The 5th Day of the Wind month… It's been 3 full days today, but my
body is in good spirits thanks to the fruits of the World Tree, and the
sleepiness I'm feeling is only from mental fatigue… but I somehow
managed to push through with ighting spirit.
The problem is that if I relax, I'll most probably fall asleep but… Unnn,
it's ine as long as I don't get distracted. I just have to keep focusing and
it'll be ine! Unnn? I might have been a bit too high.
But well, I've been working on it like this… but the world isn't that
sweet.
I was trying to get through these dificult times with ighting spirit and
will-power, but here I was, sitting in a seiza on the loor of my room,
that I'm familiar with, feeling more scared than ever before.
[…Kaito-kun. Do you know why I'm mad?]
[…I- I'm sorry.]
[I'm not asking your forgiveness here, you know? I'm asking you if you
know why I'm mad.]
[Hyiiihhh…]
Currently in front of me is the Shura… Kuro, who is angrier than ever
before.
With her arms crossed in front of her chest, Kuro's voice sounded calm
as she admonished me but… her eyes are completely staring at me.
Frankly speaking, I'm outrageously scared.
The beginning of this event began when Kuro, who came to supervise
me as I embed the technique again today, learned of my current
situation.
I thought I was doing a good job of deceiving Kuro, but I couldn't
deceive her eyes, and when she questioned me about it, I confessed to
her that I had been up all night… and this is the result.
Yes, I was getting my just desserts but… T- This situation is seriously
frightening. Black mist is leaking out of Kuro's body, and I could tell that
she's really angry.
[…T- That's because I've been staying up all night…]
[Unnn. That's right. You were up all night "for three days without telling
me", weren't you?]
[…Y- Y- Y- Yes!]
I feel so terriied that I relexively returned back to using honoriics, but
Kuro only smiles at me, while looking at me with eyes that aren't
smiling at all… I'm super scared.
[I told you, didn't I? I properly told you… not to push yourself, didn't I?]
[Y- Yes. You said that…]
[And Kaito-kun said that you understand, right? You told me that you
would properly sleep… didn't you?]
[…I said that.]
[…Should I forcefully make you sleep here?]
[Hyiiihhh!?]
As my body shakes in fear, Kuro is silent for a while as she looks down
at me, sweating like a waterfall.
Wrapped in nervousness that makes me feel like I'm being pricked by
needles all over my body, I waited for Kuro's words, just like a prisoner
awaiting his death sentence… before Kuro lets out a big sigh.
[…Hahh… Geez, seriously, Kaito-kun is…]
[K- Kuro?]
[Didn't I tell you that you would make it if you just keep going at this
pace? And yet, why are you being this rash…]
[T- That is…]
It isn't the same voice that sent chills down my spine a moment ago, but
she's speaking in an amazed tone of voice.
It seems that her anger has subsided a bit, as when I timidly looked at
her face… Her eyes that were still completely staring at me, had
somehow turned calmer.
[…The Fruit of the World Tree may restore your vitality, but it won't
make your mental fatigue disappear, you know?]
[…Yes.]
[You're going to properly explain this to me, wouldn't you? The reason
why you're being this rash…]
[U- Unnn.]
If possible, I wanted to give it to her as a surprise, but I couldn't not say
anything here.
In fact, I worried her so much that she got really angry with me, and
although it's been a while since I have last done it, I think my bad habit
of not being able to see my surroundings when I concentrate came out.
I'll relect on that and use it as reference for the future, but irst, let's
properly explain the situation to Kuro.
[…In fact, in addition to the gift I wanted to give to Lilia-san, I also
wanted to give one to Kuro and Isis-san, and to the people who helped
me to work on this, so I increased the number of music boxes I will
make…]
[…Ehh?]
[I had to change all the songs and designs, so I was lacking in time… but
I didn't want to put off your gifts, so I igured I should just cut back on
my sleep… I'm really sorry.]
[…For me? A present? The music box?]
