A pleasant aroma drifted toward me, prompting me to slowly open my eyes. There, I saw Sieg-san brewing black tea over a magic tool that resembled a portable stove.
I shook my still-groggy head and sat up. Noticing my movement, Sieg-san turned to me with a gentle smile.
"Good morning, Kaito-san."
"Morning... Um, how long was I out for?"
"About two hours."
"T-That long? You could have woken me up, you know."
"You looked like you were sleeping so comfortably... Please, wait just a moment. The tea is almost ready."
It seemed I had slept much longer than I realized. Feeling a bit apologetic, I accepted the cup of black tea Sieg-san offered. The warmth of the tea seeped into my body, and the haze of sleep gradually lifted.
"Kaito-san, have one of these as well."
"...What's this?"
"It’s called a Fruit Stick. They’re quite popular among the Elves."
Sieg-san held out a long, thin snack roughly the size of my palm. In appearance, it reminded me of a spring roll.
A Fruit Stick... Come to think of it, didn't Alice ask me to pick some up as a souvenir? I see, so this is one of Rigforresia's famous confections.
I took one and bit into it. A burst of natural sweetness from the fruit jam met my tongue, perfectly complemented by the chewy outer skin. It was delicious. It wasn't quite soft enough to be called a jam bun, nor was it as crumbly as a scone. The jam contained large chunks of fruit, providing a wonderful variety of textures with every bite.
"This is really good. I think I’ve found a new favorite."
"I am glad they are to your liking."
"For some reason, it reminds me of the jam cookies we bought when we went out together for the first time, Sieg-san."
"That shop stocks its fruit from Rigforresia, after all."
I enjoyed the tea and the snacks while engaging in light small talk with Sieg-san. Since I had slept for two hours after lunch, the timing was perfect for a mid-afternoon tea break.
"Actually, Kaito-san, that wasn't entirely accurate. That day we went shopping together was not the first time I accompanied you as your guard."
"Eh? Really?"
"Yes. You may not have noticed, but I have been guarding you since the very first day you arrived in this world. Of course, now that the Phantasm King-sama is looking after you, I have been relieved of that duty."
I had always thought our first meeting was that shopping trip, but it turned out she had been watching over me from a distance whenever I left the mansion, long before I ever realized it. That explained why she had been the first to arrive when Eta and Theta attacked me...
"I had no idea. You’ve been looking after me for a long time then, Sieg-san."
"Though I was a bit of a failure as a guard, seeing as I lost track of you on that very first day."
"No, don't say that... well, thank you again, for everything."
"I am the one who should be thanking you."
"...Eh?"
She had been protecting me in places I never saw. When I offered my thanks for that fact, Sieg-san slowly shook her head, her jade eyes locking onto mine.
"At first, I thought you were just an ordinary, somewhat unreliable person, Kaito-san... Someone swept along by circumstances, bewildered and lacking a firm will. I thought you were the kind of person one could find anywhere."
"Ahaha, I think that’s a fair assessment, honestly."
"No, that impression was only because my eyes were clouded. You are a much stronger and more admirable person than I ever was."
"N-No, I’m really not anyone that special..."
Sieg-san spoke with a calm tone, yet her words were filled with such high praise that I couldn't help but scratch my head in embarrassment. Still, she didn't look away, her gaze steady and filled with conviction. The emotions radiating from her were... affection? Respect? Whatever they were, they were incredibly positive and powerful.
"I have been watching you this entire time. To be thrust into an unfamiliar world without preparation, surrounded by those far stronger than yourself, many of whom were far from friendly... I cannot even begin to fathom the anxiety and pressure you must have felt."
"I was just... blessed with the people I met."
It was as she said. No matter how energetic I tried to act, I had been terrified at first. Being in a world where my common sense was useless, having to rely entirely on strangers—it was impossible not to feel anxious. But I was lucky. I was blessed with the connections I made and the people I encountered. Thanks to them, I'm truly enjoying my life now.
"Being blessed with connections is a talent in its own right. But more than anything, I believe so many people gathered around you because of your character, Kaito-san."
"Sieg-san..."
"You are a kind, strong person who is straightforward and always thinks of others. I have received so much courage from you."
"Courage?"
Her voice was gentle but had a firm core. I realized then that this was a deeply important conversation for her. Sensing the weight of her words, I straightened my posture and looked her in the eye.
"Yes. For someone like me, who wanted to change her circumstances but was too afraid of making things worse to move, you were a radiant presence. And you, Kaito-san, easily changed things that I couldn't change in years of trying."
"..."
"My relationship with Lili, the guilt she carried in her heart, and even my lost voice... You brought about so many miracles. The things I wanted, the things that had been broken... you picked them up one by one and offered them back to me."
"I don't think I did anything that grand. If things changed for the better, I think it was your own strength that did it, Sieg-san."
The relationship between Lilia-san and Sieg-san was repaired because they both cared for each other; I was just a small catalyst. Lilia-san’s guilt eased because she was strong enough to face the future. And Sieg-san’s voice returning was ultimately thanks to Lilliwood-san. I might have helped a little, but the credit belonged to Sieg-san herself.
When I said as much, Sieg-san gave a gentle smile, as if she had known exactly how I would respond.
"Yes, I knew you would say that. Because you are so kind, I..."
"Sieg-san?"
"Even if you feel that way, the gratitude I feel for you is beyond words. Truly, thank you for everything."
"A-Ah, you're... you're very welcome?"
Sieg-san bowed her head deeply. When she looked up again, her eyes were focused intently on mine.
"To me, Kaito-san, you are like the sun. Dazzling and vast, yet providing a warm, powerful guidance... To someone as wonderful as you..."
"S-Sieg-san?"
"I am a weak Elf. I haven't been able to find the courage until now. But finally, I have found the strength to tell you how I feel. I want to stay by your side. I want to be closer to you than I’ve ever been before..."
"..."
My heart began to race. Every word she spoke in that serious, unwavering voice resonated clearly within me. I was bewildered, yet I felt as though I couldn't look away from her. I shouldn't look away.
After a brief silence, Sieg-san spoke with the weight of all her emotions behind her words.
"Kaito-san... I love you. As a man."
"!!??"
At that declaration, my thoughts came to a grinding halt.
Dear Mother, Father—It wasn't entirely unexpected. I had noticed that Sieg-san felt fondly toward me. But I had assumed, quite selfishly, that it was merely a deep friendship or respect. My assumptions were wrong. Today, I was confessed to by Sieg-san.