After holding Lilia-san in my arms for a while, we finished our break and resumed our Model Touring. Then again, considering the collection featured Dragon Species gathered from countless worlds, the sheer volume was staggering; no matter how many we saw, it felt like there was no end in sight.
Every single model was accompanied by an explanation, and since Lilia-san studied them with such rapt attention, progress was naturally slow. At the very least, it would be impossible to see everything today.
However, each warehouse seemed to house Dragon Species from a single planet, so many of them shared similar features. While Lilia-san clearly wanted to take her time, she was being considerate of me, leading us through the various warehouses in sequence.
As we stepped out of one building and headed for the next, a question suddenly crossed my mind.
"Wait... Lilia-san, I was just wondering, how does the weather work in this world?"
"Oh, it seems I can control that as well. For instance, if I operate it like this..."
"Whoa, it's night now."
I’d been curious since it had been broad daylight the entire time, but in response to my question, Lilia-san tapped away at her terminal and made the sun set. It wasn't just dark, though—the night sky was now ablaze with a canopy of brilliant stars. It was stunning.
Between the landscape and the weather, Lilia-san really was like a God within the confines of this world.
"The stars are incredible. It's almost overwhelming."
"Yes, I decided to test the settings, and... it really is something. You don't often see a sky this clear."
"Since we're already here, why don't we just stargaze for a bit?"
"That sounds like a wonderful idea. Let's do that... I'll just create a hill over there..."
"Wow, you really do look like you have the Power of Creation."
"Fufu, it certainly feels like I'm wielding the Power of World Creation, doesn't it? Though in reality, I'm just pushing buttons on this terminal. Regardless, since the opportunity has presented itself, let’s go watch the stars from that Grassy Hill at Night."
I chuckled along with Lilia-san’s wry smile and headed toward the hill with her. The mood was perfect; sitting side-by-side in the quiet, looking up at the vast expanse above us, felt right.
"It's so beautiful and peaceful."
"Yes... it really is the perfect spot for it. And... in an atmosphere like this..."
"Hmm?"
"A-Ah, no! I mean... Oh! Look, Kaito-san! The stars over there are just magnificent!"
Uh... L-Lilia-san... As usual, she was an open book. I could practically feel her desperation radiating off her as she tried to force me to look away.
I wasn't sure what she was up to, but I decided to play along for the moment and turned my head in the direction she was pointing.
"...Um, that area?"
"Y-Yes. A little bit higher..."
"Higher... I see. Around—"
Mwah.
"—Huh?"
Caught off guard by the soft sensation of her Surprise attack against my cheek, I blinked and turned toward her. I’d known she was planning something, but I never expected a sudden kiss.
While I was still reeling from the shock that the perpetually shy Lilia-san had actually pulled a move like that, she spoke up. Her face was a brilliant shade of crimson, and she was breaking out in a nervous sweat.
"E-E-Eternal Vigilance is key, wouldn't you say...?"
"Let's just take it easy, Lilia-san. You don't look composed at all right now. In fact, you look like you're about to faint. Deep breaths..."
She was likely trying to project the calm, sophisticated aura of an older woman, but her expression made it painfully clear that she was panicking inside.
For a while after that, I had my hands full just trying to get her to calm down.
Serious-senpai: "Gwaaargh... A-And on top of that, you're telling me it's continuing...?"