I happened to run into Acht and Eva at the shop where Raz-san and I went to eat the Couples-only Parfait.
Since I thought it would be awkward for them if we sat together, we exchanged some light small talk and then decided to take separate tables. Raz-san and I were already about halfway through our dessert, while Acht and Eva were just about to order. Not wanting to make them feel rushed, we finished our meal and gave them a quick wave as we headed out.
While Raz-san had achieved her goal by eating the parfait, it felt a bit abrupt to just go our separate ways, so I decided to walk around the city with her to help digest the food.
"Auuu... I ate way too much..."
"Raz-san? Are you okay? You’re weaving back and forth..."
"My body is so heavy, it’s hard to fly..."
Raz-san had clearly overindulged. She looked quite weary as she hovered unsteadily in the air.
Well, to be fair... when I say she overate, that was only relative to her size. If I'm being honest, I was the one who truly overdid it. No matter how much Raz-san tried to eat, she only managed a fifth of the total—maybe a fourth at most. That meant I had been the one to demolish nearly eighty percent of that massive, two-person parfait.
I was actually starting to feel a bit of heartburn. If I ever go out to eat with Raz-san again, I’ll have to make sure we order the mini size.
"If you’d like, do you want to ride on my shoulder?"
"Eh? Is that okay?"
"Of course."
"Yay! Thank you so much!"
When I made the offer, Raz-san’s eyes lit up. With a happy smile, she hopped onto my left shoulder and rested one hand against my neck to keep her balance. The sensation of her tiny, marshmallow-soft hand against my skin was incredibly ticklish.
"Raz-san, is there anywhere else you’d like to go? I'm not exactly an expert on the area, but..."
"Hmm... Oh! I want to buy souvenirs for Noin and the others!"
"I see. You really are kind, Raz-san."
"Eh? Ehehe, you think so?"
The sight of Raz-san sitting on my shoulder and raising her hand so energetically was just too adorable. I reflexively reached out to pat her head. Since I couldn't exactly use my whole palm, I settled for stroking her with two fingers.
A moment later, it occurred to me that it might be rude to do this to someone who was technically my senior, regardless of her size. However, Raz-san just gave me a beaming, contented smile.
"Kaito-kun-san’s hand is so gentle... You can pet me more if you want!"
"All right then, I'll take you up on that."
"Ehehe."
She seemed to genuinely enjoy it. As I continued to pat her head, I felt completely healed by her small-animal-like charm. After a while, I pulled my hand away, and she looked at me with an endearing grin.
"Kaito-kun-san, you’re so warm!"
"Warm?"
"Yes! You’re warm and kind like the sun! Raz loves the kind Kaito-kun-san~"
"Ahaha, thank you."
I see... "warm like the sun." Her way of putting things was charming every time.
Watching her look so happy naturally brought a smile to my face, and we continued to walk through the city, chatting about nothing in particular. We eventually found some good souvenirs, and after that, we took a full loop around the Main Street.
Raz-san would burst into excitement every time she spotted an interesting-looking shop. I felt like I was being led around by the nose, but it wasn't a burden at all. On the contrary, her exaggerated joy and frolicking were a welcome source of comfort.
The fun time passed in the blink of an eye. By the time the sunset began to glow over the Main Street, Raz-san hopped off my shoulder and told me it was time for her to head home.
"Kaito-kun-san! Thank you so much for today!"
"Don't mention it. I had a wonderful time as well."
"Raz had lots and lots of fun! Ehehe, we’re a perfect match~"
"Ahaha, I suppose so."
Raz-san spread her arms wide to show just how much fun she had, and I replied with a smile.
"Kaito-kun-san, let’s go play together again sometime~"
"I’d love to."
"Ehehe... Oh, that’s right! I have to give Kaito-kun-san a thank-you!"
"A thank-you?"
With an expression that suggested she’d just had a brilliant idea, Raz-san began flying in circles around my head. I tilted my head, wondering what she was doing, when she suddenly finished her rotations and closed in on my face.
Mwah.
"...Eh?"
She stretched her tiny body as far as it would go and planted a kiss on my cheek. Wait, what!?
