I bought two skewers at the beginning of the day and gave one to Mr. Illness.

Yes, Irnes-san.
Thank you very much.

　I was a little hesitant to ask a woman to roast on a spit from the very beginning, but............. Anyway, Illness-san asked me, "What would you like to eat? When I asked her what she wanted to eat, she only replied, "It's fine with what you want to eat, Kite-sama.
　 So as a result, I decided to buy something called Red Horn Bull skewers, which I wanted to eat normally.

　Red horn bull is what we call beef in my world, and it's safe to say that I've eaten it a few times before. No, really ... the reassurance that it says what meat it is is is wonderful.
　While thinking about this, Illness-san puts one hand on the skewer and takes a bite to cover her mouth.

'...............................Very delicious.
....

　Mmmm, an elegant way to eat without showing the inside of your mouth. The word "ladylike" suits her well, as she does it so naturally.
　If you consciously look at her, you can see the elegance in her posture, gestures, and so on, but it doesn't look like she is consciously aware of it, and she does it in a very natural way.
　That's exactly why I felt that every single movement was so refined, to the point that if she wasn't wearing a maid's uniform, she would look like a noblewoman.

　Then, just at the right time, my eyes met with Illness-san who looked at me.......................eh?　That's right, isn't it?　It looks like he's looking through my body and looking at the view behind me... uh, yeah, probably right.

What's going on?
''Oh, no, Irnes-san, the way you eat is so elegant and amazing...''
No, that's not true. Eating gestures are just something you get used to.
Is that so?
Besides, eating elegantly isn't always the best thing to do. The best way to eat is to eat well.
I see.

　I suppose the words he added were a follow-up to the fact that I was about to eat a spit-roast. I think it's really great that someone can say that kind of thing so naturally.
　The words of Illness prompted me to eat my kushiyaki without thinking about it.
　When I finished my skewers, Illness took them from my hand in a fluid motion and threw them, along with his own, into a nearby trash can.
　Then he turned to me and told me in a soft voice.

''........So~ Kite-sama, what are you 'feeling uneasy' about?''
...What?
I think there's a plaza over there - would you like to talk over there?　If only to ask. I'm sure you can.
...Well, is it possible that...well...did you notice everything from the beginning?
What?　What do you think?　Kuhuhihihihi.

　After all, I'm not as good as this guy.
　It's true, Illness-san was right, there was a bit of anxiety for me. Rather than that, there was something that made me feel somewhat heavy.
　The purpose of inviting Illness-san to join us was strongly aimed at thanking her, but.......maybe I also wanted to distract myself from those feelings.

　Illness-san saw through my feelings and moved to the less popular square and urged me to sit on a bench.
　When I sat down on the bench in accordance with that, Irnes-san also sat down on the bench with a little distance between us, and without saying anything, she turned her face towards me.

''Well actually, I'm Shirou tomorrow I'm supposed to visit the festival with the God of Creation.
It's - it's an honor.
'Yes. It's not that I don't like traveling with White-san. On the contrary, it's fun to be with White-san...I'm just looking forward to it.
So... what are you worried about?
'No, I mean, I knew it was going to be a huge attention-grabber...'

　Yes, I'm looking forward to going around with White, but I can say that White is a much more eye-catching figure than Black and the others.
　In fact, just by appearing at the opening ceremony, everyone around him kneels in unison.

"I see... I don't like to stand out too much, and I understand how you feel.
Yes, so... it would be rude for White-san to go around with you in such a mood, and maybe she wanted to change her mind somehow.
So you won't be going around with the Creator tomorrow?
''No, like I said before, I'm really looking forward to going around with White-san.
Then I think that's a good idea. I'm sure God the Creator will be very happy to see you.
Yeah, right.

　This is the kind of person Mr. Illness is. He never says "this is the way it should be done". If you agree with me, and give me affirmation........and an answer, he will gently encourage you to do so.
　Even though I myself feel uneasy, it's not that big of a deal, it's only to the extent that I'm sure the attention is great. It's because Illness-san understands such subtle feelings of mine that she lets me say this and switch my mood.

　In fact, if you say it, it's terribly easy to say it. I don't care about what's going on around me, I just want to enjoy the time I'm spending with Shiro-san.
　After all, Illness-san is........amazing.

　As I was savoring the sensation that the bogginess in my heart was quickly cleared away, I heard a gentle voice and clapping of hands.

''...If the world, for example, is a single story, how many pages are there?''
...Mr. Illness?

　When I turned my gaze to be guided by the voice, Mr. Illness turned his face to the sky and sang a song with a small clap of hands.

'You, depicted on those pages, may be very small and hard to see.
....
But it's never necessary, it's just an important piece of the next page.
....
Please, please, keep walking because your future is exactly where you want it to be.

　This is the first time I've heard the song, but it seems to have gentle lyrics. The softly and gently spun sound as if she were speaking to me was unconsciously fascinating to listen to.

'For example, if the world is just one story, then I want to thank you for the miracle of our meeting like this.

　The lyrics seem to be in the second verse, and the beginning of the song is sung in the same rhythm as the first.

When you reach out your hand, the people around you also reach out to you, and so the circle widens and the page is colored.
....
You're never alone... you have many friends in your corner.
....
Please remember, we want you to be happy, and we want you to be a fan of the story.

　With the lyrics, Illness turned to me, and for a moment I felt like the focus of his eyes was on me.

'I'm sure the road you walk on isn't smooth, and there's a strong wind, but I'm sure you'll grow with every step you take.'
....
"I don't care if I'm not on the page that makes you smile when you're old enough to reread the story.
....
"If the world is just one story, I want to be a reader of the small, very small stories you weave.
....
So please, please remember, I'm your fan. I hope you'll always be happy.

　Apparently that's the end of the lyrics, and Illness-san gave a different......small, gentle smile once, than usual......and then took her gaze off me and looked up at the sky.

''........It's a beautiful song. What a song it is.
It's called 'A Small Story'... about 100 years ago, it was a popular song. I thought it was the most appropriate song to send to Lord Kite.
Huh?　Um.....
"I'll always be on your side. So from now on, you can rely on me as much as you want. I'm happiest when you're happy. Is that how it's going to be?

　Illness-san, who tilted her head as she said that, looked so beautiful and fantastic under the pale moonlight.

''Kuhihi........Then~ there's still time, let's look around the stalls a bit more~?
'Oh, yes!　Yes, let's go!

　I stand up and follow Illness-san, who laughs in her usual way, and I stand up too. I felt my face was strangely hot because I heard those words, that I will always be on your side.

　Dear Mom, Dad - for affirming me, supporting me, and pushing me back.........from the heart, you wish me happiness. The song that Illness presented to me was such an impossibly gentle - and devoted - lyric.