My second break was officially set for thirty minutes. Just like the first time, I was to be automatically teleported to a rest room to spend the interval however I pleased.
Since Shiro-san wasn't joining me this time, I figured I would just take it easy and clear my head. Or so I thought. The moment the scenery shifted and I arrived in the room, I found myself locking eyes with the person already waiting there.
"……Huh? Lilia-san?"
"A-Ahaha……"
Lilia-san wore a look that was hard to describe, and I couldn't help but tilt my head in confusion. Was this what I thought it was? Was Lilia-san the one scheduled to take this break with me?
Now that I thought about it, I did recall Shiro-san mentioning something to that effect. However, about two days had passed in my subjective time, so the detail had completely slipped my mind.
"I remember now. Shiro-san did say something about this. So, you’re the one joining me for this break, Lilia-san."
"Yes, Shallow Vernal-sama was kind enough to arrange this…… but honestly, I'm at a loss as to what we should actually do. She told me this was necessary because we hadn't done anything 'lover-like' during the gift-giving segment, but that just leaves me wondering what qualifies. By the way, what did the two of you do during your break?"
"We played at the beach together."
"……U-Um?"
When she heard my answer, Lilia-san looked as if I had suddenly started lecturing her on deep-space phenomena. I suppose I couldn't blame her.
It was true that we had gone to the sea, but it had taken place within a sort of dream world. Explaining the nuances was proving to be difficult.
"Well, how should I put it? The break itself felt like taking a nap, but Shiro-san and I went to the beach in a dream world—or a mental world, I guess—and we spent quite a while playing there while time was dilated."
"……I-I see. That is a concept far beyond my understanding, but if it involves Shallow Vernal-sama, I suppose it’s not entirely surprising. However, that doesn't really help me decide what I should do."
"Well, that’s true. But it’s not like we have to do anything special, right? Why don't we just have some tea and relax? I have some black tea in my Magic Box, and there’s a table and sofa right here."
"You’re right. In that case, I would be honored to be your conversation partner for the duration of the break."
The whole situation had apparently been sparked by Shiro-san’s comment that it was unfair for Lilia-san not to have a romantic moment when she presented her gift. Consequently, Lilia-san seemed to feel a heavy sense of obligation to perform. Personally, I didn't think there was any need to force it.
Unlike my time with Shiro-san, there was no indication that time was being dilated here. We only had thirty minutes, so a normal chat seemed perfectly appropriate.
Lilia-san seemed relieved by my suggestion. She offered a small smile and sat down across from me at the table.
I was just about to pull some tea and sweets out of my Magic Box when the anomaly occurred.
"……H-Huh? I’m suddenly so sleepy……"
"You too, Kaito-san? I suddenly feel…… so drowsy…… as well……"
The moment I sat down, a wave of overpowering lethargy washed over me. It was so sudden and intense that I didn't even have the chance to wonder what was happening. Unable to resist, my eyelids grew heavy, and my consciousness sank into a deep, muddled slumber.
When I came to, I was standing in front of an open-air bath, clad in nothing but a towel wrapped around my waist.
"……Eh?"
"Th-This is—Kyaah!? What? W-Why am I…… Why am I dressed like this?"
"Lilia-san?"
"K-Kaito-san, please do not look this way right now!"
Startled by Lilia-san's voice, I turned toward her. Like me, she had been stripped of her clothes and was wrapped in a single towel. She was, for all intents and purposes, ready to step into a bath. Finding herself in such a state without warning, Lilia-san turned beet-red and began to panic.
A moment later, glowing letters materialized in the air right before us, hovering over the water of the hot spring.
"I have dilated the time relative to the outside world, just as I did for our session. Lilia, please enjoy this intimate time with Kaito-san to your heart's content. Since I chose the sea for my turn, I have prepared a hot spring for yours."
What in the world are you doing, Shiro-san? I was certain her intentions were born of 100% goodwill—since she had enjoyed her own time that way, she likely thought she was being supportive by providing Lilia-san with a similar opportunity.
"……H-Huh? So, this is a dream world after all. T-That’s strange…… Even though I’m in a dream, my stomach is starting to hurt……"
Lilia-san, the recipient of this "generous support," was clutching her stomach with an expression of pure despair.
Serious-senpai: "She actually did it!! Is that Goddess for real?! She really went and did it!! She used brute force to trigger a hot spring mixed bathing episode!"