As I progressed through the Trick House’s Advanced Mode with Kuro, I couldn't help but feel that the intensity was actually quite restrained, likely because Alice had been the one to design it.
Don't get me wrong—physical contact had definitely increased compared to my run with Alice, but it felt... well, it felt as though she’d designed it with the assumption that she would eventually be the one going through it. I wasn't sure if "restrained" was the right word, but it gave the impression of being "a level where she’s trying her absolute hardest by Alice standards."
"Um... what's this supposed to mean?"
"Another cliché..."
"But Kaito-kun, the gap in our physical abilities is just too wide for this... Should I hold back?"
In front of the task displayed in the room we reached after passing through several others, Kuro and I both wore slightly bewildered expressions. For the record, the instructions were as follows:
"Engage in a game of tag on the beach in the Right Special Room. The game ends when the boyfriend catches the girlfriend. Afterward, sit and watch the sunset together. *Note: Swimsuits are required."
It was a situation so clichéd that you probably wouldn't even see it in romance movies these days. However, setting aside myself and Alice, Kuro didn't understand these sorts of tropes, so she looked genuinely worried. Her expression seemed to say, "Isn't it impossible for Kaito-kun to catch me in a game of tag?"
It was true that I could never catch her if we were running normally, so I explained to Kuro that this chasing game was a kind of play—that in the end, the girl was supposed to let herself be caught on purpose.
"I see... Come to think of it, I feel like there was a scene like that in the romance novel Isis had?"
"Well, if there's a culture of playing at the sea, it's not surprising for it to exist. It's not something unique to another world, so it wouldn't be strange for it to appear in romance novels here, too."
"I see, I see... But, hmmm... I see."
Kuro, having heard my explanation, nodded as if convinced, but then her expression shifted as if she were contemplating something. I wondered what it was. For some reason, I had the nagging feeling she was plotting something slightly wicked.
While I was thinking that, Kuro snapped her fingers. Her coat spread wide, and a massive variety of swimsuits suddenly appeared.
"Hey, hey, Kaito-kun. Which swimsuit do you think is better?"
"Eh?"
"When we went to the beach before, I ended up matching Shiro... so I thought I’d let Kaito-kun choose this time. I want you to pick the swimsuit you like best."
"I-I see... It certainly does say 'swimsuits required'."
The swimsuits lined up before my eyes were so numerous that it seemed like every possible variety was represented. It turned out that I would be choosing the swimsuit I wanted Kuro to wear, but... it was hard to decide.
To be honest, I thought any of them would look good on her. Personally, I liked swimsuits with pareos, but that would overlap with our previous trip to the beach.
Actually, the fact that Shiro-san had worn a swimsuit with a pareo back then was surely the result of her reading my memories and choosing a swimsuit to fit my preferences perfectly.
If I were to choose a swimsuit different from the previous beach trip, would a simple bikini be better? A cute type with ruffles would also suit her, but for some reason, I felt like something more understated was the way to go today.
In fact, there were some swimsuits that were quite revealing, but what suited Kuro best was something with a more composed feel...
"Maybe... this one?"
"Hmph, hmph, a simple solid black bikini, then."
"I don't know, I just have an image that a composed design like this suits you better, Kuro... Well, I think you'd look good in anything, though."
"Then let's go with this. It looks easy to move in, and it feels appropriate for the chasing game and what comes after."
"What comes after?"
"Hehe, that's a surprise for later."
I didn't quite understand, but she definitely seemed to be planning something. While feeling a bit anxious, I moved to the next room, only to find a legitimate sandy beach and the sea.
"Space magic really is convenient."
"Only a handful of powerful people in the world can do it to this extent, though."
"I see... Wait, that was fast! You're already changed?"
"It's not so much 'changing' as it is just altering the shape of the clothes I'm usually wearing."
"Ah, if you're making clothes with magic power, it's convenient at times like these... Then I'll go change for a bit, too."
"Yeah. I'll be waiting!"
Regarding my own change, there was no locker room, but there was no problem if I just went back to the previous room. Since my swimsuit was inside my Magic Box, I just had to swap, put the clothes I took off back into the Magic Box, and I was done.
"Sorry to keep you waiting."
"No, not at all... By the way, how is it? It's the swimsuit Kaito-kun chose."
"Yeah. It's... well, just as I thought, it's incredibly cute. Also, you did your hair in a short ponytail, too."
"Ehehe, thanks. I thought this style would match the swimsuit better."
Clad in the black bikini, Kuro exuded a surprising air of maturity despite her small frame. Combined with her naturally ethereal presence, she was genuinely captivating.
Technically it was just a task, but the atmosphere felt as if the two of us had truly come to the sea together. However, what still bothered me was exactly what Kuro was plotting.
Well, since it was Kuro, I didn't think it would be something I would dislike, but... hmm, I wonder what it is?
Machina: "I've seen through it!!"
Serious-senpai: "What?! You figured it out, Mad God?!"
Machina: "The chasing game has specific rules, but the instructions didn't specify our posture for watching the sunset afterward! That’s the answer!!"
Serious-senpai: "...You mean a sugar development?"
Machina: "Most likely. Now, let’s get the stove ready. The sugar's about to start flowing."