14th Day of the Wind month. I'm going to thank the people who helped
me make the gift for Lilia-san, so I decided to go to Isis-san's residence
first.
I'll give Kuro's music box in the evening, so the people I'm going to give
the music boxes today are Isis-san, Lillywood-san and Alice.
[…Kaito… Welcome… I'm glad… that you came.]
[I'm sorry to intrude, but I actually have something for Isis-san.]
[…Something for me?]
In spite of my unexpected visit, Isis-san wholeheartedly welcomed me
and willingly invited me into her home.
After having a cup of tea made by Isis-san and apologizing for my
sudden visit, I decided to cut to the chase.
Isis-san doesn't seem to know about my intentions yet, as she cutely
tilted her head.
Feeling my heart warmed from her cuteness, I took out the music box I
made in the image of Isis-san from my magic box.
[…Eh?]
[I'm grateful to Isis-san for helping me and giving me advice on the
previous matter, and you also helped me with the jewels… It might be
comparably shoddy, but please take this.]
[…I- Is that alright?]
[Yes.]
The jewels used for the music box in the image of Isis-san isn't made
with Midnight Crystal, but just ordinary Ice Crystals and Blue
Diamonds… The reason I used these two is simple: I thought that Isissan's image wasn't a deep blue color just like the ocean, but a blue with
a lighter shade just like snow and ice.
And the song that the music box is playing is quiet and soft, inspired by
the transition from a snowy landscape to spring… I think it's a perfect
it for the kind Isis-san.
[…Kaito… Thank you… I'm glad… really… glad.]
[If you're glad with it, then I'm happy.]
[…Unnn… Kaito… I looooveee you.]
With some tears blotting out of the corners of her eyes, and a smile that
looked happy from the bottom of her heart, Isis-san told me her sweet
and happy words of thanks.
Just hearing those words and the smile on Isis-san's face was more than
enough to make my efforts worthwhile.
Drinking tea and chatting with Isis-san, we spent some time together
illed with happiness.
The forest city of Yggfresis… I had a glimpse of this city governed by
Lillywood-san before, and it is a beautiful city that looks like the city of
Rigforeshia enlarged several times over, and I can really feel the power
of nature in the air.
In the center of that city, at the base of the giant, heaven-piercing World
Tree, this is where Lillywood-san apparently lives.
When I got a branch of the World Tree, Lillywood-san picked me up at
the gate, so I didn't stop by here and it can be said that this is my irst
visit here.
The place has a majestic appearance that could be described as a
temple made of wood, and even though I've sent a hummingbird there
beforehand, I feel like I'm going to be immediately turned away on the
gate…
However, I guess it's to be expected from Lillywood-san. When I told my
name to the gatekeeper at the entrance, he greeted me very politely and
showed me to a large reception.
From the walls to the furniture, the room, which was entirely made out
of wood, had an indescribably elegant charm in it. For some reason
though, it makes me feel like I'm in a temple, but well, it isn't
necessarily a mistake.
To the people of this city, Lillywood-san is an object of faith, and a being
equivalent to the Gods… It wouldn't be strange if this place feels
solemn.
"…My apologies, Kaito-san. I'm sorry to keep you waiting."
[Ah, no, I'm sorry instead for suddenly intruding.]
As I was drinking the fragrant tea that had the sweetness of fruit served
in the reception room, Lillywood-san appeared, and standing up from
my seat, I greeted her.
I've heard that Lillywood-san is quite busy, so I was prepared to wait for
quite a while but… Thankfully, she seems to have given me quite a bit of
priority and went to receive me.
"So, how can I be of help this time? I heard that you had a business with
me but… If I can be of help, please don't hesitate to let me know."
[Ah, no, I'm not here to ask for a favor, I came to express my gratitude.]
"…Express… your gratitude?"
She apparently wasn't expecting these words, as Lillywood-san asks me
back with a wondering expression on her face.
Smiling at Lillywood-san, I took out the music box that held the image
of Lillywood-san from my magic box.
The jewels used for this music box is an olive green Peridot… a jewel
that looks like the vibrantly green leaves, which I think is perfect for
Lillywood-san.
