I was Caught up in a Hero Summoning, but that World is at Peace (WN)

Central Cathedral, Founder's Room, Olivia quietly sharpened her thoughts. The unexpected event of receiving a gift from Kaito had shaken her emotions, leaving her unable to focus on her prayers for a time.

However, with a mind as resolute as steel, Olivia managed to seal away her distractions————- or rather, she succeeded in transforming all the embarrassment and turmoil she felt toward Kaito into a profound sense of gratitude.

(Rather than seeking complete emptiness of thought, I must fill my heart solely with pure gratitude for Miyama Kaito-sama. For preparing for our date, there is no better mindset than this. In my immaturity, I had been trying to simply erase my distractions. But that itself was a mistake…… To sublimate a troubled heart into a flawless sense of gratitude is what truly deepens faith. Surely, Miyama Kaito-sama gifted me these clothes to teach me that lesson.)

The outfit Kaito had given her————- a white long dress paired with a dark brown, slightly thick cardigan. To accommodate Olivia’s extreme embarrassment over revealing too much skin, Kaori had helped purchase black tights and dark brown boots…… This attire, leaving almost no skin exposed except her hands and face, accentuated Olivia’s naturally pure and elegant aura. Together with her glimmering silver hair, her appearance exuded a unique sacredness befitting Olivia. Clad in this outfit, she adopted a slightly different posture for her prayers.

Instead of kneeling as usual, Olivia prayed while standing. This was to avoid even the slightest chance of soiling the clothes Kaito had given her.

(There’s approximately 30 minutes until the appointed time. Considering Miyama Kaito-sama’s personality, he will likely arrive at the Cathedral about 15 minutes early. Since the arrangement involves him visiting me, it would be best for me to wait here rather than going to greet him. I have ensured perfect communication with every single priest, so no matter whom Miyama Kaito-sama speaks to, he will be guided here without issue. Therefore, I can simply continue praying until his arrival.)

By sublimating her worldly thoughts into gratitude, Olivia reached a sharper, more steadfast state of mind than ever before.

At this moment, her mental stability was so unshakable that even the harshest ascetic training wouldn’t disturb her in the slightest. Such was her confidence in her current state of mind.

Of course, such composure was only valid in the absence of Kaito———– when Olivia was praying alone. Not long after meeting him, her meticulously constructed mental fortress would effortlessly crumble…… but at this moment, Olivia had no way of knowing that.

About 15 minutes later, sensing the presence of Kaito and Kaori approaching, Olivia ceased her prayers and turned to face the door directly.

Upon hearing a knock, she invited them in, and as Kaito and Kaori entered, Olivia performed a flawless bow of grace and beauty.

[Good morning, Miyama Kaito-sama. And to you as well, Mizuhara Kaori…… I must once again express my heartfelt gratitude for granting my request and agreeing to this date.]

[Good morning, Olivia-san. I’ve been looking forward to today as well, so really, thank you for inviting me. I see you’re wearing the outfit I gave you. It truly suits your elegant aura, and you look incredibly cute.]

[………………………

How could one best describe the situation? If Olivia’s carefully cultivated state of mind was like a glass castle, crafted with time and care into a work of art…… then Kaito’s words were akin to a sudden meteor crashing into that castle.

Simply put, Kaito’s casual compliment had utterly obliterated Olivia’s composure.

(……Cute? Miyama Kaito-sama called me cute……

Her thoughts were instantly wiped blank, her mind filled with the endless echo of Kaito’s word “cute”. It goes without saying that it took quite some time before Olivia’s thoughts could recover.

<Afterword>

Serious-senpai : [This is that, isn't it? By spending those ten days beforehand intensely deepening her faith in Kaito, she's essentially raising her own affection for him. Which means…… isn't she now even more vulnerable to Kaito's compliments than before?] Ŗ