After our hectic meal finally drew to a close, Rei-san and Fia-san excused themselves with a pointed, "We’ll leave the rest of the evening to you two youngsters," sounding exactly like meddling chaperones at a matchmaking session.
We had already finished our baths, and since it was still a bit too early for bed, Sieg-san suggested we share a drink.
"……Huh, I had no idea this house had a place like this."
"Yes. My father had a friend who was once summoned to this world as the Hero-role and chose to stay here permanently. Apparently, my father took a liking to the engawa at that friend's house and decided to build one just like it for us."
"I see. It really is a proper engawa."
Behind the house, Sieg-san led me to a Japanese-style veranda. There wasn't a traditional garden to go with it, but the aesthetic was unmistakable.
However, the way it was used felt a little different—or perhaps it was just a difference in cultural sensibilities. Sieg-san spread a large cloth, much like a picnic blanket, across the wooden boards before sitting down.
When I took my seat beside her as prompted, I realized that even without a manicured garden, the view was lovely. The city of Rigforresia was so interwoven with nature that the surrounding trees gave the setting a quiet, poetic atmosphere.
"Is fruit wine alright with you?"
"Ah, yes."
"Then, here you go, Kaito-san."
"……Thank you."
As I sat on the engawa, Sieg-san handed me a glass and poured the liquor with a gentle smile.
It was a pale brown color, and for a split second, I thought it might be plum wine, but the aroma wafting from it was distinctly fruity.
"It is a liquor made from Riple Fruit called Rivel."
"Heh, it has a wonderful scent."
I see, Riple…… so it was an apple-based liquor. What was that called again? Was it Calvados? Or Calvadose? I couldn't remember the exact name, but since it was my first time trying it, I was looking forward to the taste.
Once Sieg-san finished pouring mine, I took the bottle and poured a glass for her. We lightly clinked our glasses together in a toast.
The first sip brought the refined, aged aroma of Riple spreading across my palate alongside the heat of the alcohol. It had a crisp acidity and a natural sweetness that was absolutely delicious.
I enjoy the bitterness of a good beer, but there was something special about a sophisticated drink like this.
Mind you, sitting on a carpeted engawa while sipping fruit wine was a bit of a surreal sight…… but considering I’d spent my first day in this world drinking coffee on tatami mats laid out on a balcony, I decided it wasn't worth overthinking.
"Kaito-san, please have some of these…… they are dried fruits."
"Thank you. Don't mind if I do."
As I savored the Rivel, Sieg-san quietly offered a plate of dried fruits.
I’d heard that chocolate and dried fruits paired well with brandy, and trying it now, the chewy texture was satisfying, and the moderate sweetness made the Rivel taste even more mellow.
"Come to think of it, Sieg-san, are you a strong drinker?"
"Me? Hmm, I only drink in moderation."
"That sounds like exactly what a heavy drinker would say."
"No, no, I'm truly just average. Among the three of us—myself, Lilia, and Luna—Luna is definitely the strongest. I have never once seen her intoxicated."
"Heh……"
Lunamaria-san was a heavy hitter, then. I could certainly see that. On the other hand, Lilia-san…… this was just my personal impression, but she seemed like she’d be a lightweight.
As if reading my mind, Sieg-san gave a gentle, wry smile.
"Just as you’re imagining, Kaito-san, Lilia is quite weak with alcohol. She becomes completely inebriated after only a few glasses."
"Ahaha, it might be rude of me, but that’s exactly what I expected."
"For the record, I don't care much for ales or beers. I mostly stick to wine or fruit liquor."
"Oh? Does beer exist in this world too?"
To my surprise, beer was a thing here. Then again, I’d already seen mayonnaise and chocolate, so it wasn't that strange for other things to have crossed over.
If that was the case, Japanese sake might be out there somewhere, too…… though it seemed more likely that someone like Noin-san would be the one holding onto it.
"Yes. It is very popular in the Kingdom of Sinfonia and the Hydra Kingdom, though it is rather unpopular in the Arclesia Empire."
"Unpopular in the Arclesia Empire? Wait, is that because of the high population of the Dwarf race?"
"Exactly. Dwarves prefer much stronger spirits, so they find beer somewhat lacking."
"I see…… Do Elves also find it lacking?"
"No, many among the Elf race enjoy beer. I am simply an exception. But generally speaking, wine remains the most popular choice."
As we continued our calm chat, tilting our glasses and enjoying the leisurely, pleasant atmosphere, my gaze was suddenly drawn to Sieg-san’s profile. She was illuminated by the soft moonlight and the faint glow of the nearby magic tools.
