Although there's a large gap in appearance and name between high-class Chinese cuisine and French cuisine, it tasted great, just as one would expect from a popular restaurant.
The main course, a Peking duck-style meat dish, as if umami of the poultry had extremely converged within it, giving me such satisfaction that made me feel as if I had eaten a whole chicken.
Unnn, that was... chicken meat, right? It's not the meat of a big worm of some frog somewhere, right? ...Unnn, let's just stop thinking about it.
I was enjoying my meal like that... but while I was partaking on my meal, I suddenly noticed something.
[....]
I could feel occasional glances from Lilia-san, who is eating at the table next to ours. However, she doesn't call out to me.
And the emotion I'm feeling with my Sympathy Magic... was worry? What does this mean?
[...Ummm, Lilia-san?]
[...Kaito-san, can I have a moment of your time?]
When I called out to Lilia-san, she seemed to be hesitating for a moment before she replied.
[Eh? Yes...]
[Well then, please follow me for the moment. Luna, please tell them to delay the time that our meals are served.]
[Understood.]
Lilia-san apparently wanted to talk to me, so she told Lunamaria-san that we would be leaving our seats for a while. Then, she started to walk towards the balcony, which seemed to be just one door away from where we were eating.
Not knowing what Lilia-san's intentions were, I followed her to the balcony.
I guess it's to be expected of a high-class restaurant like this, as their balcony was also quite large.
Lilia-san and I walked in silence along the balcony, which was surprisingly quiet for a store located at the venue of the Six Kings Festival.
Then, when we were some distance away from the dinner table, Lilia-san stopped and looked back at me.
With the cool night breeze drifting, Lilia-san held her swaying hair with one hand and spoke.
[...Kaito-san.]
[Yes?]
[...It would be great if this was just my misunderstanding, but perhaps... Is there something "troubling" you?]
[...Eh?]
I was frankly... surprised by what Lilia-san told me.
The encounter I had during the day with the woman who looked just like my mother. I was able to take my mind off it to some extent thanks to Isis-san's presence, and I was able to put a smile on my face.
However, I still couldn't completely forget about it, and remembered about that incident from time to time. I think that's what Lilia-san was talking about.
However, I didn't think she would notice it... because I hadn't seriously thought about that matter myself.
[I don't have any clear evidence either... but I felt like there were some shadows in Kaito-san's smile.]
[.....]
[It's not that you were forcing a smile. I think that your smiles were sincere. However, errr, it feels like there's something a little different about it...]
I was surprised... and most of all, I felt glad.
Because Lilia-san really watches me closely, she noticed the slightest changes within me. And the feeling of worry I had been feeling all along just now... makes me feel really grateful.
[...It's not really that big of a deal... It won't take long, so would you listen for a moment?]
[Yes, if you're fine with me.]
So, I decided to be honest with Lilia-san.
I told her that I had met a woman who looked exactly like my deceased mother earlier in the day, and even though I wasn't seriously thinking about it, it was still bothering me...
When I finished telling her all these things, Lilia-san nodded her head once in understanding.
[...I see, I suppose what you're feeling is understandable. Even though I am still young, it's not as if I have never experienced having to part with someone because of death. My mother is still alive and well, but my stepmother... and several of my father's concubines died.]
[...…]
[It's natural to feel shaken when you meet someone who looks exactly like the person you were close to before they died.]
As she said this, Lilia-san came closer and gently leaned on my chest.
[...But I'm glad. I'm relieved that... Kaito-san isn't too deeply troubled about it.]
[Lilia-san...]
[I'm sorry. You are a very strong person... I know that you will be fine. However, please at least let me worry about you. I'm your lover after all...]
[Yes, no, I mean... I'm so glad you're worried about me.]
I gently hugged Lilia-san as she leaned in close to me, feeling her warmth as I expressed my gratitude.
Thereupon, Lilia-san put her hands on my back too. We continued to hug each other in silence for a little while, before Lilia-san suddenly looked up at me and gave me a shy smile.
[...Kaito-san.]
[Yes?]
[...Can we... kiss?]
[...Eh?]
I never expected to hear such a thing from the shy Lilia-san, so I unintentionally let out a duncy voice.
[I just thought that we hadn't done that yet... Does Kaito-san not want to?]
[N- No, that's not it... H- However, is Lilia-san fi——–!?]
I was going to ask if Lilia-san is fine with that but... I stopped from speaking those words when I saw Lilia-san, with her eyes closed and her face slightly raised.
It would be rude to Lilia-san if I say unnecessary things or pull away here.
Holding Lilia-san closer, I slowly brought her face closer to mine. Then...
[Hnnn...]
My lips overlapped with Lilia-san's surprisingly soft lips, and a soft moan escaped from her mouth.
Feeling the deep affection Lilia-san had for me, I savored the warmth of her presence before we parted our lips.
[...E- Errr, Lilia-san. Thank you.]
[.....]
In a different way than Isis-san, the shy Lilia-san acted with all the courage she could muster. I was so happy about it that I unintentionally said a few words of thanks.
However, I received no response from Lilia-san.
[...Arehh?]
[...….]
[L- Lilia-san?]
[...Kyuuu~~]
[Lilia-san!? W- Wait, please pull yourself together!]
I hurriedly held Lilia-san's body as it seemed like she was about to collapse... but Lilia-san's blank eyes upturned, and she fainted.
Dear Mom, Dad————— I had my first kiss with Lilia-san. It was the result of all the courage she had summoned up for me. I was really happy and feel blessed for receiving her affection but... I don't know if I should say that I knew this would happen or not, but I guess she was so embarrassed that she couldn't endure it anymore—————- It seems that Lilia-san pushed herself too much.