Feeling the crisp, dry winter air against my skin, I walked along a road that had recently begun to feel profoundly nostalgic. It had been a long time since I was last in Japan. It felt like a homecoming of sorts, and a slightly somber sentiment welled up within me as I took in the familiar sights.
"Kaito-sama... thank you so much for indulging my selfishness today..."
"No, it's the least I can do."
I shifted my gaze toward the voice. Illness-san, who was holding my hand, looked up at me with a soft smile. Today, she was dressed in clothing suited for this world: a white turtleneck knit under a black long skirt, paired with brown short boots. For her outer layer, she wore a light-colored duffle coat.
Standing only about 120 centimeters tall, she was quite small, yet her coordination—using dark winter tones that didn't feel too heavy—combined with her calm demeanor and refined gestures gave her a remarkable sense of maturity.
As for why I was back in Japan with Illness-san... put simply, it was because she had asked to come. While discussing where to go for one of our dates after becoming lovers, I had asked if she had any preferences. She told me that, if it were possible, she wanted to see the world where I used to live.
Since it was a rare request from her, I never considered saying no. After securing permission from Eden-san, the God of this world, we had traveled to Japan together.
"Illness-san, is there anywhere in particular you want to go? I know you aren't familiar with the facilities here. Is there a certain kind of place you'd like to visit? If not, I can take you to the usual tourist spots."
"Let’s see... everything in this world is so fresh that it’s almost overwhelming, but... if I may choose, there is a specific place I would like you to take me."
"Of course, I’ll take you anywhere. Don't hesitate to say."
"Thank you so much."
I had prepared plenty of money, and we had the time. If she had suddenly asked to go to Hokkaido or another country, it might have been difficult on my own, but I was determined to make it happen somehow. However, contrary to my expectations, her request was something quite different.
We were walking hand-in-hand through an utterly unremarkable residential district. It wasn't a shopping district, nor were there any famous landmarks or hidden gems. A bit further down, there was a main road with karaoke bars and game centers, but we weren't heading for those.
It was a path I knew by heart—the route I had taken from my house to the university. We strolled along it leisurely. The reason we were here was that Illness-san had wished for me to "take her to the roads I traveled and the places I frequented when I lived in this world."
And so, we walked the route from my former home to the university. Since there truly wasn't anything special about it, I worried she might be getting bored. However, the emotions flowing from her through my Sympathy Magic were filled with joy.
"Ah, this is the spot. The place where I was first summoned to Trinia."
"Is that so... So this is the place..."
Illness-san stopped and gazed at the empty road, looking deeply happy. I didn't quite understand it myself, but I was glad she was enjoying it.
"...Um, Illness-san?"
"Yes?"
"Are you... No, sorry. It's nothing."
Illness-san didn't like noisy places, so I had tried to choose somewhere quiet, but was a place like this really okay? I started to ask, but I couldn't find the right words. Even if these sights were mundane to me, to someone from another world, even an ordinary residential street must have been a novelty.
If she wanted to see how the people here lived, her excitement made sense. Still, it made me wonder where to take her next. Thinking about the places I had visited most when I lived here... the top of the list was undoubtedly Jifuu Cemetery, where my parents had been buried. But I could hardly take her to a cemetery on a date.
As for the university, I had already withdrawn, so I couldn't really go inside. Aside from that, the only places I went to were convenience stores or chain restaurants. While I was lost in thought, Illness-san turned toward me with a faint, wry smile.
"Are you curious about my reason?"
"Eh? Ah, um... yes."
I nodded, realizing I must have been tilting my head in confusion.
"It is a very selfish, self-centered reason... but I simply wanted to see it."
"Hmm?"
"The you before you met me... the you before I knew you. I wanted to see the scenery you looked at as well."
"..."
"I am so happy to be with you now that I almost regret the years when I hadn't met you yet. Is that why, I wonder? I just wanted to see the world as you saw it, and I ended up making a rather selfish request."
Illness-san looked somewhat apologetic, but I didn't think that qualified as being selfish. It was a slightly roundabout way for her to say, "I want to know more about you," and honestly, it just made me happy.
"It’s not selfish at all. In fact, it makes me happy to hear you say that... By the way, the place I visited most when I lived here was the cemetery where my parents' graves were. Shall we go there next?"
"Yes. If you are alright with it, Kaito-sama, I would love to."
Jifuu Cemetery was located just barely within the same prefecture but quite a distance from the city center. It was in a suburb that felt like a quiet bedroom community. Visiting during the day, the area around the station felt somewhat deserted.
There was some distance from the station to the cemetery, so we could have taken a bus or a taxi, but I had always walked when I visited my parents' graves. I decided to keep the tradition and walked the road with Illness-san. On the way, we passed a large supermarket with a flower shop inside where I used to buy offerings. The shop was still there, so we decided to take a quick look inside.
Since my mother and father were currently living happily in Trinia, we didn't need offering flowers. Instead, we looked at the various bouquets, and I noticed Illness-san's gaze lingering on a certain flower.
"...Come to think of it, Illness-san, do you like roses?"
