I was scheduled to stay with Isis-san for a few days, so I made my way to her castle in the Land of Death.
I had visited so many times that I was completely familiar with the sight of the front gates. Isis-san was already standing there, and the moment she saw me, her face lit up with a brilliant smile as she walked toward me.
"...Kaito... welcome."
"Hello, Isis-san. Thanks for having me today."
"...Yes... for Kaito... anytime... a Grand Welcome... I’m so happy... that you came to visit."
"Seeing you that happy makes me happy too."
As I watched Isis-san rejoice at my arrival from the bottom of her heart, a smile spread across my own face. Just then, Vul, who had been waiting at Isis-san's feet, came bounding toward me with her tails wagging. I caught her and lifted her up.
"Haha, you seem to be doing well too, Vul."
"Kyu!"
"...Vul looks... so happy... to see Kaito, too."
According to what I had heard from Isis-san and Iris-san, Vul was a genius-level being who could handle high-level magic with ease. However, the way she acted so cutely spoiled with the two of us made her feel like nothing more than a lovable child.
At any rate, after receiving a warm welcome from Isis-san and Vul, I headed into the castle. We moved to the lounge and took our seats, and before long, Iris-san brought out black tea and cake.
"Hello, Iris-san. Sorry for the intrusion."
"Ah, welcome. Please, make yourself at home. I’ll be putting my skills to work for dinner tonight, so you can certainly look forward to that."
"...Iris is... such a great cook... she's amazing."
"It is merely a hobby, so being praised like that is a bit embarrassing, but thank you."
Iris-san gave a wry, slightly pleased smile at Isis-san’s praise as she laid out the tea and cake. Then, looking at Vul sitting in my lap, she gave another small, wry smile.
"Now then, Vulpecula, try not to be a nuisance."
"Kyu!"
Once Vul gave a firm nod, Iris-san offered a polite bow and left the room.
"That reminds me, didn't you mention that you’d set up a Blue Crystal Flower garden?"
"...Yes... Spica is managing it... it’s very beautiful... let’s go see it... together later."
"I'm looking forward to it. Still, the atmosphere of the castle really does change when you have more people living here. It's hard to put my finger on exactly what it is, but the overall air feels different."
"...Yes... I really... feel that way too... thanks to everyone being here... the whole castle feels lively now... it’s fun... and it makes me happy."
For Isis-san, who had lived in this castle in total solitude for so long, having subordinates like Iris-san and living together with them must have been a source of profound joy. Seeing her look so happy made me feel just as good, and I couldn't help but smile at how wonderful it all was.
Isis-san noticed my expression and tilted her head cutely to the side.
"...Kaito... what’s wrong?"
"Oh, nothing. It’s just that seeing you look so happy makes me feel happy too. I was just thinking about how nice that is."
"...Yes... I understand... that feeling very well... I... if Kaito looks happy... then I am happy too... if Kaito is happy... then I am very happy."
"It’s a great feeling, isn't it? Being able to share the same emotions."
"...Yes! ...I’m so happy... to be with Kaito... so many... happy things."
Isis-san’s smile as she said that was truly dazzling. Compared to when we first met, her expressions had become so much brighter.
I felt certain that the 3-day, 2-night schedule I had planned with Isis-san would be a wonderful, happy experience.
Serious-senpai: "...Wait, so the serious stuff is really over? It's really gone? ...Eh? Why was there even a need to announce that? ...Can I just go home now?"