On the second day of the Six Kings Festival, having the theme “Interacting with Nature”, I walked with Lillywood-san through a path lined with colorful flowers in full bloom.

  A single flower blooming on the side of the road looked lovely, but a carpet of such beautiful flowers looked wonderful.

  “That reminds me. When Kaito-san first visited the Demon Realm, I was also the one who guided you.”


  [Ahh…… It wasn’t that long ago, but thinking about that time kinda makes me feel nostalgic.]

  Nowadays, thanks to my Teleportation Magic Tool, I can come to the Demon Realm on my own. However, the first time I went to visit Isis-san’s castle, Lillywood-san acted as my escort and guide.

  At that time, we encountered a Behemoth in the Demon Realm and met Magnawell-san. Hmmm, the impact of the Behemoth’s size was diminished by Magnawell-san’s size, but even that Behemoth was as big as a Kaiju.

  I wondered if Bell would also grow to his size in the future. If it’s possible, I’d really like it if he stays in his current cute size but……


  “Yes, at that time, I didn’t think that Kaito-san would become this big of a part of my life.”


  [This big of a part of your life, you say…… I don’t feel like I’ve changed that much though.]

  Even so, a lot of things happened in the past few months, since Lillywood-san showed me around the Demon Realm. Meeting the Six Kings, challenging the depths hidden beneath Kuro’s heart, confessing to Isis-san, returning to Sieg-san’s hometown, settling the incidents in Lilia-san’s past, reunion in the Hydra Kingdom, meeting Eden-san, Alice’s past, confrontation with Dr. Vier…… I also went to visit the God Realm. Wait, aren’t the months I spent in this world a bit too stacked?

  “Fufufu, you are someone that I can’t measure. You are an unexpected and strange person, in all sorts of ways.”


  [……Is that a compliment?]

  “Yes, of course. I greatly admire you. However, this is difficult. I wonder what these feelings I have for you are? Trust, friendship, fondness, awe, affection, interest, respect, infatuation, gratitude…… I just can’t find the right words to describe it.”


  Leisurely walking, Lillywood-san’s gaze tilted slightly upward as she murmured.

  “……However, I am sure that I don’t have any negative feelings towards you. If it’s possible, I hope we can continue to have a close relationship even in the future.”


  [……Yes. I also feel the same way.]

  “……Fufu, the atmosphere turned a bit strange, didn’t it? Let’s pull ourselves together and start going around the festival.”


  [Yes.]

  The atmosphere certainly was starting to make me feel strangely embarrassed. However, I didn’t dislike such an atmosphere.

  Though, strangely enough, I felt a little closer to Lillywood-san than before.

  Dear Mom, Dad————- Just like Lillywood-san, I also don’t know how to put what I’m feeling for her into words…… But one thing is for sure, these feelings I have for Lillywood-san————— I feel something like fondness towards her.

  [……A- As expected of Lillywood-sama. She isn’t pushing him that hard, but they’ve got quite a great mood around them…… How envious.]

  [……What are you doing? “Vier”……]

  As Vier quietly watched Kaito and Lillywood while hiding behind a large tree, Neun called out from behind her with a dumbfounded expression on her face.

  [Well, you see, festivals are so uplifting, aren’t they?]

  [H- Huhh…… Well, that’s certainly true……]

  [How uplifting something is can be a very important factor in love, you know? In other words, the Six Kings Festival is an event that I can’t miss when I attack Miyama-kun!]

  [……So? You went to the trouble of closing your clinic, but what exactly are you doing?]

  Hearing Vier’s passionate words as she clenched her fist, Neun asked her back with a distant look in her eyes.

  [Unnn, about that…… I haven’t participated in a festival for a long time, so wouldn’t I need to study the things I need to do?]

  [……No, I don’t think you really need to study though?]

  [Unnn, unnn, as one would expect, you can’t make a great attack without preparation, don’t you think? That’s why I’m studying like this.]

  [……Don’t the public generally call what you’re doing “stalking”?]

  [Don’t worry. It’s not stalking if I have received permission from Lillywood-sama!]

  [What’s with your energetic way of saying that!?]

  Vier was originally a reckless person, and only her energy in doing things was tremendous. Or perhaps, rather than saying that, it would be better to describe her as someone who acted on the spur of the moment. As a result of her recklessness though, Neun got caught up……


  [In the first place, rather than ask about what I’m doing…… Aren’t I supposed to be asking what you’re doing, Hikari?]

  [Ehh? M- Me?]

  [Who else do you think I’m talking with here!? The festival lasts for 7 days, why don’t you ask Miyama-kun out on a date!?]

  [D- D- Date!? H- H- H- However, i- i- i- it’s not like Kaito-san and I are l- lovers……]

  [That’s exactly why you should ask him on a date!!!]

  [Hyiiiihhhh!?]

  Overwhelmed by Vier’s angry look, Neun looked frightened. However, Vier didn’t mind her reaction at all and continued to speak, grabbing Neun’s shoulders.

  [Listen here, okay? It’s exactly because you’re not lovers yet, that’s why you have to be aggressive…… Since even Kuromu-sama is supporting us, we can’t just act shy all the time. You have to have the guts to take a bath with him and wash his back!]

  [Wha!? B- B- B- Bathing together!? I- I- I- I can’t do that. I- I would die from embarrassment from doing that.]

  [Hmmm. You’re the same as usual, aren’t you, Hikari…… Alright then! I will help you!]

  [Eh? No, thank you. I have a bad feeling about this……]

  [Of course, I want to have a good relationship with Miyama-kun, but I’m also rooting for Hikari…… so I’ll go ask Kuromu-sama for help!]

  [Please listen to me! Please, could you just listen to my opinion a little…… Ah, wait, Vier!? She started running already…… wait, look at where you’re running! There are tree roots where you’re running to……]

  [Eh? ——–Fugyaahhh!?]

  Vier vigorously ran off, but as klutzy as usual, she tripped over a root at her feet and dived face-first into the ground.

  **********