Perhaps it was the alcohol, but her cheeks were slightly flushed, adding a hint of sensuality to her already beautiful features. I found myself staring, captivated.
After a moment, Sieg-san seemed to notice my gaze. She tilted her head with that same gentle smile.
"……Are you curious about my ears?"
"Huh? Ah, er, well, yes. I suppose they’re a characteristic of the Elf race, so I was a bit curious."
She evidently thought I was looking at her ears rather than her face. She pointed to one of her own—the thin, horizontally elongated ear unique to Elves.
There was no way I could admit I was mesmerized by her profile, so I simply nodded in agreement.
"I was wondering if they ever hurt when you lie down sideways to sleep……"
"Ah, I see. But they are quite alright. Elf ears are much softer than those of humans."
"I-I see……"
Watching her touch her own ear, a sudden, powerful urge to feel it for myself washed over me.
How should I put it? It might be a bit different, but just like paw pads or soft skin, I think men have an inherent desire to touch soft things they don't have themselves.
……Wait, what am I thinking? Even if we just became lovers, blurting out "Please let me touch your ears" would be incredibly tactless……
"……Would you like to try touching them?"
"Gofuh!?"
"Kaito-san!?"
"……Cough…… hack……"
"A-Are you alright?"
Her offer perfectly anticipated the secret desire in my heart. The shock caused the liquor to go down the wrong pipe, and I broke into a fit of violent coughing.
"S-Sorry…… I'm okay…… T-That aside, er, really? Is it actually okay for me to touch them?"
"Eh? Yes……"
I definitely wanted to touch those long, supposedly soft ears, but I felt the need to confirm one more time.
Sieg-san was so kind that I worried she might just be indulging me even if she didn't want to. I focused my Sympathy Magic, waiting for her true feelings……
"I-If it were anyone else, I would hate it…… b-but if it's Kaito-san…… it's okay. W-We've become…… lovers, after all."
"!!??"
The moment I heard her response, I immediately regretted amping up my Sympathy Magic.
The sheer, overflowing affection radiating from her, combined with the way she was bashfully fidgeting, hit me with the force of a sledgehammer to the skull.
She’s…… she’s way too cute…… W-Wait, I feel like my self-control just took critical damage from an unexpected angle.
Feeling my heart racing, I looked at Sieg-san as she slightly cast her eyes downward. My hand reached out almost of its own accord.
"……T-Then, excuse me."
"Ah!? Wait a—Hyann!?"
"!? S-Sorry!? Was I too rough?"
I thought I’d waited for her permission, but Sieg-san let out a sudden cry just as my hand made contact. I tried to pull back in a panic, but it was too late; my fingers were already brushing against her ear.
Just as she’d said, it was so soft I could have mistaken it for a marshmallow. It felt incredible to the touch…… but because of that loud gasp, I scrambled to pull my hand away.
"……N-No, er…… Elf ears are used to read the wind and such…… so they are very sensitive. So, please touch them…… a little more gently."
"Y-Yes, sorry…… T-Then, er, let me try again……"
"Yes…… Ngh…… ahh……"
"They really are incredibly soft."
"I-Is that so…… Nhyu…… ah…… hyaa……"
Elf ears apparently possessed intense sensation, requiring a very delicate touch. After apologizing for my clumsiness, I reached out again and stroked her ear with the utmost care.
It was smooth and soft, yet had a certain elasticity that felt as though it were clinging to my skin…… This could easily become a habit.
And the part about them being sensitive was definitely true. Every time my fingers moved against the cartilage, Sieg-san let out small, breathy sounds.
My heart is pounding like crazy! Wait, I'm literally just touching her ear, right?! B-But, maybe it was the alcohol, but Sieg-san was being strangely suggestive, and th-this is bad—if I keep going, I'm really going to lose it……
"Th-Thank you very much."
"Haa…… Y-Yes."
"Um, er, I'm sorry about that."
"N-No!?"
"……"
"……"
What happened? We were talking normally just a minute ago, but now I’m so nervous I can't even look her in the eye!
An awkward, bashful silence hung between us. We stared at each other for a long moment before we both, as if by unspoken agreement, sat back down and turned our attention back to our drinks.
Trying to shake off the thick, embarrassed atmosphere, we raised our glasses again…… sitting just a little bit closer to each other than before.
Dear Mother, Father——Now that we’ve become lovers, it seems our sensibilities have really started to change. I find myself getting flustered by even the smallest of Sieg-san's gestures. But setting that aside, the ears of the Elf race were, just as she’d said——incredibly soft.