After parting with Magnawell-san, I stepped into the icy land with Lillywood-san.
Even though I knew I had Shiro-san's blessing, I was still a little nervous about plunging into a land of ice and snow but... I was able to step forward without feeling particularly cold.
Indeed, if I think about it, with so much ice and snow all over the place, I should have felt the cold before I stepped in here, so Shiro-san's blessing already is in effect.
As I continued on through the icy land, a large castle came into view out of the corner of my eye.
It's a beautiful castle that seems to blend in with the landscape... Its color is white and ephemeral like snow, but its exterior is solemn, and gives the impression of a mysterious temple of some kind.
So that's... the castle where Isis-san lives...
"It's already in sight huh... oops, oya oya, I guess a certain someone couldn't just wait huh."
[...Ahh.]
Lillywood-san announced in an amazed, but a somewhat happy voice, and when I moved my gaze, I saw the gates of the ice castle opened, revealing Isis-san's figure.
[Isis-san!]
[...!? Kaito!]
After seeing that it's Isis-san, I wave my hand while calling out in a slightly louder voice, and hearing my call, Isis-san smiled like a blooming flower.
I immediately arrive at the gate where she's waiting, get off the floating wooden chair and approach her.
Isis-san was dressed in a pale blue gothic dress that was a little different from the usual, and combined with her pearly white hair that shone faintly with the light, she looked so pretty that she looked like a snow fairy.
Hmmm. As I thought, Isis-san is very cute... Ah, this is no good, I'm getting a little nervous.
[...Kaito... Welcome... I'm glad... that you're here...]
[No, it's a pleasure for me to be here too, to visit you, Isis-san. I'll be in your care today.]
[...Unnn!]
Isis-san seemed really happy she repeated nodded with a murderously cute smile that made me slightly blush.
[Speaking of which... Is it really alright if I "borrow one of your rooms"?]
[...Unnn... If it's Kaito... You could stay here... anytime you want... I'll be happy... if you stay here.]
[T- Thank you very much. Well then, I'll be in your care for three days.]
[Unnn!]
Yes, this isn't just a one-day trip. I'm going to stay at Isis-san's castle for two nights.
At first, I thought it would just be a day trip, but after talking to Kuro, I found out that it's quite a distance from the Teleportation Gate to Isis-san's castle, and she said it wouldn't be a relaxing day trip.
When I talked to Isis-san about it, she suggested that I could stay the night.
I'm not sure if I'd want to trouble her at first... Or rather, I was quite nervous, thinking about being alone with Isis-san under one roof, so I thought I'd refrain from staying the night at her place, but there are no lodgings around the place where Isis-san lives, let along any village, and if I didn't stay, I'd just go there, only to immediately go back home. What's the point of going there then?
So, in the end, I decided to break off and visit for three days and two nights.
I was supposed to arrive in the Demon Realm in the afternoon, but since it was already getting close to evening, I think that staying the night was indeed the right choice.
And well, since Lillywood-san is also here, it's not like we're alone...
"Well then, I've already sent Kaito-san here, so I'd better get going."
[...Ehh?]
[...Unnn... Lillywood... Thank you.]
"Well then, Kaito-san. I'll be back to pick you up when you return."
[Eh? Wait!?]
Eeeehhhhh!? Please wait right there!? You're going home? Lillywood-san, you're leaving already!?
I was about to open my mouth to hurriedly stop Lillywood-san, but before I could stop her, Lillywood-san disappeared with Teleportation Magic.
Wait a minute... A- As expected, this situation is bad.
The situation I'm in now was different from the previous time when Isis-san came to Lilia-san's mansion.
It certainly was just the two of us in the room at that time, but there were lots of people inside the mansion but... there's no else living in Isis-san's castle except for Isis-san.
In that case, it's really the authentic "just the two of us" scenario... I- I'm starting to get extremely nervous!
[...Kaito?]
[Y- Y- Y- Yes!?]
[...Are you okay?]
[I- I- I'm okay! I- It's just that I'm feeling a bit tired from the long trip...]
The sorrow of a virgin... A very rude fantasy was running through my head, confusing my thoughts, and before I knew it, the nearby Isis-san came over and peeked towards my face... I felt like my heart would pop out.
I'm sorry, Isis-san. I was just having weird imaginations...
Apologizing in my mind, I entered the castle through the big gate with Isis-san.
The interior of the castle was honestly an impressive sight.
The beautiful shimmering floor, the shape and all those thingies on the chandeliers, and even the pillars were beautiful like works of art.
