Something good had happened for Isis-san by complete accident, and seeing the joy on her face filled me with a sense of happiness too.
Granted, the rumors about me were a bit demoralizing... but since I couldn't entirely deny some parts of them, I decided to just let them slide for now.
As I started walking with Isis-san again, I was thinking it was about time we checked out some of the stalls when something suddenly caught my eye.
It looked as soft and fluffy as a cloud. A large stick moved in circles inside a magical device, catching fine threads until they formed a shape that was practically a work of art.
In other words, it was cotton candy. Even if the flea market was the main focus today, it wasn't strange to see food stalls.
And cotton candy was a classic among classics. It might have been a little childish, but you could always count on it to be delicious.
That being said, as an adult, I felt like it might look a bit too juvenile for me. But to put it simply... I really, really wanted some!
I mean, festivals and cotton candy go hand-in-hand. In a way, you could almost say it was disrespectful to the festival not to eat some. It wasn't that I was being childish—it was just that cotton candy was so good that I couldn't help but feel this way.
If I were here alone, I would have bought some without a second thought. But right now, I had my lover, Isis-san, by my side.
Admitting that I wanted to eat cotton candy felt... well, embarrassing. But I still wanted it. If I missed this chance, who knew when I'd get to eat it again?
Alright, let's try suggesting it indirectly...
"I-Isis-san. Look, there’s a cotton candy stall. It’s a sweet that exists in my world, too... Since we’re here, why don’t we try some?"
"Mm? ...If you want to, Kaito... then okay. I would be happy... just to eat it with you."
"Guh..."
"...Kaito?"
Her angelic smile dealt a staggering blow to my conscience.
I'm sorry, Isis-san... I'm a wretched human being. I pretended I wanted to introduce you to a sweet from my world, when really I was just using you as an excuse because I wanted to eat it myself.
"...I-It’s nothing. My treat!"
"...Eh? Is that okay?"
"Yes! At least at times like this, let me act like a man."
"...Kaito is... always... cool, you know?"
"Gah!?"
Isis-san was so much of an angel it actually hurt. I felt like my own ugly heart was being scorched away.
Wrestling with the guilt of using her as a pretext, I led her toward the stall. However, I immediately regretted my impulsive decision.
"Excuse m—"
"Hiee!? A-Aaaah...!"
"—Eh?"
"...Ah... I-I'm sorr..."
I had been completely careless. Even if the range of Isis-san's Magic Power of Death had improved, that only applied if a certain distance was maintained.
Based on what I’d seen earlier, the "safe" zone was about three meters. If anyone got closer than that, Isis-san's Magic Power of Death would exert its original, terrifying influence.
To make matters worse, this stall wasn't run by one of the Six Kings' subordinates; it was an ordinary participant.
Isis-san tried to back away immediately, but the stall owner was faster. He scrambled away, abandoning his tools and everything else, running for his life.
"..."
Isis-san's expression instantly crumbled into sadness. I should have known better. It wasn't as if her Magic Power of Death was totally gone; we had only just seen a glimmer of hope for improvement. I should have been much more careful.
"...Kaito... I'm sorry..."
"Isis-san?"
"...As I thought... being with me—Mmph!?"
It might have been a bit forceful. But I didn't want to hear another word of self-blame, so I leaned in and silenced her with a kiss.
After savoring the sensation of her moist, slightly cool lips for a moment, I pulled back. Isis-san’s eyes were wide with shock.
"...Kaito?"
"I'm sorry! I was being reckless. Let's find a shop run by the Six Kings' subordinates next time."
"...Eh? But..."
"Isis-san, you didn't do anything wrong. I was the one—"
"Now, now—the only one at fault is 'this old guy'."
"...Eh?"
Just as I was about to insist it was my fault, a familiar voice cut me off.
"...Ozma?"
"Ozma-san?"
"Good grief, my apologies, Isis-sama. I was actually the one put in charge of this stall, but I had a craving for a smoke, so I had an acquaintance watch the shop for a bit. Sorry for the scare. As an apology, I'll give you each one on the house, so please forgive me."
Ozma-san appeared, scratching his messy hair and giving us a wry smile.
Then, with practiced hands, he spun two clouds of cotton candy. He handed the first one to Isis-san, and as he handed the second one to me, he whispered in a voice so low only I could hear it.
"...Sorry I was late to the party. I'll handle things on this end, so go on and enjoy yourselves."
"...Thank you."
It seemed Ozma-san had stepped in to cover for us so the mood wouldn't be ruined after the owner fled.
After offering a silent prayer of thanks for his thoughtfulness, I squeezed Isis-san's hand tightly.
"Now then, Isis-san! Let's get back to our date!"
"...Eh? ...U-Um... okay."
"Also, no more talk about causing me trouble, alright? If you try to say something like that again, I'll have to shut you up the same way I just did."
"...Kaito."
I spoke playfully as I pulled on her hand to get us moving again. I squeezed her fingers, putting all my will into the gesture to show her I would never let go.
My feelings must have reached her, because Isis-san blushed slightly and gave me a bashful smile.
"...Okay... I want you... to stop me."
"You're not allowed to say it on purpose, you know?"
"...Fufu... I know. But... do it again... later?"
"...I-I'll do my best."
"...I'm looking forward to it."
It seemed her spirits had recovered. Isis-san squeezed my hand back with a radiant smile.
Dear Mother, Father—it seems things don't always go perfectly, and I stumbled a bit. But that incident was a good lesson. Once again, so that Isis-san doesn't have to feel sad, as her lover—I'll lead her properly.
Kaito's palate is that of a child; at festivals, he's the type to go for cotton candy over yakisoba or takoyaki.
Serious-senpai: "I-Impossible... Their 'Sugar Power' is at 1000... 2000... it's still rising!? Th-They're monsters..."