Once we both calmed down, Illness and I sat side-by-side on a park bench. The night air was still and crisp. Although it wasn't particularly late, the park was surprisingly empty, leaving just the two of us alone in the quiet.
As she sat beside me, lightly holding my hand, she wore a rare—perhaps even unprecedented—look of embarrassment, a faint, awkward smile on her lips.
"I am very sorry... Ummm, I could not control my emotions well, and I showed you... such an unbecoming sight."
"Please don't worry about it," I replied. "Honestly, it wasn't a problem at all. If anything, seeing this different side of you feels like a wonderful discovery."
With her cheeks flushed pink in apology, she looked truly lovely. I felt like I’d discovered several new, charming sides to her today.
Of course, the reason for her embarrassment was that she’d gotten swept up in the heat of the moment during our last kiss, wrapping her arms around my neck with such intensity. It certainly wasn't something she needed to apologize for—actually, I was happy to feel her affection so deeply.
"I see... It wasn't just new for you, Kaito-sama. It was a first for me as well. I don't quite understand myself. Getting so overwhelmed with emotion and acting like that was quite unexpected, even for me."
"But I’m truly glad you were that happy. Your reaction wasn't a problem at all; I loved it."
"Do you really mean that? There are so many 'firsts' right now that I feel a bit anxious. It's embarrassing to admit, but until now, I’ve never truly wanted anything from anyone. But when I'm with you, Kaito-sama, I find myself wanting to do this or try that."
"I think that's a great thing. Besides, most of the things you'd consider 'selfish' don't feel selfish to me at all. You really don't need to worry."
Perhaps because she had lived for so long, she seemed slightly bewildered by her own transformation. It wasn't that she disliked the change; rather, after tens of thousands of years, discovering a previously unknown facet of herself must have been disorienting.
Since she was naturally modest and rarely voiced her own desires, I felt that her being more demanding might actually bring a better balance to things. Smiling to myself, I pulled the still-bewildered woman into a light embrace.
"...Ah... Kaito-sama?"
"It’s okay to be confused. You aren’t changing for the worse, and I’m genuinely happy when you ask for things or act a little spoiled. There’s no rush. You can get used to it at your own pace... I’ll be right here with you."
"...Yes. This is quite troubling. I truly cannot seem to control my feelings today."
As she spoke, her tone had shifted from confusion to something that sounded almost happy. She gently wrapped her arms around my back and clung to me, seeking affection. It had been wonderful to see so many adorable sides of her today.
While her usual mature, motherly aura is wonderful, I found this new side of her—acting on her impulses and seeking affection—to be just as lovely. Since I certainly didn't mind, I tightened my hold on her and savored our private time together as a couple.
Serious-senpai (Spirit Body): "Gaaaaah! Why... why am I taking damage even in spirit form?!"
???: "Well, I don't think it was physical damage to begin with, so being a spirit doesn't really help... By the way, what should we do with your maple-syrup-covered main body? It’s starting to smell pretty sweet. Want me to go dump it somewhere?"
Serious-senpai (Spirit Body): "You’re the one who covered me in it, you moron!"
Machina: "............"
Serious-senpai (Spirit Body): "...Wait, what? No, hold on, you Idiot God... stay! Stay!! That’s just my normal body covered in syrup! It hasn't actually turned into a dessert!"