I've been to Chris-san's castle before, but this place was much wider and more beautiful than that... I guess it's to be expected from the home of one of the Six Kings huh...
[It's very spacious, isn't it.]
[...Unnn... but... there are still lots of unused rooms...]
Isis-san looked a little sad as she told me that.
Thinking about it, I guess it's no wonder... Isis-san was the only one living in this large castle. This is why even though this castle is large and beautiful, it feels empty and lonely.
Why did Isis-san build such a large castle?
This might be one of her dreams she once had... A dream where just like the other members of the Six Kings, she would build a large castle, expecting the spectacle of having many of her own subordinates, living together in that bustling castle.
While looking around at the interior of the large castle, I came up with an idea... I talked to Isis-san who was walking next to me with a smile on her face.
[I've never seen a castle like this before. If it's alright, can you show me around later?]
[...Kaito... Unnn... I'll take you... on a tour.]
I told her those words. Perhaps sensing the intentions put into them, Isis-san has some tears in her eyes before she happily smiles from the bottom of her heart.
As I thought, I think a smile suits her the best... At least, when she's with me, I want her to not feel lonely...
[...That's right... Kaito... You said earlier... that you were... tired.]
[Eh? Ah, yes. A little bit.]
[...Then... Do you want... to take a bath?]
[A bath, is it?]
Hearing the words that Isis-san suddenly thought and told me, I tilted my head and asked.
[...Unnn... When you're tired... having a bath... is the best.]
[I- I guess you're right... Hmmm. Then, may I take you up on your offer?]
[...Unnn... I'll show you the bathroom.]
[Yes.]
When I told her I was tired from the long trip, it seemed that she was worried about it, so she suggested that I take a bath and relax.
To be honest, I just answered that in a panic earlier, but I was happy to see her concern, and since it was a good suggestion, I decided I will take advantage of it.
[Fuuuu~~]
After washing myself thoroughly, I soaked in the bathtub and heavily exhaled.
[...I didn't expect that it would be an open-air bath... I was surprised.
The scene in front of me was so shocking that I couldn't help but speak to myself.
The huge bathtub, which seems to have enough room for a reception hall to fit inside it, is located in the part of the castle that juts out like a large veranda, and if I move my gaze, I can see the silver world and watch as snow gently falls.
I never thought that after coming to another world, I would take an open-air bath... Well, I asked Isis-san about why an "Open-air bath", but she just tilted her head, so it wasn't like this was handed down from another world, but simply just a tub built outdoors.
Well, not knowing whether it's called an open-air bath or not is just a trivial matter, and for now, I'll just enjoy this luxurious moment while gazing at this spectacular view.
The temperature around the bath is definitely below freezing, but I don't feel the freezing wind, but rather, it feels just like a cool breeze caressing my cheeks.
This might make me look like a stinking old man, but I'm telling you, this bath is paradise...
As I was slowly stretching out in the bathtub while thinking like that... I heard the sound of the door opening... Eh?
[...Kaito... Is the water... not too hot?]
[...Huh?]
Wait, wait, wait!? Why the heck did I just hear Isis-san's voice just now!?
Strange, that's weird!? I mean, if that's the case, it's like...
I- I see... It must have been just my "hallucinations" huh!
Well~ That's no good, me... No matter how unpopular I am, if I not only start dreaming delusions, I'm also hearing hallucinations, it's already the end for you!
It might just be because I've been unknowingly exhausted for the day... Alright, it's all in my head! It's definitely just in my head! Even if I turn around, there's no one there! There's no one...
[...I'm also... going in... with you.]
[!?!?!?]
When I looked back, out of the corner of my eye... is a paradise in a different meaning from the one I experienced just now.
Dear Mom, Dad——- I came to visit Isis-san's home and got an early bath. The bath at Isis-san's home was an open-air bath, and it was wonderful... But what the heck is with this situation? I mean, look—— I thought I didn't have that Lucky Pervert syndrome!?
**********
{Author's Notes}
Although Kaito is so thickheaded that he could even use it as his middle name, even someone like him would definitely notice Isis's approach... When he's dealing with Isis, he can be quite nervous.
Wait, are you saying that... they're having a sleepover date with mixed bathing...
Go explode! Other world riajuu!!!
T/N: Author's last line is actually "爆ぜろ! 異世充!!" which should mean the same as "Go explode, riajuus!", but 異世充 (isejuu) is used instead of リア充 (riajuu). Can't think of a good pun, so you get that.