Illness-san, with a genuinely heartful joy in her smile, moved her hair aside and put on the necklace I had given her.

Naturally, I chose a rose design…… It looks like a rose, right? I worked pretty hard on it, and from my perspective, it definitely looks like a rose. But, how’s the quality?

[How is iiiiiiit?]

[It suits you very well. Since Illness-san tends to wear clothes with slightly darker tones, the light pink of the rose quartz adds a nice accent and really draws attention. However, what I’m personally worried about…… I made this with the intention of it being a rose, but since I’m an amateur, how does it look to you, Illness-san? Does it seem strange?]

[I have never seen such an accessory as beautiful as this befooooore. Without any exaggeratiooooons, I genuinely think sooooo. As Kaito-sama may knooooow, I usually don’t wear such accessoriiiiiies.]

[Ah, now that you mention it, you’ve worn things like ribbons or ties that looked like roses, but as for actual accessories, I certainly don’t recall seeing you wear any.]

Illness-san often arranges the ribbons on her maid outfit’s apron dress to resemble a rose, and her necktie also has a rose design. But it’s true that I’ve never seen her wear actual accessories.

Illness-san has a stylish sense even in her casual clothes, so it wouldn’t be surprising for her to wear bracelets or necklaces, but at least from what I’ve seen, she hasn’t worn any.

[The reason is that I never encountered an accessory I wanted to weaaaaar. I create my clothes with magic poweeeeer, so I arrange my outfit myseeeeelf…… but when Kaito-sama gave me this necklaaaaaace, I was so happy I felt like I might cryyyyy…… This is the first time in my long life that I’ve found an accessory I truly want to weaaaaar.]

[Hearing you say you’re that happy makes it worthwhile for me too.]

[Just thinking that Kaito-sama made this with me in miiiiiiind causes an endless surge of happiness to overflow from the depths of my heeeeeeart. It’s a bit troubling that I can’t seem to control my emotions properly thouuuuugh.]

Indeed, Illness-san seems more unsettled than usual, her emotions fluctuating more than usual. It’s not that she’s emotionally unstable, but she’s so overwhelmed with joy that she can’t contain her feelings. Honestly, I hadn’t expected her to be this happy, and while ––I’m feeling a bit embarrassed, it also makes me really happy.

As I had such thoughts in mind, Illness-san directed her slightly teary eyes toward me. Her teary gaze, which was now focused unlike usual, looking up at me due to our height difference…… To be honest, the sheer cuteness, their overwhelming impact was simply off the charts.

[……Kaito-samaaaaaa.]

[Y- Yes?]

[I had been joking around earlieeeeer…… but would it be alright if we kiiiiiissed? Right now, umm, how should I put iiiiiit…… I just want to feel closer to Kaito-samaaaaa, I want to feel your touuuuuch…… I do feel apologetic for saying such selfishness buuuuut……]

[No, no! You weren’t being selfish at all, and in fact, that makes me happy…… Errr, well, umm, how should I respond here…… Uh, gladly?]

There was no option in my mind to say “no” after being asked that by my beloved, looking up at me like that. No, in the first place, refusing wasn’t even an option, but still…… Illness-san acting all clingy like this, especially given her usual mature demeanor, was so unbearably cute, it strangely makes me flustered.

That’s why, even as I was feeling a little nervous, I placed my hand gently on Illness-san’s shoulder as she looked up at me, and due to the height difference, I slightly crouched down.

Thereupon, as she closed her eyes, I leaned in and softly pressed my lips to hers. The sensation was moist, soft, and somehow sweet, as if our lips were gently drawn together, creating a sensation that was incredibly pleasant.

As I was lost in thought, Illness-san’s hand slid smoothly behind my neck, and she clung to me, pressing her lips against mine with even more intensity than before.

I was a bit surprised, but even more than that, I could feel her deep affection flowing through the touch of her lips. The sensation was irresistibly comforting, and with Illness-san being so assertive, we continued kissing for a while, completely losing track of time.

<Afterword>

Serious-senpai (Soul): [……No problem…… It’s just a fatal wound.]

? ? ? : [……A fatal wound? I mean, if you’re out of your body, you’re pretty much dead, right……? Also, about this empty shell of a body…… Well, if we pour some maple syrup on it, you’ll eventually heal up.]

Serious-senpai (Soul): [……Why are you decorating my body with sweet stuff!?]