When Lilithia woke up, she felt comfortable—a feeling that was relative. It was just an ordinary state, but after enduring pain, the absence of it now felt pleasant.

"Fiore~"

Even before opening her eyes, she called out his name. Then, the girl's crimson pupils locked onto the man before her. "So you really can hear my call and come save me~"

"When one's martial arts reach their peak, they sense certain things—especially for important people. Your call, I will always hear."

"Don't just say things like that!" Lilithia blushed slightly. Lying in bed, she didn't want to move. "Saying such things... it's so embarrassing."

Fiore felt his heart stir. Lilithia rarely acted like this—at least not in front of him. Usually, she seemed full of energy, but now she felt soft and coquettish, like she was pouting. For a woman, the best weapon against a man is often coquettish behavior. Especially when he likes you—then it becomes the most effective tool. Lilithia was indeed weak now, so she felt lazy. And thus, she wanted to act coquettish.

"Can you make me a cup of tea?"

"I think plain water is better~ How about waiting until you recover to drink tea?" Fiore used a water magic spell to prepare a glass for her.

Lilithia sat up and took it. She stared at the water for a long moment. "If... if you put some drug in here, would I drink it or not?"

"Who would do such a thing!"

Lilithia downed the water in one gulp, then lay back down.

"Well—given my state now, if you tried anything, I couldn't resist~ Though even when I'm not weak, I have no chance against the Sword Saint anyway." The girl blinked. Her words didn't seem like a joke this time. Wait, did Lilithia ever joke with him?

Fiore's mind was in chaos. He recalled her past teasing... but was it really teasing? What if—just what if—Lilithia had feelings for him too? He secretly glanced at her flushed cheeks. She wouldn't lie to him—so if he just asked if she liked him, he'd get the answer... If only... Fiore lacked the courage. If others heard this, it would be unbelievable—Fiore, lacking courage? That was Fiore! He never lacked courage in anything. But anyone, when facing someone they like, can't help but feel timid. He feared hearing an answer he didn't want. Besides, Lilithia was only eleven—even confessing wasn't appropriate now. But if he didn't express his feelings early, what if some man stole her away later... Fiore realized liking someone was selfish. Not wanting them taken, wanting to stay by their side forever. At this moment, he seemed to understand Lisanna's feelings. But his feelings for Lisanna weren't romantic. Fiore was certain of that, and he had told her so. What if Lilithia saw him the same way?

"How do you see me, Lilithia?"

Lilithia blinked in confusion. "See you? What do you mean?"

Fiore, who had blurted his thoughts, panicked and made an excuse. "Uh, I mean, what do you think of me... as a person?"

"Hmm... you, as a person~~" Lilithia had so much to say. Like the sun, like a protagonist—gentle, upright, brave—any beautiful word fit him. But saying it out loud was too embarrassing... "W-well, you're... a good person, I guess..."

"What do you mean 'a good person'?"

"Don't dig deeper, Fiore! It's embarrassing!" Lilithia tried to change the subject. "By the way, I've shown you my cooking. Why don't you show me yours?"

Fiore fell silent. He propped his chin with one hand, lost in thought. "Are you sure?"

"What? Don't tell me you're on the dark cooking side?! Seriously, shouldn't male leads in this era be known for cooking skills?"

"To be honest, Lilithia, since I started swordsmanship, I've relied on recovery magic or restaurants—I can only make grilled meat."

"...Fine." Lilithia climbed out of bed. "Then you be my assistant. I'll cook. I'm a bit hungry anyway."

"By the way..."

"You haven't seen it yet, right?" Lilithia suddenly said.

"Huh?"

The girl flashed her signature mischievous smile. "That outfit I mentioned—the one that might be a bit... suggestive..."

"!!!"

Fiore's dynamic vision, a trait only the Sword Saint possessed, swept the room. He saw nothing like that. So where exactly did she hide it?

Lilithia seemed fully recovered. "So, here's the question, Fiore." Her little devil smile always made people want to scoop her up and cuddle her. "Do you want... to see that outfit first, or eat first?"

!

Lilithia's cooking was incredibly delicious, with dishes Fiore had never seen. At least in cooking, she'd reached perfection. But that "suggestive" outfit was also very tempting... How to choose? At that moment, a phrase flashed in his mind. Yes, what Lilithia had told him. "You should be kinder to yourself." Right—he should be kinder. His thinking had been limited! Fiore swallowed hard. He stared at Lilithia and finally wore the same mischievous smile. "I want to see you cook in that outfit."

"!"

"What?!!!" Lilithia dramatically stepped back, as if injured, wiping an imaginary corner of her mouth. "Fiore, you... you've grown! To say such things without blushing... I underestimated you."

Fiore closed in, wearing the same scheming smile. He lifted a hand and pinched her chin. "So, Miss Lilithia, will you wear it for me?"

"..."

Lilithia averted her gaze. Damn, his behavior was making her heart race. Seriously, can't you realize your own charm? You're blinding! Her expression was deeply embarrassed. She wiped sweat from her brow, stammering. "I-I made that outfit... for you. Not wearing it would be... a waste..."

So that meant yes? Wait—made it for him? Meaning she didn't plan to show it to others? Fiore couldn't help but think that, though he felt he might be overestimating himself.

Lilithia ran to a corner. A wall that looked solid magically opened to reveal a small compartment. "Since there's a meter gap between dorm rooms in the Magic Academy, I used it for this space." She pulled out the outfit. Then she started undressing right there.

Fiore quickly turned away.

"If you want to look, Fiore, I don't mind~"

"D-don't say things that cause misunderstandings!"

"Hehe!" From behind him, the sound of her changing sent a small thrill through his heart. "Maybe it's exactly what you're misunderstanding~"

Then he was hugged. Though he'd sensed her approach, being suddenly embraced was unexpected. And—

Lilithia clung tightly to him. "This outfit... it's even more embarrassing than I imagined—you're not allowed to look!" She'd miscalculated. When making it, she'd only imagined the effect, but wearing it was actually...

Absolutely!

"Sword Saint's Eye Realm!!"

Instantly, countless eyes appeared in the room. Lilithia felt watched from every angle. Fiore's blood surged, but as the mighty Sword Saint, he controlled it well.

"Eep!"

Lilithia let go. She covered her important parts, but it barely helped. Cat ears, cat paws, a fluffy outfit like lingerie barely covering essentials, bells on her feet, and thigh straps of unknown purpose. But it was beautiful. Must be emphasized again—absolutely beautiful. The girl, from years of forging, had a perfect physique—no excess fat. Her magic kept her skin tender, showing no forging marks. Pure white, adorable, with crimson pupils like a cat, now wearing an embarrassed expression. Wanting to stroke her head, wanting her to curl up in his arms and pout, wanting to rub her belly, wanting to scratch her chin. Cute and sexy. So there really was something that combined both. Her figure wasn't lewd, yet the outfit made her look so alluring. Lilithia! You're amazing!

Facing Fiore's gaze, Lilithia shrank into the corner like a little kitten. Oh no, did she really go too far today and get... taken?