Resting on Illness-san’s lap in the shade of the park was a blissful time, but it felt like a waste to do that forever. Besides, I had the feeling I’d end up falling asleep if I stayed like that, so after a while, I got up. We sat side by side and began chatting.

[Kaito-samaaaaa, would you like me to prepare some light snaaaaaacks?]

[Oh, we can have food and drinks here too? I’m not particularly hungry, but something to nibble on might be nice.]

[How about some cookiiiiiies?]

[Thank you, I’ll have some.]

What Illness-san prepared were bite-sized mini cookies, and when I tried one, a gentle sweetness and buttery flavor spread in my mouth.

They were just right for snacking on while chatting…… As I thought that, Illness-san took out a cylinder…… or rather, something that clearly resembles a thermos.

[……You’re really well-prepared. Did you perhaps anticipate we’d come here?]

[No, that isn’t the caaaase. I just thought thaaaat, maybe after the caféeeee, we might go somewhere else, so I prepared various thiiiiiings.]

[Thank you. I mean, you’re really doing so much for me……]

[Don’t worry about iiiiiiiit. I do it because I enjoy iiiiiit. How should I put it…… it makes me incredibly happy to think that by doing somethiiiiiing, I can help Kaito-sama feel comfortableeeeee. So, even preparing things was fun for meeeeee.]

Even without using my Sympathy Magic, I could tell that Illness-san’s smile was genuine. How should I say this…… it really seemed like taking care of me makes her happy, and that sentiment came through so straightforwardly that it made me a little embarrassed.

[How should I say this…… it might be strange for me to say this, but as I mentioned earlier, Illness-san really is quite devoted. I’m happy, but please don’t overdo it.]

[Yeeeees. Howeveeeeer, I really am not overexerting myseeeeeelf. Even my usual work goes the same as usuaaaaal. Especially when it comes to managing Kaito-sama’s househoooooold, it’s truly enjoyable for meeeeee, so I’d say I’m spending my time doing something I loooooove.]

[When you put it that way, I can’t really say anything. However, please let me thank you…… Illness-san, thank you so much for everything.]

[Kuhihi, hearing Kaito-sama say that really makes me happyyyy.]

Illness-san handled several times the work of an ordinary person on a daily basis, and while she seemed perfectly capable of doing so, I had worried a bit, but it seemed she genuinely enjoyed her work, which is reassuring.

It’s just, at the same time as these thoughts popped in my mind…… Since we were together as a couple, and with no one else in sight, just the two of us, a desire to spend the moment in a more romantic way started to well up inside me.

Considering the current situation, the simplest thing I could do was……

[……Illness-san, errr…… Would you mind if I put my arm around your shoulders?]

S- Saying it out loud made me a little nervous…… I was pretty sure Illness-san wouldn’t refuse, but even so, I couldn’t help but feel a bit tense.

Illness-san, after looking surprised for a moment, smiled warmly.

[Yeeees. It would be my pleasuuuure.]

[Then, if you’ll excuse me.]

With her permission granted, I placed my hand on Illness-san’s shoulder and gently pulled her close. She was more petite than I had imagined, with her shoulders being quite small and delicate…… How should I say this…… She feels so soft.

Illness-san leaned lightly against me, and I could feel a faint warmth from where we were touching and from the hand resting on her shoulder. It was a bit ticklish, but I felt incredibly happy.

Just as I thought about continuing with some light conversation, Illness-san suddenly spoke up as if something had crossed her mind.

[……Kaito-samaaaa, if there’s anything else you’d like to do, there’s no need to seek my permission.]

[Huh? Errr…… What do you mean?]

[Well, I know that Kaito-sama is very kiiiiiind and you’re being considerate of my feeliiiiings. It’s juuuuust, for the sake of simplifying things moving forwaaaaard, I wanted to tell you this in advaaaance…… You can do anything you waaaaant. I…… am yours after all.]

As she said this with a smile, Illness-san looked both compassionate and sensually captivating, as if she were enveloping everything in her warmth. Her beauty was so striking that it took my breath away.

<Afterword>

Serious-senpai : [Guaaaahhh, i- is this…… the legendary No Guard Style…….?]

? ? ? : [I don’t think she had been guarded against Kaito-san to begin with, and well, her declaring it to him like that was for flirting sake.]