The song is a powerful, resonant, deep piece of music that is
reminiscent of the great outdoors, which also its Lillywood-san… Alice
really did a great job with this one.
"…Errr… Kaito-san? If I'm not mistaken… Isn't that a music box?"
[Yes. Lillywood-san had helped me in the previous matter, and I want to
at least thank you for it…]
"Ahh, errr…]
Lillywood-san looks at the music box that is offered to her, looking
puzzled and somewhat troubled.
At the same time as I felt uneasy about whether she doesn't like it,
Lillywood-san speaks with a puzzled look on her face.
"…Kaito-san. Aren't you giving it to the wrong person? I haven't helped
you in any way that would warrant your gratitude, you know?"
[No, that's not the case! Thanks to Lillywood-san, I was able to make
really great music boxes. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.]
"…H- However… You took the time and effort to make it… If you ind
good women out there, wouldn't it be better to give it to them? I'm a
"tree", so to speak. I don't think it would be appropriate of me to have
such a nice item…"
I can tell from Lillywood-san's tone of voice that she's being very
reserved about it but… Since I made this music box for Lillywood-san,
giving it to anyone else isn't an option, and if I were to do that, it would
be disrespectful to Lillywood-san and the one I would supposedly give
this music box to.
Or rather, calling herself a tree… It's true that Lillywood-san is the spirit
of the World Tree, but even if she says that she's a tree, she hardly looks
any different from a human…
[…I think Lillywood-san is a beautiful, lovely lady though.]
"P- Please stop teasing me… There's no beneit, lattering a tree like
me."
[No, I'm being serious. That's what I think from the bottom of my
heart.]
"!?… I- Is that so… You're quite the weird one, aren't you?"
When I straightforwardly told her that these words I said were from my
heart, Lillywood-san's cheeks turned a bit red and she looked troubled
again.
"…It would be rude to refuse too stubbornly, isn't it… Yes. Well then,
undeserving it might be of me… I will gratefully accept Kaito-san's
kindness."
[Yes.]
"…How should I say this… You're quite the troubling human, aren't
you?"
[…Eh? What does that mean?]
Lillywood-san, who receives the music box from me with a look of
resignation on her face, speaks with a slightly wry smile, but not
understanding the meaning of what she said, I tilted my head.
Thereupon, Lillywood-san somewhat gave me a happy smile before
continuing to speak.
"…I think I can understand why Isis likes you… i- is what I mean."
[...? ? ]
"Fufufu, no, please don't worry about it… Thank you for the music box. I
feel really happy about Kaito-san's thoughtfulness."
[Ah, yes.]
I didn't really quite understand what she meant, but it seems like
Lillywood-san is having fun, so I guess that's good… Or rather, so
Lillywood-san could smile like that huh.
The usual gentle smile she had is nice, but I think she looks much more
attractive, seeing her smiling happily like this.
"…I can't just send you back home like this, can I? It isn't very much, but
Kaito-san, I'll have lunch prepared for you, so please eat."
[…Errr, in that case, I'll be presuming upon you then.]
"Yes. Ahh, also… Please take this."
[…This is… a lower?]
When I heard Lillywood-san's words about having lunch, I realized that
it was just around lunchtime and I was getting hungry, so I decided to
take advantage of her kindness.
Thereupon, Lillywood-san… I wonder if she used Spatial Magic?
Anyway, a green ripple appeared in the air, and she took out a small
pink lower from it and handed it to me.
"…Based on the language of lowers, it's a lower that brings happiness.
I think it's perfect for you."
[T- Thank you.]
"Well then, I still have lots of things to deal with, so please excuse me…
I'll come back again after you inish lunch."
[Yes, please do your best with your work.]
"Thank you."
Lillywood-san somehow seemed to be happy as she said that and left.
Dear Mom, Dad——– I gave Isis-san and Lillywood-san music boxes to
thank them for their help. And in a way, I guess you could say that it's a
big change, as after talking to her like this, it may just be a little bit
——— but I feel like I got to know Lillywood-san better.