As soon as I got back, Lunamaria-san made sure I was thoroughly exhausted, but afterward, I sat down with Lilia-san to give her various reports... specifically making sure to tell her that Eden-san's true identity was actually the god from my original world.
This should prevent Lilia-san from blowing up at me later for keeping her in the dark. I’ve finally learned my lesson.
Anyway, what with one thing and another, night fell, and I finally returned to my own room.
"...Ugh... I'm so worn out..."
Kuro was sprawled across my bed as if it were her own.
I was surprised by the sight, but what was even more unusual was that Kuro looked truly fatigued. Needless to say, Kuro is a being of overwhelming power, and her stamina is naturally monster-class to match. At the very least, it was the first time I had ever seen her look visibly drained.
"...Kuro? Are you okay?"
"Uuu... Kaito-kun... Man, I haven't been this exhausted in forever. Between the festival and the preparations, I’m swamped. But the Earth God—the god from your world—is the worst. She’s seriously powerful, and that makes her a real handful."
"A-Ah... So you're tired because of Eden-san..."
"...Yeah. Honestly, that god... just when I thought she was going sightseeing, she headed straight for you, Kaito-kun. I told her not to cause you any trouble... but before the words were even dry on her lips, she was already doing something weird again..."
It seemed that the majority of Kuro's fatigue stemmed from Eden-san.
Well, it was said that Eden-san possessed power comparable to Shiro-san, so even someone like Kuro would apparently get worn down by bickering with an opponent of that caliber. If that were the only thing, it might have been fine, but Kuro was also overseeing the general preparations for the Six Kings Festival. She must be constantly running back and forth... It sounded like a lot of work.
"...I see. Good job today."
"Uu... Kaito-kun. 'Heal me.'"
"..."
I thought I was just offering a sympathetic ear, but she threw a total curveball at me. Heal her? That was a pretty abstract request... wasn't that setting the bar a bit high?
Still, I certainly wanted to do something for the exhausted Kuro. Let’s see... heal. How do I heal her?
Watching Kuro out of the corner of my eye as she looked at me with expectant eyes, I thought for a moment. No particular method came to mind, so I simply spread my arms and offered a smile as a makeshift solution.
It was a desperate move on my part, but Kuro's eyes lit up, and she practically lunged into my chest.
"Fwaaa... Kaito-kun, you're so warm..."
"Y-Yeah. You’ve really been working hard... There, there."
"Fumyuhu... Haa... pet me more."
"Yes, yes."
As she rubbed her cheek against my chest and hugged me with a blissful expression, I stroked Kuro's head as gently as I could. I ran my fingers through her silky, pleasant silver hair. Watching her act so pampered made my own heart feel warm.
Her mature, dependable nature is part of her charm, but I found her childlike, affectionate side just as attractive. I basked in the happiness of the moment for a while, holding the warmth that fit so perfectly in my arms.
After a bit of head-patting, Kuro seemed satisfied, and we started chatting. Even though I say she was satisfied, she stayed tucked snugly in my arms, claiming she was "recharging her Kaito-kun elements."
"Come to think of it, Kuro..."
"Wha~t is it?"
"I’ve been meaning to ask, but I haven't had the chance... regarding the commemorative gift..."
"Hm?"
What had come to mind was the commemorative gift to be handed out during the Six Kings Festival. If I recalled, it was the latest model Magic Ship. Just the name made it sound like an incredible item.
Well, all of the Six Kings had prepared something outrageous, but there wasn't even a sea near the Royal Capital of the Kingdom of Sinfonia. Since I’d be at a total loss for what to do with a ship, I decided to ask her what she was thinking.
"Why a ship, of all things? Even if I get one, I wouldn't have anywhere to put it..."
"By the way, the Magic Ship is larger than this entire mansion!"
"..."
A ship larger than Lilia-san's mansion? Was she telling me to start a trading company?
"But don't worry. I’m also throwing in a Magic Box that the ship will actually fit into."
"...Wait, what? A Magic Box?"
"Yeah! Actually, I had Shiro manifest a Magic Crystal with an order of magnitude higher Magic Power Capacity... and then I prepared a Magic Box where I engraved the Magic Formula with my full Magic Power!"
Kuro put on a cute, triumphant look as I stood there bewildered. A Magic Box made by Kuro at full power? That was obviously going to be something insane.
"...J-Just for reference, what’s the capacity of this Magic Box?"
"Hmm. I haven't measured it exactly, but... I think maybe three or four islands would fit inside?"
"No, no, that's crazy! What is with that ridiculous capacity!?"
"It's big enough that even Magnawell would fit completely!"
"That's way too big!"
Three or four islands? What kind of monstrous capacity was that? Even the Magic Box I was using now was more than half empty, and this one was leagues beyond it.
Besides, most of what occupied my current box were the scales Magnawell-san gave me every time we met. I’d definitely have more space than I knew what to do with. I was sure Kuro knew that too... so why create such an absurdly large Magic Box?
—Hmph, I was planning on making Kaito-kun’s Magic Box myself anyway...
Wait... was that it? Was that the real reason?
"...Kuro, by any chance... were you still holding a grudge about what happened during the barbecue? Is that why you deliberately chose a ship so big it wouldn't fit in my current Magic Box?"
"...W-Whatever could you mean, I wonder?"
"Why don't you look me in the eye when you say that?"
So that was the truth behind the ship gift... The ship was just a bonus; she just wanted an excuse to give me a Magic Box of her own making.
If that was the case, she could have just given me a Magic Box from the start... but then again, a normal Magic Box isn't exactly considered a luxury item. Even if the performance was actually world-class, there might be a matter of prestige involved in listing "Magic Box" on the official invitation.
"...Because... I just really wanted you to use... a Magic Box I made, Kaito-kun."
"Ugh..."
"...Do you not like it?"
How could she make such a meek, vulnerable face? When she looked at me like that, I couldn't possibly complain.
"No, I'm happy you made one for me, Kuro! Seriously, once I get it, I'll definitely make it my main one."
"Really!?"
"Y-Yeah. I mean, how could I not want to use something my cute girlfriend made for me?"
"M-My cute girlfriend... Ehehe, that makes me happy."
She was so incredibly cute. Honestly, the ship didn't even matter anymore.
Kuro was so adorable that I pulled her closer as she snuggled against me. Forgetting about the logistical nightmare of a giant ship, I decided to focus on flirting with her to my heart's content.
Dear Mother, Father—It turns out that Kuro giving me a ship at the Six Kings Festival was really just a pretext to give me a new Magic Box. I was surprised, but more than that, I was happy she wanted me to use something she had made. Her sincerity truly made me happy.
Serious-senpai: "...It was still hell even after the Valentine's special ended..."