After the matter with Dr. Vier was settled, I came back to Lilia-sanās mansion with Dr. Vier. Of course, the reason Dr. Vier is with me is to explain her situation to Lilia-san and the othersā¦ā¦ Saying that she personally wants to give them a proper explanation because they got involved in this matter, so she came back with me with my Teleportation Magic Tool.
Incidentally, Neun-san said that she would accompany usā¦ā¦ But it seems like Neun-san was quite exhausted from her fight with Lilia-san, as Dr. Vier gave her the doctorās stop order. In particular, the bones where Lilia-san had struck her seemed to have been broken. The fracture itself was healed by Dr. Vierās Recovery Magic, but she still told her to get a rest for the day because she was very tired. Neun-san was still trying to accompany us though, saying some kind of incomprehensible super-theory of āIt doesnāt really matter whether I broke a bone or two, I can handle myself well with my fighting spiritā, but Dr. Vier almost forced her to leave. Or rather, Neun-san, even though she broke her breast boneā¦ā¦ ribs, she still ate all those food with meā¦ā¦ Itās once again making me think that sheās also one heck of a superwoman.
Well, according to Neun-san, if itās just a few broken bones, they will completely heal after a night of rest. Iām not sure whether this is because she have the body of a Demon or because of the fact that Neun-san is a monster, but at any rate, Iām relieved to know that nothing serious happened. And now, weāve reached the office where Lilia-san, Lunamaria-san and Sieg-san are waiting. Knocking on the officeās door, Dr. Vier and I went inside. Well, Dr. Vierās klutziness slightly appeared againā¦ā¦ It was a sliding door, but she kept on pushing it open, so it took us a little while to get in after we knockedā¦ā¦
[Welcome back, Kaito-san. Also, welcome, Dr. Vier.]
[Iām back.]
[Itās been a while, Lilia-chan and Sieg-chan. As for Lu-chan, we just met the other day, didnāt we?]
[Arehh? Dr. Vier, you were acquainted with them?]
[Ahh, unnn. Iāve met them a few times through Lu-chan.]
It is true that Dr. Vier is Noir-sanās doctor, so it isnāt surprising that she knows Lilia-san and Sieg-san through Lunamaria-san.
[ā¦ā¦All three of you, Iām really sorry for the trouble I caused you this time.]
[N- Noā¦ā¦ Please donāt worry about it. Itās just that, ummm, embarrassing it may be to say this, but we donāt really understand what was going onā¦ā¦ It would be great if you could explain to us the situation.]
[Unnn. Of course, I will properly explain it to youā¦ā¦ Errr, where should I startā¦ā¦]
As they were acquaintances from the start, the explanation of the situation began rather smoothly, and Dr. Vier began to explain the situation, saying one word after another, as if sheās recalling them.
ā¦ā¦After Dr. Vier finished explaining, the office was filled with silence. The fact that the Demon Lord was actually alive and that it was Dr. Vier would certainly be shocking. In the room where this truth was told, the first person to move was Lunamaria-san. Her eyes wide open, looking stunned, Lunamaria-san collapsed on the floor and muttered.
[ā¦ā¦N- No wayā¦ā¦ āBig Sisterā Vierā¦ā¦ was the Demon Lord?]
[Unnn. Iām sorry I hid it from you for so long, Lu-chan.]
[Ahh, n- no!? Ahhā¦ā¦ U- Ummm, t- thatās not it!]
Lunamaria-san certainly looked surprised, but for some reason, her face turned pale as she shouted.
[I- I just talked about the general image of the Demon Lord spoken in legendsā¦ā¦ I- Itās not like Iām making fun of you, Big Sister Vier!!!]
ā¦ā¦Ahh, I see. Speaking of which, I remembered Lunamaria-san dissing the Demon Lord very badly. Being that the Demon Lord was actually an acquaintance of hers and someone she adores to the point of calling her Big Sister, she panicked and hurriedly explained herself.
[No. Donāt worry about it. In fact, just as Lu-chan said, Iāve been a terrible fool.]
