It was the sixteenth day of the Month of Wind. Half the month had already slipped by, and the Month of Light—the midpoint of the year—was finally drawing near.
To be honest, these past few months had been so abnormally intense that it felt more like, "Wait, it hasn't even been half a year yet!?"
I'd changed so much in these last five months. Not only was I finally able to walk with my head held high, but I felt like I had finally adjusted to the common sense of this world.
Most of that was likely due to my own feelings... having finally decided what I wanted to do with my future had given me a sense of closure.
Regardless, I’d experienced a lot of growth since arriving here, and I wasn't the only one; the people around me had changed in their own ways as well.
And yet, there were some things that just wouldn't change, no matter how much you wanted them to.
"...Sigh."
I let out a heavy sigh as I stood before a certain door late that night, just as the date was about to change. A faint light leaked from the gap beneath it, proof that someone was still awake.
If this were a private bedroom, I could have brushed it off as someone just staying up late, but this was the office. It was a well-known fact that this room saw more use than any other in the mansion. Naturally, the person inside was Lilia-san.
Honestly, that woman... wasn't she overworking herself? We'd promised each other not to push ourselves too hard during our recent trip, yet here she was, right back at it. It was very like her, but being too serious was a problem in and of itself.
I sighed once more, then turned and walked away—not toward my own room, but in the opposite direction.
A short while after the calendar flipped to the seventeenth day of the Month of Wind, I returned and knocked on the office door.
"...Yes? Come in."
"Pardon me."
"Huh? Kaito-san?"
A puzzled voice drifted from inside, likely not expecting a visitor at such an hour. When I entered with her permission, Lilia-san's eyes went wide. She clearly hadn't expected it to be me.
"What's the matter? At this hour?"
"I was going to ask you the same thing..."
"A-Ahaha..."
As she tilted her head curiously, I gave her a deadpan stare. She responded with a strained smile, looking like a child caught in a prank. I sighed at the sight of her, then retrieved the items I'd prepared in the dining hall from my Magic Box.
"I brought some refreshments. Please, take a break."
"Oh! T-Thank you very much."
"Sieg-san taught me a bit, but... please forgive the unrefined taste."
I'd prepared black tea and cookies. I'd brewed the tea myself, but the cookies were store-bought. There was no way I could bake from scratch on such short notice, so I’d pulled some out of my storage.
Lilia-san looked at the spread with a slightly apologetic expression, but she obediently set aside her paperwork to take a break. My secret hope was that the warm tea and snacks would make her sleepy enough to call it a night... but there was no guarantee of that, so it would just be a happy bonus if it worked.
"It’s very warm and delicious. Thank you."
"I’m glad. By the way, Lilia-san?"
"Yes?"
Watching her relax into a smile after a sip of tea, I decided it was time to address the elephant in the room.
"If I recall correctly, we promised to stop overworking ourselves, didn't we?"
"Ah, u-um... well, this is..."
"Lilia-san, please look at me."
"N-No, it’s just that there was some work I really wanted to get done..."
Her gaze darted away in obvious agitation. The gesture was incredibly cute, but I hardened my heart and pressed on.
"I see. It must be very urgent work, then."
"Y-Yes, that's right! Today just happened to be..."
"Funny. Lunamaria-san told me that most of the work you're doing today consists of things you shouldn't normally be doing yourself."
"..."
Lilia-san clearly thought she’d fooled me, but unfortunately, I knew she’d been up this late for the past two nights as well. I’d already gotten confirmation from Lunamaria-san that Lilia-san’s workaholic side was acting up, and she was taking on tasks that should have been left to her staff.
Lilia-san broke into a cold sweat, her eyes darting around as she scrambled to find an excuse.
"Lilia-san?"
"Eep!?"
"Anything you want to say for yourself?"
"I-I'm sorry..."
I let out another deep sigh as she hung her head. She really was too serious for her own good. She made sure her subordinates got plenty of rest, yet she never afforded herself the same courtesy. It was quite a problem.
Then again, that was just who she was. Still, maybe Fate-san should take a page out of her book for once.
"Sigh... at least try to lighten your load a bit."
"...Ugh. Yes."
"Is there anything I can help with?"
"Huh?"
This habit of hers was basically a chronic condition at this point. Even if I left her alone, she’d probably just keep working into the early hours. I decided I’d have to check on her periodically whenever Lunamaria-san was away.
Looking at her desk, she still had a mountain of work left. I didn't think there was much I could do to contribute, but I wanted to support her however I could.
"Don't be shy about asking. I might just end up getting in the way, but I can't just stand by and watch my girlfriend push herself to the breaking point. Please, let me do something."
"Ah... y-yes. In that case, um... could I ask for one thing?"
"Of course. Anything."
After I nodded, Lilia-san fidgeted, pressing her index fingers together as her cheeks turned red. She spoke softly, her gaze fixed on the floor.
"You don't really have to do anything... but for a while, um... could you just stay with me?"
"Wait, that's it?"
"Well, if you're here, I... I'll feel energized."
"I understand. I'll stay as long as you need me."
What a sweet, modest request. She was so adorable I nearly hugged her on the spot, but that would definitely kill her productivity—and might even cause her to faint from the shock—so I held back.
Before she finished her tea and went back to work, I took the seat she'd prepared for me—right next to her. I watched her as she turned back to her documents with a serious expression. She worked in silence, though she occasionally stole a glance at me and smiled.
After a while, I felt a soft touch on the hand resting in my lap. Looking down, I saw Lilia-san’s free hand resting on top of mine.
"Kaito-san."
"Yes?"
"Um... thank you."
"Don't mention it."
"Will you... take me on another trip someday?"
"Of course. Anytime."
"Kaito-san."
"Yes?"
"I love you."
"I love you too."
Dear Mother, Father—Lilia-san is an incredibly serious hard-worker with a troublesome habit of never resting. But she’s shy and sweet, and even her smallest gestures are full of charm. She really is a lovely person... one I just can't leave alone.