With Kaito's few words, Olivia's heart was in turmoil, so much so that the calm state of mind she had maintained until just moments ago seemed like a distant memory. Her thoughts spiraled endlessly, unable to settle, leaving her unsure whether she was overjoyed or simply bewildered.
(W- Why am I this shaken...... That remark just now was, if anything, a mere pleasantry. The references I studied even mentioned such exchanges...... Surely, the correct response here is to smile and offer a word of thanks.)
Yes, her mind understood that much. She had even studied how to handle such situations beforehand. However, as is often the case, theory and practice are not the same. Though she had prepared for the possibility of Kaito commenting on or complimenting her attire, the moment he actually said it, her mind went blank, and everything fell apart.
[......Olivia-san?]
[Ah, m- my apologies! T- T- T- Thank, thank you so much! I’m deeply honored that Miyama Kaito-sama would say such a thing...... M-Miyama Kaito-sama, you too...... yo
Though the shock was considerable, she managed to utter some form of gratitude in response to the compliment. It was far from the poised image she had envisioned in her mind, but she had at least managed to respond.
With that in mind, Olivia attempted to continue by complimenting Kaito in return. Since he had praised her attire, it seemed fitting to comment on his. However, this too veered far from her expectations, as she struggled to find the words.
(......I- Isn't he just too dazzling? He’s practically divine. From the start, Miyama Kaito-sama’s appearance has been so magnificent that he could be considered one of the world’s greatest treasures———— a radiant embodiment of the sun itself. Yet today, with a different outfit, his entire presence feels transformed...... Can simply changing one’s clothes alter the atmosphere this drastically?! Everything about him is so refined and polished, it’s almost overwhelming. P- Perhaps, isn’t this something that should be admired casually but rather immortalized with the latest recording magic tool, framed in the finest quality, and displayed in a prayer chamber?)
Today, Kaito was wearing an outfit he had purchased earlier in the Hydra Kingdom, giving him a slightly more mature appearance compared to his usual attire.
Olivia, utterly captivated by his look, could only stare at him with a flushed expression, her lips moving soundlessly as no words came forth.
[Well then, let’s head to the location right away. Miyama Kaito-sama, Mizuhara Kaori, I’ll be teleporting us...... Please hold my...... ah...... um...... h- h- hand...... No, touch me somewhere...... Ah, no, it should be the hand after all......]
[Ahh, you need to make physical contact for the teleportation, right? Then, if you’ll excuse me, I’ll hold your hand.]
[Fueehhh!?]
[Eh? Ah, sorry.]
[N- N- N- No, i- i- it’s fine! There’s absolutely no problem at all. Please, allow me to take your hand.]
[......I’ve never seen Olivia-sama this flustered before. As expected of Kaito-kun......]
Overreacting to even the smallest things, Olivia was filled with unease about how the day would proceed. Yet, while doing her best to maintain her composure, she activated the Teleportation Magic. R
<Afterword>
Serious-senpai : [T- The Sh*tty Noob Mode...... No, but unlike Alice's Sh*tty Noob Mode, she still tries to take action, which I feel like would often lead to her setting herself up for self-destruction.]