On a peaceful afternoon, the warm sunlight filtering through the window was enough to invite a pleasant drowsiness. In the midst of that cozy atmosphere, I sipped from a cup of black tea.
Back when I lived on Earth, I’d been more of a coffee person, but since arriving in this world, I’d had so many opportunities to drink tea that I’d eventually become something of an enthusiast—at least enough to tell the difference between various blends.
As for today's tea... it was hard to put into words. It had a relaxing, gentle sweetness to it. Well, as long as it tasted good, that was enough for me.
"Now that I think about it, I didn't manage to finish my greeting rounds before the White God Festival after all."
"Oh, that's right. You were still in the middle of visiting the Seven Princesses, weren't you?"
"Yeah. The schedules for the last three—the Rose Princess, the Great Tree Princess, and Princess Ouka—just didn't line up. We're planning to have our first meetings after the festival instead."
"I see. Well, it's not like there's any reason to rush, y’know?"
"True."
I nodded at Alice’s words as she sipped her own tea. While I’d finished most of my introductions to the Six Kings' Executives, three of the Seven Princesses remained.
Still, as Alice said, there was no rule stating I had to meet them before the White God Festival, so taking my time and seeing them afterward was perfectly fine.
Speaking of which, there were less than ten days left until the start of the White God Festival—the first of its kind in the God Realm—and lately, the topic was unavoidable no matter where I went.
Just the other day, the results for the lottery events, such as the pre-registered worship in the Middle Level, had been announced, and that seemed to have caused quite a stir as well.
I’d been told that I was allowed to attend via a face pass, but regardless of whether I was supposed to offer prayers to Shiro-san, I was already scheduled to visit the Sanctuary in the evening. There was really no need for me to go out of my way to attend the public events.
"...By the way, Alice. Is it okay if I finally point something out?"
"What's that?"
"...Why are you wearing a kigurumi?"
I hadn't seen Alice like this in a while. Or rather, she let her split bodies wear them, but she herself usually went without. Today, however, she was clad in her signature cat costume.
I was curious how she was even drinking tea through the suit, but more than that, I wondered why she’d put it on in the first place.
"...Whoops. Be very careful how you handle Alice-chan right now, Kaito-san. I'm liable to explode."
"From what?"
"Sheer embarrassment..."
"Are you still dwelling on that?"
Apparently, the reason she was hiding in the suit was simply because she was mortified. She was still reeling from our recent fair date.
To be precise, while she’d accepted the fact that I remembered everything, that didn't stop the memories from being incredibly embarrassing for her.
It was an excuse so typical of Alice that I couldn't help but find it adorable, despite feeling a little bad for her. And once that thought crossed my mind, a small, mischievous urge began to take root.
"...The sea."
"!!??"
The moment I whispered the words, Alice practically jumped out of her skin in obvious agitation. Seeing her reaction, I burst out laughing.
"Pfft... Ahaha!"
"Kai—to—san!"
"Sorry, sorry. Your reaction was just so perfect... Hahaha."
"It's not funny! That’s bad for my heart... Haa. Honestly, Kaito-san, you really turn into a bit of a sadist when it comes to me, don't you?"
"Hmm, maybe you're right. I guess it’s proof of how much I've opened up to you."
"Ugh, that’s cheating. If you put it like that, I can't even complain anymore..."
I was actually quite aware of what Alice had pointed out. Since we’d been close friends long before we became lovers, she was probably the person I could talk to while feeling most like my true self.
That, and her reactions were so cute every single time that I couldn't resist teasing her.
"...But I really do hope the two of us can go together someday. To the sea."
"...I suppose so."
I didn't intend to pressure her; I’d said it mostly to bring the current topic to a close. However, after hearing my words, Alice made the kigurumi vanish. She turned toward me, her mask removed.
Her cheeks were flushed a deep crimson, but the light in her eyes was steady. I could tell she had reached some kind of resolution.
"...Well, look... I don't intend to keep you waiting forever."
"I see."
"Unexpected as it was, I think my romantic experience points went up a bit after that whole incident. I feel like I can be just a little more proactive now... though, since the fact remains that I'm a total romance scrub, I’m gonna need you to show me some mercy, Kaito-san!!"
"Why are you declaring that so forcefully at the end?"
I gave a wry smile as Alice puffed out her chest while simultaneously calling herself a loser in love. Honestly, she was just... so Alice.
"Hey, Alice. I have one request I'd like you to consider."
"What is it? Depends on the content, you know."
"When we finally go to the sea together, I'd like to see you in a normal swimsuit."
"Ugh... So that’s your game..."
It wasn't that I was demanding a bikini or anything specific, but back when we’d all gone to the beach together, she had chosen a suit that minimized skin exposure to the absolute limit. I wanted to see her in something genuinely cute.
Alice looked troubled for a long moment before finally whispering with a bashful look.
"...Fine. Then, um... you have to buy it for me."
"Sure. Let's go pick one out together soon."
"Alright... but nothing too skimpy, okay!?"
"I know, I know."
I smiled as I answered, reflecting on her earlier comment. That fair date really had been a significant turning point for both of us.
At the very least, I felt as though the distance between Alice and me had closed considerably.
Serious-senpai: "...What is this sugar-filled hell?"
???: "Now, now. The White God Festival is next, so maybe you'll finally get a bit of a break?"
Serious-senpai: "How can you look so calm?! How on earth can they flirt this much? From start to finish, it's just a mountain of sugar... It's hell, I tell you!"
???: "Isn't this just business as usual?"
Serious-senpai: "...It’s always been hell."