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 fighting spirit.
The problem is that if I relax, I’ll most probably fall asleep but…… Unnn, it’s fine as long as I don’t get distracted. I just have to keep focusing and it’ll be fine! 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 difficult times with fighting spirit and will-power, but here I was, sitting in a seiza on the floor 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 terrified that I reflexively returned back to using honorifics, 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 reflect on that and use it as reference for the future, but first, 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 figured 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 find 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 finally 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 flowed 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 first-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 flower.
Seeing that beautiful, adorable smile, I feel Kuro’s kindness…… and my heart is filled 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 overflowed 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 confirm 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 reflect 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 reflecting—— My happiness only grew.
<Afterword>
Serious-senpai: [In the end, it all leads to you two flirting with each other!?]
<Next time, it’s flirting with Lilia.>
Serious-senpai: [……No more…… This protagonist……]
The Nocturne Chapters continues…… (Big Lie.)
T/N: Nocturne = picture of a night scene. I think that’s what the author means here. The word Nocturne is literally written in katakana so…