I’m quite accustomed to fancy meals, but this kind of formal course dining…… but this surprisingly might be the first time I’ve had a meal like this.

The meals at Lilia-san’s mansion are often luxurious, fitting for nobility, but they’re not served as courses. During the Six Kings Festival, I had a course meal at a high-end restaurant…… but what we had back then was more like Chinese cuisine……

[Do you often visit places that serve this kind of course meal, Illness-san? You seem so calm and composed, like you’re used to it……]

[No, not reallyyyy. Eating isn’t something I need to do in the first plaaaace, so the act of eating itself is something I hardly dooooo. While I’m knowledgeable about dining etiqueeeeette, I hardly ever get the chance to practice iiiiiit, so I hope it’s not acting too unsightlyyyyy.]

[No, you actually look beautiful and elegant…… even to my untrained eye, I can tell your table manners are refined.]

In fact, I think Illness-san’s table manners are nearly perfect. Even to someone like me, who doesn’t know much about it, the way she eats seems incredibly polished and refined.

Lilia-san also eats very gracefully, but Illness-san’s manners feel even more sophisticated.

[I think you’re exaggerating a biiiiiit, but I’m just glad I’m not making Kaito-sama feel uncomfortableeeeee.]

[If anything, I’m more worried about myself. I- I’m not doing anything weird, am I?]

[You’re doing wonderfullyyyyyy. Your posture is beautifuuuuul, and your face is soooooo dignified that I can’t help but be captivateeeeed.]

[T- That’s a bit too much praise…….]

While I’m relieved to know that my table manners aren’t making Illness-san feeling uncomfortable, her straightforward compliments make me feel a bit embarrassed.

Even without using my Sympathy Magic, it’s clear from her expression that she’s speaking sincerely, and her smile, looking so happy, was truly beautiful———– that’s it’s actually me that’s feeling captivated here.

As I was thinking that, Illness-san suddenly chuckles and speaks.

[However, since this is a special occasiooooon, I might end up breaking a bit of those table manneeeeers.]

[Eh? You’re breaking table manners?]

[Yeeees. Since it’s just the two of us heeeeere, I can’t help but want to do something I couldn’t at the caféeeeee.]

[……Ah, you mean…….]

[……Would it be alright if I sit a bit closeeeeeer?]

I immediately understood what Illness-san was implying. Her mention of something she couldn’t do at the café made it clear what she wanted, and since it’s just the two of us in this private room, there’s no one to see us.

Someone might come when the next dish is served, but Illness-san likely knows the timing of the meal service well.

With no reason to refuse, I nodded in agreement. Thereupon, Illness-san moved her seat closer, cut the food into bite-sized pieces, and held it to me with one hand.

[……Well then, Kaito-sama, here you goooo.]

[Thank you…… S- Somehow, just considering the place, this feels a bit embarrassing. This makes me happy though.]

[Indeeeed. I do feel apologetic indulging in my selfishness like thiiiiis…… but I’ve really wanted to do this for Kaito-samaaaa, so I’m very happy. The next bite as weeeeell…… Ahh~~ Speaking of whiiiiiich, I should do it like this, riiiiight…… Ahhn~~]

Illness-san’s sweet voice and smile were so captivating, and the whole situation, where we could do something romantic like this, felt absolutely wonderful. The only downside was that I felt so shy I could barely taste the food……. but well, that just shows how dazzling her smile was. I’m really glad she looked so happy.

<Afterword>

Serious-senpai : [A- Ahh~~ Tomorrow is the release date for the Volume 9 of the manga! The digital version will probably be released at the same time, and since I’m definitely featured on the back cover, everyone would really want to buy it!!! You can head to the official website from the link in the Activity Report, and from there, there are links to online stores!!!]

? ? ? : [……Someone’s trying so desperately to divert her attention from the main story’s developments.]