After having lunch at Mr. Lilliwood's place, we came back to the human world after a little tour of the streets of Yggfreshis because of the occasion.
　Since I came back at a leisurely pace, the time was approaching evening, and it was just as well.

''Hagu, amu, mushy.......sorry~. Next, from here to here on the menu!
....

　And now I move my eyes to the idiot who is currently devouring grilled meat in front of me... or rather Alice.
　I'm not sure where that much meat is really in this little body, but Alice is eating meat at a tremendous speed.
　After watching the scene over a cup of tea, I give the music box to Alice, who is taking a break from chopsticks until the next piece of meat arrives.

　As for the music box to give to Alice, of course, Alice knows the details. It is a gem, mainly a purple amethyst. I had the song made to be fun and somewhat mysterious.

'Alice, yes. Thanks for all the help.
'Thank you.........................Light!　It's so light!　Am I the only one who's crazy?　Don't you have a more exciting, sweet and sour feeling like this!
Because it's Alice.
'What a cold word!　Kite, you're treating me a little too well, aren't you!

　Hmmm. That being said, I still feel like it's different to be in awe of Alice's opponent...or is it?　To me, Alice might be like a best friend or a bad friend or something like that.
　I can talk to her with great ease, and I don't have to choose my words for every single one of them...can you call it trust?　There is a strange sense of relief.

　But, well, I'm not going to lie to you about the feeling of gratitude.
　

I'm sorry, sorry, it was a bit embarrassing but I really appreciate it. Thank you, Alice I'm glad you're here.
...what is it, all of a sudden...
...Yeah?

　When I lightly scratched my head as I said my thanks, I received an unexpectedly blunt voice in response.
　When I looked at Alice while tilting my head at the situation........for some reason, Alice was looking away diagonally downward.

''........Alice?　What's wrong with you?
No, no, it's nothing...
No, but why do you have to look away...
'Oh!　Is the next meat not ready yet?

　.... something is wrong with Alice. What's going on?
　I was wondering about Alice, who was clearly trying to distract me from the topic, when a new plate of meat was brought in at the right time, and I was about to accept it... and my hand touched Alice's hand, which happened to be reaching out at the same time.

''Wahhhh!''
...What?

　Then, for some reason, Alice let out a scream and jumped up and down, moving her eyes, which were visible under the mask, in a violently agitated manner.
　Huh?　Is it possible that this is...

"...Alice, are you....embarrassed?
'What?　What do you mean by that?
Well let's just look at each other.
''No... no, that's not quite...''

　Apparently, Alice's behavior was strange because she was embarrassed by my honest praise.
　Alice's ears are slightly cherry red as she speaks with an upset look on her face as she looks away, and the way she is somewhat flustered is so funny that I can't help but smile.

''Ha, it's kind of.......pretty cute in some ways, Aris.''
'Meow!　What are you saying, Alice is always clean and cute. Kite, I wonder if you have finally noticed my charm.
Yeah, maybe.
'You can tweak that like you always do!　You won't be able to see your face properly!

　Come to think of it, when I think back on it, there is a side of Alice that is embarrassed to have her true face seen, and she may actually be quite shy.
　
　This, yeah, I felt like I had a bit of an interesting weakness.

''........Wow, Kite. You look bad.
Rude.
I'm not going to be able to tell you what to do. This is really a problem for me.

　After saying that and letting out a sigh, Alice grilled the meat and started eating it.
　Somewhat unexpectedly, I felt like I could hear Alice's hidden true intentions, and I felt strangely a little......happy.










　The sun had already set, and I was lying in bed........not on the bed, but on the sofa.

''Mmmm.......I feel like this is where I'm supposed to be.......''
Yeah?　I'm happy for you.

　With me in a kneeling position, Black smiles as he gently pats my head.
　I feel ticklish and happy, and I can hear the gentle sound of the music box in my ears.

　The music box I gave to Black is decorated with yellow diamonds in the image of his beautiful eyes.
　As for the song, it's the only one I asked Alice to rewrite for me.
　At first, Alice made a bright and happy song with an image of the sun. It was a great song, but I asked her to rework it with an image of beautiful moonlight and gentle light.

　The song turned out to be just what I had in mind for Kuro, gently lighting up the darkness.

Thank you. Kite, I'm so happy.
Well I'm glad you're happy, Black.

　Black knew I was making a music box, but he received the music box I gave him with a really happy smile, and was still looking lovingly at the soles that were making noise on his desk.

'Speaking of which, Kite. Did you get some rest?
Yeah, well, it's been pretty relaxing, despite all the stuff we've been through.
Oh, well, that's good because you shouldn't be too hard on yourself, you know?
Yes.

　When you're with Kuro, can you say that you can be very honest with him...hmmm.... I'm embarrassed, but somehow I've been coddled.

　The image I have in mind of Kuro is moonlight and starlight to light up the darkness.

But when I hear stories like that, it makes me want to go on a trip with Kite.
I know it would be fun for me to go on a trip with Black, but isn't he busy?
Hmm.

　Black doesn't look like that in front of me, but I think he's been very busy as the Sixth King.
　That's evident from the fact that Kuro basically only comes here at night, and he's been especially busy lately.

''Well, this year we have the Hero Festival. I'm sure you'll be able to find a lot more time to spend without it, but the year of the heroic festival is the only year that you have to make a lot of adjustments.
Well Mr. Lillywood has been very busy.
'Oh, um, well, I've been busy lately because I've been doing other things...'
Another thing?
Not yet.

　I can't help but chuckle when I see Kuro smiling like a child planning a prank like that.

''Well, after the moon of light passes, we'll have a bit of time to spare... if it's okay with you, Kite, let's go somewhere together.
'Oh, that sounds like fun ... yes, please do.'
Yeah!

　The soft moonlight streaming in through the window, the gentle smile in my eyes as I looked up, the warmth of a caress on my head... I slowly closed my eyelids, surrounded by such happiness.

　Dear Mom and Dad - so much has happened today. I saw a new side of Lillywood-san and Alice, reaffirmed the cuteness of Isis-san and the kindness of Black.......and this and that - I finished handing over the music box.