I set about packaging the original blend tea leaves I planned to gift to my acquaintances. Nebula had already prepared a batch of the same blend I had created, and Illness-san had provided various bags made of magic paper, so my job was limited to simply filling and sealing them. Even so, it was quite fun deliberating over which patterns to choose from the wide variety of magic paper designs.
The first ones I picked were a floral rose pattern and a starry sky design. Once I filled the bags and sealed them, I channeled a small amount of magic power into the paper. This activated a preservation effect based on the same principle as a disposable magic box, ensuring the contents would stay fresh.
"There, that should do it. Nebula, Illness-san, I’d like you two to have these first two as a gift... I know we made them together, so it might seem a bit odd to call it a present, but I wanted you to have them anyway."
"I shall gratefully accept your thoughtfulness, Master," Nebula replied.
"Oh, a rose and a starry sky... Thank you very much, Kaito-sama..." Illness-san added softly.
The rose was a natural fit for Illness-san’s image, while I chose the starry sky for Nebula because her hair always reminded me of the night sky. I had given them the tea on the spur of the moment to express my gratitude, and I was glad to see they both seemed genuinely pleased.
"Now then, let's keep at it. I have quite a few people to get through if I'm giving these to everyone I know."
"Indeed. However, you must not push yourself too hard, Kaito-sama. I shall go and prepare some light snacks for us to enjoy during a break."
"Thank you, Illness-san."
The work itself was simple, but it was going to take some time. Illness-san left the room to prepare the snacks, and I decided to make as much progress as possible until she returned.
After leaving the room where she had been working with Kaito and Nebula, Illness walked down the hallway, gazing at the small packet in her hand. It was the bag of original blend tea leaves she had just received from Kaito—simply a small pouch of tea, and nothing more.
After staring at it for a long moment, she pulled her favorite pocket watch from her pocket. She flowed a trace of magic into the back of the rose-patterned watch, causing the case back to slide open and reveal a small storage compartment. Treating the packet like a priceless treasure, she placed the tea—now protected by a powerful status preservation spell—inside and clicked the lid shut, sealing it away.
"...I really can't... settle down, can I? Was it always this difficult... to remain composed...?"
The words Illness whispered as she resumed her walk were tinged with bewilderment. She understood immediately what that light, airy feeling in her chest had been when Kaito handed her the tea.
"...I truly am... becoming more and more... selfish..."
She murmured with a faint, self-deprecating smile as she tucked the watch away. In the brief reflection on the polished metal of the case back, her cheeks appeared to be flushed a soft, warm red.
Serious-senpai: "...So in Illness's case, she actually is self-aware of her feelings. Guh..."