I squinted against the morning sun filtering through the gaps in the curtains. I still had my doubts about why a tower would have its own day-night cycle, but given the cheat-tier powers of the people involved, they could probably pull off whatever they wanted.
It was paradise... or was it hell? I couldn't say for sure. All I knew was that I’d reached the opening day of the Six Kings Festival without sleeping a single wink.
To be honest, I’d held onto a faint hope that once the three of them fell asleep, they’d toss and turn enough to liberate me, giving me back some degree of freedom. I’d been naive.
Kuro hadn’t moved an inch, merely breathing cute little sighs as she slept on top of me. Isis-san had been equally stationary. Alice had shifted occasionally, but she’d resolutely refused to let go of my hand.
As a result, I was forced into a grueling, marathon battle with my own rationality. Ultimately, I never closed my eyes.
However—and this was the vital point—morning had finally arrived. I was finally being released from this heavenly purgatory.
Just as that thought crossed my mind, Kuro was the first to stir.
"...Umyu."
"O-Oh, morning, Ku—wait, gah!?"
Caught completely off guard by the adorable sound of her voice and her half-lidded eyes, I reflexively spoke to her, completely forgetting the lessons of the past.
Kuro turned her dreamy, unfocused eyes toward me, a tiny smile playing on her lips.
"Ah... it's Kaito-kun..."
If I recalled correctly, her morning routine was... dangerous! I had to get away—but I couldn't move!
Memories of previous wake-up calls flooded back into my mind. I tried to bolt instantly, but with both arms pinned by Isis-san and Alice, there was no escape.
As I panicked, Kuro reached out, her hands framing my face and pinning my cheeks firmly in place.
"Kaito-kun... I love you... mwah."
"Mmph!?"
She pressed her lips against mine without a moment's hesitation, her voice a cooing purr. Before I could even begin to savor the soft, sweet sensation, her tongue—slick with saliva—relentlessly pried my lips apart and invaded my mouth.
"Slurp... Nnh... Mmm... schlop, mwah..."
"~~!?!?"
Her tongue swept through every corner of my mouth as if trying to claim the entire space, quickly finding my own and entangling with it. The wet, squelching sounds of our exchange filled my ears.
The kiss was so deep and overwhelming I felt like my consciousness was beginning to slip away. It lasted for several minutes, and just as I felt I was about to truly black out, she finally pulled away.
Kuro stared at me with a dazed, vacant expression for a moment before the light of clarity finally returned to her eyes.
"...Mm? Huh? Kaito-kun, morning!"
"...M-Morn...ing..."
That was it. I was done for. My brain was melting. That had been even more intense than the last time.
Between the lack of sleep and Kuro’s morning assault, I was physically and mentally drained from the second I woke up. I had to sneakily eat a Fruit of the World Tree before we headed to breakfast.
The fruit mended my physical fatigue, but it did nothing for my sleepiness or my frayed nerves. I was starting the Six Kings Festival filled with nothing but apprehension.
Since Kuro and the other organizers had their own preparations to manage, we sat down for an early breakfast despite the hour.
The meal Ein-san presented was... incredible. It was a traditional Japanese breakfast consisting of Miso Soup, White Rice, Pickled Radish, a rolled egg, and Grilled Fish. It was perfection.
"...By the way, I'm thrilled to have Japanese Food, but are you guys okay with this?"
Rice wasn't exactly a staple in this world. Many people, Lilia-san included, often remarked that rice for breakfast felt a bit heavy. I asked the group to make sure they weren't just catering to me.
"Hmm? This is just my 'usual' meal, you know?" Kuro replied.
"Wait, really?"
"Yeah. Since Noin-san lives with us, breakfast is always rice."
"Ah, that makes sense."
Perhaps due to the influence of a dedicated Japanese Food Enthusiast like Noin-san, Kuro seemed perfectly comfortable with the cuisine, handling her Chopsticks with practiced ease.
"...I... don't usually eat... so either is fine," Isis-san added. Since she rarely partook in meals, she didn't seem to have a preference between bread or rice.
"As for me—"
"I didn't ask you," I cut Alice off.
"Eh? Hey! Wait a second!"
I wasn't worried about Alice in the slightest. The girl would eat anything, and I’d seen her shovel down plenty of rice back at the Yakiniku Restaurant.
I thought I’d successfully brushed her off, but she suddenly wore a triumphant smirk.
"Hehehe... enjoy that attitude while you can. Very soon, Kaito-san, you’ll be singing my praises and shouting, 'As expected of Alice!'"
"Don't be an idiot..."
"Well, for starters, just try this..."
"What!? No way... D-Don't tell me this is..."
"Yes! It is Alice-chan's Special Seaweed Tsukudani!"
Impossible... To produce Seaweed Tsukudani—the undisputed champion of my personal rice-topping rankings—at a time like this!? This girl... she was terrifying.
Shocked by the offering, I reached out with my chopsticks and took a bite. A refreshing, savory flavor with a hint of perilla bloomed across my palate. When I followed it with a mouthful of rice, the deliciousness was amplified tenfold.
"...U-Ugh... A-As expected of Alice..."
"Hehehe, right!?"
It was galling, but she had completely outplayed me. More importantly, it was genuinely delicious.
I felt a twinge of regret for saying exactly what she’d predicted, but my appreciation for the tsukudani outweighed my wounded pride.
"Still, this is amazing. Hey, Ali...ce?"
With my heart full of admiration, I looked back at her—only to find her holding a piece of paper to her chest with a predatory, beaming smile.
The paper read: Alice-chan's Special Seaweed Tsukudani 5-Variety Assortment: 1 Gold Coin. Seaweed Set: 5 Silver Coins.
Damn it... It was a trap. She’d intentionally given me the first bite for free to hook me, making me realize the quality before moving in for the kill. It was a flawlessly efficient business strategy.
"...Give me four of each."
"Much appreciated!"
It was a total defeat, but I wanted to let Aoi-chan and Hina-chan try some too, so I swallowed my pride and paid up.
Good grief, she really was getting better and better at sales... specifically when it came to shaking me down.
"Hey, Shaltier. Let me buy one of those too," Kuro chimed in.
"Huh? Oh, sure, I don't mind."
"Thanks!"
As I paid Alice and tucked my purchases into my Magic Box, Kuro stopped eating to make her request.
"...Hey, Kuro. I’ll ask just in case, but what do you plan on doing with that?"
"Eh? I'm going to put it in my new Baby Castellas!"
I froze. How would that even work? Seaweed Baby Castellas... the flavors seemed completely incompatible. I couldn't even begin to imagine the taste.
Given that the dough was sweet, it felt like a recipe for disaster. I really hoped she’d exercise some restraint.
"Ah, don't worry! I’ll make sure you're the very first person to try them, Kaito-kun!"
"...I-I see..."
That was just her being affectionate, right? She wasn't actually telling me I was her guinea pig... right? It had to be my imagination.
Dear Mother, Father—I was completely wiped out before the Six Kings Festival even officially began, but at least the breakfast was delicious. Alice’s seaweed tsukudani was a triumph, but as for Kuro... how should I put this? Making everything into a baby castella isn't always the answer, you know?
Serious-senpai: "Bwahaha! Readers, I have finally return—gack!? (Sugar Blood)"