I lightly touched the muffler wrapped around my neck—the one she had given me for Valentine's Day. The lining had an embroidery of three red roses. It wasn't just this muffler; the capes and blankets she had hand-knitted for me all had the same three red roses. I had been meaning to ask about it.
Illness-san kept her eyes on the roses and spoke softly.
"Yes. At this moment, it is definitely my favorite flower."
"I see... Should we buy some, then?"
"No... I shall pass. They would only be extra baggage, and besides... they are 'not enough' now."
She smiled and shifted her gaze to another flower. It was a strange thing to say, but watching her look so happy, I didn't press for details. After looking at the flowers for a while longer, we moved toward the grocery section.
"Illness-san, this area doesn't have many restaurants. Should we pick up a lunchbox or something?"
"I have actually prepared a lunch for us already. Would you like to have that?"
"Eh? You made one?"
"Yes."
To my surprise and delight, Illness-san had made a lunch for us. Her home-cooked meals were a rarity. While she was a master of housework and a professional-level chef, she usually left the meals at the mansion to the head chef. Aside from sweets, I rarely had the chance to eat her food. More than that, having a girlfriend make a lunch just for me was something I had always wanted.
"Thank you. I'm really happy. Well then, let's just buy some drinks... there's a large park nearby with a nice view, so let's eat there."
"Yes."
We bought some bottled tea and headed to the park. We sat side-by-side on a bench. The park was filled with greenery and quiet, with very few people around.
"I hope it suits your taste."
The lunch she brought out wasn't just sandwiches or onigiri—it was a proper two-tiered lunchbox with side dishes and rice packed separately. It was exactly what I pictured when I thought of a "handmade lunch." She had probably asked Aoi-chan or Hina-chan for advice on how to make a lunch in the style of my world.
"Thank you! It looks amazing."
"If it makes you happy, then I am happy as well."
Having lost my parents early and being a loner in school, I had always had a bit of a yearning for this kind of domestic, homemade meal. Knowing it was made by my lovely partner made my spirits soar.
Rolled omelets, meatballs, potato salad... there were even wieners cut into the shape of octopuses. It looked too good to eat. Illness-san spread a handkerchief over her lap and took out her own lunchbox, which was a bit smaller than mine. Even her small gestures felt refined and mature.
"Well then, let's eat."
"Yes. Please, enjoy."
I pressed my hands together and began to eat. It was incredibly delicious. Her skills were top-notch, but more than that, it felt like she had tailored the flavors perfectly to my preferences. The sweet rolled omelet was slightly firm, the meatballs were savory, and the potato salad was perfectly light. Eating this with a beautiful girl in such a peaceful setting... I wouldn't have blamed anyone for telling me to drop dead from jealousy. This was exactly what I had dreamed of.
If she offered me a bite, it would be perfect, but I was too embarrassed to ask. As if reading my mind, Illness-san glanced at me with a smile.
"Kaito-sama."
"Yes?"
"It seems I made a bit too much for myself. If you wouldn't mind, could you help me with some?"
"Eh? Ah, sure."
When I nodded, she skillfully picked up a piece of rolled omelet with her chopsticks, cradling it with her other hand as she held it out to me.
"Ahn."
Was she an angel? A goddess of mercy? She had seen right through me. I felt embarrassed, but the happiness overflowing in my chest was far greater. The omelet she fed me tasted even sweeter than the ones in my own box.
After lunch, we rested and finished our tea. The winter sun was out, and with no wind, it was a comfortable day. Since our only other plan was the cemetery, we had plenty of time to linger.
"Whew— Ah, sorry."
"Kuhihi. The weather is lovely, after all. It’s only natural to feel a bit sleepy."
My stomach was full, and a yawn escaped me. Illness-san seemed amused rather than offended. She showed me her characteristic smile—one I had come to find adorable—and lightly smoothed her skirt as she spoke.
"If you’d like, would you care to rest for a bit? I’m not sure how comfortable it will be, but I can offer you a pillow."
"Does that mean..."
"Yes. If you are willing, Kaito-sama."
She was offering me a lap pillow. I couldn't resist such an alluring proposal, nor did I want to. The park was empty, the bench was large enough to lie down on, and the weather was perfect.
"Um... then, I think I will."
I nervously rested my head on her thighs. I was met with a faint, pleasant fragrance and a blissful softness. It was so comfortable that I felt I might drift off instantly.
As I lay there, she began to gently stroke my head. She truly had an incredible sense of motherly warmth. While I basked in the comfort, she spoke softly.
"Kaito-sama, do you remember the song I sang during the Six Kings Festival?"
"...Small Story, right?"
Her voice was so soothing that it only made me sleepier, but I managed to answer. She kept stroking my hair as she continued.
"Life doesn't always go like it does in songs, does it?"
"What do you mean?"
"I’ve become quite greedy, it seems. I used to think being a mere reader of your story was enough... but I can’t do that anymore. Now, I want to be written into the story alongside you—a story where you are always smiling."
"..."
