Illness watched Kaito lead her by the hand with a slightly nervous expression, her thoughts drifting as she followed.
(Why... did I say... such a thing? My shopping is already finished, so the logical choice should have been to return home once Kaito-sama was satisfied with the market.)
The Night Market was reasonably large, but while there were many shops, each stall occupied only a small space. It didn't take much time to complete a full circuit. In fact, they had already reached a point where they had seen just about everything, not just the specific items Illness had come to buy.
Despite that, Kaito was currently retracing their steps, honoring Illness’s request to lead her.
(I am... a bit strange today. My heart feels restless... I feel as though I am prioritizing my own desires—what I want to do—over the most efficient course of action.)
Continuing that train of thought, Illness looked at Kaito’s face again. She could sense that he was struggling with how best to act as her escort, yet there was no sign that he found the task troublesome or unpleasant.
"…Ah, Illness-san. I was curious about it earlier, but would you like to take a look at that shop over there?"
"Yes..."
As she watched Kaito scan their surroundings while still managing to lead her and suggest their next destination, a warm sensation welled up in Illness’s heart. She was simply happy that he was putting so much thought into things for her sake. Her joy far outweighed any guilt she felt over being demanding, and that realization left her feeling a bit bewildered.
(...Even though this is just a whim... even though a calm part of me knows this isn't right... the happiness I feel is simply too overwhelming. I feel a bit lightheaded. Even when I am this helplessly selfish... you still... accept me, don't you?)
Truth be told, her earlier request for him to lead her hadn't been a calculated move; the words had simply slipped out on impulse. She wanted to stay with Kaito longer. She wanted this time to continue just a little more—that wish had inadvertently escaped her lips.
From a rational perspective, this was Kaito’s first time at the Night Market. Leading someone like Illness, who had visited countless times before, was surely no easy feat for him. Yet, despite the difficulty, Kaito was doing his best to guide her and grant her wish. Illness felt as though the warmth radiating from their joined hands was flowing straight into the core of her being.
(I used to think... that seeing your happy face... was my ultimate bliss, and that nothing else mattered. However... it seems I was wrong. It is truly... truly... a troubling development... but I feel so much happier when you look happy because you are with me. Being able to stay right beside you while you are that happy... feels far more precious.)
To the Illness of the past, Kaito’s happiness alone was enough. She would have been satisfied merely as a spectator watching a story where Kaito found joy, with no need for her to be a part of it. But the current Illness was beginning to desire—and beginning to realize—that she too had a place in Kaito’s story, and that she herself could be a source of happiness for him.
(There is much for me to reflect upon... but even so... perhaps it is fine to be a little selfish today and let myself be carried away by this pleasant heat.)
With a soft smile, Illness gave his hand a gentle tug, speaking just as Kaito turned back toward her.
"Kaito-sama... shall we... eat something?"
"Now that you mention it, we’ve had drinks, but we haven't actually eaten anything yet. There were a few stalls back in the Ingredients Corner that looked like they served street food. That sounds like a great idea. Is there anything specific you want to eat, Illness-san?"
"Let's see... I would like something... that I can share... with Kaito-sama."
"Oh, right. You’re a light eater, aren't you? Plus, we already had dinner, so sharing something is probably the best move."
Watching Kaito nod readily at her sudden proposal, Illness felt her heart swell with warmth once more.
"That is part of it... but mostly... I wanted to share... the memory with Kaito-sama."
"Eh? I-I see..."
"There is a rest area with benches... a little further away... so once we buy something... let's eat it there together."
"Alright."
Perhaps because she was becoming more honest with her own feelings, Illness’s smile had gained a newfound depth of warmth. Faced with such a radiant expression, Kaito instinctively flushed, yet he squeezed her hand a little tighter as they began to walk. Following behind him, Illness looked truly, deeply happy from the bottom of her heart.
Serious-senpai: "Guaaaah... I-I knew it! Illness's Sugar Power is off the charts. This is painful."
???: "Seriously, stop casually inventing nonsense terms."
Serious-senpai: "B-But I survived... For now, I just need a short Cooldown..."
???: "Look forward to the next installment: Night Market 6."
Serious-senpai: "I-Impossible!? It’s... it’s continuing!?"