The high-class Chinese-style French restaurant may have a huge gap between its name and its appearance, but the taste was very good, as if it were a very popular restaurant.
　The main course, a Peking duck style meat dish, was also extremely concentrated with the flavor of the bird, and it was as satisfying as if I had eaten a whole bird.

　Yeah, that's.......chicken, right?　It's not like big worm meat or frog meat, is it?　........Yeah, let's try not to think about it.
　Well, we were happily continuing to eat like that.................but halfway through the meal, I suddenly realized something.

''........''

　I feel the occasional glance from Lilia-san, who is eating at the next table. However, she doesn't call out to me.
　And the feelings I feel from Lilia-san with sensitivity magic are........worry?　What does that mean?

...Um, Lilia?
"...Kite, would you mind if I took a moment of your time?

　When I looked at Lilia-san with an intention to call out to her, she looked a little lost before she spoke back.

''Eh?　Yes.....
'Then let's leave the table for a moment. Luna, tell Mr. Kite and I to delay our cooking.
Yes, sir.

　Apparently, Lilia wanted to talk to me, and I told Luna Maria to leave her seat for a bit. Then, I began to walk towards the balcony, which is located across one of the doors from this observation seat.
　Not knowing what Lilia-san's intentions are, I follow her to the balcony.

　As expected of a high-class restaurant, the balcony was quite large.
　The balcony is surprisingly quiet for a restaurant located at the venue of the Rokkou Festival, and Lilia-san and I walk through it in silence.

　Then, when we were some distance away from the food table, Lilia-san stopped and looked back at us.
　A cool evening breeze blew, and Lilia-san opened her mouth while holding her swaying hair with one hand.

''........Kaito-san....
Yes?
"...I hope I'm wrong, but could it be...something 'troubling'?
...What?

　The words Lilia-san told me were, frankly...surprising.
　An encounter with a woman who looked exactly like my mother, which happened in the daytime. It was thanks to Isis-san that I was able to divide it up to a certain extent and put a smile on my face.
　However, I still couldn't completely forget it, and I remembered it from time to time. I think that's what Lilia-san is talking about.
　But about that matter........I didn't think that I myself was that serious about it, so I didn't expect to be noticed.

''Well, I don't have a clear basis for it either, but.......I thought there was a slight shadow in Kite's smile.
....
I'm not making up a smile. I think he had a sincere smile on his face. But, you know, it just seemed a little different than usual...

　I was surprised ... and most of all happy.
　Because Lilia-san really looks after me so well, she noticed the smallest changes. And the worrying emotions I was feeling all the time earlier........I'm just grateful.

''Well it's not that big of a deal but it won't take long, so can you listen to me for a minute?''
Yes, if that's okay with you.

　So I decided to be honest with Lilia-san.
　The fact that I met a woman who looked exactly like my dead mother during the day today, and although I'm not thinking about it seriously or anything, I'm still curious about it as well.......
　When I finished telling them all, Lilia-san nodded once she seemed to be convinced.

''........I see, I suppose it's not too much to ask. Although I'm still young, it doesn't mean that I've never experienced a separation due to death either.
....
It's natural to be upset when you meet someone who looks exactly like someone close to you in life.

　As she said that, Lilia-san came closer to me and gently leaned in to lean against my chest.

''But I'm glad. I'm relieved that Kite-san isn't too deeply troubled.
Mr. Lilia....
I'm sorry. I know that you are a very strong person and I know that you are going to be okay. But let me worry you a little bit. I'm your lover too, you know.
Yes, no, I mean I'm so glad you're worried about me.

　I lightly hug Lilia-san as she leans in close to me, feeling her warmth and expressing my gratitude.
　Then Lilia-san also put her hands behind my back and we hugged each other in silence for a little while, and then Lilia-san suddenly looked up and smiled as if she was smiling.

''........Kaito-san.
Yes?
Would you like to... kiss...?
...What?

　I didn't expect that the shy Lilia-san would say such a thing, so I couldn't help but make a dumb voice.

''Come to think of it, I didn't think I hadn't done it yet... do you mind, Kite, if you don't want to?''
I don't think so... but Lilia-san is a big--?

　Is Miss Lilia okay?　
　It's rude to Lilia-san to say something unnecessary here or to pull back.

　I grab Lilia-san with both hands and slowly bring her face closer to mine. And then..........

''Hmm........''

　A small voice escaped from Lilia's mouth as my lips met hers, surprisingly soft.
　Feeling the deep fondness that Lilia-san directed towards me, I savored the warmth of it for a little while, and then parted my lips.

''..........er, Lilia-san. Thank you so much.
....

　The shy Lilia-san, in a different form from Isis-san, acted with all the courage she could muster. That made me happy, and I couldn't help but poke my mouth out with words of thanks.
　However, there was no response from Lilia-san.

''.......Huh?''
....
Lilia?
..................
'Miss Lilia!　Hey, hey, get a grip, please!

　I hurriedly held Lilia-san, who was suddenly about to collapse.......but she turned her eyes and fainted.

　Dear Mom, Dad--my first kiss with Lilia-san. It was the result of all the courage she had wielded for me, as much as she could muster. I was really happy and happy, but........I guess I was still, how should I say, embarrassed. Lilia-san - she seemed to be pushing herself quite hard.