"Wh-Whoa, R-Raz-san!? What was that for!?"
"Ehehe, did you know? If you get a kiss from a fairy, you’ll be happy forever~"
"I-I see... Is that so..."
"Yes! But a Fairy's Kiss is special. We only give them to members of the opposite gender that we really, really love!"
It seemed I was the only one flustered; Raz-san looked perfectly content. A kiss from a fairy makes you happy... I suppose this was the Fairy Race's version of a Blessing.
"By the way, that was Raz’s first time! I love Chrome-sama too, but Chrome-sama is a girl, after all~"
"I-Is that so... But was it really okay to give it to me?"
"Of course! Kaito-kun-san and Raz are a couple. We’re very, very close!"
"I... I see..."
She emphasized the "very" with such genuine joy that I couldn't help but be struck by it. With the setting sun at her back and that innocent smile on her face, she looked like a true fairy—a being that blended pure loveliness with a certain mystical aura.
She was still clearly misunderstanding what "couple" meant... but if I didn't overthink it, I suppose it just meant we had become very dear friends.
"Kaito-kun-san! Please come visit Raz's Field next time! We’ll pick veggies and fruits together!"
"Eh? Ah, yes. I’d love to."
"Yay! I can’t wait~"
"..."
This was exactly what it meant to have the wind taken out of your sails. It was strange how looking at her innocent joy made my previous agitation feel silly.
Dear Mother, Father—Raz-san is apparently incredibly powerful and innocent, but she’s a childlike and adorable person. Her actions can be quite startling, but all in all—I think she’s someone it’s fun to be with.
In the Sanctuary at the pinnacle of the God Realm, the Creator God Shallow Vernal was quietly gazing into the void.
No, the scenery reflected in the void was distorted, and from that distortion, a tremendous power overflowed alongside a crushing sense of Intimidation.
[Understanding: impossible.]
"Does that mean you do not understand my request?"
[Negative. Content: comprehended. Your: true intent: obscure.]
"So you understand the request, but you do not understand my intention for making it. Is that correct?"
[Affirmative.]
Shallow Vernal’s golden eyes remained fixed on the being whose eyes glowed in a kaleidoscope of colors, resembling electronic imagery. Faced with the being that responded in an inorganic voice, Shallow Vernal spoke in an equally monotonous tone.
"There is no need for you to understand my intentions. I simply wish to know if you will accept the request."
[Response: request: rejected.]
"...I see."
[Supplement: conditions: proposed.]
"Oh?"
In truth, Shallow Vernal had negotiated with this being several times before, but she had rarely received the answer she wanted. The opponent was so inflexible that even Shallow Vernal described it as "hard-headed." Given that history, these supplementary words were a significant concession.
[I: interest: acquired. You: transformation: cause: human: astounding. Therefore: interest. Request: meeting.]
"You have become interested in the human who brought about a transformation in me, and you wish to meet him once. Is that it?"
[Affirmative.]
"...I don’t mind. Will you be coming here?"
[Split Body: visit.]
"Understood. You will send a Split Body to this world... and I simply need to let you speak with him."
[Assistance: unnecessary. I: target: search, observation, contact: expected.]
"So you will find him yourself and do not require help..."
The being’s request was to make contact with the person responsible for Shallow Vernal’s recent changes. After a moment’s thought, Shallow Vernal agreed. The being then stated it would send a Split Body to her world and would find and contact the target on its own.
"...If, by chance, that person does not meet your expectations, what then?"
[Below: criteria for judgment: existence: unnecessary. Therefore: target: elimination.]
"I will not allow that."
[...Acknowledged. Previous statement: corrected. Target: life: guaranteed. Means of judgment: limited: to conversation.]
"Yes, please. So, when will you be visiting?"
[Timing: undecided. Preparation: necessary.]
"I understand... Then please contact me when your preparations are complete, O God of an Otherworld."
Serious-senpai: "Gah!? A new character with a serious vibe? No, wait... I won't be fooled! They're just going to break the mood again anyway... I shouldn't get my hopes up... sniff."