After sharing wine with Illness-san and enjoying our time together, I decided the time was right, and we stepped out onto the room's balcony.
The owner’s suite featured a massive balcony that offered a panoramic view of the ship’s deck and the sea beyond. It felt more like a small garden than a balcony, and as soon as we stepped outside, a cool night breeze caressed my cheeks.
"There are so many stars out," I remarked, "but it's still so dark that I can't really see the ocean."
"...Ah, you're right~. Normally~, at this level of darkness~, the sea would be hidden from view~."
"Oh, that's right. You have incredible eyesight, don't you, Illness-san?"
"Yes~. My eyes can see quite far and clearly even at night~, provided there's at least a little light from the stars~."
Illness-san's vision was exceptional; apparently, she could even perceive the magic power in the air if she chose. However, seeing too much was exhausting, so she usually had to keep her eyes slightly out of focus. It seemed even a great power had its drawbacks.
"Since we're here~... Kaito-sama, would you like to see for yourself~?"
"Eh? What do you mean?"
"I can temporarily share my vision~ and show you the world through my eyes~. However~, because Kaito-sama has the Blessing of Shallow Vernal-sama~, I need your permission to use this kind of magic~. Though~, I would never do such a thing without your consent anyway~, so the blessing doesn't change much~."
"I suppose that's true. Since the opportunity is here, I'd love to try it."
"Very well~. But first~, I'll bring over a chair~. Please sit down~. Since you'll be seeing through my eyes~, the shift in perspective might make you lose your balance~."
Good point. If I were seeing through her eyes and tried to move my own body based on that view, I’d likely stumble. For safety's sake, it was better to sit still.
I sat in the chair she provided, and she told me to close my eyes. I complied and felt her cool palm rest against my eyelids.
"Now~, I'm going to share it with you~. Please try not to make any sudden movements~."
"Understood—Whoa, seeing myself sitting here is a really strange feeling."
As soon as she activated the magic, my vision—even though my eyes were still shut—displayed my own figure sitting in the chair. It was a bizarre sensation, like watching a piece of incredibly high-definition VR footage.
"Now~, I'll move my gaze~."
"Ohh... amazing. I can see the sea perfectly. Everything is so vivid, near and far."
"I'm adjusting it slightly now~... but if I focus~, it can look like this too~."
"Wait—whoa, that's bright!"
Just as I was marveling at how clearly she could see in the dark, the view suddenly brightened until the ocean looked as if it were bathed in midday sun.
"If I wish~, my eyes can perceive things as clearly as if it were day~, as long as there is some starlight~. Even in a pitch-black cave~, I could see as well as I did a moment ago~."
"That’s incredible. I could never do that on my own. This is a completely new experience... it’s actually really fun."
"Kuhihi... if Kaito-sama is enjoying it~, then I am happy too~."
The clarity was truly staggering. Is this how the world looked to powerful beings like Kuro? I remembered back during the Six Kings Festival, she and the others would spot Lilia-san and the rest of the group from incredible distances that I couldn't even fathom. It was a fascinating sensation, but at the same time, the sheer amount of information was a bit overwhelming.
"Kaito-sama~, if we do this too long~, you will get tired~. I should probably stop now~."
"Ah, yeah. You're right. I’m seeing so much more than usual that my head might start hurting if we keep going."
"Then~, I'll return your vision... in just a moment~."
"Hm?"
I wondered why she’d bothered to correct herself. While I was still puzzled, my vision shifted back to my own figure sitting in the chair. Then, her face began to drift closer... Eh? Wait, isn't that a bit too close?
I was still reeling from the sight of my own face approaching at point-blank range when my vision suddenly snapped back to normal. Just as I went to open my eyes—which were still being lightly shielded by her hand—I heard a soft "mwah" and felt a tender, warm sensation on my cheek.
"...Eh?"
"Now then~, we wouldn't want you to catch a cold~. Shall we head back inside~?"
"Wait... What!?"
Wearing a faint, playful smile, Illness-san turned and walked back into the room. I stood there for a long moment, staring at her back with a stunned expression.
Serious-senpai: "...Gah... Ugh!? I thought I'd finally woken up, but I've already taken critical damage..."
Machina: "I'm the one who brought you back! I've had my fill of pancakes, so next I was thinking custard cream would be nice..."
Serious-senpai: "What? You revived me just to turn me into custard? ...Are you some kind of tyrant?"