The morning sky was clear as I walked outside the Royal Capital with Anima. Our goal was the fishing trip we had discussed before. It was our first outing since becoming a couple—in short, it was a date.
Anima had clearly gone all out with the preparations. She had provided almost everything, including the fishing rods, and was keeping it all in her Magic Box.
As a side note, that Magic Box was actually a hand-me-down from me. After I switched to the one Kuro made for me—the one with the nonsensical, bottomless capacity—I didn't want my old one to go to waste, so I had passed it on to Anima.
"It's a beautiful day. Perfect fishing weather, wouldn't you say?"
"Yes. I believe the scenery will be quite lovely as well. However, while it isn't particularly hot, we must ensure we stay properly hydrated."
Anima nodded with a smile as we walked together. She wasn't wearing her usual military uniform today. Instead, she had opted for a pair of black jeans that looked easy to move in, a somewhat casual white shirt, and a light jacket.
It was actually an outfit I had bought for her a while back. Perhaps because of her usual military image, I felt the pants style really suited her. It might sound like I was patting myself on the back, but the clothes really did look great on her; she looked both cool and cute at the same time.
"By the way, do you often visit the river we’re heading to with Caraway?"
I knew she often went fishing with Caraway, so I wondered if our destination was one of their regular spots.
Incidentally, following my earlier talk with Anima, I had gotten Caraway’s permission to stop using honorifics when addressing her. Just as Anima had suspected, she seemed to have been bothered by the distance the formal language created. When I made the suggestion, she had looked delighted, her tail forming a distinct heart shape.
I seemed to see that heart shape quite often lately. Given the circumstances whenever it appeared, it seemed to be a sign that Caraway was feeling happy.
"Ah, no. When I go with Cara, we usually go elsewhere. Not to toot our own horns, but since both Cara and I possess a fair amount of strength, we tend to go after big game. However, the places where such large prey live are often inhabited by monsters, so for today, I chose a safe location with a better view. Of course, even if a monster were to appear, I would protect you, Master."
"I see. I appreciate the thought... though, can I ask you something? Where did you learn a phrase like 'toot our own horns'?"
I was touched by her consideration in picking a spot with me in mind, but I was even more surprised to hear such an idiomatic expression come out of her mouth.
"Ah, Epsilon-dono is apparently quite well-versed in the culture of the otherworld—your home world, Master. She has been teaching me various things."
"Heh, Epsilon-san certainly gives off that kind of vibe."
Epsilon-san used a long sword and sat in a formal kneeling posture when we first met. She always felt like a traditional Japanese warrior to me.
"Do you see Epsilon-san often?"
"Not frequently, but she visits occasionally to offer me combat advice. It has been incredibly helpful and I have learned much, but..."
"But?"
"Well, ever since I began practicing the martial arts taught to me by Kuromueina-dono... she has started saying things like, 'Perhaps a thousand years was too long,' or 'Is it not nearly time we had a match? No, but to go against my own word would be...' It seems those sorts of comments are becoming more common."
"Ahaha. Hearing that makes me realize Epsilon-san really is one of Megiddo-san's subordinates after all."
While Epsilon-san had a very cool-headed image, it seemed she loved a good fight as much as any other member of the War King’s followers. Still, the fact that she was holding herself back to honor her promise of waiting a thousand years showed she was relatively composed.
"Come to think of it, you mentioned Kuro taught you martial arts. What’s that like? I’m a little curious."
"It is a style centered around claws and fists. Kuromueina-dono named it the 'Claw Strike Arts'."
"Eh? She named it? So it’s an original style?"
"Yes. It seems she devised it specifically to match my traits as a former Black Bear. When I actually started practicing it, it felt surprisingly natural. Even for someone as clumsy as I am, I was able to master it to a practical combat level in a very short time."
"...Kuro is really something else, huh?"
"Indeed. As expected of someone who has raised so many powerful individuals, she understood exactly where I would struggle and guided me with precision."
I had heard from Alice that Kuro was a top-tier instructor, but hearing it again made me realize just how incredible she really was.
As I walked and chatted idly with Anima, it wasn't long before we arrived at a wide river. It was a picturesque spot in the middle of a meadow with an open, clear view.
"...Oh, is this the place?"
"Yes, this is the river. However, since this area is close to the main road, I believe there will be more fish if we head a bit further upstream."
"Got it. It’s a beautiful river... What kind of fish live here?"
"If you are looking for edible species, River Fish are quite abundant."
I recalled River Fish being somewhat similar to sweetfish. In that case, they would probably be delicious grilled with salt. Honestly, I had always had a bit of a dream about roasting fish on a stick over a campfire, so I hoped we could do that.
"Among the inedible varieties, Crystal Fish also inhabit these waters. Though they are rare, so we likely won't see them very often..."
"Ah, if I remember right, those are the ones whose scales are traded at high prices as materials for special lenses, right?"
"Exactly! As expected of you, Master! You are so knowledgeable!"
Anima beamed with a brilliant, wide smile. She looked so happy that, even though she was a bear, I could almost see a puppy wagging its tail with all its might. There were many parts of her that had grown more mature and adult-like, but these unchanging parts of her were incredibly endearing.
"...Oh, right. Changing the subject, since we’re lovers now, you don't have to call me 'Master' when it's just the two of us. You can call me by my name."
"Hwah?! B-By your name... s-sir?"
"Yeah. I know you're usually mindful of your position as an attendant, but we're just a normal couple on a date right now. It's fine to just call me Kaito."
"Ha, y-ye-ye-yes... I-I see."
It had been a spontaneous suggestion, but Anima’s face turned beet red in an instant. Her eyes were darting all over the place; she was clearly very flustered. After several seconds of frantic glancing around, she looked at me as if bracing herself. With her face still glowing crimson, she opened her mouth.
"...Ka, Ka-ka, Kai, Ka... I am terribly sorry! That is far too high of a difficulty level for me!"
"Difficulty...?"
"I-I will take the matter home and deliberate on it, then try again at a later date!"
The way she was so incredibly flustered—or rather, so shy—was adorable. I couldn't help but let out a wry smile as I reached out and lightly patted her head.
"Well, there's no need to rush. You can do it whenever you're ready."
"Y-Yes! This unworthy Anima will put her heart and soul into the effort!"
"No, it's really not something you need to get that fired up about..."
Regardless of how much things changed, Anima was still Anima. It was a truly heartwarming sight.