Just how much time had passed? My consciousness, which had literally lost all track of time during my kiss with Shiro-san, finally returned once she seemed satisfied and pulled her lips away.
Even so, the lingering sensation remained... The feeling of Shiro-san's lips was burned so clearly into my mind that I could only stand there in a daze, unable to find my voice.
...Shiro-san looked immensely pleased with herself. For a moment, I thought I saw the words "Great Satisfaction" floating behind her... No, those letters were actually there. I guess she had taken a liking to the Stereoscopic Text expression.
"Hehe, so, how was Alice-chan's Special God Realm Juice?"
"I have a lot of things I want to say, but for now, I’d like you to explain exactly how that just happened."
"Understood! Also, just for the record, the kiss was initiated from your side, Kaito-san."
"Eh?"
At Alice's words, I finally remembered that I had been drinking the God Realm Juice in the first place, and I asked her to explain the mechanics of the situation.
"Hehe, the secret lies in the straw and the container. You see, this straw and container are made entirely of Magic Power, designed to undergo 'Annihilation after a set amount of time.' Furthermore, the straw doesn't vanish all at once; it's constructed to gradually disappear from the bottom up!"
"I... I see. That makes sense."
"And by having the straw vanish from the bottom, I calculated it so that your face and Shallow Vernal-sama's face would slowly draw closer... Well, in short, this God Realm Juice is!"
"..."
"A drink created by pouring every ounce of my craftsmanship into it, based on my perfect grasp of Kaito-san’s taste preferences and drinking speed. Once you drink it, you become so captivated by the flavor that 'without even realizing it, your distance from Shallow Vernal-sama closes.' Then, finally, by having the container and straw undergo Annihilation at the perfect moment, the result is 'Kaito-san initiating a kiss with Shallow Vernal-sama.'"
What a terrifying drink you’ve created, you bastard.
"Moreover, there’s an extra element in the contents. By drinking the four layers in order, your 'lip sensitivity is temporarily heightened' just a little, allowing you to feel Shallow Vernal-sama's lips even more vividly. By the way, I’m sure you’ve figured it out, but the four layers were inspired by Chronoa-san, Life-san, Fate-san, and Shallow Vernal-sama. The concept was 'Enjoying the Entire God Realm and Finally Enjoying Shallow Vernal-sama'!"
"..."
I was speechless. I could only shudder. I realized what a terrifying ally Shiro-san had gained... Or rather, had this girl really constructed such a sophisticated juice in the short time since their earlier exchange? She was seriously way too much of a cheat.
While I stood there, dazed by Alice's prowess and feeling anxious about what the future held... Shiro-san produced a large bag from out of nowhere and handed it to Alice.
"Alice, it was perfect. A masterpiece that completely fulfilled my requirements; I have nothing but praise for it. This is an additional reward for your work. Keep it."
"Thank you very much!"
To repeat myself, Shiro-san was profoundly pleased.
How should I put it? I only intended to quench my thirst, but things had escalated into something outrageous. However, seeing Shiro-san looking so truly happy made it impossible for me to complain.
Still, considering she likely had traps like this prepared everywhere from here on out, I felt incredibly uneasy.
Wrestling with those thoughts, I held Shiro-san's hand as we resumed our walk through the park.
"Shiro-san, you seem happy."
"Yes, that was a truly wonderful drink. Let us have it again sometime."
"Well, about that..."
"Particularly the mechanism where Kaito-san initiates the kiss—that was quite marvelous. I am very satisfied."
"..."
Shiro-san’s mood seemed to have climbed even higher than before. Her face remained expressionless, but the aura she exuded was as bright and cheerful as could be.
However... hmm. That conversation between Alice and Shiro-san just now, her comment about the drink completely fulfilling her requirements, and the remark Shiro-san just made...
I felt a little restless, or perhaps it was more that a part of me couldn't quite accept it.
"Shiro-san."
"Yes?"
"Um... excuse me for a second."
"—!?"
As Shiro-san turned toward me at my call, I gave her hand a gentle tug while simultaneously reaching out to cup her cheek... and kissed her.
It wasn't a long kiss like the one before, but a brief, light touch of the lips.
Perhaps Shiro-san hadn't been reading my heart because of her high spirits, as her eyes widened in rare surprise. After I pulled away, she looked at me, blinking rapidly.
"Kaito-san?"
"I just... I couldn't accept fulfilling Shiro-san's request under such involuntary circumstances. So... I redid it."
"..."
Having said my piece, I took Shiro-san's hand and started walking at a brisk pace. This was bad—my face was probably beet-red right now. I couldn't even look her in the eye.
I thought it was a bit pathetic of myself... but somehow, making Shiro-san happy while simply being swept along by a scheme felt wrong.
After all, Shiro-san was my lover now. If I was going to make her happy, I wanted to do it by my own will... Regardless, I might have just been being stubborn.
"Kaito-san, I have a question."
"Eh? Ah, yes. What is it?"
I was walking quickly to escape the embarrassment that felt like it might make steam rise from my head when Shiro-san spoke up. I replied without turning back.
"What expression would be best to describe a feeling even greater than satisfaction?"
"Heh? Um... well... Happiness, I suppose?"
"Is that so? I see. Then... Kaito-san, thank you. I am very happy right now."
"—!?"
Hearing those words, I reflexively turned around. Shiro-san was blushing slightly... and she was smiling with a truly blissful expression.
Even just being able to see that expression—something so incredibly beautiful—made my embarrassing impulse worth it.
Or rather, I just thought of something... Could it be that Alice created that juice while calculating that everything would end up exactly like this? It seemed entirely possible, which was terrifying in its own right.
Serious-senpai: "Heyyy! Stop messing around! Get on with the date already! Why did you spend an entire chapter just to kiss her again?! When is this date ever going to end?! I can't take any more of this sweetness!"
???: "Well, there was a break in the story one chapter ago, so it's fine, isn't it?"
Serious-senpai: "The fact that there was a break just made the sweetness even more overwhelming!"
???: "Regardless, Alice-chan truly is a capable lover, isn't she?"
Serious-senpai: "If you're going to try to change the subject, could you at least do it a little more skillfully?"