The path Spica-san had cleared for us led deep into the field of Blue Crystal Flowers. Just as she had promised, the trail widened significantly as we approached the center.
That wasn't the only detail she had seen to. Likely thanks to Spica-san’s thoughtfulness, the ground here was blanketed in soft, lush grass, creating an inviting spot for us to sit and rest.
"This must be the center Spica-san was talking about," I remarked, looking around. "It’s truly spectacular. We’re completely surrounded by Blue Crystal Flowers."
"...Yes... it's so beautiful," Isis-san replied softly. "Spica even prepared this grass for us... Let’s relax here for a while."
"That sounds like a great idea."
Gazing at the field from the outside was one thing, but standing at its heart offered a completely different perspective. Being enveloped in a full 360-degree vista of shimmering blue blossoms created a mysterious, wonderful atmosphere.
The Land of Death was devoid of other living creatures, and that profound silence gave the area a dreamlike, otherworldly quality.
I sat down on the grass beside Isis-san. When I stopped to think about it, this territory was usually a realm of extreme, soul-chilling cold. Even now, the actual temperature was likely plummeting well below freezing.
Blue Crystal Flowers were supposedly hardy enough to bloom in nearly any environment. Furthermore, since the subordinates we had met along the way were among the most powerful beings in the Demon Realm, I hadn't really been conscious of the climate. However, for a regular human like me, this place would have been unbearably freezing if not for Shiro-san’s Blessing.
Being able to sit here and simply lounge about felt like an incredible luxury.
"...Kaito... there’s something I want to do... if that’s okay?"
"Hm? Of course. What is it?"
"...Umm... here... I want to... give you a lap pillow, Kaito."
I blinked in surprise as Isis-san gave me a gentle smile and lightly patted her thigh. Looking back, I remembered that she often enjoyed giving me lap pillows, and I had certainly been on the receiving end of them many times before.
More importantly, since it was a request from my lover, I had absolutely no reason to refuse.
"Then, don't mind if I do."
"...Mm."
Following her lead, I slowly lowered my head onto her lap. The grass beneath her was soft, and the position was quite comfortable.
When I glanced up, I saw Isis-san peering down at me with an expression of pure joy. It was a little embarrassing to be looked at like that, but the sense of happiness I felt far outweighed any self-consciousness.
Isis-san reached out and began to stroke my hair with a light, rhythmic touch.
"...Kaito... are you... comfortable?"
"I’m perfect. In fact, it's so comfortable that it... well, it makes me feel very happy."
"...Yes... me too... I’m so happy. I’m always happy when I’m with you, Kaito... but somehow... I really love... being able to do things like this for you."
"Ah, I think I understand that feeling. It’s a wonderful thing to do something for someone you love and see them enjoy it."
"...Yes... and also... I think just the fact that I can feel this way... that I have someone I want to care for... makes me feel incredibly lucky."
Her words felt deep and heavy with meaning. Isis-san was a truly kind person, but due to a variety of circumstances, she had spent a very long time in total isolation.
That was why being able to do something for me—her lover—brought her such genuine delight. Even if Alice fed her some strange advice, she would follow through on it the moment she heard it might make me happy. It made perfect sense, and I could empathize with her completely.
"I went through a period where I didn't interact much with people either—though it wasn't nearly as long as yours—so I think I know exactly what you mean. It really is a blessing, isn't it? Just having someone you want to do things for, someone you want to see smile... someone you want to be happy. That feeling alone is a form of happiness."
"...Mm... I’m so glad you feel the same way, Kaito. Hearing you say you’re happy makes me happy... and being able to share that feeling... is the best thing of all. I’m so full of joy... I don’t even know what to do with myself."
"I feel the same. Seeing you look so happy makes me feel like the luckiest man in the world, Isis-san."
"...Fufu... we’re the same, then. Look... we’ve found yet another... reason to be happy."
Even a trivial conversation like this allowed us to realize how much we cherished one another. With every word we exchanged, our happiness seemed to grow.
It was a boundless, ever-increasing warmth that felt incredibly peaceful.
"Well, you can never have too much happiness. Let’s keep stacking up moments like this together from now on."
"...Yes. If I’m with you... I know I’ll become even happier than I am now... and I... I promise I’ll make you even happier too, Kaito."
"Haha, then let's look forward to becoming the happiest people in the world together."
"...Yes!"
It wasn't about one person unilaterally making the other happy; it was about finding that joy together. As we reaffirmed our feelings for one another, I felt that limitless happiness grow just a little bit more.
Serious-senpai: "That was a lovely extra chapter! That's it, we can stop now, right? It's over, isn't it?!"
???: "It’s only part five, you know."
Serious-senpai: "...Hieee."