As was her custom, Isis-san was feeding me herself, and while I felt self-conscious, I was also happy.
The flavor was clearly more refined than before. When I considered how Isis-san, who didn't even need to eat, must have practiced so hard for my sake, I felt so happy I could cry.
"...Kaito... being happy... makes me... the happiest."
"...Isis-san."
"...Tell me... more... about the foods you like... and the things... you love."
"I will."
Isis-san’s love was a gentle devotion, different from the way Kuro forcefully pulled me along. It made me realize once again just how lucky I was. I was still bewildered by the unfamiliarity of having a lover, but as I basked in this happiness, I hoped I could learn how to handle it at my own pace...
"...Kaito... the bath... let's go in together?"
"Pfft!?"
Reality, however, was heartless and refused to wait for me.
The bath? Together with Isis-san? Even last time I'd been at my limit, feeling my rational mind fraying at the edges. Now that we were officially lovers? I didn't have a shred of confidence that I could survive that.
But if I refused, she would look so sad. From the moment I became her lover—no, from the moment I fell in love with her—the option to refuse her invitations had vanished.
"I'm going in too!"
"What!?"
"...Kuromueina... welcome."
Fluttering her black coat, Kuro manifested out of thin air. When did she get here!?
I'll say it again because it's important: reality is heartless. I didn't have even a grain of confidence in my endurance with Isis-san alone, and now Kuro was joining in? Was the world just telling me to die?
"Good evening, Isis. Here, I brought a souvenir."
"...Thank you... Kuromueina... will you join us... in the bath?"
"Yeah! I'd love to, if that's all right?"
"...Mmhmm... I'm happy... to have Kuromueina too... Let's go in... the three of us."
Ignoring my state of total confusion, Kuro and Isis-san exchanged cheerful words.
"Hey, Isis. Let's wash Kaito-kun together."
"...Yes... together... we'll soothe... Kaito's fatigue."
They both looked so happy! There was no way I could turn them down now!
As long as one lives, hardships and trials are bound to occur. In fact, one could say my dilemma was a luxury. I almost felt as though it would be easier to just give in and make a move, but I couldn't. This was an important step for all three of us; I couldn't let myself be swept away by the moment.
My body was trembling. Was this what they called a warrior's shiver? As Kuro and Isis-san talked merrily, the door to the bathroom looked exceptionally imposing. Fine then! I'll show the world that I can overcome this trial!
Dear Mother, Father—I came to visit Isis-san’s house again, and I’ve been cornered into another mixed bath that will surely push my sanity to its absolute breaking point. I'll do my best. I'll get through this. Once this stay is over—I'll invite Alice to get some yakiniku...
Alice: "Wait, did I just get a random windfall!?"
And so, we have another mixed bath scene, this time with a girl in each hand.
A Mother-and-Child (Foster Parent) Bowl, you say...? Kaito, would you just explode already? Please, for the love of everything, just explode.