NOVEL NEXT Chapter 2020: Park Date ⑭
<Author's Notes>
Due to a sudden change in my work schedule, I will be working overnight tomorrow, which means I will have to write, so I will take a break from updating tomorrow.
As we lightly glanced at the shops along the street, neither Illness-san nor I found anything particularly interesting, so we continued walking while chatting until we reached a park nearby.
[Illness-san, since we're here, how about stopping by the park?]
[Oya? Is there something theeeeere?]
[……Well, it's not like it has to be that park, but I'm feeling a bit embarrassed…… and I was thinking it'd be nice if we could be alone, just the two of us, somewhere like that park……]
[I don't really understand what's going on, but shall we go then?]
I've been told this many times before, but my emotions apparently tend to show on my face. So, even if I tried to hide it, Illness-san would probably figure it out right away. I might as well admit I have something planned, as long as I keep the main part of it hidden, it should be fine.
……But thinking about it again, inviting someone to a park at night for a vague reason, only telling them it's embarrassing to say, doesn't that sound a bit strange? It could even sound like I'm plotting something inappropriate, but we've known each other long enough that there shouldn't be any misunderstandings. Although Illness-san tilted her head in confusion, not knowing what I was planning, she quickly agreed to head to the park.
……Actually, even if I did intend to do something strange, I feel like she'd just nod and go along with it, but I should avoid thinking about that. If I dwell on it, I'll just get self-conscious…… Let's focus on the actual reason…… Alright, all good.[Going to a quiet night at the paaaark, just the two of us huuuuuh…… since we're here, are we having kisseeees?]
[Pfft! T- That's not it! By no means had I intended to do anything inappropriate……]
[Kuhihi, it's alriiiiight. I didn't think that at aaaaall.]
[T- That's a relief then.]
[Even if it was for something inappropriate thouuugh, if that's what Kaito-sama wanteeeed…… Ahh, no~~ I suppooooose it's too early to talk about such things, yes?]
Even though I finally managed to push the awkward thoughts out of my mind, Illness-san just had to make me self-conscious again…… C- Calm down. This is just her teasing me a bit, like a mature woman might…… No, she's technically not lying either, as if I really asked her for it…… Wait, stop with those thoughts. Calm down, me…… that's not the point of this, right?!
[T- The truth is, I prepared a present for Illness-san, but I felt embarrassed giving it to you in front of people……]
[A present?]
To avoid the conversation going any further in a weird direction, I decided to get to the main point. We were already in the park, and there was no one around, so it was just the two of us.
Illness-san looked at me with a surprised expression, clearly not expecting this.
[Errr, I don't know if I should say it's a memento of our first date…… You might have heard about this from Lilia-san or Sieglinde-san, but during Archlesia Empire's Founding Festival, I made accessories and gave them to my lovers.]
[I'm aware of thaaaaat. Milady was very pleaaaaased about it and was eagerly matching different outfits with iiiiiiit.]
When I gave it to her, Lilia-san just thanked me with a gentle smile, but it seems she was even more delighted than I thought, as according to Illness-san, Lilia-san had been putting a lot of thought into finding clothes that would match the accessory I gave her.
Learning about this cute behavior of Lilia-san's from an unexpected source makes me feel a bit more at ease, and with my confidence somewhat restored, I took out the accessory I made yesterday from my magic box.
[……Yes, and so, I made an accessory for Illness-san just like I did with Lilia-san. Errr, it's a simple necklace made by an amateur but……]
[It's…… for meeeee? T- Thank you very muuuuuch……]
Considering her work as a maid, I thought a bracelet might get in the way, so I went with a necklace. Having made several accessories for all my lovers by now, I had gotten quite used to it, and I think I did a decent job this time too.
Illness-san, looking a bit uncharacteristically flustered, carefully accepted the necklace I handed her…… She held it delicately in both hands, close to her chest, as if treasuring it, before speaking softly.
[……This is troubliiiiing. I never expected to receive such a wonderful giiiiift, and my feelings can’t keep up with the situatiooooon…… I'm so happyyyyyy that I can't quite put it into words properlyyyyyy, and it's quite troubliiiiiing.]
Illness-san, her eyes slightly moist from being moved, whispered this, looking more beautiful than ever under the moonlight. How should I say this…… I found myself mesmerized by her, frozen in place as I stared, and for a moment, the atmosphere between us became a little awkward.
Well, seeing how much she genuinely appreciated the gift, I'm glad I made it.
<Afterword>
Serious-senpai : [……Arehh? W- Why did the chapter get cut off here……? This, isn't this the part where, you know, they end the date with a kiss……? Ummm…… T- This kind of setup makes me nervous about what's gonna happen in the next chapter……]