The one who made the request was Irisviel.
Actually, after these days of getting along, their form of address for him had gradually changed from Kaito-san to Kaito.
Judging by the form of address, the relationship had progressed.
As for carrying them up the mountain by jumping, it really wasn't any trouble for him.
It wasn't that he felt obligated just because they asked, as if being at their beck and call was embarrassing. This was completely effortless for him.
In fact, if his elemental power was vast enough, he could directly manipulate a large area of rock to send himself up!
But that kind of time-consuming and thankless task, he couldn't be bothered to do. Doing it this way was simpler.
As for his little thoughts...
Ahem, ahem, ahem!!
To be fair, a hundred-meter-high staircase wasn't that high either...
Because it was an incline, at most it increased by one or two times, right?
Well.
Even if it was only a hundred-meter staircase, actually climbing it wasn't as easy as walking on flat ground.
Some people might even need more than half an hour to climb it, even with these straight stairs.
And after climbing it, they would definitely be exhausted, without a doubt.
"Alright then."
Kaito agreed without any ripple in his heart. After all, he had thought of this when making the stairs, and it was indeed the most trouble-saving method for him. It just required going back and forth jumping.
But if he could increase the favorability, why not do it a little more?
In the end, he would be the winner!
"Nana, Lala, come on."
"...O-okay. Um, Brother Kaito, could you hold me a little tighter..."
"Hmm, I promise you."
'So Nana wasn't shy, but afraid of heights or something?'
'No!'
'I was almost deceived! She wasn't afraid of heights at all. It was just because she was shy and wanted to take advantage that she came up with this sentence.'
'Impressive, as expected of you, Nana.'
'You're making more and more progress in the art of Tsundere speech!'
"Brother Kaito, I'm ready~"
Lala was the most lively. After Kaito held the two with one arm, he stepped onto the stairs again and continuously jumped to the mountain top.
During this process, Lala kept cheering. Only Nana remained silent, buried in his chest.
This was a bit like Momo.
One was hiding.
The other was also hiding.
Except this other one, because she was hiding, would offer her sophistry.
"Alright, Lala, you take care of your younger sisters. I'm going down first."
"Oh!"
Lala raised her right hand excitedly in response, then watched with sparkling eyes as Kaito did another backflip and jumped down to the foot of the mountain.
Precision landing, still in that pit.
Kaito jumped out and looked at the others.
"Alright, who's next?"
The women looked at each other. Even those who were confident in themselves no longer wanted to climb the stairs.
For example, Akina. Initially, she wanted to climb up on her own.
But now...
Ahem, as expected, relying on Kaito was more comfortable.
To be honest, having Kaito in the group was like having divine help!
Kaito's presence made them couldn't help but rely on him. They wondered if they would become useless people like this...
"Kaito, you should take Eriri and the others up first. It's okay for us to wait down here a bit longer."
"Alright."
Responding to Sayuri's words, Kaito walked over to Eriri.
"Eriri, coming?"
"Hmm, hmm! But... I might be afraid of heights. Can you go a bit slower?"
"Okay, I understand."
This time, one by one. Kaito held her in a princess carry. Eriri was too shy to speak, burying her head like an ostrich. Kaito did the same and reached the mountain top again, then returned to that pit.
This pit was getting deeper and deeper.
"Mikoto, what about you?"
"!!!"
Mikoto was startled.
She had been keeping her head down, trying to lower her presence! Why was it her turn so quickly!?
"Ahem, Brother Kaito, i-is it my turn already?"
"Just random. Come on. I'll be quick."
"???"
Mikoto tilted her head with three big question marks, then frantically shook her head, discarding any improper thoughts.
No choice, Kaito's words were really easy to misunderstand.
Although at first glance it seemed fine, the problem was with her!
'It was all Kuroko's fault for showing me some things I shouldn't have seen!'
"Th-then I'll leave it to you, Brother Kaito."
Unusually, without being Tsundere, after Mikoto thanked him blushing, Kaito effortlessly carried her and went back and forth again.
Now, it was Ako's turn.
"..."
"..."
Staring at each other, then Ako took several deep breaths and accepted this damned fate.
"Brother Kaito, do you play games?"
"Hmm? Of course. I can play any game."
"Oh? Really!?"
Mentioning games, she perked up. Even the little bit of unfamiliarity was completely thrown away.
Anyone who can play games is a good friend!
If Kaito didn't play games, he would be the enemy!
"Then, Brother Kaito, would you be willing to play games with me? I can carry you!"
"...Hehe, maybe sometime. We're still in the middle of this parent-child activity adventure, aren't we?"
'Carry me?'
'You, a slacking healer, want to carry me?'
'I'll be thankful if you don't throw heals at the enemy! You, the appearance-loving, strength-wise, teammate-betraying, noob player who's both bad and loves to play!'
'Oh?'
'The feel is even softer than Mika's.'
"Brother Kaito!!"
"Accidental touch, accidental touch, don't mind!"
Kaito laughed it off. Taking advantage of Ako's distraction, he immediately took her up the mountain.
Whoosh~
Thud—!!
The pit got deeper and deeper.
Now all the kids were up there. Only them remained.
"So, who's first?"
Tap tap tap tap—!!
Sure enough!
When the kids weren't around, it was hard to show it. Now that they were gone, everyone was eager!
Shodai, Mika, Misuzu, and Sayuri directly surrounded Kaito.
Misuzu: "Me first!"
Sayuri: "Tsk. Clearly I was the first to hug Kaito. Why should you be first?"
Shodai: "But you were hugging his back. I'm already hanging on him!"
Mika: "Kaito, ignore them. Let's go up!"
'???'
'Wait, mind the occasion?'
'The kids were gone, but the others were still here!'
'Look, Sephie was already speechless.'
'Look again, Irisviel was smiling... no, she actually wanted to join!?'
'Wait, Akina, you're acting strange. Tearju aside, what's with that envious look on your face?'
Fortunately, Kie didn't say much. She just smiled helplessly with Sephie, falling into a state of not understanding but yet understanding.
"Sigh, Kaito really is..."
"I don't know if he came to the chat group to be my son-in-law, or..."
Sephie didn't finish the last sentence. She turned her head and looked at the sky, at the cosmos beyond the sky...