The 3rd Day of the Earth month. While I was writing my diary by the window under the mild afternoon sun, I heard the regular sound of knocking on the door.
[Kaito-samaaaa. Iāve brought your laundryyyyy.]
[Ah, yes. Thank you.]
Illness-san came into the room in her usual tone of voice and skillfully put the neatly folded laundry into the chest of drawers. As I watched her back as she was doing that, I suddenly thought of something. When I confessed my feelings to Kuro, Illness-san made me realize something important, and besides that, she has always been helpful to me. As for that matter with Kuro, I told her the results and thanked her for helping meā¦ā¦ but I want to thank her more properly. Even if I wanted to thank her though, what should I do?
Embarrassing it may be to say this, but even though I had been under her care for a few months already, I canāt say that I know Illness well. Sheās a very capable maid, extremely kind and reliableā¦ā¦. I do know some things about what sheās like when it comes to work, but I donāt know anything about her private life.
[Oyaaaaa? Kaito-samaaaa, is something the matteeeeeer?]
[Ah, no, ummmā¦ā¦ Iāve always been under Illness-sanās care, so Iād like to express my gratitudeā¦ā¦ but Iām not sure how.]
[Gratitude, is iiiiiiit?]
Hearing Illness-san suddenly ask me that, I answered her, but after I said it, I felt like I blundered. Thatās because Illness-san is basically a person that doesnāt desire anything. She often declines the salary increase and promotion that Lilia-san offers her, and even if I asked straightforwardly like this, I felt like she would just say I donāt need to express my gratitude.
However, contrary to my thoughts, Illness-san looked at me, before putting her hand on her chin, seemingly thinking about my question for a moment. After a few moments of silence, she let out her usual smile before speaking.
[ā¦ā¦Kuhihi, Iāll take your word for it theeeeen. Do you miiiiind if I request one thiiiiing?]
[Youād like to request something? Yes, if itās something I can do.]
[Well theeeeen, if youāll excuse meeeeeā¦ā¦ I would have the day off tomorroooooow and am planning to go out for a little shoppiiiiiing. Sooooo, if you donāt mind, Kaito-samaaaaa, would you accompany me on that shopping triiiiip?]
[Eh? Ah, yes. Of course, itās alright.]
[Thank you very muuuuch, that would be greeeeat.]
She wants me to accompany her in shopping? What is this? Was she asking me to carry her luggage?
Rather, Illness-san also takes days off too huhā¦ā¦ No, thatās something that should be obvious, but Iāve never seen her resting before, so I was a little surprised. However, what was even more valuable was the fact that, even though I had initiated this topic, Illness-san had expressed her request to me for the first time. To be honest, I think being her luggage carrier would be a little too light for all the favors Iāve received from herā¦ā¦
[Kuhihi, well theeen, would it be alriiiiight if we meet up at the door around 10 oāclooooock?]
[Yes. You can count on me.]
[Iām looking forward to it theeeeen.]
Saying this, Illness-san gave a beautiful bow before leaving the room. It was a little different from what I had imagined, but at any rate, I would now be able to express my gratitude to Illness-san for the care she gave for me. I donāt know what Illness-san was planning to buy, but Iām looking forward to going out with Illness-san.
The appointed time was 10 oāclock, but I couldnāt keep Illness-san waiting, so I went to the entrance 15 minutes before our appointment and waited. Thereupon, seemingly intending to come early too, Illness-san arrived 10 minutes before our appointment and called out to me.
[Oyaaaa, my apologieeees. Did I make you waiiiiiit?]
[Ah, no, I also justā¦ā¦ arā¦.rived.]
As I was answering her question, I turned around and couldnāt help but be at a loss for words. Come to think of it, this should be the first time Iāve seen Illness-san wearing anything other than a maid uniform. What sheās wearing doesnāt look too luxurious, but it isnāt too plain either. A blue jeweled necklace that is casually worn on a dress that is somewhere between a one-piece and a dress, having a calm color scheme. I could also smell an elegant perfume with a subtle scent.
