It's not like we're exchanging many words, but we're not bogged down in conversation or awkwardness, and the time we spend with Illness passes peacefully.
　And when I felt that the wine and snacks were about to be finished, I called out to Mr. Illness.

'.........Mr. Illness.
Yeah?
'Thank you for being so selfish with me today. If we have a similar opportunity can I invite you back?
Of course. I'd be happy to join you then, wouldn't I?

　 Because I knew that, I asked him if I could ask him again, and he agreed.
　I'm happy to spend time with Illnes-san in this way because it is comforting, but I still have a sense of helplessness, or.......the feeling that I am not able to respond to Illnes-san's work.



　Was it because of that thought?　The words just popped out of my mouth.
　I am indebted to Mr. Illness for many things that I can't really express in words. However, I don't feel that I have been able to properly repay that debt. This salary is also like a return to me in a roundabout way in the end.
　The words were filled with such thoughts, but........

No~ that's not it.
...What?

　Illness-san shook her head as she told me a clear denial.
　

"Just as you feel that you have received many things from me, I have received many things from you, Kaito-sama.
Yeah, what is it?

　The beautiful black eyes that gaze at me are so beautiful you could almost be sucked into them, and I feel like there is a kindness in them that is even warm in itself.

It's a good thing that you're able to get your hands on the best possible solution.
Huh?
It's my job to take care of you, so it's only natural that I should go. But when I bring you the laundry or make you a cup of tea, you always say thank you.

　

''.........To Kite-sama, it may be a trivial matter~. However, it's also a very good idea to have a good time. It's just one example, but besides that, I've received many other things from you, too numerous to count.
Mr. Illness.
That's why I want to give you something back, to make you happy, that's why.

　Illness-san's face, which was illuminated by the magic tool for lighting, was so beautiful that I couldn't take my eyes off of it......how could I take my eyes off of it......it was so dazzlingly beautiful that I could tell that she definitely meant those words from the heart.
　Truly, how can I say, this person is too dazzling to fit the word "Holy Mother" or words like that. When you say things like that, I can't say anything more.

　The conversation stops once I'm at a loss for words, and Mr. Illness quickly gets up from the sofa he's been sitting on.
　And then he took out some kind of large...cape-like thing from the magic box and put it on my shoulder.

I'm sure it's going to be a little chilly tonight. It's not too late, so please get some sleep.
Yes. That, um, thank you very much.
No, no, no, it's my pleasure, thank you for the time we spent together.

　Mr. Illness smiled again, quickly put away the glasses and plates, bowed deeply, and then left the room.
　After seeing that off, I suddenly moved my gaze to the cape Irnes-san had put on me.
　I've been given a hand-knitted knee cover by Illness before, and this cape feels a bit similar to this one, so Illness must have knitted it for me.

　And as I was thinking that far, I suddenly saw three red roses and a leaf embroidered on the back of the cape.

　.........Huh?　Why is it embroidered on the inside?　The front and back are reversed.......it doesn't seem to be the case......

　It wouldn't be the case that he had embroidered it by mistake, only for Illness-san, but I wasn't sure what that meant. She's a modest person, and I wonder if she embroidered it on the back side so that it wouldn't stand out?
　Come to think of it, Mr. Illness always wears a tie around his neck with a rose on it, and maybe he likes roses. If so, let's remember it well.









　Roses are a special kind of flower, and the language of the flower changes depending on the color and number of roses.
　A red rose means "love," a white rose means "purity," a yellow rose means "friendship," and so on.
　Among them, the red rose also has a flower language in its leaves.

　The flower language of the red rose's leaf is 'I wish you well', which is exactly in keeping with Illness's character.

　However, there is a further meaning to the flower that was embroidered on the cape that was given to Kaito as a gift to him to hide.
　

For example.....


　For example, a single rose means 'love at first sight'.


　A rose with 13 roses means 'Eternal friendship'.


　A rose with 50 roses means 'permanence'.


　As you can see, the flower language of a rose changes not only according to its color but also according to the number of roses you give.


　And when you give three red roses as a gift, the language of flowers is


　-- 'I love you'