My conversation with Rosmiel-san was so pleasant that time seemed to vanish. Before I knew it, the hour had come for her to depart.
Right on cue, as if she had been waiting for the perfect moment, Nebula appeared carrying a pair of tote bags.
"Master, I have brought the sugar assortments for the souvenirs. Please present these to Rosmiel-san on my behalf."
"Thanks, Nebula... Wait, what's the second bag for?"
Nebula held two bags in her hands. One was an elegant gift bag, clearly meant for a guest. The other was a simple, plain design. Looking inside, I saw that they both held boxes of roughly the same size. I assumed both contained the sugar assortment, but I didn't understand why she had prepared two.
"One is for you, Master. You seemed quite interested when I mentioned the other varieties earlier."
Indeed, when I had heard there were other kinds, I had been curious to see what they were like. Nebula must have sensed that and gone out of her way to prepare a set for me as well.
"I see. I did want some, but I guess you saw right through me, Nebula."
"I am the Absolute One, after all!"
"Ahaha, I suppose you are. You really are amazing, Nebula. Thank you."
She puffed out her chest with adorable pride. I gave her head a gentle pat, and after a happy smile, she handed me the bags and retreated back inside the house.
She was likely being considerate of Rosmiel-san. By having me hand over the gift instead of doing it herself, Nebula showed she had grasped the depth of Rosmiel-san’s social anxiety with remarkable accuracy.
"Well then, Rosmiel-san. Here you go. I really enjoyed today. Thank you so much for coming."
"O-Oh, no, thank you. I came here to express my gratitude, but I've ended up receiving so much instead... I feel terrible about it, but... I truly had a wonderful time today."
"I’m glad to hear that."
"I-If it's alright with you, Kaito-kun... please come visit my home next time. I’d love for you to see my flowers as well."
"That sounds like a lot of fun. I'll certainly take you up on that when the opportunity arises."
"Yes!"
From what we had discussed, her home was a place called the Garden of Myriad Flowers, located near Yugfressia. It was apparently famous as a "phantom spot" because of a powerful barrier that kept ordinary people out. It wasn't hard to guess why it was restricted; as the one managing the fields, there was no way the pathologically shy Rosmiel-san could ever turn her home into a tourist attraction. It was strictly invitation-only.
Feeling happy that I had another outing to look forward to, I waved and watched as Rosmiel-san headed home.
In the Garden of Myriad Flowers near Yugfressia, at the house of the Rose Princess standing at its center, Rosmiel was in high spirits as she tended to the flowers in her room.
The time she had spent with Kaito today had been extremely enjoyable, and the conversation had flowed so naturally that she felt wonderful.
Just then, the bell rang, announcing a visitor.
"...Excuse me, Elly."
"Lia? Welcome."
The visitor was Camellia, a fellow member of the Seven Princesses and her closest friend. Rosmiel tilted her head curiously as she showed her in. She set a cup of rose tea before her guest.
"Thank you. Sorry for the sudden visit, Elly."
"Not at all. But it’s unusual for you to stop by at this hour. Is something wrong?"
As Rosmiel sat across from her, Camellia spoke with an anxious expression.
"I just wanted to double-check something."
"Check what?"
"About 'tomorrow'... are you sure you don't want me to come along? I know you've gotten better at talking to Kaito-san, but his house is full of other people, and I'm worried..."
"...Wait. To...morrow?"
Hearing Camellia’s words, Rosmiel blinked in confusion.
"Hmm? Like I said, tomorrow... the 15th of the Month of Heavens. That’s when you’re visiting Kaito-san’s house to thank him, right? I just wanted to be sure..."
"............Lia... can I ask you something?"
"What is it?"
"Today... it's the 14th of the Month of Heavens, right?"
"Yes? Of course it is."
Rosmiel stared at her, stunned. Slowly, she turned her gaze toward the calendar on her wall. The 15th was clearly marked with an ink circle... and seeing it, Rosmiel finally realized she had mistaken the date of her promise with Kaito.
"Awawawa..."
"E-Elly? What is it?"
"I... I already... I went to Kaito-kun's house today!?"
"Eeehhh!?"
Serious-senpai: "Well, that's certainly a cliffhanger... By the way, can I ask you something?"
???: "What is it, ssu?"
Doctor M: "Hmm?"
Serious-senpai: "Why did you call her here in the end? Give me a reason I can actually accept..."
???: "I guess I just felt like it, ssu."