How should I say thisā¦ā¦ Even though Illness-san had a stature small enough that, much less a middle-schooler, she could even be mistaken for a grade-schooler, the elegance around her was so surprisingly mature that my heart skipped a beat.
[Well theeeen, shall we gooooo?]
[Ah, yes.]
As Illness-san said this while walking forward with a beautiful gait, I walked next to her and tried to keep my steps as close as possible to hers. I wonder why though? Iām feeling strangely nervous. Illness-san in her casual clothing is just really, how should I say thisā¦ā¦ She really feels like a mature lady, and although we were walking side by side, I feel as if Iām walking under her lead.
[B- By the way, Illness-san. What are you going to buy today?]
[Ahh, I was thinkiiiiiing of buying some ingredieeeeents and tea leeeeeeeaves.]
[Tea leaves? This is something youāre buying while on your day off, so this wouldnāt be for the mansion, right?]
I didnāt know anything about Illness-sanās private life, so if sheās going to buy tea leaves, I suppose sheās probably a tea lover. In that case, I guess this is something I should remember.
[Thatās riiiiiight, Iām thinking of buying some tea leeeeeaves that we donāt often serve at the mansioooooon.]
[Are those tea leaves rare?]
[Nooooope~~ That isnāt really the caaaaaase. Itās just thaaaaat they might not be suitableeeeee for the Albert Duchyyyyyy.]
[Unnn?]
Iām not that familiar with tea, so I donāt really understand what Illness-san meant and could only tilt my head. Thereupon, after glancing at me, Illness-san gave me a small smile and explained.
[Milady is a Duchess after aaaaaaall, so the tea leaves should also be high qualityyyyy. Though I said thaaaaaat, the brand name variiiiies somewhat depending on whiiiiiich part of residence it waaaaas. Simply puuuuut, there are some teaaaaas that Milady doesnāt liiiiiike, while there are also sooooome teas that doesnāt match the sweets being served at the same tiiiiiime~~]
[I see.]
[The tea leeeeeaves weāre buying today also go well with certain sweeeeeeets, but they donāt go well with cookiiiiiiies, so we donāt keep them in the mansioooooon.]
Now that she mentioned it, I think that certainly makes sense. The head of the mansion is Lilia-san, so the tea leaves should always be prepared according to her taste. Come to think of it, I heard from Sieg-san that Lilia-san doesnāt like scones very much, so most of the teacakes served at the mansion were either cakes or cookies.
[Heehhhā¦ā¦ By the way, who selects the tea kept in the mansion? Was it perhaps the Head Maid or the Head Chef?]
[Itās meeeee. Iām the one in chaaaaaarge of purchasing the ingredients used in the mansion, incluuuuuding tea leaaaaaaves.]
[Eeeehhh!? Y- Youāre also handling the selection of ingredientsā¦ā¦ I- Is that really alright? Isnāt it roughā¦ā¦]
[Noooope~~ It doesnāt really take that much effoooooort.]
[ā¦ā¦ā¦ā¦ā¦ā¦ā¦.]
No, no, Lilia-sanās mansion is very large and has a lot of servants. If you were to include the food for the servants staying in the mansion, the amount of ingredients she buys would be quite large. Such a large amount is being bought by Illness-sanā¦ā¦ I wonder how much work Illness-san does on a daily basis? Rather, the fact that she can say that āit doesnāt take much effortā is also very impressive.
As I walked along, realizing once again how amazing Illness-san was, we seemed to have arrived at our first destination, a tea specialty store.
[Excuse our intrusiooooon.]
When Illness-san opened the door to the store and we stepped inside, a pleasant aroma wafted out from the air. Inside the store, there were many kinds of tea, but to be honest, for someone who was unfamiliar with tea, I couldnāt tell what was what at all.
[Welcome. Ara, Illness-san. Thank you for your continuous patronage.]
A young female shopkeeper who seemed to beĀ familiar with Illness-san bowed her head with a soft smile when she saw her.
[For you to not be wearing your maid uniform, thatās quite unusual.]
