Chapter 466: I Think It Made Me a Little Stronger (1/2)

With the commotion regarding Dr. Vier and Neun-san had died down, I am now on my way to the bedroom.

It seems that the two of them only came to take a bath together with me, not to stay the night. I guess they really can't stay here with the three of the Six Kings around huh?

Anyway, after discussing with them about the meeting time and place for tomorrow, they went back to their inn.

But well, I was really tired from all the things that happened today. I felt really sleepy, partly because I hadn't been able to sleep much recently due to the embarrassment I felt from sleeping together with the others.

I'd like to get a good night's sleep just for today…… but it seems like that isn't going to happen.

As I was thinking about the good night's sleep that I will be having tonight, I opened the door to my bedroom and went inside.

There was no sign of Isis-san, Alice or Ein-san in the large room, but Kuro was sitting alone on the sofa eating a baby castella.

[Ah, Kaito-san. I'm back~~]

[…..Welcome back, have you finished your meeting?]

[Unnn. It was just a quick check.]

[I see…… Where are Isis-san and the others?]

After welcoming Kuro, who had returned from her meeting with Magnawell-san, I inquired about the absence of Isis-san and the others in the room.

[Ahh~~ I asked everyone to ”leave me alone with Kaito-kun” tonight.]

[Eh? Is that so?]

[Unnn. Well, that's how it is…… Oopsie-daisy.]

While telling me that Isis-san and the others wouldn't be here tonight, Kuro moved to the bed and sat down. Then, she looked at me, gently smiled and held out her arms.

[Now, Kaito-kun. Come~~]

[Eh? W- What do you mean?]

I asked back to Kuro, who was waiting for me with her hands outstretched and a gentle smile.

[……You see, Kaito-kun have been through a lot today, haven't you?]

[U- Unnn.]

[It's alright. I'm the only one here. I've also put a ward around us, so not even Shiro can see us here…… that's why…… Okay?]

[……Kuro.]

I don't know if I should say that it's to be expected of Kuro or not…… but I guess Kuro could really see through everything huh…… Ahh, I guess that's why she said that we'll talk again.

When I heard Kuro's words, I approached her as if I were being sucked in her embrace, burying my face in her chest.

Without saying a word, Kuro hugged me, squeezing my head into her arms.

……It feels warm. There wasn't any sound around me, only feeling Kuro's warmth. Being held in her embrace is inexplicably comforting, and I felt as if I was being warmed from deep inside me.

[……I thought that it was completely clear to me.]

[Unnn.]

[Even though it was clear to me that there's a really high chance that she's someone else, that there's no way that she's my mother…… But when I was sure that she wasn't Mom…… I guess I still felt disappointed.]

[……I see.]

Weak-sounding words…… naturally leaked out of my mouth.

[……But at the same time, I felt relieved that my expectation was incorrect, and was convinced that she wasn't my mother.]