The expansion of the Nifty stores seemed to be progressing smoothly. Since Canaris-san was extremely capable and possessed an excellent personality, there wasn't really anything I needed to do. It was a relief to be able to leave everything in her capable hands.
Because of that, I found myself in the mood for something new. While it wasn't exactly related to Nifty, I had developed a desire to visit a high-end cafe. I realized when I saw the temporary storefronts that I had never actually been to a cafe in the high-end district.
I had visited the cafes on the Main Street a few times, but the ones in the high-end district had a completely different atmosphere. I felt like I wanted to experience it at least once.
With that in mind, I began leafing through Kuro’s Complete Food Tour Guide to pick a location. However, going alone felt a bit awkward—both in terms of the vibe and my own self-consciousness. I really wanted to invite someone to go with me.
Just as I was considering my options, a knock at the door preceded the arrival of Illness-san, who entered with a stack of neatly folded laundry.
"Kaito-sama, I’ve brought your laundry," she said in her usual slow, airy tone.
"Thank you. Ah, I’ll put the Party Formal Wear in the Magic Box."
"Yes, here it is."
It was better to keep frequently used clothes in the closet, but for things like formal wear that I rarely used, storing them in a Magic Box ensured they wouldn't deteriorate. It gave me peace of mind.
Perhaps anticipating my request, Illness-san handed me the suit she had already set aside, and I tucked it away. Watching her put the rest of the clothes in the closet, I remembered the cafe I had been thinking about.
"Illness-san, do you have any days coming up where you’ll have enough free time to go out?"
"Anytime is fine. Lately, I’ve had quite a bit of time on my hands, so my schedule is wide open."
Even though Illness-san handled an overwhelming amount of work, she didn't seem to mind it at all. In fact, her work speed seemed to have increased lately. Even though her responsibilities had surely grown, she seemed to have much more leisure time than before, often spending it making things with Nebula.
Whether I should call it impressive or something else, she clearly had time to spare, so I figured there was no harm in asking.
"Actually, I was looking into it because I wanted to visit a cafe in the high-end district. If it’s alright with you, would you like to go together?"
"Oh? Kuhihi... Is this an invitation for a date?"
"...Ah... Yes. That’s right. It’s an invitation for a date."
Since we had officially become a couple on the day of the Shipboard Party, any outing together would certainly count as a date.
"Then I would be delighted to join you."
"Great. I was just trying to decide on a shop. If you have the time, would you like to look at the guide with me?"
"Yes. Then, taking you up on your offer... may I sit next to you?"
"Of course."
Since I was already sitting on the sofa with the book, Illness-san sat down beside me, and we began looking at the guide together.
The version I was using was the latest edition. While it didn't cover every single shop, it was a very user-friendly guide that even included photos taken with a new type of Magic Tool.
Because we were sharing a single book, the distance between us naturally closed. An elegant scent wafted from her. She didn't seem to wear perfume while working, so it was likely her shampoo—it smelled faintly of roses.
"Are there any shops here that you know?" I asked.
"Let’s see... the shops around here are famous ones that have been featured in magazines. On the other hand, this one requires a Complete Reservation System, and you can’t even book a table without a referral. That said, since it is you, Kaito-sama, they might find a seat for you even without one... but if you intend to go there, it might be safer to have Milady or the Underworld King-sama introduce you first."
"I see. Since they're high-end shops, I guess some would use a Referral System. To be honest, I just want to go out of curiosity. I'm not planning on becoming a regular, so for now, somewhere I can go without a reservation would be best."
"In that case, choosing a famous shop would be the safest bet."
"You’re right... Oh, how about this one? The interior features roses and a classic style. I thought it looked like an atmosphere you’d enjoy."
"It certainly is an interior I would like. But are you sure you want to choose based on my preferences?"
"Yes. I want to make you happy, Illness-san. Seeing you enjoy yourself makes me the happiest, so I want to make sure the date reflects what you like."
"Kuhihi, I am more than happy enough just to be able to go on a date with you... but since it’s a special occasion, I will gratefully accept your kind consideration."
While exchanging such words, we leaned our shoulders together and continued to talk happily about the cafe we planned to visit.
Serious-senpai: "Ahhh... Th- That's right... This guy, became lovers at the party... Hieee..."