[T- Thatās not it! Big Sister Vier isnāt that kind of person! I- If I had known about this, I wouldnāt have said such a thing!]
[Ehh? Ah, u- unnn. Thanks? Errr, are you not mad at me for hiding it from you?]
[Iām not! Thereās no way I can hate Big Sister Vierā¦ā¦ Rather, for always unknowingly saying horrible things to youā¦ā¦ I- Iām sorry.]
Apparently, Lunamaria-san really adores Dr. Vier, and is more shocked by the fact that she had unknowingly insulted Dr. Vier than when she found out that her true identity as that Demon Lord. Seeing Lunamaria-san apologizing in an unimaginably meek manner, Dr. Vier flusteredly appeased her. Watching that scene, Sieg also calmly spoke to sort out her surprise.
[ā¦ā¦For Dr. Vier to be the Demon Lordā¦ā¦ That was quite the surprise. However, just like Luna, I also donāt feel any anger. Rather, I canāt thank you enough for explaining the difficult situation for us.]
[ā¦ā¦Sieg-chan.]
[Thatās right! Regardless of your past, Big Sister Vier is still Big Sister Vier!]
[ā¦ā¦Lu-chan.]
Lunamaria-san and Sieg-san, both of who know the current Dr. Vier, said that they wouldnāt despise her even if they knew her past. Hearing this, Dr. Vier happily smiled and patted Lunamaria-sanās head.
[ā¦ā¦ā¦ā¦ā¦ā¦ā¦]
However, in the midst of such an atmosphere, Lilia-san didnāt say a word and only stared at Dr. Vier.
[ā¦ā¦Lilia-chan, Iām sorry for surprising youā¦ā¦ and for causing you trouble.]
[ā¦ā¦ā¦ā¦ā¦ā¦..]
[M- Milady! Please donāt condemn Big Sister Vier. Sheās suffered a lot too!]
[ā¦ā¦ā¦ā¦ā¦ā¦..]
[ā¦ā¦Milady?]
Lilia-san still didnāt say anything. She just stared straight at Dr. Vier, ānot moving an inchāā¦ā¦ Arehh? Doesnāt it seem like somethingās off with her? When such a question popped in my mind, Lunamaria-san tilted her head in wonder as well and approached Lilia-san. Then, after Lunamaria-san waved her hand a few times in front of Lilia-sanās faceā¦ā¦ Lilia-san still didnāt move.
[ā¦ā¦It seems likeā¦ā¦ 'she faintedā.]
[ā¦ā¦Liliā¦ā¦ So youāre now able to faint even with your eyes open huh, how dexterous of youā¦ā¦]
She fainted with her eyes open!? A- A new pattern huhā¦ā¦ No, itās not like Iām looking for such variations in the way she faints butā¦ā¦ It seems like Dr. Vierās story had exceeded Lilia-sanās tolerance level, and she had fainted in the middle of the conversation.
[T- This is bad! I need to use Resuscitation Magic immediatelyā¦ā¦]
[Eh? Ahh, Big Sister Vier!?]
Dr. Vier, not used to such a situation with Lilia-san, approached the fainted Lilia-san with a worried expression on her face, and held out her hand with a small magic circle floating on it. Thereupon, light overflowed from Dr. Vierās hand and Lilia-sanās petrified eyes moved.
[A- Arehh? What was Iā¦ā¦]
[Lilia-chan!? Are you okay? You suddenly faintedā¦ā¦ Could it be that youāve gathered quite the fatigue in your body? Do you feel any pain?]
[N- No, Iām alrightā¦ā¦ Hahaha, Iām sorry. Itās just thatā¦ā¦ I had this weird dream that Dr. Vier was actually the Demon Lordā¦ā¦]
[U- Unnn. Iām the Demon Lord though?]
[ā¦ā¦Eh?]
