Volume 2 Bonus SS This is a story from before Kuro and I became lovers.
It was a peaceful afternoon with warm sunlight streaming through the window as I leisurely leafed through a magazine.
Magazines existed in this world as well. While there weren't exactly dozens of weekly tabloids, they did have things resembling monthly periodicals. Apparently, photography was not yet a thing here, so the pages were filled with illustrations instead. However, the art was so masterfully done that it was easy to mistake it for the real thing, making the reading experience feel perfectly natural.
The content was surprisingly engaging, too. There were features on trendy restaurants, introductions to new magic tools, and guides for local tourist spots. Everything was fresh and new to me, and I never grew tired of looking through them.
The page I was currently reading was headlined with colorful letters: 'Advanced Skinship: Ear Cleaning Edition.' It seemed to be a serialized column.
"...Kaito-kun, do you like that sort of thing?"
"Well... I suppose it’s a bit of a dream scenario... maybe?"
I reflexively started to answer the voice coming from behind me before catching myself mid-sentence.
I was certain I had been the only person in the room until a second ago. There was only one person who would do something like that—or rather, only one who could appear in a room so effortlessly without making a sound.
"...Kuro?"
"I’ve come to play!"
"I-It’s rare for you to drop by in the middle of the day."
"Yeah, I had some free time today."
Kuro was one of the Six Kings who ruled the Demon Realm, and she held a position that kept her quite busy. Because of that, she usually only visited after nightfall, though she would occasionally stop by during the day when her schedule allowed.
That in itself wasn't a problem. However, the timing was terrible. It was mortifying to be caught reading an article that looked suspiciously like a romance guide.
Could I... somehow play it off?
"...So, is it really a dream scenario?"
"..."
It was no use. Before I could even attempt a distraction, she brought the conversation right back to the point.
"...Yes."
"I see, I see."
Staring into Kuro's gaze of pure, innocent curiosity, I realized I had no choice but to be honest.
When I answered, still feeling a deep flush of embarrassment, Kuro wore a satisfied expression for a moment before moving over to the bed.
"...Kaito-kun, look! Right here!"
"...Um, Kuro? Why are you sitting on the bed and patting your lap? Also, where did that ear pick in your hand come from...?"
"It’s an ear pick, of course. I’m going to make your dream scenario come true, Kaito-kun!"
Kuro made the declaration in a gentle voice, a smile full of affection gracing her lips.
Kuro giving me a lap pillow and cleaning my ears. The moment the reality of the situation fully set in, my heart gave an exceptionally hard thud.
It went without saying that Kuro was an extraordinarily beautiful girl, and beyond that, I harbored romantic feelings for her. The idea of having my ears cleaned by someone like her was incredibly alluring.
However, I was also hopelessly embarrassed. It wasn't the first time I'd received a lap pillow from her; she had even hugged me before. But in all those instances, I had been the passive participant. The idea of laying my head on her lap of my own accord made me feel incredibly nervous and pathetic.
That said, it was far too tempting an invitation to refuse. To be honest, I really wanted her to do it.
"...A-Are you sure?"
"Yes! Come on, hurry!"
"A-Alright... well then, if you'll excuse me..."
Pushed by Kuro’s dazzling smile and her persistent urging, I approached the bed. I sat down for a moment before slowly lowering my body toward her. As soon as my head settled onto the softness of her thighs, I felt my face grow hot. My heart hammered loudly against my ribs, and my thoughts were in total disarray.
Fortunately or unfortunately, since I was lying with the back of my head against her, she couldn't see just how overwhelmed I was.
"Now, let's begin."
Kuro softly touched my face with the hand not holding the ear pick. She made her declaration in a voice that sounded somewhat playful before starting the task.
Having someone clean my ears... it had been over a decade since the last time, back when my mother used to do it for me as a child.
And it was, quite simply, wonderful. It wasn't just her gentle, meticulous touch; the sensation of her soft thighs against my cheek and the pleasant scent that tickled my nose provided a sense of security that was beyond words.
Part of it was likely because I had opened my heart to her, but more than anything, I think it was because her warm kindness was being transmitted directly to me.
"...Kaito-kun, does it hurt?"
"No, I'm fine... It actually feels really good."
"I see. I'm glad."
As Kuro spoke to me in a voice as soothing as a lullaby, I quietly replied.
"...Hey, Kuro?"
"Yeah?"
"...Do you, well, do this kind of thing often?"
I didn't quite understand why I was asking. I already knew Kuro's kindness and her maternal capacity were far greater than her appearance suggested. I assumed she was simply showing me the same compassion she gave to so many others.
And yet, I couldn't help myself. Perhaps some latent sense of possessiveness was stirring in my heart. A desire to monopolize this blissful warmth...
"...No, not at all. Actually, I've never given a lap pillow to anyone but Kaito-kun."
"...Eh? R-Really?"
Her words, following a brief silence, were entirely unexpected. Kuro was incredibly kind, social enough to befriend anyone instantly, and her guard was often surprisingly low. I had assumed that she surely must have given lap pillows like this to the children she’d raised or her other family members.
But Kuro said she had never done this for anyone but me. Hearing that felt like she was telling me I was special to her. I was surprisingly, intensely happy.
"Yeah. Only you, Kaito-kun."
"Asking... why... would be a strange question, wouldn't it?"
"Ahaha, I suppose so. But, well... I don't clearly know the reason myself. I just find myself wanting to do all sorts of things for you. Maybe it's because something just clicked—a spark, I guess—when I first saw you?"
"What do you mean by a spark...?"
"...I wonder? What could it be? I don't really know either."
I couldn't see her face, but I knew instantly that she was currently tilting her head with a bashful smile.
...Was she dodging the question? From the feel of it, she didn't seem to have any intention of explaining further right now, no matter how much I pressed.
"There! One side is finished. Now, turn this way."
"O-Okay."
Following her instruction, I rolled over. However, Kuro didn't start on the other ear immediately.
Instead, she simply placed her hand on my head and began to stroke it gently. I softly closed my eyes, luxuriating in the comfort of her touch and the perfect amount of pressure she used. The warmth radiating from both her thighs and her hand seemed to envelop my entire face, and the urge to fall asleep right there welled up within me.
Fighting the drowsiness, I opened my eyes a sliver. Because I had changed positions, I could see a bit of Kuro’s face now.
Kuro was stroking my head with her usual gentle smile... but her cheeks looked just a little—the tiniest bit—flushed.
Having confirmed that, I closed my eyes again and allowed myself to drift into a peaceful haze.
Whether I could truly become special to Kuro was something I didn't know yet. But, yeah... so that I could reach that place someday, so that she would one day say I am special to her, I would work harder than ever.
Wrapped in that blissful warmth, I made a firm vow in my heart.