[Iām on vacatioooooon.]
[Is that soā¦ā¦ Oya? Oya oyaā¦ā¦ I see, youāre on a date huh.]
[Wha!?]
After a short conversation with Illness-san, the shopkeeper seems to have noticed me, and with a happy smile on her lips, she asked if weāre on a date. Hearing the words I didnāt expect, I couldnāt help but be at a loss for words. Date? N- No, Iām just thanking Illness-san for all the help sheās given me, so itās not like this is a dateā¦ā¦
H- However, it would be strange for me to deny it here, wouldnāt it? H- How should I respond hereā¦ā¦
[I just unreasooooonably asked him to come with meeee.]
However, unlike the panicking me, Illness-san neither denied nor affirmed her words, taking a mature and relaxed approach to the situation. How should I say thisā¦ā¦ I can certainly feel the difference in experience between us. Just like that, she chatted with the shopkeeper for a bit, before she started looking at the tea leaves in the store with me. Illness-san picked up a few tea leaves without hesitation and checked the aroma, occasionally saying stuff like āthe aroma is a little weakā, but I couldnāt really tell the difference. Illness-san quickly bought several kinds of tea, and having them placed within a paper bag, she walked out of the store with me.
ā¦ā¦I wasnāt able to help out Illness-san at all. No, well, it was obvious that I couldnāt help her with choosing teaā¦ā¦ but I couldnāt help but feel miserable. Especially since today is for me to thank Illness-san for always taking care of me, and I wanted to help her in some way, so I called out to Illness-san, who was walking next to me.
[I- Illness-san. Let me help you with the luggage.]
A paper bag containing only a few cans of tea seemed like it would be light, but feeling like I wanted to help her, I said this to her. Thereupon, Illness-san looked at me and smiled, before handing me the paper bag in her hand.
[Thank youuuuu. That really heeeeeeelps.]
How should I say thisā¦ā¦ I think this part of Illness-san is really great. Illness-san is gentle and warm, a lady enwrapping you in motherliness, but she doesnāt pamper you, and was instead superbly raising you up, or rather, itās like she satisfies your fragile self-esteem. Whenever Iām thinking about something that I was to ask or needed help with, itās as if she can read my mind and would be there for me to rely on.
Iāve never tried asking her, but if I were to think of wanting to spoil herā¦ā¦ Illness-san will probably let me spoil her to my heartās content. Not only does she kindly take care of me, sheĀ also satisfies my self-esteem as a man, and when the time where I want to be spoiled comes, sheāll probably accept me with open arms. If a person lives alone with Illness-san, she will probably become someone useless without her in less than a month.
That just shows how much of a lady overflowing with charm Illness-san isā¦ā¦ In a way, sheās totally a useless guy-manufacturing machine.
[It was nice to be ableeee to go out with you like this, Kaito-samaaaaa. Iām sorry to have kept you busyyyyyy with my personal shoppiiiiiing, but thanks to Kaito-samaās preseeeeeeence, Iām having a very enjoyable holidaaaaaay.]
Seriously, itās because she says stuff like this so smoothly that my heart canāt stop beating faster.
[ā¦ā¦Errr, if Illness-san is glad with this, then Iām happy too.]
[Kuhihi, thank you very muuuuuch. Please accompany me a bit longer, okaaaaay?]
H- Hmmmā¦ā¦. I wonder if Iām really managing to thank her like this? I feel like this situation is going as Illness-san plans thoughā¦ā¦
After that, I went with her to several stores and accompanied her shopping. Illness-san bought several kinds of black tea, ripple fruits, dairy products such as fresh cream and a few other ingredientsā¦ā¦ Whatās with this combination? Was she planning to bake a cake later? I suggested that we put the ingredients in the magic box, but since I wanted Illness-san to rely on me, I kept them in my magic box. We then went to several shops, and before we knew it, it was already lunchtimeā¦ā¦ perhaps, wouldnāt now be a good time to suggest having lunch?
[Illness-san, itās almost lunchtimeā¦ā¦ How about we eat somewhere?]
