As Ein and Alice left the room for that fight of theirs, Illness-san and I were left in the room.
[Kaito-samaaaa, would you liiiiike another cup of teaaaaaa?]
[Ah, thank you.]
No matter how many outlandish maid arguments were developed in front of her eyes or whether a battle between a maid and one of the Six Kings broke out, Illness-san was as calm as usual.
Even so, Illness-san also held various emotions and these emotions are undoubtedly changing.
[...Speaking of which, Illness-san seems to be having a lot of these days. How should I say this... I'm not talking about what Ein-san said earlike, but it seems like you're good friends with Nebula.]
[I suppose sooooo, Nebula's ideaaaaas and techniiiiiques were quite splendiiiiid, so I guess describing her as a respectable frieeeeend would be fittiiiiiiing. I, too, have been motivated in many waaaaaays, and my insight has been broadeeeeeened.]
[Of course, Nebula is amazing and respectable, but it seems like your personalities mesh well.]
[It certainlyyyyy is easy to talk to Nebulaaaaaaaa.]
In fact, I think that until now, Illness-san has had almost no such person around her. No, of course I don't know every detail of Illness-san's friendly relationships.
However, even for the people living in Lilia-san's mansion, she seemed to have a different kind of presence from everyone, or at least, there was an atmosphere like that. In fact, most of the maids in Lilia-san's mansion were under the tutelage of Illness-san, and I have the impression that many of them can't raise their heads against her.
However, Nebula somehow feels like she's one step closer to Illness-san than the others. This is especially true when I often see Nebula helping Illness-san with her work.
With someone other than Nebula, even if they offered to help, Illness-san would just say "Please don't worry", and get the job done by herself.
However, when Nebula offered to help, she let herself be helped without refusal, which showed how well they got along.
Well, I thought about it a lot, but in the end...
[How should I say this... It's kind of weird to say this, but seeing Illness-san looking so happy lately, strangely enough, makes me happy too.]
[...]
I said these words casually, but when Illness-san heard what I said, how should I say this... She looked surprised, which is really unusual.
[Illness-san?]
[Ahh, nooooo~~ Please excuse meeeee. It's nothiiiiiing.]
Hmmm, I was curious about her reaction earlier, but since Illness-san said it was nothing, so I guess it would be unwise to push on this topic?
With that in mind, I didn't mention what Illness-san had just said, and just enjoyed a casual chat with her until Ein-san and Alice returned.
After leaving Kaito's room, as she walked down the hallway, Illness was thinking in a daze.
(What is thiiiiis? This feeling isn't unpleasaaaaaant, but somehoooooow, I can't settle myseeeeeeelf)
The cause of Illness' thoughts was her earlier conversation with Kaito. She couldn't get the expression on his face when he said "seeing Illness looking so happy lately makes him happy too" out of her mind.
Illness had always been deeply in love with Kaito, and seeing his happy smile was the happiest thing in the world to her. But this time, his smile somehow seemed even more attractive than usual to her.
(My happineeeeess makes Kaito-sama happy? ...Ahh, so that's how it is.)
After a few moments of thoughts, Illness seems to have arrived at an answer, and a wry smile appears on her face.
(Seriouslyyyyy, I had become so greedyyyyy that this would have been unimaginable befooooooore. I thought that as long as Kaito-sama was happyyyyyy, I didn't need aaaaaaanything else, but I just don't know anymooooooore.)
The almost limitless devotion that Illness devoted to her beloved Kaito was undoubtedly her true nature, and above all, a way of life that was uniquely her own.
However, those feelings were beginning to change, albeit only a little. She doesn't need anything in return. Kaito with a happy smile on his face is the best. Such thoughts weren't a lie... but that "best" had changed a bit.
(I am happy, aren't I~~? That Kaito-samaaaa is happy for my happineeeeess, that he smiles for my saaaaaake... makes me helplessly happy, aren't I~~?)
While having such thoughts in mind, Illness gently put her hand on her chest. Her heart seemed to be beating a little faster than usual, as if it were expressing her current state of mind.
(This is troubliiiiiing. Seriouslyyyyyyy, my greedy self is troubliiiiiiing. I thought that all I wanted was to see Kaito-sama happyyyyyy, but my desire to "be on Kaito-sama's side when he's happy" has become strongeeeeeer.)
After thinking about this, a happy smile appears on Illness' lips.
(Even though I still love you more than enouuuuuugh, even though I still love you more than eveeeeeer.... Seeing this new aspect of youuuuu seemed to make my feelings for you grow strongeeeeeer. Ahhh, seriouslyyyyyy, this is troubliiiiiiing.)
A very gentle smile on her face while having such a thought in mind, Illness seemed to be feeling happy with the "change in herself, as she was beginning to hope for her own happiness little by little".