Today is the day I promised to go to a café with Illness-san, and we agreed to meet at my house’s front door before heading out together.

Although I’ve gone out with Illness-san several times before, this time feels different as it’s our first date since becoming a couple, and I find myself feeling a bit nervous.

Well, that said, we’re only going to a café, so it’s nothing too formal. However, since it’s a fancy café, I decided to wear some of the nicer clothes I had worn during the Six Kings Festival.

When I arrived at the entrance, it was perfect timing, as Illness-san had just arrived as well. She was wearing a black long skirt and a white long-sleeved top with a few decorative frills. She accessorized modestly with a rose-shaped ornament, which, how should I say this…… gives off a pure and graceful aura.

The last time we went out, she wore darker-colored clothing, but today, her outfit had a bright and refreshing tone centered around white, giving her a different vibe that felt quite fresh.

[Good morning, Illness-san. We’ve got perfect timing huh.]

[Good morniiiiiiing. Kuhihi, we’re in sync, aren’t weeeee?]

[Right. Oh, that outfit suits you so well! It’s elegant and graceful, perfectly matching Illness-san’s vibe. You look beautiful.]

[Thank youuuu. Kaito-sama looks wonderful as weeeeeell. You’re wearing the clothes from the Six Kings Festival, yeeeeees? Since I didn’t participate in the Six Kings Festivaaaaaaal, I feel fortunate being able to see it todaaaaaay.]

Now that she mentioned it, when Illness-san came to the Six Kings Festival, it was at night, and since we planned to walk around the food stalls, I had stored my coat in my magic box to avoid getting it dirty. So, this might be her first time seeing me in the full outfit.

[Come on, let’s not stand around here and chat, shall we get going?]

[Yeeees. Let’s start our daaaaate~~]

……Fumu, date huh…… She’s right. Illness-san and I are now a couple, and we’re heading out for a date. With that in mind, I feel like I want to make this outing a little different from the ones we had before.

[……Illness-san, if you’re alright with it, shall we hold hands as we walk?]

[Yeeees. Well then, if you wouuuuld.]

When I suggested holding hands, Illness-san smiled gently and immediately agreed, extending her hand toward me.

As we held hands, I was surprised by how small and soft her hand felt. It was slightly cool, probably because her body temperature runs a bit low, and that made it feel pleasantly refreshing.

[……This is…… more nerve-wracking than I expecteeeed. I can’t seem to relaaaaax.]

[It’s rare to see you nervous, Illness-san. This might be the first time. I guess…… Is it because it’s our first date?]

[Yes, that’s probably iiiiiit. This is my first time being in a romantic relationshiiiiiiiip and my first time holding hands with someone on a daaaaaate, so I feel a bit unsettleddddd.]

On the surface, Illness-san seemed as calm and composed as ever, but I could tell her expression was just a little stiffer than usual. Through my Sympathy Magic, I could also sense a slight hint of nervousness.

However, more than that, I could feel the happiness and excitement radiating from her, which reassured me that despite her nervousness, she was enjoying the moment.

[I’m not exactly super experienced either, but I’ll do my best to take the lead for you, Illness-san.]

[Yeeees. That’s very reassuriiiiiing.]

That said, Illness-san’s nervousness was really just a small bit. She wasn’t stiff or overly tense, so there probably wouldn’t be many moments where I’d need to take the lead.

However, when it comes to doing things that feel more like what a couple would do…… I figured I should take the initiative.

With that in mind, I loosened my grip on her hand a little and moved my fingers to lightly brush against hers. Illness-san seemed to pick up on my intention from just that, as she parted her fingers slightly to allow mine to slip between them.

Now, with our hands firmly entwined in a more intimate grip, we exchanged a small smile before setting off toward the city.

<Afterword>

Serious-senpai : [Ah, things are already getting too sweet at this point…… I wanna get out of here.]