I stepped out of the venue hosting the Maid Olympia After-party and made my way onto the magic ship's deck. The party was still in full swing, but I wanted a brief respite—or rather, I just felt like catching the night breeze, so I slipped out to the deck for a breather.
...It wasn't that I was running away because the maids had started getting overly enthusiastic with their maid talk. Not at all. It was just that there were so many of them that I felt completely out of my element once the conversation left me behind.
Regardless, a pleasant sea breeze greeted me as I stepped outside. I hadn't realized it until the planning stages of the party, but this magic ship was incredibly multi-functional, outfitted with all sorts of magic tools.
For instance, the deck was equipped with a magic tool that blocked wind above a certain intensity, preventing any harsh gusts from disturbing the guests. Since it only triggered beyond a specific threshold, you could still feel enough of a sea breeze to keep things refreshing.
Features like that made it feel like a true super luxury cruise ship, though in Kuro's case, the ship itself was likely just an excuse to gift me a magic box... She really was the wealthiest person in the world.
I stood there for a while, lost in thought as I gazed out at the dark expanse of the ocean. There wasn't much to see on the water at night, but the deck was well-lit, and the sky above was a brilliant canopy of stars. I wasn't bored in the slightest.
"Are you... taking a break...?"
"Huh? Illness-san?"
Turning around at the sudden voice, I found Illness-san standing there with a gentle smile.
"I've also... come to take... a brief rest..."
"Oh, I see. Thank you again for all your hard work at the party."
"And you as well... Kaito-sama... thank you for your hard work..."
Illness-san returned my greeting with a smile and came to stand beside me. She was close enough that our shoulders nearly brushed, making my heart flutter for a second.
We ended up standing there side by side, watching the sea together. A peculiar atmosphere settled over us... It wasn't uncomfortable by any means, but I couldn't seem to find the right moment to speak, leaving us in silence for a while.
"...Kaito-sama... you can use sympathy magic, can't you...?"
"Hm? Oh, yeah."
"What does it feel like... to read... someone's emotions...?"
"Hmm, it’s a bit of a vague sensation... It's like the emotions carried by someone's magic power are being transmitted directly to me. I guess it feels like a heightened awareness of the general mood—like when things are awkward or fun."
I responded to Illness-san's quiet question with a bit of hesitation. It was a very sensory experience, so it was difficult to put into words.
Lilie-san might be able to explain it in more detail, but for me, I could only describe it as just somehow understanding the feelings.
"I'm sorry... for asking such a strange thing... so suddenly. Lately... I've found it difficult... to put my feelings into words... so I wanted to hear... about your perspective..."
"Verbalizing your feelings? Yeah, that sounds tough. Honestly, if someone told me I had to explain my own emotions perfectly, I’d probably be at a loss too."
"Yes... I hadn't really felt this way... until recently. But I can't... ignore it any longer... so I'm trying to reflect on it. It's difficult... isn't it? I know the feelings are there... deep inside me... yet I find it so hard... to say them out loud..."
"...Are you troubled by something?"
"I suppose... I might be. I've been thinking about what I want to do... and how I want to be from here on out... but my thoughts just seem to... go around in circles."
If something was bothering her, I truly wanted to help, but her words felt indirect, as if she were dancing around the real issue.
In that case, it wouldn't be right to force it out of her... Hmm, what should I do?
As I was thinking, Illness-san turned toward me with a wry smile and spoke.
"If you wouldn't mind... Kaito-sama... I'd like to ask... for your advice. Do you have some time... after the party...?"
"Yeah, of course. If there's anything I can do to help, I'm all ears."
"Thank you... In that case... once the party is over... I will come... to your room."
"Understood."
It was rare for Illness-san to seek out advice, but since she did so much for me every single day, I wanted to do whatever I could for her.
Serious-senpai: 'This is not good, this is a bad flow... I mean, Illness's worries are clearly something romantic toward Kaito... D- Dammit, is there nowhere to escape...?'