After finishing our walk, Sieg-san and I returned to Rei-san and Fia-san’s house.
The sentimental mood I’d been in earlier had cleared after my time with Sieg-san. I had intended to get a good night's sleep to prepare for tomorrow, but a troublesome situation arose just as we were settling in.
"Kaito-san! How many times do I have to tell you before it sinks in!?"
"That’s my line!"
"...You’re a stubborn man."
"...I’m returning those words right back to you."
This was the first time since we met that Sieg-san and I were actually arguing. It wasn't that we were angry at each other or had any complaints; it was simply a clash of unyielding opinions.
"...That’s why I’m saying I’ll sleep on the floor! Sieg-san, please take the bed!"
"No! Kaito-san, you’re the guest! I’ll sleep on the floor!"
"If you’re going to put it that way, I still can’t let a woman sleep on the floor! I’m not backing down on this!"
The source of our argument was the single bed. It was a double-sized bed, plenty big enough for two people to sleep in, but I’d figured Sieg-san wouldn’t want to share a bed with a man like me. I’d planned to sleep on the floor from the start and told her so, but she insisted she couldn’t let a guest like me take the floor.
Now we were trapped in a deadlock of mutual courtesy.
"I have a sturdier constitution," she argued. "I spent a lot of time camping out in the wild back in the day. The floor is fine."
"In my world, sleeping on the floor is actually quite common. I’m perfectly fine with it."
"..."
"..."
Lilia-san had once mentioned that Sieg-san and I were two of a kind. I was starting to realize she was right.
"In any case, I have my pride as a man! I won't let a woman sleep on the floor!"
"You don't need to treat me like a woman! I don’t have any sex appeal or femininity anyway!"
"That's not true! Sieg-san, I think you're an incredibly attractive and wonderful woman!"
"Heh!? A-Ah... th-thank you very much..."
"Eh? Ah, no..."
I had reflexively blurted out something outrageous.
I’d practically shouted it at her. Sieg-san turned bright red and looked down, and I found myself unable to follow up. As we both lapsed into an awkward silence, seeing her fidgeting made me feel embarrassed too, and I had to turn my gaze away.
Still, we weren't getting anywhere like this. After a long silence, I slowly spoke up.
"...B-But... if neither of us is willing to budge, the only option left is for us to share the bed."
"...I-I... d-don't... mind."
"...Huh?"
I’d pointed out that sharing the bed was the only logical solution if neither of us would accept the floor, but I was shocked when she actually agreed. I knew she was just being considerate, but...
"...Are you really sure you're okay with that?"
"...Yes. Unless... Kaito-san, would you find it unpleasant to share a bed with a large woman like me?"
"N-No, not at all. Like I said, Sieg-san, you're a wonderful woman. Height and everything else included, I find you very attractive."
"——!?!?"
Sieg-san was about the same height as me—maybe even a little taller—and she seemed to be quite self-conscious about it. She’d asked me several times before if she looked too intimidating because of her stature and facial features.
It was true that she was tall, and her beauty was so striking it could give off a cool, distant impression. But once you actually talked to her, she was incredibly kind. Between that and her slender, graceful proportions, her height only added to her charm.
"...P-Please don't flatter me like that. It's embarrassing."
"Ah, s-sorry."
Back when Sieg-san couldn't speak, I had learned to understand what she was thinking even without words. Conversely, it seemed she could read me pretty well too. My genuine attraction must have reached her; Sieg-san turned red all the way to the tips of her long ears and looked down. She looked incredibly cute... and the realization of what was about to happen sent my heart rate through the roof.
It was quiet. Incredibly, deathly quiet.
The ticking of the clock sounded unnaturally loud. Wrapped in the transparent stillness of the night, I lay there with my eyes shut tight. My body was exhausted from the long flight via Wyvern Service and the walk we’d just taken, yet I didn't feel like I could sleep at all.
I was lying on my side at the edge of the bed. Behind me, Sieg-san was lying facing the opposite direction.
