{Author's Notes}
From here on out is the future arc. No seriousness anymore.
**********
Today, I was going to stay overnight at Isis-san's house, so I went to her castle in the Land of Death.
I arrived in front of the familiar gate, which I had visited many times before. Waiting for me there was Isis-san, and when she saw me, she brightened up with a big smile and approached me.
[...Kaito... Welcome.]
[Hello, Isis-san. I will be in your care today.]
[...Unnn... If it's Kaito... you're always welcome... You coming to hang out with me... makes me happy.]
[Hearing you feeling happy about that also makes me happy.]
Looking at Isis-san, who was really happy about my visit, I also felt happy and smiled. Right at that moment, Eul, who was at Isis-san's feet, jumped up while wagging her tail. Catching her body, I lifted her up and embraced her.
[Ahaha, I see you're also quite lively today, Eul.]
[Kyuu!]
[...I'm sure Eul is also... very happy to meet Kaito.]
From what I've heard from Isis-san and Iris-san, Eul is so amazing that one can call her a genius, as she had apparently mastered magic at a considerable level. However, when she happily seeks affection from me or Isis-san, her appearance feels more like that of an adorable child.
In any case, I entered the castle with a warm welcome from Isis-san and Eul, before moving to the common room and taking a seat. After a while, Iris-san came over with tea and cake.
[Hello, Iris-san. I'm sorry for the intrusion.]
[Ahhh, welcome. You can take it easy. As I'll be showcasing my skills for tonight's dinner, feel free to have high expectations.]
[...Iris... is really good at cooking... and her meals are amazing.]
[Cooking has always just been a hobby, so I'm embarrassed to be praised like that.]
Placing tea and cake in front of me and Isis-san, even though Iris-san wore a wry smile in response to Isis-san's words of praise, her expression showed hints of happiness.
Then, after lightly chuckling when she saw Eul on my lap, she spoke.
[Well then, I will be excusing myself. Don't cause too much trouble, Eulpecula.]
[Kyuu.]
After confirming that Eul firmly nodded her head, Iris-san slightly bowed and left the room.
[Speaking of which, you made a Blue Crystal Flower garden?]
[...Unnn... Spica manages it... It's very beautiful... Let's go there together later.]
[I'm looking forward to it. Even so, with the increase in residents, the atmosphere of the castle has certainly changed. It's difficult to say how exactly it has changed, but I kinda feel that something changed in the castle's overall atmosphere.]
[...Unnn... I think... that's true... Thanks to everyone coming here... the whole castle seems to have become lively... Every day has become enjoyable... and I feel happy.]
For Isis-san, who has been living alone in this castle for so long, it must be a real joy to have multiple subordinates, including Iris-san, living in the same castle with her.
Seeing Isis-san really happy also makes me feel fulfilled... I smiled, feeling that this was nice.
Thereupon, seeing my expression, Isis-san cutely tilted her head and curiously asked.
[...Kaito... Is something the matter?]
[Ahh, no, it's just, seeing Isis-san looking fulfilled makes me feel fulfilled too... so I thought this felt nice.]
[...Unnn... I understand... that feeling very well... I also feel that way... when Kaito is happy... I feel happy... and when Kaito feels fulfilled... I also feel fulfilled.]
[Somehow, being able to share the same feelings also feels good, don't you think?]
[...Unnn! ...Being happy... together with Kaito... makes the happiness... a lot greater.]
The smile on Isis-san's face as she said that is truly dazzling, and her expression seems much brighter than when I first met her.
I'm totally convinced... that the two nights and three days I would spend here with Isis-san would undoubtedly be enjoyable and filled with happiness.