I strolled down the bustling main thoroughfare in the early afternoon alongside Raz-san. Well, I was the only one actually walking; Raz-san was flying, her tiny wings fluttering busily behind her.
If we were just out for a normal walk, it wouldn't have been an issue. The problem was that Raz-san and I were currently headed toward a café to share a limited-edition dessert under the guise of being a "couple." Now that I’d had a moment to think about it objectively, I couldn't help but wonder how we looked to others.
I wasn't sure of the exact numbers, but Raz-san stood roughly thirty centimeters tall. That meant there was a height difference of about a hundred and forty centimeters between us. No matter how I looked at it, we didn't look like a couple; at best, I looked like a guy out for a walk with a fairy.
But if we went into that shop and ordered the couples-only parfait, everyone would assume that was our relationship. If that happened, wouldn't my social reputation take a massive hit?
The moment that thought crossed my mind, Kuro’s face flashed in my head. Right... it was a little late to start worrying about social norms now.
Pushing those useless thoughts aside, I struck up a conversation with Raz-san.
"So, your field is right behind Kuro’s castle, where I saw it before?"
"That’s right! Raz grows lo~ts and lo~ts of veggies and fruits!"
I’d known she grew rice and vegetables, but from the sound of it, she managed a fairly massive farm.
"I see. You're really impressive, Raz-san."
"Eh? R-Really? You think Raz is impressive?"
"Yes. I think it’s amazing. I really respect you for it."
"I-Is that so? Ehehe, I got a compliment! Ehem!"
Just what was it with this adorable creature? Raz-san expressed her joy with her entire body, her tiny frame moving with the charm of a small animal. They really weren't kidding when they said small things were cute.
Watching her fly around energetically in her delight, I felt a natural smile tugging at my lips as we walked.
Upon arriving at the café, I quickly realized my concerns had been entirely unnecessary. It was an open-air establishment, and the outdoor tables were packed with all sorts of couples. I spotted a Demon man who looked to be nearly three meters tall sitting with a Dwarf-like woman who couldn't have been more than a hundred and twenty centimeters. Their height difference was easily two meters.
Apparently, in a world where so many different races lived as neighbors, a massive height gap between partners wasn't unusual at all. In fact, after we were seated and I ordered the special parfait, the waiter didn't even blink. He just took the order and went on his way.
Since Raz-san was so small, I also asked for a teaspoon.
"I'm so excited! Is it here yet? Is it almost here?"
"Raz-san... we literally just ordered."
"Huh? Oh, right."
She must have been incredibly excited, because she couldn't stay still, shifting restlessly on the table. Unfortunately, the shop didn't have chairs suited for her race, so she sat directly on the tabletop with her tiny shoes resting on the seat of the chair.
"Do you like parfaits that much, Raz-san?"
"I do! Parfaits are so sweet and fluffy, Raz loves them! But shop parfaits are so big that Raz can't eat one all by herself."
Given her size, a normal parfait would certainly be a challenge. Depending on the bowl, it might even be taller than she was.
That prediction proved accurate. After a bit more small talk, the waiter brought out a massive dessert meant for two—the "Couples-only Parfait." It was piled high with fruit and looked vibrant and delicious.
"Whoa! I’ve been waiting for this! Kaito-kun-san! Kaito-kun-san! Let’s eat, hurry!"
Her excitement hit its peak at the sight of the parfait. Her eyes sparkled as she stared at the dessert, which loomed larger than her own body.
Finding the sight incredibly healing, I handed her the teaspoon—but I immediately realized I'd made a mistake. I’d thought a normal spoon would be too big, but even the teaspoon was massive for her. In her tiny hands, it looked less like cutlery and more like she was brandishing a spear.
"...Raz-san, can you even get that to your mouth?"
"Au... it l-looks pretty hard..."
"Yeah, I thought so. Here, let me have it for a second."
It was clear she’d struggle to scoop anything up and feed herself, so I took the spoon back and offered her a smile.
"What do you want to try first, Raz-san?"
"Eh? You’re going to feed me!?"
"Sure. This spoon is clearly too big for you, after all."
"Wow! Kaito-kun-san, you're so nice! Thank you!"
If she couldn't eat it on her own, I'd just have to do it for her. With the spoon in hand, I waited for her choice. After a moment of deliberation, she pointed at a piece of fruit that looked like a strawberry.
"This one? Here you go."
"Ah... nom."
I scooped up the piece she wanted and held it out. Raz-san opened her mouth as wide as she could and bit into it. Even so, she couldn't quite finish everything on the spoon in one go.
"Mmm! It's delicious!"
"Is it? I’m glad."
"It is! Oh, Kaito-kun-san, you have some too! There's way too much in this parfait for Raz!"
I see. So she would take a bite, and I would finish the rest? That seemed efficient... wait. Wouldn't that count as an indirect kiss? Well, whatever.
Raz-san didn't seem bothered by it in the slightest, so I ate the remaining portion on the spoon.
Following her requests, I continued to scoop up bits of parfait, let her take a bite, and then finished the rest. Every time she tasted it, she would squirm with exaggerated happiness and beam at me. She really was adorable.
I was thoroughly enjoying the peaceful, healing atmosphere when I heard a familiar set of voices.
"Honestly, why didn't you just come with Raz-neesan?"
"I-I mean, you like sweets too, right? So I figured..."
"I appreciate the thought, but I feel bad for Raz-neesan."
"Ugh... Yeah, you're right. I definitely did her dirty. Maybe I should pick up a souvenir on the way home—Hm?"
"Huh?"
"Ah! It's Acht-kun and Eva-san!"
I turned toward the voices along with Raz-san. Standing there was a large, blue-skinned man and an equally tall woman with wolf ears. Raz-san immediately called out to them.
"Raz-neesan?! And Kaito?!"
"Long time no see, Acht, Eva."
"It's been a while. Oh, so Kaito was the one who brought Raz-nee along?"
"Yeah, something like that..."
Acht and Eva noticed us and walked over to our table. When I nodded, Eva gave the Acht standing next to her a sharp jab, looking apologetic.
"I see. Sorry about that, Raz-neesan. This idiot of mine is just so inconsiderate."
"It's fine! Acht-kun and Eva-san are a married couple, so you have to prioritize each other!"
"I’m glad you feel that way... Thanks, Kaito."
"Oh, no, don't mention it."
Eva seemed genuinely guilty that Acht had turned down Raz-san’s invitation, as she bowed her head. Raz-san, however, was as cheerful as ever, telling them not to give it a second thought.
Since the opportunity had presented itself, I decided to ask something that had been on my mind for a while.
"By the way, I’ve been curious... Why do you and Eva call Raz-san 'neesan'?"
"Hm? Well, because Raz-neesan is 'older' than us."
"...Huh?"
"And for the record," Eva added, "Raz-nee is 'many times stronger' than both of us combined."
"Whaaaaat!?"
Dear Mother, Father—
They say you shouldn't judge a book by its cover, and that really hit home today. It turns out the tiny, adorable Raz-san is actually a High Fairy who has lived for a very long time, and her power... is apparently the greatest of the Fairy Race.
Underworld King: "Kaito-kun! I heard there’s a couples-only parfait, so I thought we could go together... Huh? He’s not here."
Awaken... Awaken to the fetish of adoring thirty-centimeter fairies... Awaken.