This unknown creature, which I temporarily dub mechanical dragon, seemed to greatly pique Lilia-sanās interest. She enthusiastically read the explanatory sign near it, her eyes shining before she repeatedly pulled me close, urging me to hurry to the next model.
[Kaito-san! Letās go to the next one!!! Letās see whatās over there!!!]
[This one has a completely mechanical body huh.]
[Its profound atmosphere is amazing, isnāt it? It has a shape that I almost never see in this world, which makes it interesting. Thereās also what seemed to be a weapon over thereā¦ā¦]
Perhaps due to being very excited, Lilia-san leaned in towards me and with an enthusiastic expression on her face, she began talking about the model dragon.
While Lilia-san is usually shy, her excitement seems to have raised her spirits, as even though she might not be aware of it, sheās much closer than usual.
Every time her hair gently sways, a pleasant fragrance wafts in the air, and I guessed, almost instinctively, that she had just taken a bath earlier.
I guessed that before we went to this world, she had probably returned to her room to get ready before meeting up with me. During that time, she likely took a quick bath to freshen up and wash away the sweat.
This is just my hunch, but I kinda feel like she was bothered about being sweaty and other stuff.
[ā¦ā¦Unnn? Kaito-san, is something the matter?]
[Ahh, no, Lilia-san seems to be having funā¦ā¦ You were visibly excited, so I was just thinking āLilia-san must really like dragons huhā.]
[I guess so. Iām aware that I certainly am getting a bit carried away. Of course, part of it is because I love dragonsā¦ā¦ but that isnāt really all to itā¦ā¦ errrā¦ā¦]
In response to my words, Lilia-san hesitated for a moment, her cheeks slightly blushing red. Thereupon, averting her gaze from me, she continued.
[ā¦ā¦Itās just, you seeā¦ā¦ It seems that no one can enter this world unless I invite themā¦ā¦ and so, since this is a place that is definitely away from anyone elseās gaze, my embarrassment is a bit more manageable, and in that senseā¦ā¦ errr, well, I can get into a romantic atmosphere with Kaito-san, which adds more enjoyment for meā¦ā¦]
[Lilia-sanā¦ā¦]
[Ah, no, while I do want to behave a bit more lover-like even in our normal interactions, I often get overwhelmed by embarrassment, and there is also a part of me that finds it difficult to be straightforwardā¦ā¦ Thinking that way, I also feel like this situation is an opportunity.]
Itās very rare to hear Lilia-san talk like thatā¦ā¦ but at the same time, I couldnāt help feeling happy. After all, Lilia-san clearly expressed that she wants to behave more like a girlfriend.
In other words, well, to put it simply, it means she wanted to have some lovey-dovey moments with me. Lilia-san, who doesnāt usually hint out such things, thinking like thatā¦ā¦ makes me quite happy.
[Iām glad to hear you say thatā¦ā¦ Lilia-san, just a question, but can I embrace you by the shoulder?]
[Ah, s- shoulder huhā¦ā¦ T- That certainly feels lover-like, and itās suitable for while the two of us look at the models. It feels embarrassing butā¦ā¦ p- please do.]
[Yes. Well then, if youāll excuse meā¦ā¦]
With Lilia-sanās consent, I placed my hand around her shoulder and gently pulled her closer. As Lilia-san leaned against me, our closeness became much more intimate than just a moment ago.
[ā¦ā¦S- Somehow, this feels really nice. It makes me feel at ease, I feel so close to Kaito-sanā¦ā¦ I- It might sound strange, but I could feel this desire to seek comfort and affection from Kaito-sanā¦ā¦]
[Actually though, the way I see it, Iād be more happy if you felt comfortable enough to act pampered around me, you know?]
[Ahh, t- that is, well, letās just leave that for laterā¦ā¦ when my heart can settle down a bit moreā¦ā¦]
Saying that, Lilia-san looking up towards my face, a smile on her blushing red cheeks, gives a somewhat more youthful impression than usualā¦ā¦ How should I say thisā¦ā¦ Well, she looks incredibly adorable.