The rest area sat just a short distance from the Night Market venue. It was a simple spot, consisting of nothing more than several rows of benches.
Being on slightly higher ground, it offered a gentle view over the market, where the twinkling lights of the stalls made for a lovely sight.
I took a seat on an empty bench beside Illness-san and laid out the snacks we'd bought. Since we had already eaten dinner, they were just light bites rather than a full meal.
We had some bite-sized potatoes and sausages drizzled with cheese and ketchup—simple, but appetizing—along with some cracker-like rusks.
"It becomes quite peaceful just by moving a short distance away, doesn't it?"
"Indeed... Since this isn't exactly a festival... once you step off the main street, it becomes rather sparse..."
There was proper lighting in the rest area, but because the Night Market street we had just left was so bright, it felt a bit dim by comparison.
And since it was a night square removed from the hustle and bustle, it was, how should I put it, quiet... Yeah. It was definitely quiet. There was no doubt about that.
However, there was one thing... there were a lot of couples here. I guessed many people used the Night Market as a date spot, stopping here to catch their breath in the quiet.
Couples were scattered here and there on the benches. For some reason, even though I wasn't doing anything strange, the atmosphere made me feel a bit restless.
"Kaito-sama?"
"Eh? Ah, yes. What is it?"
"No... are you not going to eat?"
"Ah, right. Sorry... Well then, shall we?"
My attention had drifted to my surroundings, but I snapped back to reality at the sound of Illness-san’s voice. I was only restless because I was overthinking things. I needed to stop worrying about the people around us and just enjoy the snacks.
Once I made that mental switch, I stopped noticing the surroundings and was able to enjoy the light meal while sharing idle conversation with Illness-san.
"...For such a small container, that was quite filling."
"Potatoes tend to sit heavy in the stomach, after all. Shall we rest here for a little while?"
"Let's do that."
It wasn't as if we needed to move immediately, and there was no time limit, so I leaned back against the bench’s backrest.
Just as I was thinking about how a full stomach makes me feel a bit sleepy, I looked over at Illness-san. She was watching me with a happy, gentle smile.
"Illness-san?"
"No... I was just thinking it was good that Kaito-sama seemed to enjoy himself."
Seeing Illness-san smile like that made my heart skip a beat. Usually, she had the aura of a calm, composed, and mature woman... but today, her expression carried a sense of genuine, almost innocent fun. Seeing her like that made my heart race in a different way than usual.
I turned my gaze toward the Night Market to hide my reaction and murmured a response.
"...Everything was fresh and fun. I caused you trouble with my sudden request, but I'm glad we did this."
"I am glad to hear that."
Come to think of it, I had essentially tagged along on Illness-san’s plans on a whim, which must have been a nuisance. Or rather, I should say I ended up being looked after again...
I really was always being looked after by Illness-san in my daily life. I wanted to return the favor even just a little, but... it never seemed to go well.
It felt like no matter how much I tried to give back, I ended up being cared for even more. It was quite a dilemma.
While I was lost in those thoughts, Illness-san suddenly stood up from the bench.
"Kaito-sama, please stay as you are."
"Eh? Ah, okay."
As I tilted my head in confusion, Illness-san stood directly in front of me. She gently placed her hand on my head and began to stroke my hair... Eh? Wait, what?!
She was stroking my hair incredibly gently, and combined with her serene, smiling face, it was extremely soothing... No, wait, why was this happening?
"...Since there is a height difference usually, I don't get many chances to do this."
"E-Err, Illness-san?"
"Kaito-sama, aren't you thinking like this? That you are always on the receiving end and haven't been able to return the favors properly?"
"Ugh... Did it show on my face again?"
"Now, I wonder?"
It seemed what I was thinking just now was completely transparent to her. Or rather, as many people had told me, my thoughts were easy to read because they showed so clearly on my face.
"...I feel the same way, you know."
"Huh? The same?"
"Yes. I also feel that I am always receiving so much from Kaito-sama. So much so that I feel I haven't been able to return even ten percent of the kindness."
"I-Is that so? But I haven't really..."
"It is probably hard to notice for oneself. Even I don't recall doing anything as grand as Kaito-sama seems to think. But Kaito-sama always thanks me for looking after him... It is surely just how things are."
"!? !?"
Immediately after those words, Illness-san gently pulled my head into a hug. While feeling her soft warmth, a pleasant scent, and an indescribable sense of security, I was simultaneously astonished by the sudden turn of events.
Stroking my head once more, Illness-san spoke in a gentle voice.
"...And surely, I Think It's a Happy Thing. To have someone you can mutually feel grateful toward, someone you receive so much from that you naturally want to return the favor... I think that is a very happy thing."
"...Certainly, you're right."
Being cared for so much by someone, and wanting to return that favor yourself. Knowing that we both felt that way about each other was indeed something rare and precious.
At the very least, knowing that Illness-san felt that way right now made me feel very happy.
"So please do not worry about it too much. We can just return favors to each other in ways that aren't a burden, whenever we think of something."
"Right... I might have been thinking a bit too self-deprecatingly. Thank you."
"Kuhihi, I am glad if I could be of help."
Gratitude was important, but obsessing over returning favors to a fault was its own kind of problem. She was right. Just as Illness-san said, I could just give back when I was able.
My mind felt completely cleared... but putting that aside... err... how long was I going to be held like this? Illness-san's maternal aura was so intense that I felt safe enough to fall asleep if I let my guard down, but I was also just as embarrassed... What was I supposed to do?
Serious-senpai: "...Can you believe this? At this point, he's not even her lover, there's no Mixed Bathing Event, and they aren't even consciously on a date, yet he's outputting this much Sugar Power? It's too terrifying... But with this..."
???: "Next time, Night Market 7."
Serious-senpai: "Why?! This was a perfect place to stop! It wrapped up so nicely!! Stop it, don't keep it going—!!!"