In the crisp morning air, I set a small pot on a magic tool to boil some water. The temperature wasn't actually that low, but I just had a craving for a warm drink to start the day.
As the water heated, I pulled a few items from my Magic Box and looked over at Isis-san.
"Isis-san, would you prefer tea or coffee?"
"...I usually drink tea... but when drinking from a mug... I think coffee might... suit the mood better."
"Good point. I'll go with coffee, then."
While tea was the more common choice in this world, coffee was consumed fairly often too. Honestly, the biggest factor was Kuro—she always insisted on coffee whenever Baby Castella was involved.
I set out two mugs and began preparing the brew.
"What are you making, Isis-san?"
"...Scrambled eggs... They're easy to eat... if you sandwich them in bread."
"Ah, that sounds perfect. I think there’s some ham left, too..."
We shared the work and soon had our breakfast ready: croissant sandwiches stuffed with ham and scrambled eggs, paired with hot coffee.
It was a simple meal, but an excellent one. The morning coffee hit the spot, and the croissant sandwiches were a great success.
"Isis-san, since we're here, why don't we look for a commemorative gift after we finish eating? Just like we usually do. This place looks so much like the setting in that novel, so let’s find something we can take back with us."
"...Yes! ...I wonder what would be best... Kaito... what do you think?"
"Hmm, something small would be ideal. Come to think of it, in that novel, the couple found a small flower by the water and watched it together."
"...Right... It wasn't a rare flower... but because the place was special... it looked special to them... That's what the book said."
The idea that a common flower could look unique simply because of the location was a lovely sentiment, and it was one I'd really connected with when I read the book.
In reality, the situation you find yourself in has a massive impact on your perspective. I truly understood how the characters felt.
"In that case, shall we go look for a flower blooming near the lake?"
"...Yes... Let's find it... together."
Seeing Isis-san's happy nod, I finished my breakfast with a smile.
Once we were done, we tidied up the site, packed away the tent, and headed down to the lakeside to start our search.
It wasn't a tourist destination, so the area wasn't perfectly manicured, but it was a place rich in nature. It didn't take long to find a pair of beautiful flowers.
"This one looks like a good choice."
"...The two are nestled so close... just like us... It’s beautiful."
"You're right. It’s not a large flower, but it has a natural beauty to it. It’s lovely."
"...Yes... Just like in the novel... these aren't rare... they grow everywhere... but because I searched for them with Kaito... they feel... very special."
As she spoke, Isis-san channeled a small amount of magic power into her hand. The flowers drifted upward along with the soil around them, settling into a flowerpot she had manifested from thin air.
She then applied a Strong Status Preservation Magic to the pot, ensuring they would never wither. I noticed she’d even taken a moment to check if any spirits were dwelling inside them first.
Small flowers like these had very little magic power, so spirits rarely inhabited them. Usually, it took a vast concentration of magic power for even a fairy—let alone a full spirit—to be born.
"I agree. If I hadn't come here with you today, Isis-san, I probably never would have noticed them. The fact that they're so common makes finding them here with you feel all the more special."
"...Yes... Fufu... But... whenever I'm with Kaito... everything is always special... and I'm so happy."
"Isis-san... Yeah. When I'm with you, even the smallest, most trivial things are fun. I'm happy too."
I meant those words from the bottom of my heart. Making breakfast together or searching for ordinary little flowers—none of it was particularly grand or unique.
And yet, because I was doing it with my beloved lover, seeing her radiant smile made everything feel precious and full of value.
Perhaps having the person you love smiling naturally by your side... really is the greatest happiness of all.
Serious-senpai: "..."
???: "It looks like the damage was too much for her. Her soul has completely departed. How tragic..."
Machina: "To think they'd drive Serious-senpai to this point..."
Serious-senpai: "...It’s only because you two... wouldn't let me escape..."