She spoke with a hint of self-deprecation, yet she sounded like she was enjoying the change.
"I have become far more selfish and greedy than I used to be... is that alright with you?"
"...Of course it is. And for the record, you aren't being selfish at all. I actually want you to ask for more things."
"Kuhihi. Even more? That is a problem. Whenever I am with you, Kaito-sama, my heart is already so full of happiness that I can’t think of anything else."
"Ahaha, I'm glad to hear that. But really, don't hesitate to ask if there’s ever anything you want."
"I will. If I think of something, I’ll be sure to tell you."
"Please do."
"Kuhihi."
She laughed happily and fell silent, continuing to stroke my head. Wrapped in her warmth, I drifted into a light sleep.
After our nap, we headed back to Jifuu Cemetery. We climbed the stairs to the hill where the graveyard was located. Being a weekday, it was deserted. We soon reached our destination.
"...This is where my parents' grave used to be."
"I see."
"It’s gone now, but... before I went to Trinia, this was the place I visited more than anywhere else. This was the view I saw the most."
The grave was no longer there. My parents had felt bad about having my uncle and aunt maintain it after they had been resurrected. I had asked Eden-san to explain the situation to them, and she had taken care of the rest. Being a god, she had handled it easily. The lot was now empty, waiting for someone else's grave to be built there one day. It wasn't a sad thing. My parents were alive and with me in another world.
"...It sounds pathetic, but I came here all the time. I realize now that I just couldn't accept their deaths and was desperately searching for their traces. It took me a long time to see that."
"..."
"But in the end, it helped me notice the kindness of the people who were supporting me. It was a long detour, but I'm glad I took it."
I crouched down in the empty lot and pressed my hands together. It was a strange feeling—not quite loneliness or sadness, just a bit of melancholy that a sight I had seen so often had changed.
As I stared at the empty space, a shadow fell over me. Illness-san was standing right in front of me. She leaned down and gently embraced me, pulling my head toward her.
"Illness-san?"
"I am not pitying you. Nor am I simply comforting you."
Her softness and warmth provided me with an overwhelming sense of peace.
"I just wanted to hold you. It is merely my own selfishness."
"...I see."
"Since you gave me permission to ask for more, may I stay like this for a while?"
"...Yes."
It was an unfair kind of selfishness. I felt a sudden, sharp hunger for human warmth, and she had sensed it. she called it her own whim so that I wouldn't feel like a burden. It was so kind that I couldn't help but lean into her.
By the time she softly let go of me, the heaviness in my chest had vanished. Thinking about it after I had calmed down, that sense of peace was dangerous. If I wasn't careful, her maternal warmth would turn me into a spoiled child.
Feeling a bit shy, I took her hand again as we left. The sky was beginning to take on a reddish hue as evening approached. Since the cemetery was on high ground, we had a clear view of the city below. I stopped on the stairs, struck by the sight. I had come here countless times, but I had never realized how beautiful the view was. I simply hadn't been able to see it.
Now that my heart was in a different place, the world looked different. Realizing that made me feel incredibly lucky. Illness-san let go of my hand and stepped up one stair, turning to face me.
"Kaito-sama?"
"Yes?"
"I forgot to tell you something important."
She stood before me, smiling. Even with the extra step, I still stood taller than her, but the gap had narrowed.
"Earlier, you asked if I liked roses, didn't you?"
"Ah, yes. I did."
"I do like them. Especially red roses. Did you know that red roses have different meanings depending on how many you give?"
"I didn't know that."
"One rose means 'love at first sight'. Two means 'the world is only for the two of us'. The number changes the message."
"I see... Then, what about three?"
I asked because almost everything she had given me had three roses embroidered on it. She looked me straight in the eyes with a gentle smile.
"The meaning of three red roses is..."
"Eh? Ah..."
"...Ngh."
She lightly tugged on my muffler. It was a gentle pull, one I could have easily resisted, but I let it draw me down. As I leaned in, she stood on her tiptoes. Our lips met.
I felt a surprising softness, followed by a profound sense of love. My mind went blank as the gentle, deep kiss continued. When she finally pulled away, a thin silver thread connected our lips, shimmering in the golden light of the setting sun.
I felt a faint pang of loneliness as the contact ended, but she looked at me with a radiant smile.
"...'I love you'."
That was the language of three red roses—the message she had been sending me all along. Bathed in the evening light, she looked more beautiful than I had ever seen her.
"...Illness-san, can I ask one more thing?"
"Yes?"
"Why did you say they were 'not enough' at the flower shop? They definitely had three roses there."
She smiled from the bottom of her heart.
"Before we became lovers, three was enough. But now, I want to give you one hundred and one roses... so three just wasn't enough."
"...And what do one hundred and one roses mean?"
"...'I love you more than anything'."
"I see... In that case, I want to give you a hundred and one roses too."
"Kuhihi. Then shall we exchange them someday?"
"I'd love to."
Looking at her smile, I finally understood why she had wanted to come here. She wanted to share the same world, the same scenery, and the same happiness. It was only natural, then, that I leaned down once more, and she met me halfway.