After happening upon Illness-san, we made our way to the area lined with food stalls. I started by purchasing two skewers and handed one to her.
"Here you go, Illness-san."
"Kuhihi, thank you very much..."
I felt a slight pang of hesitation about handing a woman a meat skewer right off the bat, but I didn't have much of a choice. Even when I asked her what she wanted to eat, she would only reply with things like, "Whatever Kaito-sama wishes to eat is fine with me."
I considered lying and suggesting something like a candy apple instead, but Illness-san would likely see through the deception in an instant. In the end, I just bought the Red Horn Bull skewers I’d been craving.
Red Horn Bull was essentially the equivalent of beef in this world. I’d eaten it several times before, so I knew it was safe. Honestly, there was a wonderful sense of relief in knowing exactly what kind of meat I was putting in my mouth.
As I watched, Illness-san placed a hand beside her skewer, hiding her mouth as she took a bite.
"...It is very delicious, isn't it?"
"..."
She had an elegant way of eating that kept the inside of her mouth hidden. Illness-san carried herself with such natural grace that the word "lady" seemed made for her.
If I looked closely at her posture or her gestures, I could sense a refined elegance in every detail. Yet, it never felt like she was doing it on purpose; it was simply her natural state. If she hadn't been wearing a maid uniform, her movements were polished enough that she could have passed for a noble's daughter.
Just as that thought crossed my mind, our eyes met. Or at least... I thought they did. It was always a bit hard to tell with her; sometimes it felt like she was looking right through me at the scenery behind. But yes, I was fairly certain we were making eye contact.
"Is something the matter?"
"Ah, n-no. I was just thinking that even the way you eat is so elegant. It's impressive."
"Kuhihi, that is not true at all. The way one eats is simply a matter of habit."
"Is that so?"
"Besides, an elegant manner is not everything. When it comes to meals, enjoying the food is what matters most."
"I see."
Her additional comment was likely meant to reassure me before I started on my own skewer. I truly admired people who could say things like that so naturally. Encouraged by her words, I was able to eat my skewer without feeling self-conscious.
Once I finished, Illness-san reached out with a fluid motion and took the empty stick from my hand, tossing it into a nearby bin along with her own. Then, she turned back to me and spoke in a soft, gentle voice.
"...So, Kaito-sama. What is it that you are 'feeling anxious' about?"
"...Eh?"
"There is a plaza over there. Shall we talk for a moment? I believe I can at least listen to what is on your mind."
"...Um, did you notice from the very beginning?"
"Who knows? I wonder about that. Kuhihihi."
I really was no match for her.
As she had surmised, there was something weighing on me. I had invited her out mainly as a thank-you, but perhaps a part of me had also been looking for a way to distract myself from my worries.
Having seen right through me, Illness-san led the way to a secluded plaza and prompted me to sit on a bench. I sat down, and she took a seat a short distance away, saying nothing as she turned her face toward me.
"...Well, the truth is, tomorrow I'm scheduled to go around the festival with Shiro-sa... with the Creator God-sama."
"That is a great honor, is it not?"
"Yes. It's not that I'm unhappy about it. In fact, spending time with Shiro-san is always fun in its own way, and I'm actually looking forward to it."
"Then what is it you are anxious about?"
"I suppose I'm just worried that we're going to attract a staggering amount of attention..."
I was excited to spend time with her, but compared to Kuro and the others, Shiro-san was on an entirely different level when it came to drawing eyes. After all, her mere arrival at the opening ceremony had been enough to make everyone in the vicinity drop to their knees. On top of that, the entire God race was providing extreme security. To an average citizen like me, that kind of scrutiny was incredibly daunting.
"I see. I am not particularly fond of standing out myself, so I understand your feelings."
"Yeah. I feel like it's rude to Shiro-san to walk around with her while feeling this way, so I think I was looking for a change of pace."
"...In that case, will you cancel your outing with the Creator God-sama tomorrow?"
"...No. As I said, I'm really looking forward to it."
"Then I believe that is enough. I am certain the Creator God-sama will be pleased as well."
"I suppose you're right."
This was simply the kind of person Illness-san was. She never told me what I "should" do. She would simply agree with me, affirm my feelings, and once I reached a conclusion, give me a gentle push forward.
Even though I called it anxiety, it wasn't a deep-seated fear; it was more like a mild apprehension about the intense attention we'd receive. Because Illness-san understood that subtle distinction, she let me voice my concerns to help me clear my head.
Now that I’d said it aloud, it seemed like a very simple problem. I just needed to ignore the crowds and enjoy the time I spent with Shiro-san.
Illness-san really was amazing. Talking to her always made me feel naturally more positive. Her voice, filled with gentle affirmation, and her words of quiet support were incredibly comforting.
As the fog in my heart began to lift, I heard her gentle voice accompanied by the light rhythm of clapping hands.
"...For example, if the world were a single story, just how many pages would it hold, I wonder?"
"...Illness-san?"
My gaze was drawn to her as she looked up at the sky, singing softly to the beat of her hands.
"You, written upon those pages, might perhaps look very small and difficult to see. But you are by no means unnecessary; you are a precious piece that leads to the very next page."
I sat in silence, captivated.
"Please, keep on walking, for the future lies exactly where you proceed."
I had never heard the song before, but the lyrics were incredibly kind. And Illness-san... she was an exceptionally gifted singer. Her voice was soft, almost like she was speaking directly to my soul, and I found myself listening intently.
"For example, if the world were a single story, I would like to be grateful for the miracle of our meeting. If you reach out your hand, those around you will reach out to you as well; in that way, the circle will widen, and the page will be colored."
She continued, the melody flowing naturally into the second verse.
"You are never alone, for many allies are right by your side. Please, do not forget that there is a fan of the story who wishes for your happiness."
As she sang those words, Illness-san turned toward me. For a fleeting second, it felt as though her gaze finally came into focus, looking directly into my eyes.
"Surely, the path you walk will not be flat; strong winds will blow. But surely, you will grow with each and every trial. Someday, when you grow old and read back through the story, it is fine if I am not depicted on the page that makes you smile."
She paused for a heartbeat, her expression softening.
"Even if the world is a single story, I want to be the reader of the small, very small story that you weave. So please, do not forget that I will always be your fan, wishing for your happiness."
The song reached its end. Illness-san gave a small, gentle smile—one quite different from her usual eerie laugh—before looking away and turning her eyes back to the sky.
"...That's a beautiful song. What's it called?"
"...It is a song titled 'Small Story' that was popular about a hundred years ago. I felt it was the most appropriate song to offer you, Kaito-sama."
"Eh? Um..."
"I will always be your ally. So, from now on, please rely on me as much as you like. Knowing that you are happy is what makes me the gladdest, after all. I suppose it feels something like that?"
She tilted her head slightly. Bathed in the faint moonlight, she looked hauntingly beautiful—almost ethereal.
"Kuhihi... Well then, we still have some time. Shall we look around the stalls a bit more?"
"Ah, y-yes! You're right, let's go!"
I stood up, following her as she let out her usual laugh. Perhaps because I had just heard her promise to always be my ally, my face felt strangely hot.
Dear Mother, Father—she affirms me, supports me, and pushes me forward. She wishes for my happiness from the bottom of her heart. The song Illness-san had given me was so incredibly kind—the lyrics were truly devoted.