It wasn’t as if this was actually my house, but as I stepped into Lilia-san’s mansion—the place where I’d spent a whole year—the same thought kept circling in my mind: Ah, I’m finally home.
The sight of the manor was nostalgic, and more than anything, it felt incredibly calming.
"It has been a long time... No, I suppose 'welcome home' is more appropriate. Welcome home, Kaito-san. I am truly happy to see you again."
"Yes, it’s been a while, Lilia-san."
Lilia-san welcomed me back with a gentle smile. Thanks to Chronoa-san’s blessing, she was ageless, yet something about her felt different. Perhaps her heart had matured over these past two years; she carried herself with a more adult air than before.
"I trusted that you would certainly return, and since the Phantasm King-sama had already sent word, I wasn't particularly surprised—though my joy is immense."
"..."
It seemed her conduct as a noble had truly become second nature. She was composed, even poised. Knowing the old Lilia-san, I felt a pang of nostalgia—a slight loneliness—at the change, but growth was something to be celebrated.
Or so I thought.
"Good grief, I’m impressed you can say that with such a straight face."
"Hmm?"
"Lu—Luna!? W-What are you saying all of a sudden?"
Luna-san, who was standing by Lilia-san’s side, muttered with an expression of genuine exasperation. When I tilted my head in confusion, Lilia-san’s calm facade instantly shattered into a panicked mess.
"During these past two years, would you like me to tell him the specific number of times Milady murmured, 'Is Kaito-san not back yet?' with such a lonely look on her face?"
"Luna... wait! I’m begging you, please don't say anything more!"
"Oh, and speaking of which... while Miyama-sama was away, Milady often seemed to be in her room listening to her music box. Your humble Lunamaria had no idea Milady was such a fan of music until now. Oh? But was it just my imagination, or was it always the same song playing on loop?"
"U-Um, Luna... stop it already, I’m begging you... I have, you know, my dignity as a noble to maintain..."
Wait, what was this? The situation was taking a sharp turn—it felt like a massive exposure session had begun. The music box Lilia-san had been listening to... it was probably the one I gave her, wasn't it? Which meant...
"Dignity? My, I wonder. Does the 'dignified noble' I know refer to the person who, after hearing from the Phantasm King-sama, spent her days pacing restlessly around her room, completely unable to focus on a single lick of work?"
"Aaaaaahhhhh... No, I mean, t-that's not it!?"
"U-Um, Luna-san? What exactly does this mean?"
Upon hearing Luna-san’s words, Lilia-san covered her bright red face with both hands and slumped onto her desk. Her previously poised attitude had vanished as if it were a lie. As I watched her in wonder, Luna-san let out another deep sigh and spoke.
"It’s a simple story. Milady was just putting on airs to appear like a refined lady before her beloved lover. It’s not as if she actually became more mature during your absence. Though I will say her combat power rose to a rather absurd degree."
"..."
Ah, I see. I’ll take back what I said earlier. Somehow, seeing that she was still the same lovable, un-noble-like Lilia-san I knew made me feel relieved. The way she worried about acting like a lady was very typical of her; I couldn't help but find it endearing.
Of course, being the one exposed was clearly unbearable for Lilia-san. Her face was so red it looked like steam might erupt from her head as she teetered on the verge of tears.
Seeing this, Luna-san let out one last light sigh, moved toward the exit, and opened the door. She looked back one last time to address her mistress.
"Honestly, how long are you going to keep putting on useless airs, Idiot Lili? Miyama-sama doesn't have much time today, so hurry up, be honest, and let him spoil you."
Having spoken not as a maid, but as a best friend, Luna-san stepped out, leaving only Lilia-san and me in the room. Luna-san really is a good friend at heart.
"Um... Lilia-san."
"Ugh... I-It can’t be helped, can it? Even though I’ve stopped aging thanks to Chronoa-sama’s blessing... compared to other long-lived species... those two years felt like an eternity to me."
"..."
"I... was so lonely."
Wait, what? I might have to take back my words once more. Hasn't Lilia-san become even cuter than before?
Seeing Lilia-san admit her loneliness with teary eyes, a surge of affection for her welled up inside me. As if drawn to her, I approached and leaned over her as she sat in her chair, pulling her into a hug.
"Uhyah!? K-Ka-Ka-Kaito-san!?"
"I’m sorry for making you feel lonely."
"Auh... auh..."
"I’m just happy to see you again. My favorite Lilia-san hasn't changed at all from two years ago... it makes me so happy."
"!"
"Lilia-san?"
"Kyuu..."
"Eh? Wait!? Lilia-san!?"
Perhaps her embarrassment had exceeded its limit, as Lilia-san’s eyes rolled back and she fainted dead away in my arms. I felt a complicated mix of emotions—part of me was relieved that this side of her hadn't changed, while another part of me felt a little disappointed.
Milady Two Years Later
Ability: Perhaps because she got the hang of things during the final battle, her combat power has risen to a terrifying degree (Mid-level Count-class).
Personality: Unchanged. She tried to act like she had become more mature over the two years, but failed miserably.
Heroine Power: Has risen sharply. She has become slightly more honest than before.
Fainting: A familiar sense of security (though she can endure it a little longer than she used to).