The second day of the festival was themed "Communing with Nature." I walked beside Lilliwood-san down a path lined with a riot of colorful flowers in full bloom, arranged so densely they formed a living corridor.
While a single flower blooming by the wayside has its own quiet charm, there was something truly magnificent about this scene, where they were spread out like a vibrant, fragrant carpet.
"It brings back memories," Lilliwood-san said. "I was your guide when you first visited the Demon Realm, Kaito-san."
"Yeah... it hasn't actually been that long, but it feels like ages ago."
Nowadays, thanks to teleportation magic tools, I could travel to the Demon Realm alone. But back when I first visited Isis-san’s castle, Lilliwood-san had acted as both my bodyguard and my guide.
That was when I first encountered a Behemoth in the Demon Realm and met Magnawell-san. My memories of that Behemoth were somewhat overshadowed by Magnawell-san’s sheer scale, but the beast had still been as massive as a kaiju.
I wondered if Bell would eventually grow that large. Personally, I hoped he’d stay at his current, cute size...
"Indeed. I never imagined back then that you would become such a central figure, Kaito-san."
"You say that, but... I don't feel like I've changed all that much myself."
Looking back, though, an incredible amount had happened in the few months since she first showed me around the Demon Realm. Meeting the Six Kings, challenging the depths of Kuro’s heart, confessing to Isis-san, Sieg-san’s homecoming, settling the past with Lilia-san, our reunion in the Hydra Kingdom, meeting Eden-san, learning about Alice’s past, the confrontation with Fia-sensei... I’d even visited the God Realm. When I thought about it, my last few months had been way too dense.
"Fufu. You are someone I cannot simply measure. You are unpredictable, eccentric, and quite special."
"...Is that a compliment?"
"Yes, of course. I’m praising you. However, defining it is difficult. I wonder what exactly these feelings I hold for you are? Trust, friendship, fondness, awe, affection, interest, respect, love, gratitude... I can’t find a single word that captures it perfectly."
Lilliwood-san spoke softly as we walked, her eyes tilted slightly toward the sky.
"...But I know for certain that the feelings I have for you are good ones. If possible, I hope we can remain close like this from now on."
"...Yes. I feel the same way."
"...Fufu, the mood got a bit strange, didn't it? Let's get back to the tour and see the sights in order."
"Right."
The atmosphere had definitely turned a bit ticklish and surreal, but it wasn't unpleasant. Strangely enough, I felt like I was just a little bit closer to Lilliwood-san than I had been a few minutes ago.
Dear Mother, Father—much like Lilliwood-san, I can’t quite find the right words to describe it, but... there’s one thing I’m sure of. The feelings I have for Lilliwood-san are—without a doubt—fond ones.
"A-As expected of Lilliwood-sama. She isn't even pushing that hard, yet the atmosphere is so good... I'm so jealous."
"...What exactly are you doing, Fia?"
Noin spoke from behind with an exasperated look as Fia lurked behind a massive tree, peeking at Kaito and Lilliwood.
"Oh, come on! Festivals are supposed to get your blood pumping, right?"
"W-Well, I suppose that’s true..."
"That excitement is a vital factor in romance! In other words, this Six Kings Festival is an event I absolutely cannot miss if I'm going to make my move on Miyama-kun!"
"...And that’s why you went through the trouble of closing the clinic?" Noin asked, her eyes going dead as she listened to Fia’s passionate speech.
"Exactly! And since I haven't been to a festival in ages, I need to study how to handle myself, don't I?"
"...No, I don't think you do."
"Yes, yes! I can't launch an effective attack without preparation. That's why I'm here studying."
"...In common parlance, I believe this is called 'stalking.'"
"It's fine! I got permission from Lilliwood-sama!"
"Where do you even get that kind of initiative!?"
Fia was a force of nature—once she set her mind to something, she charged forward like a wild boar. The unfortunate result was Noin getting dragged along for the ride.
"Besides, never mind me... what about you, Hikari?"
"Huh? M-Me?"
"Yes! We have seven days! You should invite Miyama-kun on a date!"
"A d-d-d-date?! B-But Kaito-san and I aren't... we aren't exactly l-lovers or anything..."
"That's exactly why you have to do it!"
"Hiee!"
Noin shrank back, overwhelmed by Fia’s intensity. Ignoring her friend's hesitation, Fia grabbed her by the shoulders.
"Listen. Because you aren't lovers yet, you have to be aggressive. Even Chrome-sama is rooting for you, so you can't just keep being shy. You need the spirit to do something like get in the bath with him and wash his back!"
"Wh-?! B-B-Bath?! N-No! Absolutely not! I'd die of embarrassment!"
"Hmm. Hikari, you're as hopeless as ever... Fine, I'll help you!"
"Wait, no! I have a terrible feeling about this..."
"I want to get closer to Miyama-kun myself, of course, but I'm also cheering for you. I'll go ask Chrome-sama to help us out!"
"Listen to me! Please, just for once, listen to my opin—ah! Wait, Fia?! Don't just run off... Watch out! The roots—"
"Eh? —Fugyaa!?"
Sprinting off with her usual gusto, Fia did exactly what one would expect: she tripped over a protruding root and faceplanted into the dirt.