[W- Well, as I said, Iām a Demon who used to be called the Demon Lordā¦ā¦]
[A- Ahaha, i- is that so. I- It wasnāt a dream huhā¦ā¦ Y- Yes, you were the Demon Lord huh. I know what the Demon Lord isā¦ā¦ Dr. Vier isā¦ā¦ the Demon Lord, the Demon Lord is Dr. Vierā¦ā¦ Thus, the Demon Lord is the Demon Lordā¦ā¦ Kyuuu~~]
[Lilia-chan!? Pull yourself together!]
Right after she got up, she immediately fainted for the second timeā¦ā¦ Lilia-san, ummmā¦ā¦ Iām sorry. As Lilia-san fainted with her eyes rolling up, Dr. Vier flusteredly supported her body. Unnn, this is that, rightā¦ā¦? I feel like sheās going to wake up and pass out a few more times.
[ā¦ā¦I guess Iāll go make some tea.]
[ā¦ā¦Iām going to bring food to Bell-chan and Lynn-chan.]
In Lilia-sanās office, Dr. Vier explained about the situation. As a resultā¦ā¦ Weāre currently in a situation that can best be described as a scene of carnage.
[Please let me go, Dr. Vier! Iām alreadyāā- Iām already at my limits.]
[That wonāt do, Lilia-chan! As a doctor, I canāt overlook the fact that youāre taking so much 'stomach medicineā! You need to follow the proper dosageā¦ā¦]
[I canāt do without drinking all of it!!!]
[Itās not alcohol! No matter how you drink it, it wouldnāt have any sort of calming effect on your mind!]
After learning the fact that Dr. Vier was the Demon Lord and fainting several times, Lilia-san took out 'several kinds of stomach medicineā and was about to drink it when Dr. Vier gave her the Doctorās stop order. And now, the situation where Lilia-san is trying to take the stomach medicine and Dr. Vier trying to prevent her from doing so occurred. As for me, I couldnāt even intrude in this situation and watched what was going on while drinking the tea that Lunamaria-san had made for me. Unnn, itās not like Iām afraid to talk to Lilia-san or anythingā¦ā¦
[ā¦ā¦Ahh, this tea is a little different than usual. Itās still delicious though.]
[Why in the world are you in laid-back rest mode!? Kaito-san!!!]
[Hyiihhhh!?]
ā¦ā¦Ah, sh*t. I was just escaping from reality, but I didnāt realize that I said that out loud, and in response, Lilia-sanās target shifted to me. With tears in her eyes, Lilia-san approached me and fluidly grabbed my collar.
[Guehhā¦ā¦]
[What in the world does this mean!!!? I know! I know that this time isnāt your fault, Kaito-san! But I still have my limits, you know!!!?]
[L- Lilia-sanā¦ā¦ It hurtsā¦ā¦ Youāre strangling meā¦ā¦]
[Seriously, what in the world is wrong with you!? Youāve only been in this world for less than half a year, so how in the world are you attracting all these crazy things one after another!? Didnāt I tell you Iāve already reached my limit!!!?]
[ā¦ā¦ā¦ā¦ā¦..]
[What exactly are you aiming at!? How much of the mysteries of this world are you going to gather in front of my doorstep!? Are you still hiding someone in there!? Youāre definitely hiding someone, arenāt you!?]
As my collar was being grabbed, I allowed myself to be violently rocked back and forthā¦ā¦ Iām definitely feeling sorry for herā¦ā¦ but Lilia-san, c- could you calm down for a bitā¦ā¦ It seriously hurtsā¦ā¦ Iām going to collapse. Receiving the onslaught of Lilia-sanās tearful screams as she looked completely fed up with my deeds, I moved my gaze towards Lunamaria-san, asking for her help.
[ā¦ā¦The cookies are delicious. Please give me some more!]
[Understood, Phantasmal King-sama.]
Oi, you idiotā¦ā¦ Why the heck are you naturally relaxing over there, munching on some cookies? Could you help me out hereā¦ā¦ Iām going to end up fainting here, you know!?
[L- Lilia-chanā¦ā¦ Calm down, itās not like Miyama-kun meant any harmā¦ā¦]
[No mooooooreeeeee! Kaito-san is scarrrrrryyyy!!! Kaito-san is bullying meeeeeeeee!]