[I suppoooooose. What should we dooooo? It might be a bit crowdeeeeed, but should we eat in a restauraaaaant? Or perhaaaaaps, thereās a park nearbyyyyy, so should we have our meal theeeeeere?]
I donāt know how many times Iāve said this today, but Illness-san sure is amazing. Not only did she take my suggestion, she also offered me a few options to pick and opted to make me decide. However, what should we doā¦ā¦ As I wanted to express my gratitude, I would have like to treat her to a delicious meal at a fancy restaurant. But just as Illness-san said, the restaurants would probably be quite crowded around this time. Especially for restaurants here in the main streetā¦ā¦ but I remembered that Illness-san said that she didnāt like being too conspicuous and places that are boisterous.
[ā¦ā¦Shall we go buy something to eat and eat it in the park?]
[Yes, I understaaaaaand. I donāt really like noisy placeeeees, so Iād prefer thaaaaat.]
Sheād have probably gone along with whichever one I chose, but Iām glad that I chose the option that made Illness-san very happy. And thus, we decided to have a meal at a nearby park, and while listening to what Illness-san likes at the stall, we bought some food and headed for the park. There, we sat down on a rather large bench and laid out the items that we had bought, and even though it couldnāt be helped since we bought them randomly, I feel like the quantity of food we bought was rather few for two people. Well, I could just eat less, so thereās no problemā¦ā¦
[Kaito-samaaaaa, it was rather shabbyyyyy, but I made some onigiriiiiis. If youād liiiiiike, please eat theeeeem.]
ā¦ā¦Arehh? Just as I was thinking that our food isnāt sufficient for us, with superb timing, she took out a basket of rice balls? All of the food that Illness-san wanted to buy were also suitable for side dishesā¦ā¦ Arehh? Had she anticipated that a development like this would happen!?
[E- Errr, Illness-san? Could it be that, along with me saying to eat lunch in the park, everything went just as you anticipated?]
[Noooo~~ That isnāt the caaaaase. I just prepared something for Kaito-samaaa to eat when you get hungry during our shoppiiiiiing.]
[T- Thank you.]
[No, nooooo~~]
She really is just like a holy mother. However, I wonder what this sense of defeat Iām feelingā¦ā¦
The onigiris are super delicious. The garnishes are all the ones I like, and the size and shape makes them easy to eat.
[They were very delicious.]
[Iām glad to hear thaaaaaat. We also have teaaaaaa.]
[ā¦ā¦Thank you.]
There was even a warm green tea being servedā¦ā¦ This was more than a satisfactory meal. Errr, Iām thanking Illness-san for all the help sheās given meā¦ā¦ should be the case, right? Rather than thanking her, it feels like Iām being cared after even moreā¦ā¦ That aside, Illness-san. So you do have your own magic box huhā¦ā¦ She really did just entrust the luggage with me to raise me up.
[Kuhihi, please eat your fiiiiiiill.]
[ā¦ā¦Yes.]
Illness-san is too tough. After finishing lunch, we went back to the mansion after about an hour of visiting some stores again. I donāt feel like I did much to help, but Illness-san thanked me and told me she had fun. Rather than me thanking her, it felt more like the two of us just enjoying shopping togetherā¦ā¦ but Iām glad that Illness-san had fun.
Well, this and that are different matters, and Iāll think of something else to express my gratitude to her. After spending some fun shopping with Illness-san,Ā I went back to my room and while I was passing my time reading a book, I heard the sound of regular knocks, and a neatly-clothed Illness-san came in pushing a cart with something that smells great.
[Please excuse my intrusioooooon. Kaito-samaaaa, itās right around snack tiiiiiime, so Iāve brought something to celebraaaaaaate.]
[To celebrate?]
[Yeeees~~ It might be smaaaaalll, but itās to celebraaaaaate that Kaito-samaās feelings have reached Underworld King-samaaaaaa.]
Saying this, Illness-san put some tea and a cake on the table in front of the sofa I was sitting on.
