I walked through the field of Blue Crystal Flowers, hand in hand with Isis-san. The beautiful blue blossoms swaying in the gentle breeze held precious memories for both of us.
It had all started when she gave me one of those flowers the day we first met. If she hadn't gone searching for them in the first place, our paths never would have crossed at that moment.
I wondered how differently things might have played out. Would we have met through an introduction from Kuro instead? If so, Kuro likely would have prioritized safety, keeping a strict distance between us because of the Magic Power of Death. Or, considering how dangerous that power was, she might have chosen not to introduce us at all.
"Our meeting was really something special, wasn't it?"
"...Mm?"
"I was just thinking... if you hadn't come to the Human Realm to look for these flowers, we might never have found each other."
"...True... Back then, I didn't leave my home much... and I rarely visited the Human Realm. That trip... was the first time I'd gone in years."
Collecting items mentioned in books was her hobby, but if an item could be found in the Demon Realm, she would usually look for it there. It was a staggering coincidence—a miracle of probability—that the book she happened to read was set in the Human Realm, and that she found the flowers near the capital of the Kingdom of Sinfonia right when she decided to go buy a copy of the book.
And if I hadn't met Isis-san, I might never have had the chance to get to know Lilliwood-san, either. Thinking about it, everything would have been drastically different.
"It really was a miracle, wasn't it? But I suppose that’s just how meeting people works. There are probably so many people we never cross paths with because the gears are just slightly out of alignment."
"...Mm... But... thinking about it like that... I'm really glad... that I could meet Kaito."
"I feel the same way. I'm so glad I met you. In a way, we could say the catalyst for everything was the Blue Crystal Flower."
"...Ah... You're right... Because I went looking for the Blue Crystal Flower... I was able to find Kaito."
Having said that, Isis-san wore a thoughtful expression for a moment before smiling softly.
"...In the book I read back then... the Blue Crystal Flower was a Flower of Happiness... a Mysterious Flower that Causes Miracles."
"That's right. It even cured an incurable disease in the story, didn't it?"
I had read the same book after Alice told me about it. In that story, the Blue Crystal Flower was indeed treated as a miraculous flower possessing mysterious power.
"...I think the Blue Crystal Flower I found that day... for me... was you, Kaito."
"Hearing you say that is a little embarrassing... but it makes me happy."
When I smiled back, Isis-san beamed with a joyful expression and clung tightly to my arm. Pressing her body against mine with a touch of spoiled affection, she continued to speak through her smile.
"...I'm... happy too... Ehehe... Kaito... I looooove you."
Her innocent smile was as lovely as an angel’s. Even though she had gained more subordinates and matured into her role as a King, her core essence remained the same.
Drawn in by that dazzling smile, I felt a smile of my own spill over. I gently touched her cheek with the hand she wasn't holding.
"I love you too, Isis-san. More than anything, I love seeing you smiling happily like you are now."
"...The reason I've become able to smile like this... is thanks to Kaito... I really... believe that."
"If that's the case, I feel quite proud. Please keep showing me that smile by my side from now on."
"...Mm... It's okay... As long as Kaito is with me... I am... happy."
Isis-san's beautiful red eyes, so striking they felt as if they might pull me in, looked up at me. Our gazes locked, and no more words were necessary.
I felt as though we were sharing a profound sense of happiness. A natural wave of affection for her welled up from deep within me.
When I leaned down, she caught on immediately, closing her eyes and tilting her head just a fraction. Seeing her willingness to accept everything I was, a profound sense of love filled my chest, and I quietly pressed my lips to hers.
Because of the cool air, her lips felt slightly chilly at first, but they soon became warm and soft. It was as if our body temperatures were merging through the contact. It was a strange sensation... and one that was utterly, helplessly pleasant.
Serious-senpai: "Gha..."
???: "It’s been so long since we had a serious scene that the sudden influx of sugar has left her in a state of shock. She can't even find the strength to scream..."