Dr. Vier tried stopping Lilia-san, but her voice didnāt reach Lilia-san, whoās about to blow her fuse. Sobbing like a child, Lilia-san rocked me back and forth even more vigorously.
[Lilia-chan, listen to me! Miyama-kunās face is already turning blue soā¦ā¦ Let go of your holdā¦ā¦ Errrā¦ā¦ āGravity Fallā!]
[Fugyaaahhh!?]
With Dr. Vierās words, Lilia-san was knocked down to the floor and my body was released half-forcibly. In front of me, who had finally been released and was trying to roughly inhale as much oxygen as I could, Lilia-san slammed face-first into the ground, and with her eyes turned up again, she fainted.
[ā¦ā¦Iām really sorry.]
[N- No, Iām sorry for always bringing you trouble.]
After recovering with Dr. Vierās Recovery Magic, Lilia-san seemed to have calmed down and apologized to me with a deep bow. No, well, how should I say thisā¦ā¦ There was no way I could complain with the deeds I accumulated in the past, so I was the one who desperately needed to apologize. Lilia-san and I continued to say āIām the one who should say sorry insteadā for a while. After we had both calmed down to some extent, we resumed our conversation.
[ā¦ā¦Iām sorry for digressing, Dr. Vier. I understood what you said.]
[U- Unnnā¦ā¦ Rather than that, are you alright, Lilia-chan? Iām not talking about just now, but with the usual situationā¦ā¦]
[ā¦ā¦Do you have any good stomach medicine?]
[H- Hmmmā¦ā¦ I guess itās stress huh? You became a duchess at a young age after all. I know itās a lot to take in, but you shouldnāt rely on medicine too much.]
[ā¦ā¦No, I certainly feel some stress, but that isnāt the causeā¦ā¦]
[Unnn?]
When Lilia-san muttered with her eyes looking in the far distanceā¦ā¦ Dr. Vier tilted her head, looking as if she didnāt understand what was going on. Yes, Iām sorryā¦ā¦ Most of it was my fault.
[Even so, not only the First Hero, but for the Demon Lord to still be aliveā¦ā¦ My common sense has been shattered in the last six months.]
[A- Ahahaā¦ā¦ Iām sorry for startling you.]
[No, it isnāt Dr. Vierās fault. I know what kind of person you are very well, and I donāt intend to say anything about something that happened a thousand years ago.]
[ā¦ā¦Thank you.]
Lilia-san, who has finally calmed down, announces with a gentle smile that she accepts Dr. Vierās past, to which Dr. Vier happily thanks her.
[ā¦ā¦Well, putting that asideā¦ā¦ I have something else I want to ask Kaito-san.]
[ā¦ā¦Eh?]
[My intuition is telling me that Kaito-san is still hiding somethingā¦ā¦ To be more specific, the fact that I felt an inordinate amount of magic power I felt earlier. What was that?]
[ā¦ā¦Errr.]
[Ahh, Iāve been wondering about that too. Miyama-kun, who is that person? Even though she holds such incredible power, Iāve never even seen her beforeā¦ā¦]
Both of their eyes turned to me. Ahh, I seeā¦ā¦ Even after I had finished explaining about Dr. Vier, there was still something I needed to explain. Yes, itās about Eden-sanā¦ā¦ I only briefly told Lilia-san about her, but to Dr. Vier, she must have been a truly unknown monster. However, I wonder how I should explain to them about that absurdly dense Eden-sanā¦ā¦ Realizing that the conversation wasnāt over yet, I opened my mouth to explain to them about her.
Even though she was about to blow her fuse when she heard about Dr. Vierās matter, Lilia-san had understood Dr. Vierās situation. After that, I now have to explain to her about Eden-sanā¦ā¦ but I really donāt know how to explain it. I mean, sheās certainly the God of my world butāāāā Itās hard for me to say that sheās sickeningly frightening.
After I finished explaining to Lilia-san and Dr. Vier about Eden-san to some extent, a considerably heavy silence appeared. A little while later, Lilia-san spoke in a grave tone.