[U- Unnn… I've always been under Kuro, Isis-san and the other's care
after all… So I wanted to take this opportunity to properly thank
everyone for helping me.]
[...]
When I honestly told her why, I timidly looked up at Kuro's face again…
and saw Kuro had a complex expression of mixed anger and joy.
She tried speaking a few times, but then, I don't know if she couldn't
ind the words to say or not, but she remained silent with a troubled
expression on her face, she tries to speak again… after a few moments
of that, as if she inally squeezes out the words out of her mouth, Kuro
mutters.
[…That's not fair… Geez, there's no way I could get angry if you say it
like that…]
[…Kuro?]
[Ahh, geez!}
[ ! ? ]
With a voice that feels somewhat desperate, my hand is pulled and I am
forced to lie down on Kuro's lap.
[I'm happy for your feelings for me, Kaito-kun, but it would be all for
naught if Kaito-kun you push yourself too hard and collapse!]
[Ugghhh… It's as you say.]
[…But well… I'm sure you're going to somehow do your best again with
this… Hahh… Geez, it can't be helped…]
[Eh? T- This is?]
Kuro looked astounded, but still, with a somewhat gentle smile on her
face, she held out her hand over me, who was lying on her lap.
Thereupon, a pale light lowed from Kuro's hand, and when it touched
my head… My head gradually became clearer and the sleepiness I felt
began fading.
[The Fruit of the World Tree won't cure mental fatigue, but I can use
Mental Interference Magic.]
[S- So that magic exists…]
[Well, Kaito-kun has Shiro's blessing, so you'll probably nullify most of
the others' Mental Interference Magic, so I'm the only one who can cast
this to you, you know?]
A magic that heals mental fatigue… If it's Kuro, she would certainly
know of such magic.
How should I describe this… Along with the feeling of her hand on my
forehead, the feeling of fatigue is being soothed… It feels incredibly
pleasant.
[…For the time being, I'll support you with this magic until Lilia-chan's
birthday.]
[…Eh? I- Is that alright?]
[I mean, if I just let this matter go, you'll probably still be rash… So, I'll
make sure that you're safe by watching over you.]
[Ughhh…]
There's no way for me to argue with that. What she said is absolutely
right.
I'll probably try to get it done in time for whatever reason… Unnn, I
guess Kuro can see me doing that.
[However, this is just something like a irst-aid treatment, okay? This
magic doesn't completely heal all of your mental fatigue… So, promise
me… After Lilia-chan's birthday, you'll get at least three days of rest…
Understand?]
[…Unnn. I understand.]
[Unnn. Then, that's good.]
When I nodded, Kuro smiled at me like a blooming lower.
Seeing that beautiful, adorable smile, I feel Kuro's kindness… and my
heart is illed with warm happiness.
As I laid down on Kuro's lap, Kuro gently pats my head and with a smile
on her face, she spoke.
[…Hey, Kaito-kun. Is there something else you want to do? Say whatever
you want…]
[Errr…]
Her smile that was like that of the Holy Mother, just looking at her made
me feel happy… but at the same time, I also felt thirsty for a certain
emotion.
As the feelings of love and affection overlowed from Kuro… Her gentle
words of encouragement pushed my back, making me silently ask.
[…Can I kiss you?]
[Unnn.]
When Kuro hears my request, she immediately nods and moves her
face closer to mine, slowly overlapping her lips over me.
We're so close that our breaths could be felt by each other, and I can
clearly see my eyes in her beautiful golden eyes.
[…Kuro.]
[…Kaito-kun.]
As if to conirm something, we called each other's names once… and the
distance between Kuro and I became zero.
Dear Mom, Dad——— It's an old bad habit of mine to only look straight
in line when I'm focused. In the end, I caused Kuro to worry, and I need
to relect on that. However, it may be shameful to say this… but when I
see Kuro sincerely worried about me like this, even though I should be
relecting—— My happiness only grew.