{Author's Notes}
This is a story occurring between the Six Kings Festival and God Realm War.
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The library in Isis-san's castle is truly enormous. I had visited the Royal Library of the Symphonia Kingdom before, but there are probably far more books here than even that place.
When I think that Isis-san has read all the books here, it makes me painfully aware of the length of time she has spent in the library.
[...Kaito... What's wrong?]
[Ahh, no, I just hadn't thought the place would be this vast from the outside...]
[...I had expanded the space... with Space-Time Magic.]
[I hear those a lot. That's how they do things in Kuro's place, and Alice also said that her workshop and other rooms are expanded.]
[...Unnn... Because space-related Barrier Magic... like Space Isolation Barrier has been developed... with a stable magic formula... making them easy to use.]
[I see...]
Though she says they're easy to use, this is something only for people of Isis-san's level. In reality, Space-Time Magic is quite difficult, and large-scale Space Isolation Barriers are said to be some of the most advanced magic, rivaling even top-tier magic.
Thinking about it carefully, even Teleportation Magic, which is a classic example of difficult magic, seems to have properties similar to Space-Time magic, and that kind of magic would probably be generally difficult.
[...Isis-san, those books are?]
[...Ahh... these are... my recommendations... for Kaito... to read too.]
[I see, thank you. The books Isis-san recommended to me are all very interesting. so I'm looking forward to reading them.]
[...If Kaito says that... I'm also... happy.]
Isis-san looked happy as she held several books with a smile.
Since I'm staying at Isis-san's house today, spending leisurely time and chatting about trivial things with her while reading a book is also nice... but since I'm together with Isis-san, I felt like it's a bit of a waste to spend my time with her just reading books. What a dilemma.
While I was thinking about this, Isis-san muttered with a somewhat nostalgic expression on her face.
[...When I was... reading books here all by myself... it felt lonely... Even though the contents of the book are interesting... it was kind of cold... and always felt empty….. after I finished reading it.]
[...Isis-san.]
[...But thanks to those times... just like this... I can now recommend... my favorite books to Kaito. I'm happy to know... that those times... weren't in vain.]
[That's right. I'm sure it's not a waste. It may have been a lonely and difficult time for Isis-san, but wouldn't it be possible that they could become an opportunity that will be useful for you in the future? Look, back at the Six Kings Festival, it was already alright for you to get close to people to about 3 meters, so if that range narrows in the future, it might be possible to have conversations with a variety of people more easily.]
[...You... think so? ...Would... such a day come?]
When we went around the festival together during the Six Kings Festival, even though the people seemed somewhat intimidated towards Isis-san while looking at us from a distance, I didn't feel fear caused by her magic power of death from them.
The happier Isis is, the weaker the fear her magic power of death exerts towards those around her, so if I can make Isis-san happier in the future, I think it's not impossible to shorten that 3m distance even more.
[After all, look, think about it. It's only been half a year since Isis-san and I got to know each other, and it has become okay for people around to get close to you to some extent. This is definitely great progress. Well, I don't know much about magic, so I don't know the ropes for controlling the magic power of death... but I intend to make Isis-san even happier from now on, so as a side effect, wouldn't that matter turn out for the better?]
[...Kaito~~]
Yes, my purpose isn't just to alleviate her magic power of death, but to make Isis-san happier. I would be happier if, as an added bonus, the range of people with whom Isis-san can interact expanded, and I hope that will happen.
Perhaps one day, Isis-san will have subordinates of her own, and many people will come to live in this castle.
When I told her my thoughts, Isis-san's eyes moistened and levitating the book she was holding on the side, she leaped towards me.
[...Kaito... I love you... I love you very much.]
[Yes. I love you too, Isis-san.]
[...I'm happy... With Kaito here, I'm sure things will be alright... However... It isn't just Kaito making me happy... I also want to make Kaito happy... errr... that's why...]
[You're right. One making the other happy would just be a one-way street, so let's be happy together.]
[...Ahh... Unnn!]
Isis-san's face beamed with a smile at my words, and her expression was so beautiful that it was dazzling. Her beauty now doesn't seem to just be ephemeral, as I felt budding strength held within it.
Not just receiving, but her giving such herself, isn't that proof that Isis-san's heart is getting stronger? In any case, as I reaffirmed my desire to support Isis-san as her lover, I felt guided by her expectant gaze, so I leaned in and kissed her lips.