[T- Thank you for the meal.]
Since she kindly prepared this for me, I decided to gratefully accept and take a bite of the cake, I found its sour and sweet flavors perfectly mixing in my mouth. This gentle-tasting cake is the best Iāve ever had, and it really matches my taste.
[Amazingā¦ā¦ Illness-san, this cake is really delicious!]
[Iām glaaaaaad you like iiiiiiit.]
And then, when I reached for the black tea, I found that it had an unusual flavor with a unique astringencyā¦ā¦ This astringent taste enhances the sweetness of the cake though, and when I took a bit of the cake again after drinking tea, I felt like it was even more delicious than before. It was already really delicious, but it could be even more delicious. This cake, itās an appleā¦ā¦ ripple cake, right? This tea with a unique taste also tastes greatā¦ā¦ Unnn?
I feel like this is the first time Iāve eaten a ripple cake for tea time in this mansion. This is also the first time Iāve drunk tea with such a unique astringency, but itās a tea that goes perfectly well with the cake, made with ingredients Illness-san bought when she went shopping todayā¦ā¦ Arehh?
[ā¦ā¦Ummm, Illness-san. Can I ask you something?]
[What is iiiiiiiit?]
[ā¦ā¦Todayās shopping, was it to prepare this celebratory cake?]
[Thatās riiiiiight.]
[ā¦ā¦ā¦ā¦ā¦ā¦ā¦.]
What in the world is happeningā¦ā¦ I wanted to thank Illness-san, but instead of properly thanking her, I ended up with more things to thank her instead. This ended up being a completely fruitless effort. Of course, Iām very glad about how Illness-san felt, and I really had fun with our shopping today.
Itās just, somehowā¦ā¦ I really wish I could just properly express my gratitude to Illness-sanā¦ā¦
[I diiiiiid already receive your gratituuuuuude~~]
[ā¦ā¦Eh?]
When I looked up, feeling as if she had read my mind again, I saw Illness-san looking at me. Unlike her usual unfocused eyes though, she was staring at me with a strong and passionate focus, with a gentle smile on her lips. She isnāt wearing her usual peculiar smile, nor was it the smile that often appears on her lips. Just by looking at her current smile, I can feel the warmth in her heart as she smiled gently and beautifully.
[You haaaaaad happily told me the outcome of your challeeeeenge. Wanting to express gratituuuuude, you thought of meeeee. And nooooow, you had told meeeeee that the cake I baked is ādeliciouuuuusā.]
[ā¦ā¦ā¦ā¦ā¦ā¦ā¦]
[For meeeee, those were the greeeeeatest gift I could ever haaaaaaave. My heart woooooonāt be able to accept any more than thiiiiiiis.]
Those certainly felt like Illness-sanās true thoughts. Ah, seriouslyā¦ā¦ She has a dazzling motherliness, like a holy mother overflowing with deep affection.
āYour well-being is my happiness.ā āYour smile is the best gift I can receive.ā Without any hesitation, she said such words to me.
[And sooooo, I want to thank you for todaaaaaay. Seeing aaaaaall the superb expressions on your face todaaaay makes me really happyyyyyy. If thereās another opportunityyyyyy, letās go out together agaaaaaaaain.]
[ā¦ā¦Yes.]
[Well theeeeen, I will go back to woooooork.]
[ā¦ā¦Eh? Arehh? Isnāt today your day off?]
[I was indeed on my day ooooooff.]
Only saying those words, Illness-san left. I think I somehow understood what she meant with her words. It isnāt that she had the whole day off, but that she had taken the day off until a specific time in order to give me this celebrationā¦ā¦ Good gracious, it really feels like everything is going as Illness-san plans. However, unnnā¦ā¦ It doesnāt feel unpleasant. Rather, my heart feels really warm and blessed. Feeling thankful for the miracle of having met this wonderful person named Illness-sanā¦ā¦
Well, putting that asideā¦ā¦ Seriously, when does Illness-san take a rest!? I somehow feel like Lilia-san when sheās holding her head in her hands.