After we finished lunch, I resumed my tour of the festival under Lilliwood-san’s guidance.
According to her, she was selecting rare plants specifically to show me. Everything I saw was something I had never laid eyes on before, and I felt a sense of excitement that felt far too youthful for my age.
After visiting a few different spots, we arrived at an area filled with long, slender trees about three meters tall.
“O-Oh...”
“What do you think? They’re interesting trees, aren't they?”
“Yes. They’re almost like rubber.”
The trees Lilliwood-san introduced this time were incredibly soft; they would bend and sway whenever I pushed them with my hand. Apparently, the wood was used as a material for cushions and sofas, and the texture was excellent. I almost wanted some for myself.
“The platform up ahead is made from this wood. It’s designed so you can walk on it with your shoes, so let’s give it a try.”
“Sure.”
At Lilliwood-san's prompting, I headed toward the platform. When I stepped onto it, it bounced like playground equipment, making my body bob up and down. Oh, this was actually kind of fun.
“Heh, it’s more elastic than I expected, this is really ni—huh?”
“Yes, it’s quite comfortable to sit on as well. Hm? Is something the matter?”
“N-No, it’s nothing...”
Just as I turned to tell Lilliwood-san what I thought, she stepped onto the platform as well. The result was immediate. As the recoil sent her body swaying lightly up and down, her rich twin hills swayed significantly. My eyes were glued to them before I could help myself.
I had heard that women were sensitive to such gazes, so I hurriedly looked away... but Lilliwood-san didn't seem to notice at all. She merely tilted her head in confusion.
...Her guard really was far too loose.
No, but even so, the size of Lilliwood-san's breasts was truly staggering. Even through her loose, ethnic-style clothing, their volume was unmistakable. On top of that, they were perfectly shaped and didn't sag in the slightest. To be honest, I generally preferred a more slender physique... but when faced with a beautiful bust on the level of hers, I found my eyes following them regardless of my preferences. They say that the greater encompasses the lesser, and she was the living embodiment of that.
...Wait, wait, wait! What was I thinking?! Looking at her with such lewd thoughts was disrespectful. While a man's gaze wandering occasionally might be an unavoidable biological impulse, I had to make sure I didn't let my thoughts go to weird places.
“Kaito-san? Are you all right?”
“Ah, yes! I was just having so much fun being guided by you, Lilliwood-san, that I got a bit dazed. Come on, let’s head to the next spot!”
“Eh? Oh, yes.”
Flustered, I spoke to her with a bit more force than intended as we moved on. What was this strange sense of bashfulness? I realized I hadn't actually had many opportunities to talk slowly with Lilliwood-san like this.
When I had visited the Demon Realm before, she had been strictly focused on her duties as my guide and bodyguard, her expression often remaining formal and serious. However, between yesterday and today... how should I put it? I felt like she was finally showing me her true self. While her calm and gentle nature hadn't changed, she wasn't just giving me her usual soft smiles anymore; she was showing me bright, radiant ones too. And just now, she had shown me that adorable habit of tilting her head.
Perhaps I felt so strangely embarrassed because she was showing me her feminine side rather than her persona as the World King. I had characterized her behavior as her guard being too loose. However, to be more precise... it would be better to say that Lilliwood-san, who had never shown any openings before, had begun to allow me to see them starting yesterday.
It felt like a sign of deep trust from her, and honestly, that made me happy.
“What kind of plants are we going to see next?”
“Next... well, how about we visit the area lined with a carpet of flowers?”
“Oh, just the sound of that makes me certain it'll be beautiful. I’m really looking forward to it.”
“...”
A carpet of flowers... I could picture it, but considering the massive scale of the Six Kings Festival, it would surely be more grand than anything I could imagine. My expectations soared. Then, I noticed Lilliwood-san staring intently at my face. I tilted my head curiously.
“Lilliwood-san?”
“...Kaito-san, do you like nature?”
“Yes. Though, I’m not as knowledgeable as you... My thoughts are pretty simple, like 'it's pretty' or 'it's relaxing'... but I like it quite a bit.”
“Knowledge is a useful tool, but it isn't a requirement for loving nature. The plants are happy just knowing that you like them, Kaito-san.”
Lilliwood-san paused, then offered a smile as beautiful as a flower in full bloom.
“...And of course, I find you, who says such things, to be very dear to me as well.”
“Th-Thank you.”
“Fufu, well then, let’s go.”
As she spoke in that gentle voice, a small, stunningly beautiful pink flower bloomed in her hair, just above her right ear.
Dear Mother, Father——It might have just been my imagination, but that flower... it felt like a sign. A sign that the affection Lilliwood-san was showing me was truly genuine.
Lilliwood's Hair (Leaves) Changes Normal state: Lush green leaves. Fatigue: Leaves turn the colors of autumn. Extreme exhaustion: Leaves wither. Happiness: Flower buds form above her ears. Deep affection (affinity): A pink flower blooms above her ear. Romantic love: Flowers bloom all over her hair.