Chapter 1243: Night Market ⑤

Looking at the slightly nervous-looking Kaito as he pulled her hand, Illness was lost in thought.

(Whyyyyy did I say such a thiiiiiiing? I'm done with the shopping I wanted to dooooo, so it's right that we should retuuuuuurn after touring around the night market until Kaito-sama is satisfied with his shoppiiiiiiing.)

The night market is about the same size as a reasonably large market, and although there are many stalls, each of the spaces they take up is small, so it doesn't take much time to walk around them.

In fact, even now, Illness had reached the point where she could say that she had seen all of the shops, not just the ones she wanted to shop at.

But despite this, while Kaito escorted Illness as per her request, the two of them are now walking back the way they came from.

(I'm feeling a little strange todaaaay. It feels like I'm floatiiiiiiiing, giving priority to my own desire to do this rather than the best action that should be taken.)

After having such thoughts in mind, Illness looked at Kaito's expression again. She can sense that he's wondering how to escort her, but she couldn't sense any unwillingness from him nor does he look uncomfortable with the idea.

[...Ahh, Illness-san. I was curious about it earlier, so why don't we take a look at that store over there?]

[Yeeeees.]

Watching Kaito, whose eyes were busily moving around, but still leading her the way and suggesting where to go, a warm feeling seemed to well up in Illness' heart.

She's glad that Kaito is thinking about this and that for her sake. Rather than guilt for saying something selfish, her feeling of joy is becoming more prominent... and for this reason, Illness was a little confused on the inside.

(...Even though it should be selfiiiiish, even though thinking about it calmlyyyyyy, doing such a thing is no goooooood... The joy I'm feeling is much greateeeer that I feel like I'm floatiiiiing. Even though I'm this helplessly selfiiiiiish... You really would keep on accepting meeeee.)

If she were to be honest, Illness' earlier request for Kaito to escort her wasn't one that came out of her head, but rather something that came out of her mouth on the spur of the moment.

She wants to be with Kaito more. She wished that this time would continue forever, but she managed to withhold such thoughts from leaking out of her mouth.

Thinking about it calmly, this was the first time for Kaito to come to the night market. It wouldn't be an easy task for him to escort Illness, who has been to the market many times in the past.

But even so, Kaito leads her to fulfill her wish. It was as if the warmth from their linked hands was being transmitted directly to the depths of Illness' body.

(I thought that seeing your faaaaaace was the happiest thing in the wooooorld, and nothing greater than it existeeeeed. Howeveeeeer, it seemed that I was mistaken. Seriouslyyyy~~ This is really troubliiiiiiiiing. I feel muuuuuch happier "when you look happy being together with meeeee", and "being so close to the happy youuuuuu".)

For the former Illness, nothing is more blessed than Kaito's happiness. In other words, she was satisfied if she could be an audience, watching Kaito's happy story, and there was no need for her to be present on the stage.

But now, little by little, she's beginning to realize that she's starting to hope that she too is part of Kaito's story, and that she's also one of the forms of happiness in Kaito's life.

(There are many things I should reflect ooooon... but stiiiiill, it might be a good idea to be a little bit selfiiiiiish and let myself be swept awaaaaaay by this comfortable waaaaaarmth.)

With a smile on Illness' face, she held on to Kaito's hand tighter and at the same time that Kaito turned towards her, she spoke.

[Kaito-samaaa, would you like something to eaaaaat?]

[Speaking of which, we may have drank something, but we haven't really eaten yet. There were some food stalls in the food section of the night market, so it might be a good idea to go there. Is there anything you want to eat, Illness-san?]

[Let's seeeee, I would like something that I can share with Kaito-samaaaa.]

[Speaking of which, Illness-san generally eats very little huh. Moreover, since it's an after dinner meal, it would be better to have food that we can share.]

Seeing Kaito nodding his head in agreement to his sudden proposal, Illness spoke, feeling the warmth in her heart again.

[There's also thaaaaat... but I just wanted to share some memories with Kaito-samaaaaa.]

[Eh? I- I see...]

[There's a rest area with benches a little off the streeeeet, so after we buy somethiiiiiing, let's eat there togetheeeeeer.]

[Yes.]

Perhaps because she's becoming more and more aware of her feelings and feeling happier than before, Illness' smile is warmer than before. Seeing such a smile on her lips, Kaito involuntarily blushed, but holding Illness' hand a little tighter, he started leading her forward.

The expression on Illness' face as he followed his lead was one of genuine, heartfelt happiness.