After finishing lunch at Lilliwood-san’s, I took the opportunity to tour the streets of Yugfressia for a while before returning to the Human Realm.
Since I’d taken my time coming back, evening was already setting in—the timing was perfect.
"Nom, munch, gulp... Excuse me! Next, everything from here to here on the menu!"
"..."
I shifted my gaze to the idiot—or rather, Alice—who was currently devouring yakiniku with single-minded devotion in front of me.
It was truly baffling how she managed to pack so much meat into that tiny frame. She was eating at a terrifying speed.
I watched her for a while as I sipped my tea, then waited for her to take a breather between rounds of meat to hand her the music box.
Alice was already aware of the details regarding her gift. It was a piece of jewelry centered around a purple amethyst. I’d had the song composed to be cheerful, yet possessed of a certain mysterious quality.
"Here, Alice. Thanks for all your help."
"Thank you very mu—Wait, it’s so light?! Why is it so light?! Isn't my gift a bit too casual compared to the others?! Where’s the heart-pounding, sweet-and-sour romantic tension!?"
"...Well, because it’s you, Alice."
"Such cold words! Kaito-san, aren't you treating me a bit too roughly lately!?"
Hmm. Even if she said that, being overly formal with Alice just felt wrong. How should I put it? To me, Alice was a best friend or a bad influence—something in that vein.
I could talk to her without reservation, and I didn't have to choose my words carefully. Perhaps that was what trust felt like? There was a strange sense of security when I was with her.
That said, my gratitude was genuine.
I wouldn't have been able to complete this music box project without her help. Composing the music, consulting on the designs, making the drafts... Honestly, she was the one who had helped me the most.
"Sorry, sorry. I was just a little embarrassed... But I really am grateful. Thank you, Alice. I’m glad you were there."
"...W-What’s with that, all of a sudden..."
"...Hmm?"
When I voiced my thanks while scratching my head, she replied in an unexpectedly blunt voice.
Puzzled by her reaction, I looked over and saw that Alice was averting her gaze, staring down at an angle.
"...Alice? Is something wrong?"
"N-No, nothing at all..."
"Really? Then why are you looking away?"
"Ah! I wonder if the next round of meat is here yet!!"
...She was acting strange. What was going on?
As I wondered why she was so obviously trying to change the subject, the waiter arrived with the next plate of meat. I reached out to take it, and my hand happened to brush against Alice’s as she reached for the plate at the same time.
"Eek!?"
"...Eh?"
For some reason, Alice let out a strange yelp and jumped back. Even through the mask, I could see her eyes darting around in obvious agitation.
Wait. This... could it be?
"...Alice, are you... blushing?"
"!? W-W-What are you talking about? Me? Blushing just because I was praised directly? Pfft, Kaito-san, you must be exhausted!"
"...Then, try looking me in the eye for a second."
"...No, that’s a bit..."
It seemed the reason Alice was acting so weird was that she was genuinely embarrassed by my sincere praise.
Even as she spoke while keeping her face turned away, her ears had turned a faint cherry-blossom pink. Seeing her so flustered was surprisingly charming, and a smile escaped me.
"Haha. You know, you actually have a pretty cute side, Alice."
"Nyaho!? W-What are you saying? Alice-chan is always pure and cute! H-Has Kaito-san finally succumbed to my charms?"
"Yeah, maybe I have."
"Retort like you usually do, damn it! I can't look at your face now!"
Come to think of it, Alice was shy about showing her true face, so she might actually be quite bashful.
She usually hid it behind her playful antics, but perhaps she deliberately called herself a "beautiful girl" just to avoid being praised in a way that would make her lose her composure...
I felt like I had stumbled upon a very interesting weakness.
"...Uwaah, Kaito-san. You have a wicked look on your face."
"...How rude."
"...Sigh. Just so you know... I only get like this when it’s you, Kaito-san. Seriously, I don't know what to do with myself."
After letting out a sigh, Alice went back to grilling and eating her meat.
I felt like I’d caught a glimpse of Alice’s true feelings in an unexpected place, and it made me feel strangely... happy.
Late that night, long after the sun had set, I was lying down—not in bed, but on the sofa.
"Muu... I feel like this has become my permanent spot."
"Hmm? I’m happy about it, though."
While I rested my head in her lap, Kuro smiled and gently stroked my hair.
Wrapped in a sensation that was part ticklish and part pure bliss, the gentle melody of a music box reached my ears.
The gift I’d given Kuro was decorated with a yellow diamond, chosen to match the color of her beautiful eyes.
As for the song, it was the only one I’d asked Alice to rewrite.
Initially, Alice had composed a bright, cheerful track with the image of the sun. It certainly fit Kuro's personality and was a wonderful piece, but I had pleaded with Alice to change it to something reminiscent of beautiful moonlight and a gentle radiance.
The result was a song that gently illuminated the darkness, exactly the way I perceived Kuro.
"...Thank you, Kaito-kun. I'm so, so happy."
"...I'm glad you like it, Kuro."
Kuro had already known I was making the music box, but she accepted it with a truly radiant smile. Even now, she was gazing affectionately at the device as it played on the table.
"By the way, Kaito-kun. Were you able to rest properly?"
"Yeah. A lot happened, but I managed to relax quite a bit."
"I see. I’m glad... You mustn't push yourself too hard, okay?"
"I know."
There was something about being with Kuro that made me feel like I could be completely honest. It was a little embarrassing to admit, but I suppose I was enjoying being pampered.
To me, Kuro was like the moonlight or starlight that illuminates the pitch-black night—an existence that softly heals dark emotions and gives me the strength to look forward again.
"...Still, hearing about your trip makes me want to travel with you too, Kaito-kun."
"I'd love to go on a trip with you, Kuro... but aren't you busy?"
"Hmm..."
Kuro never showed it in front of me, but I knew she was incredibly busy as one of the Six Kings.
The fact that she usually only visited at night told its own story, and she seemed especially swamped lately.
"Well, the Hero Festival is this year. In off-years, things are more relaxed... but during a festival year, there’s so much coordination and paperwork to handle."
"I see... Lilliwood-san seemed busy as well."
"Ah—well, the reason I've been so busy lately is that I'm working on something else, too..."
"Something else?"
"For now, it’s a se-cret!"
Seeing Kuro flash a mischievous smile like a child plotting a prank, I couldn't help but let out a dry laugh.
"Well, once the Month of Light is over, things should settle down a bit. If you’re up for it, Kaito-kun, let’s go somewhere together."
"Yeah, that sounds great. I’d love to."
"Yay!"
Soft moonlight filtered through the window. I looked up to see her gentle smile and felt the warmth of her hand stroking my head. Enveloped in that happiness, I slowly closed my eyes.
Dear Mother, Father—A lot happened today. I saw new sides of Lilliwood-san and Alice, and I got to rediscover Isis-san's cuteness and Kuro's kindness. Regardless, with this—I’ve finished handing out all the music boxes.
Serious-senpai: "...He’s being pampered by a loli again... Drop dead."
Serious-senpai: "Wait!?"