Filmera-san's Change
When Grey returned from the forest, it dragged a bundle of white threads more than twice its usual size.
Inside were the carcasses of animals likely hunted outside the forest—not just the boars and birds we ate before, but also an unfamiliar creature: a rabbit with a jagged horn sprouting from its forehead.
Apparently, Grey misinterpreted the warm atmosphere between Filmera-san and me, getting overly enthusiastic in its own way.
I clarified to Grey that it was a misunderstanding, then butchered the animals it brought, harvested vegetables from the garden, and prepared a more lavish meal than usual.
"It's been a while since I've eaten meat. The last time was a festival a few years ago, I think."
Filmera-san, who rarely eats meat, brought the dishes to her mouth with curiosity.
I worried it might not suit her taste, but the moment she tried the meat, her eyes sparkled, so it's probably fine.
"(…Sigh. At least she's okay.)"
Earlier, I accidentally saw Filmera-san's chest through her underwear. She belittled herself, shedding tears, and I clumsily comforted her.
Thanks to that, she quickly regained her smile, and now we're laughing together, sharing the same meal.
That makes me happy. Very happy. But… there's been a slight problem since earlier.
The issue is—
"Oh, Yukiya-sama! You've already finished. Would you like seconds?"
"Oh, yeah. I can eat more, so I'll grab the tongs—"
"No need! I'll serve you, Yukiya-sama!"
Filmera-san takes my wooden plate, grabs the silver tongs she provided from her [Subspace Storage], and places grilled meat onto my plate.
"Here's your portion, Yukiya-sama!"
"Th-Thank you."
"Hehe… Oh, Yukiya-sama, you've got sauce on your cheek!"
Saying this, Filmera-san wipes the ketchup-tomato-based sauce from my cheek with her finger and licks it.
Her small, pink tongue looks oddly sensual, and the bold, almost coy act of licking sauce from my cheek makes my heart race.
"Hehe. Your cooking is delicious, Yukiya-sama!"
"I-Is it? Thank you."
Handing me the plate piled with meat, Filmera-san praises my cooking and sits beside me.
There's still about a person's width between us, but yesterday she sat across from me. Today, the distance feels much closer.
As I glance at her, our eyes meet.
Filmera-san shyly looks away but quickly returns her gaze, smiling brightly with narrowed eyes.
"…"
What is this?
I feel an overwhelming sense of affection from Filmera-san.
No, don't misunderstand. Don't get the wrong idea, Yukiya.
She's just opening up to me. Because I expressed my feelings, she's meeting me halfway.
That's all. Just that.
Thinking, "Maybe she likes me?" is foolish. It's self-absorbed.
I've finally earned her trust. I don't want to ruin this relationship with silly misconceptions.
"Kyu, kyu~!"
"Oh, Grey, already done? Eating fast is fine, but don't choke, okay?"
"Kyu!"
As if saying, "I'm fine!" Grey raises a leg and lets out a small burp.
Behind it lie the scattered bones of boars, birds, and rabbits.
It's been less than five minutes since we started eating. Where does all that food go in that tiny body?
I tried observing once, but the meat in front of Grey vanished the moment I blinked or looked away, so I've given up trying to figure it out.
Well, Grey is full of mysteries but cute and comforting, so I don't need to overthink it.
Grey is cute. That's enough.
"Um, Yukiya-sama…?"
"Oh, yes, what's up?"
"Well… I have some business to attend to soon, so I'll have to leave in a bit… B-But, is it okay if I come back tomorrow!?"
Filmera-san grips my hands tightly with both of hers, leaning in close.
The distance is so small that, without her mask, a slight tilt forward might lead to a kiss.
Her serious, slightly teary eyes make me look away.
But I didn't look away out of awkwardness or reluctance to meet her gaze.
Her eyes are just… too beautiful.
I was afraid I might fall for them.
"I-If it's okay with you, Filmera-san, you're welcome anytime. You're always welcome."
"R-Really!? Thank you, Yukiya-sama!"
Though I can only see her eyes, Filmera-san beams with a smile as radiant as the sun.
What a shame.
Without the mask, I bet her smile would be even more stunning.
But I shouldn't carelessly wonder about what's under her mask.
It's just a guess, but Filmera-san often belittles herself. There must be a reason she wears a mask to hide her face.
Maybe a scar, or some complex. I don't know.
Still, someday—someday, I want to see her true face. That's what I think.
"(That might be a bit presumptuous of me.)"
With that thought, I join Grey and Filmera-san in cleaning up lunch.
After tidying the hearth pot and other items, Filmera-san, as she mentioned, has to leave for her business and prepares to depart.
"Well, then… Yukiya-sama, I'll see you tomorrow…!"
Green butterfly-like wings appear behind her, and Filmera-san soars into the sky, vanishing.
I could've sworn she winked at me, but it was so fleeting.
With no way to confirm, I stare wistfully at the sky where she disappeared, feeling conflicted.
"Kyu, kyu?"
At my feet, Grey sways, forming a heart shape with its legs.
Where does it even learn these things?
I've been assuming Grey is a child, but maybe it's just cute-looking and actually mature inside.
No, it's much smaller than me, but among spiders, it's practically gigantic.
Come to think of it, Filmera-san said the forest's dense magical energy keeps even dangerous monsters away.
So why is Grey unaffected? I hadn't thought about it before, but now it feels a bit odd.
"Grey… Are you, like, way more incredible than I think?"
"Kyu? Kyu~… kyu?"
After a moment of thought, Grey tilts its head and raises a leg, as if saying, "Maybe?"
I see. So it's probably a big deal.
Well, that's fine. Grey is Grey. That's all that matters.
"Alright, Grey. We built the bath tub, so let's take a bath!"
"Kyu~!"
When I invite Grey to the bath, it hops excitedly, raising both front legs in agreement.
I start to use water magic to fill the tub but pause.
"…Wait. Doesn't water magic only produce cold water?"
"…Kyu."
I forgot something crucial, and Grey lets out a surprised squeak, as if it overlooked the same thing.
In the end, despite the time spent building the bath tub, we couldn't fill it with hot water, rendering it useless. My first bath in this isekai ended in disappointment.