The weather today is good, making it perfect to spend time in the park. The fact that Symphonia Kingdom has stable weather throughout the year helps, but the temperature is also pleasant and comfortable. Well, thanks to Shiro-san’s blessing, I’d be comfortable in summer or winter anyway, so it wouldn’t really matter to me……

After reaching the shade of a tree, I laid out a leisure sheet I pulled from my magic box. My initial plan was to sit down and relax, but this time, as she had suggested, I ended up getting a lap pillow from Illness-san.

I glanced at her, unsure of what to do, and saw that she was sitting on the sheet, placing a handkerchief on her lap.

[Well then, Kaito-samaaaa, please come here.]

[Ah, yes. Well then, if you’ll excuse me.]

She seemed ready, so informing her for a bit beforehand, I rested my head on Illness-san’s lap…… right where she had spread her handkerchief.

A gentle fragrance of perfume filled the air, and I caught sight of Illness-san’s face, gazing at me with a soft, tender expression.

[How does it feel to rest theeeere?]

[How should I say this…… It’s really comfortable. I mean, of course, there’s a slight bit of embarrassment, but more than that, it’s relaxing…… I feel like the tension naturally leaves my shoulders, and I can just relax.]

[Kuhihi, then I’m glad to hear thaaaaat. Howeveeeeer, I also feel a bit embarraaaaassed. It’s strange, isn’t iiiiiit? Even though I’ve rested your head on my lap a few times befoooooore…… Maybeeee it’s because I’m feeling more conscious since we’re now loveeeers?]

“What can I say? It’s really comfortable. I mean, of course, there’s a slight bit of embarrassment, but more than that, it’s relaxing… I feel like the tension naturally leaves my shoulders, and I can just relax.”

“Kuhihi, then I’m glad~ to hear that. But~ I alsooo feel a bit embarrassed~. It’s strange, isn’t it~? Even though I’ve rested your head on my lap a few times before~… Maybe it’s becauseee I’m more conscious of the fact that we’re lovers now~?”

At a glance, Illness-san seems to be smiling gently as always, but if I use my Sympathy Magic, I can certainly feel a faint sense of nervousness.

However, it’s not the kind of nervousness that makes her stiff, just a mild one……… How should I put it? It’s like she’s aware of me as her lover…… as someone special to her, which makes her actions feel a little different than before.

[But still, how should I say this…… I’ve had my head on your lap a few times before, and even now, I’m not sure which direction my face should be. Should I look up like this, or should I turn to the side……]

[I wondeeeeeer? I’m not sure what the correct answer is eitheeeeeer, but I’d be happy to see Kaito-sama’s faaaaaace.]

[I see…… But yeah, maybe looking at ILlness-san’s face and talking like this helps me relax more. Well, maybe it’d be different if I were feeling sleepy though……]

[I won’t mind if you take some nap, you knoooooow?]

Illness-san says that, but I’m not really that sleepy. Well, the weather is nice, it feels great, and her lap is comfortable, so I could probably fall asleep if I wanted to.

But for some reason, it feels like that would be a bit of a waste.

[Hmm, I’m not that sleepy…… How should I say this…… talking with Illness-san like this feels so calming, too comfortable that falling asleep would feel like a waste.]

[Oya? Kuhihi…… That feels a bit tickliiiiiish, but hearing your words makes me happyyyy.]

After saying that with a cheerful smile, Illness-san gently patted my head with one hand while using the other to softly hold mine.

I don’t know if I should say it’s as to be expected or not, but I can feel her mature, motherly warmth. At the same time though, I could feel her intent to be affectionate with me…… Like how she’s holding my hand now————it’s moments like this where she’s showing a side of herself that’s much more endearing than before.

Feeling that Illness-san is clearly showing affection as someone of the opposite gender, I also felt a bit ticklish like she did…… but well, it doesn’t feel bad at all.

Grasping her hand back, I started to think about what to do with my other hand. Patting her head in this position would also be difficult.

In the first place, there aren’t many things that can be done in this posture, so there’s no need to force anything…… Just as I was concluding this, Illness-san’s hand, which had been gently patting my head, started moving differently.

After brushing aside my bangs, her face suddenly came closer, and I felt a light touch of her lips on my forehead.

When I looked at Illness-san as she pulled back, feeling a bit surprised, she had a radiant, somewhat innocent-looking smile exuding an overwhelming sense of happiness.

<Afterword>

Serious-senpai : [H- Hahaaan…… S- So she’s now openly giving forehead kisses that she used to sneak in while he was sleeping…… S- She’s really something……]

? ? ? : [Serious-senpai, your legs are shaking…… You look like a newborn deer.]