By the time I finished at the Night Market and returned home, it was naturally quite late. I could have headed straight for the bath and then turned in for the night, but first, I wanted to take a moment to unwind.
As if sensing my thoughts, Illness-san spoke up in her characteristically gentle voice.
"Kaito-sama... Would you like me to bring something to your room?"
"Ah, that sounds good. Could I have a cup of black tea?"
"Certainly... I shall prepare it for you at once."
"Oh, and no need for any tea snacks."
I was already quite full from the street food we’d sampled throughout the night. My legs were tired from all the walking, but the fatigue would likely fade while I enjoyed a cup of tea. Then I could head for the bath.
With that plan in mind, I returned to my room and changed my clothes. Just as I finished, Illness-san arrived with the tea with truly impeccable timing. I sat down at the table positioned by the window.
My room was quite spacious, furnished with several tables and chairs. I picked the seat by the window since the moon was so beautiful tonight, but the glare from the lights inside made it hard to see much of the outdoors.
"I’ve made it... a little on the sweet side."
"Thank you. Since you're here, Illness-san, why don't you have a cup with me?"
"Then... I shall take you up on your kind offer."
Looking closely, it seemed she had also changed while preparing the tea, as she was now wearing her familiar maid uniform. When I extended the invitation, she gave a slight nod and prepared a cup for herself.
I wonder why? The night felt unusually quiet, and I felt a touch of loneliness... I found myself wanting someone to talk to while I finished my tea.
I wasn't sure if she sensed my slightly sentimental mood—one I couldn't quite put into words myself—but I was grateful that she accepted without a single question. After pouring her own tea, Illness-san sat quietly in the seat opposite mine and turned her gaze toward the window.
"Kaito-sama... Since it is such a beautiful moonlit night... would it be alright if I turned off the lamps for a while?"
"Good idea. I was just thinking that I couldn't see the moon very well."
"Yes... Please wait just a moment."
After receiving my permission, Illness-san stood up and moved quickly around the room to extinguish the lights. Even then, the room wasn't pitch black. The moonlight was strong enough to bathe the window area in a soft glow, leaving me with plenty of light to see my cup without any trouble.
I watched Illness-san return to her seat, then took a sip of my tea while looking out at the moon. I could feel the sweetness of the brew slowly soaking into my tired body.
"It is a lovely night, isn't it?"
"It is. It’s somehow quieter than usual... and strangely calming."
"I am sure... it is because your heart is at peace today, Kaito-sama. I think that is a very good thing."
"I see. Now that you mention it, I do feel more relaxed than usual."
It was a strange thing. Until a moment ago, the silence had felt lonely, but having Illness-san sitting across from me—knowing she would respond if I spoke—made that loneliness vanish. Instead, I felt a deep sense of tranquility and security.
Just as I’d told her, I could truly feel how relaxed I was. The silence had become pleasant.
We didn't talk much. In the quiet space, the only sounds were the soft clinks of our teacups as we gazed at the night sky, occasionally exchanging a few quiet words. I felt that this, in its own way, was a very luxurious way to spend time.
"What do you plan to do... after you finish your tea?" Illness-san asked as my cup began to run low.
"I'm planning to take a bath. Come to think of it, Illness-san, I have something I'd like to check with you."
"Yes?"
"Actually, I received a bath additive prototype from Kuro, and I'd like to try it out... Oh, a bath additive is..."
During a conversation with Kuro after the White God Festival, she had expressed interest in bath additives. I had received a prototype from her, but I’d been waiting for the right moment to use it.
Naturally, I wasn't the only one who used the bath in my mansion. My mother, my father, Anima, and the others used it too. Since it was a prototype and I wasn't sure how it would turn out, I had intended to go last.
Anima and the others had initially tried to use the servants' bath, but unlike Lilia-san’s mansion with its sprawling staff, I felt separating the baths in my home was a pointless waste. I’d told them all to use the same bath as me.
They had protested, saying it was unforgivable for them to enter before me, but I didn't care about being the one to take the "first bath." Eventually, I’d persuaded them to go ahead and use it even if I hadn't gone in yet.
"...So, I was thinking of trying it if everyone else has finished their baths. I wanted to double-check with you since you handle the cleaning."
"I see. I understand. In that case... I shall check for you by the time you finish your preparations, Kaito-sama."
"Thanks, that’s a big help."
Illness-san nodded, finished her tea, and went to check with Anima and the rest of the household. I thought it might take some time to find everyone in the large mansion, but she returned in only a few minutes.
"It seems everyone... has finished their baths. Only you are left, Kaito-sama."
"I see, got it... Wait, what about you, Illness-san?"
"I... have not bathed yet... but it is no problem."
"I see."
I’d asked because I wasn't sure which bath she used, but based on her tone, perhaps she intended to use the bath over at Lilia-san’s mansion later.
Alright, then. I’ll take the bath additive and head to the bathroom. I’m looking forward to seeing what Kuro came up with.