"...Kaito-san... are you awake?"
"...Yes."
Time felt like it was stretching out indefinitely in the darkness. Then, I heard a small voice from behind me.
"...Don't you think... there's a lot of wasted space in the middle?"
"...I was just thinking the same thing."
We were lying back-to-back, keeping as much distance between us as possible. Even though the bed was larger than a standard one, it wasn't quite king-sized. By staying at the edges, we were both practically teetering on the brink of the mattress.
Maybe it was just our personalities, but the middle of the bed was completely empty.
"...Should we move a little closer?"
"...Yes."
I’d been thinking it, but I hadn't wanted to be rude by suggesting it. Since she’d brought it up, I agreed, though my heart was pounding. I shuffled backward toward the center of the bed, careful not to turn around. I heard the rustle of sheets from behind me as she did the same.
"—!?"
It’s hard to judge distance when you're moving blindly. My back suddenly brushed against hers, and we both jerked in surprise at the same time. My nerves were so on edge that even the slightest touch felt like a bolt of heat.
I could hear my own heart thumping against my ribs. In the middle of this boiling tension, I tried to think of something to say to break the mood, but Sieg-san beat me to it.
"...Kaito-san, can I ask you something strange?"
"...Something strange? Sure, go ahead."
Her voice was slightly higher than usual. I tilted my head, waiting. After a brief pause, she spoke slowly.
"...Earlier today, with my father... um, you were talking about my underwear and things like that..."
"Huh? Ah, no, that was just Rei-san being a clown!?"
"Fufu, I know. I’m sure that part was just his usual nonsense."
"Right?"
I’d panicked and started making excuses for something I hadn't even done. Sieg-san let out a soft, dry chuckle at my overreaction before continuing with something even more shocking.
"I don't really understand these things myself, but... for example... Kaito-san, would you... want to see me in my underwear?"
"Wha—!? S-Sieg-san!? What are you talking about!?"
"I just wondered... what a man would feel... looking at a woman like me. I don't have much of a chest, and I'm not very feminine. I've heard that men prefer women with large breasts..."
"..."
What kind of question was that? Was I supposed to answer? This was mortifying.
But looking at how she’d been acting, I realized she really didn't have any confidence in herself as a woman. She wanted a man’s honest opinion. If that was the case, I had to give it to her straight.
"...I think it depends on the person. I’m sure some men only care about breast size, but... personally, I think you’re plenty attractive just as you are."
"...For example, if it were me? If you saw me like that, Kaito-san... w-would you... get excited?"
"...I definitely would. Like I’ve said, I think you’re a very attractive woman, Sieg-san. To be honest... I’m incredibly nervous just being this close to you right now."
"...Is that true?"
My face felt like it was on fire, but I told her the absolute truth. Her voice sounded a little fragile, as if she were seeking reassurance.
"Yes. I really think you should have more confidence in yourself."
"...Kaito-san, I don't want to hear about low self-esteem from you of all people."
"Ugh!?"
That was a devastating counter-argument. I had no comeback for that. I didn't exactly have a lot of self-confidence myself; I was a coward at heart, and I always felt like I was shrinking whenever someone praised me. I didn't think that would ever change.
"Fufufu. But thank you. I think I’ve gained a little confidence."
"I-I see... That’s good."
"...Ah, but please don't steal my underwear."
"I’m not going to steal them!!"
I shot back a sharp rebuttal to her playful remark. Even if it was a joke, I couldn't believe she was still teasing me about that. What kind of person did she think I was?
"...I think you’re the most wonderful man I know."
She said it as if she’d read my mind. The heat in my face, which had finally started to recede, came rushing back with a vengeance. Yeah, sleep was definitely out of the question tonight.
Dear Mother, Father—Sieg-san is a kind, domestic, and incredibly reliable woman. But she’s not perfect; she gets anxious, she lacks confidence, and she has a very human side to her. And taking all of that into account, I think—she’s a truly wonderful woman.