It was the 5th of the Month of Wind. I’d officially been awake for three days straight, but thanks to the Fruit of the World Tree, my body felt energetic. Any drowsiness I felt was purely a result of mental fatigue, and I’d managed to push through that with sheer willpower.
The fact that I’d probably pass out the moment I relaxed was a bit of a problem... but the solution was simple: I just wouldn't relax! As long as I maintained my focus, everything would be fine. Or, at least, that’s what I told myself. I might have been riding a bit of a manic high.
Regardless, that was the mindset I had as I worked, but life is rarely that simple.
Despite my best efforts to overcome this hurdle with grit and determination, I soon found myself overcome by a sense of unprecedented terror. Now, I was sitting in formal seiza on the floor of my room, right where I always lived.
"Kaito-kun. Do you have any idea why I’m angry?"
"I... I’m sorry."
"I didn't ask for an apology. I asked if you understood why I was angry."
"Hieee..."
Before me stood a demon of rage... or rather, Kuro, looking more furious than I had ever seen her.
Her arms were crossed, and she spoke in a gentle, reasoning tone, but her eyes were completely stone-cold. To put it bluntly, she was terrifying.
It had all started when Kuro came by to supervise my magic formulas. I had intended to hide my exhaustion, but I couldn't fool her eyes. She had interrogated me until I confessed to the all-nighters, and this was the result.
I knew it was entirely my own fault, but the situation was truly frightening. A dark haze was literally seething from Kuro’s body; I could feel her genuine fury radiating through the air.
"I-It’s because... I stayed up all night."
"Yes. That’s right. For three days, without saying a word to me. You stayed up all night, didn't you?"
"Y-Ye-Yes!"
My terror was so great that I had defaulted to formal speech. Kuro didn't look amused. Her eyes remained devoid of light, even as a thin smile played across her lips. It was haunting.
"I told you, didn't I? I told you not to overdo it. I’m sure I said that."
"Yes... You did."
"And you said you understood, didn't you? You promised you would get some sleep."
"I... I did."
"I wonder... would it be better if I just forced you to sleep?"
"Hick!"
My body shook, and sweat poured down my face like a waterfall. I hung my head, and Kuro fell silent for a long moment.
The tension was suffocating, like sitting on a bed of needles. I waited for her words like a prisoner awaiting a death sentence until, finally, Kuro let out a heavy sigh.
"Haa... Honestly, Kaito-kun, you really are something else."
"K-Kuro?"
"I told you that you would make it in time even at your current pace. Why would you be so reckless?"
"W-Well, that’s..."
Her voice was no longer spine-chilling. It was filled with exasperation.
Sensing her anger had ebbed, I timidly looked up. Her cold, fixed gaze had softened into something much gentler.
"Even if the Fruit of the World Tree restores your physical strength, it can’t heal a weary heart, you know?"
"I know."
"You’re going to give me a proper explanation, aren't you? Why you pushed yourself this hard..."
"Yeah."
I had wanted to keep it a surprise, but I couldn't keep it from her anymore. I had worried her so much she’d become genuinely angry. My old bad habit—losing sight of everything once I focused on a task—had reared its head for the first time in a while.
I needed to reflect on that and do better, but first, I owed Kuro the truth.
"Actually... I realized I didn't just want to give a gift to Lilia-san. I wanted to give something to you, Kuro, and to Isis-san, and everyone else who helped me with the work. So I increased the number of gifts I was making."
"Wait... what?"
"I’m changing the songs and the designs for every single one, so I ran out of time. I didn't want to put yours off until later, so I thought I’d just cut back on sleep to get them done. I’m really sorry."
"For me? A present? A music box?"
"Yeah. You and Isis-san and everyone else have done so much for me... I wanted to take this chance to thank you properly."
"..."
I watched her face fearfully after my confession. Kuro’s expression was a complex knot of lingering anger and burgeoning joy.
She started to speak several times, but the words wouldn't come. She looked troubled, falling silent and then trying again. Finally, she squeezed the words out in a whisper.
"That’s so unfair... Doing something like that... I can't stay mad at you anymore."
"Kuro?"
"Ugh, fine!"
Kuro sounded almost desperate. She grabbed my hand and pulled, forcing me down until my head rested in her lap.
"I’m happy you feel that way, Kaito-kun, but it’s all for nothing if you push yourself until you collapse!"
"Urgh... You're absolutely right."
"But... well... I suppose you’d find a way to overwork yourself regardless. Haa, I guess I have no choice."
"Wait, what are you doing?"
Kuro looked exasperated, yet she wore a tender smile as she held her hand over me.
A faint light spilled from her palm. When it touched my head, the fog in my mind cleared. My consciousness sharpened, and the heavy weight of sleepiness began to lift.
"The Fruit of the World Tree can't heal mental fatigue, but I can use Mental Interference-type Magic for that."
"I didn't know magic like that existed."
"Well, you have Shiro's Blessing, which usually neutralizes Mental Interference-type Magic. I’m the only one who can actually cast this on you."
Magic that healed the mind... it made sense that Kuro could use it. The sensation of her hand on my forehead combined with the fading exhaustion was incredibly pleasant.
"For now, I'll use this magic to support you until Lilia-chan's birthday is over."
"Really? Is that okay?"
"You're just going to be reckless if I leave you alone, so I'll feel better if I’m the one looking after you."
"I can't argue with that."
She had me dead to rights. I knew that, deep down, I was going to push myself to meet the deadline no matter what. It seemed Kuro had seen right through me.
"But this is just a temporary fix. It can't heal everything perfectly. So, promise me... once Lilia-chan's birthday is finished, you will rest for at least three days. Understood?"
"Yeah. I promise."
"Good boy."
When I nodded, Kuro gave me a smile as radiant as a flower in bloom. Looking at that beautiful, lovely expression and feeling her kindness, my heart was flooded with happiness.
Kuro continued to stroke my head gently, her smile lingering.
"Tell me, Kaito-kun. Is there anything else you want? Anything at all..."
"Well..."
She looked like a holy mother in that moment. Just looking at her made me feel at peace, but it also stirred a deep longing within me. My love for her overflowed, and bolstered by her gentle invitation, I spoke my heart.
"Could I... kiss you?"
"Yes."
Kuro nodded immediately. She leaned down toward me as I lay in her lap. Our faces drew so close that I could feel her breath on my skin; I could see myself reflected clearly in her golden eyes.
"Kuro..."
"Kaito-kun..."
We whispered each other's names as if confirming our bond, and then the distance between us vanished.
Dear Mother, Father—I’ve always had a bad habit of getting tunnel vision once I focus on something. I caused Kuro a lot of worry, and I know I need to reflect on that. But, as embarrassing as it is to say... seeing how much she truly cares for me, I couldn't help it. Even though I should have been feeling guilty, only the feelings of happiness grew stronger.