Although there's a large gap in appearance and name between high-class Chinese cuisine and French cuisine, it tasted great, just as one
would expect from a popular restaurant.
The main course, a Peking duck-style meat dish, as if umami of the
poultry had extremely converged within it, giving me such satisfaction
that made me feel as if I had eaten a whole chicken.
Unnn, that was… chicken meat, right? It's not the meat of a big worm of
some frog somewhere, right?… Unnn, let's just stop thinking about it.
I was enjoying my meal like that… but while I was partaking on my
meal, I suddenly noticed something.
[...]
I could feel occasional glances from Lilia-san, who is eating at the table
next to ours. However, she doesn't call out to me.
And the emotion I'm feeling with my Sympathy Magic… was worry?
What does this mean?
[…Ummm, Lilia-san?]
[…Kaito-san, can I have a moment of your time?]
When I called out to Lilia-san, she seemed to be hesitating for a
moment before she replied.
[Eh? Yes…]
[Well then, please follow me for the moment. Luna, please tell them to
delay the time that our meals are served.]
[Understood.]
Lilia-san apparently wanted to talk to me, so she told Lunamaria-san
that we would be leaving our seats for a while. Then, she started to
walk towards the balcony, which seemed to be just one door away from
where we were eating.
Not knowing what Lilia-san's intentions were, I followed her to the
balcony.
I guess it's to be expected of a high-class restaurant like this, as their
balcony was also quite large.
Lilia-san and I walked in silence along the balcony, which was
surprisingly quiet for a store located at the venue of the Six Kings
Festival.
Then, when we were some distance away from the dinner table, Liliasan stopped and looked back at me.
With the cool night breeze drifting, Lilia-san held her swaying hair with
one hand and spoke.
[…Kaito-san.]
[Yes?]
[…It would be great if this was just my misunderstanding, but perhaps…
Is there something "troubling" you?]
[…Eh?]
I was frankly… surprised by what Lilia-san told me.
The encounter I had during the day with the woman who looked just
like my mother. I was able to take my mind off it to some extent thanks
to Isis-san's presence, and I was able to put a smile on my face.
However, I still couldn't completely forget about it, and remembered
about that incident from time to time. I think that's what Lilia-san was
talking about.
However, I didn't think she would notice it… because I hadn't seriously
thought about that matter myself.
[I don't have any clear evidence either… but I felt like there were some
shadows in Kaito-san's smile.]
[...…]
[It's not that you were forcing a smile. I think that your smiles were
sincere. However, errr, it feels like there's something a little different
about it…]
I was surprised… and most of all, I felt glad.
Because Lilia-san really watches me closely, she noticed the slightest
changes within me. And the feeling of worry I had been feeling all along
just now… makes me feel really grateful.
[…It's not really that big of a deal… It won't take long, so would you
listen for a moment?]
[Yes, if you're fine with me.]
So, I decided to be honest with Lilia-san.
I told her that I had met a woman who looked exactly like my deceased
mother earlier in the day, and even though I wasn't seriously thinking
about it, it was still bothering me…
When I finished telling her all these things, Lilia-san nodded her head
once in understanding.
[…I see, I suppose what you're feeling is understandable. Even though I
am still young, it's not as if I have never experienced having to part with
someone because of death. My mother is still alive and well, but my
stepmother… and several of my father's concubines died.]
[...]
[It's natural to feel shaken when you meet someone who looks exactly
like the person you were close to before they died.]
As she said this, Lilia-san came closer and gently leaned on my chest.
[…But I'm glad. I'm relieved that… Kaito-san isn't too deeply troubled
about it.]
[Lilia-san…]
[I'm sorry. You are a very strong person… I know that you will be fine.
However, please at least let me worry about you. I'm your lover after
all…]
[Yes, no, I mean… I'm so glad you're worried about me.]
I gently hugged Lilia-san as she leaned in close to me, feeling her
warmth as I expressed my gratitude.
Thereupon, Lilia-san put her hands on my back too. We continued to
hug each other in silence for a little while, before Lilia-san suddenly
looked up at me and gave me a shy smile.
[…Kaito-san.]
[Yes?]
[…Can we… kiss?]
[…Eh?]
I never expected to hear such a thing from the shy Lilia-san, so I
unintentionally let out a duncy voice.
[I just thought that we hadn't done that yet… Does Kaito-san not want
to?]
[N- No, that's not it… H- However, is Lilia-san fi——–!?]
I was going to ask if Lilia-san is fine with that but… I stopped from
speaking those words when I saw Lilia-san, with her eyes closed and
her face slightly raised.
It would be rude to Lilia-san if I say unnecessary things or pull away
here.
Holding Lilia-san closer, I slowly brought her face closer to mine. Then…
[Hnnn…]
My lips overlapped with Lilia-san's surprisingly soft lips, and a soft
moan escaped from her mouth.
Feeling the deep affection Lilia-san had for me, I savored the warmth of
her presence before we parted our lips.
[…E- Errr, Lilia-san. Thank you.]
[...…]
In a different way than Isis-san, the shy Lilia-san acted with all the
courage she could muster. I was so happy about it that I unintentionally
said a few words of thanks.
However, I received no response from Lilia-san.
[…Arehh?]
[...…]
[L- Lilia-san?]
[...… Kyuuu~~]
[Lilia-san!? W- Wait, please pull yourself together!]
I hurriedly held Lilia-san's body as it seemed like she was about to
collapse… but Lilia-san's blank eyes upturned, and she fainted.
Dear Mom, Dad————— I had my first kiss with Lilia-san. It was the
result of all the courage she had summoned up for me. I was really
happy and feel blessed for receiving her affection but… I don't know if I
should say that I knew this would happen or not, but I guess she was so
embarrassed that she couldn't endure it anymore—————- It seems
that Lilia-san pushed herself too much.