[ā¦..In shortā¦ā¦ This Eden-sama is the God of Kaito-sanās world that you had told me about beforeā¦ā¦ and that God likes Kaito-sanā¦ā¦ Thatās why she helped you for this matterā¦ā¦]
[Y- Yes, well, something like that.]
I donāt think Eden-sanās affection is on the level of liking meā¦ā¦ Well, letās just let this matter remain unclear. Well, you knowā¦ā¦ As expected, I couldnāt just say āThe God of my world is a Yandereā or anything like that, rightā¦ā¦ Right?
[ā¦ā¦I thought that since I had met most of the powerful beings in this worldā¦ā¦ that would be the end of itā¦ā¦ And now, you even went and asked the assistance of a God from another worldā¦ā¦ No moreā¦ā¦ You arenāt even trying to restrain yourself at all.]
[ā¦ā¦My apologies.]
I deeply bowed once again to Lilia, who exhaustedly muttered. Thereupon, Dr. Vier, who had been silently listening to me up to that point, spoke to me, looking somewhat convinced.
[Miyama-kun, in other words, is it correct to say thatā¦ā¦ she is someone like the Creator God of our world?]
[Y- Yes, probably.]
[I seeā¦ā¦ No wonder I was feeling so helpless before her. I thought that I was a pretty strong person butā¦ā¦ the top of the worlds really is different.]
Dr. Vier was surprised by Eden-sanās identity, but she nodded her head, looking like she understood why she had been overpowered.
[ā¦ā¦Dr. Vier.]
[Unnn?]
[ā¦ā¦.Do you have anyā¦ā¦ good stomach medicine?]
[Unnn. I think we should get you to try to stop relying on medication first. What youāre feeling is something psychological, so itās important for you to have a change in mood. I think it would be good for you to get some walk under the morning sun.]
[ā¦ā¦What am I supposed to do?]
[Hmmm. Lilia-chan is a very serious person, so you probably already have a lot on your plate. I canāt say anything too much because Iām the one who caused a problem this time butā¦ā¦ I think itās best if you donāt mind about things too much.]
Somehow, doesnāt it seem like theyāve started some sort of counseling!? No, Iām really sorry, Lilia-sanā¦ā¦
[Itāll be easier to just talk about your complaints and worries to others. How about you talk about it to someone like Lu-chan?]
Unnn. What Dr. Vier said certainly was a sound argument butā¦ā¦ I think that her choice of person is a complete mistake. However, I canāt really say āIām here to listen to all of your complaints.ā to her. After all, Iām the cause of her worriesā¦ā¦
[Ahh, thatās right! Why donāt you go on a ādate with Miyama-kunā for a change of pace?]
[Ehh!? A d- d- d- dateā¦ā¦?]
[Unnn. You two are lovers, right?]
[T- That certainly is t- t- t- true butā¦ā¦]
Hearing Dr. Vierās unexpected suggestion, Lilia-sanās earlier depression disappears and with her face turning bright red, her gaze swimmed about as she spoke.
[H- Howeverā¦ā¦ a dateā¦ā¦ a date isā¦ā¦ If I were to regard Kaito-sanās circumstancesā¦ā¦ and go on a date with himā¦ā¦ the date would turn into a dateā¦ā¦ and if we were to go on a dateā¦ā¦ W- Wouldnāt it be difficult?]
[Iām sorry, I have no idea what youāre talking about! Could you calm down for a bitā¦ā¦]
[Y- Yesā¦ā¦]
[Do you not want to go on a date with Miyama-kun, Lilia-chan?]
[T- Thatās not it! That isnāt the case! Rather, Iāve been wanā¦ā¦ I- Itās nothing!]
I feel like the conversation is going in a weird direction, but a date with Lilia-san would always be welcome. We hadnāt had a chance to go out alone together since that time we went shopping for clothes for the Six Kings Festival, so I think it would be nice to wander around the city.
[ā¦ā¦If itās okay with Lilia-san, why donāt we go shopping together tomorrow?]
[K- K- K- Kaito-san!? I- I- I- Is that a d- date?]
[Yes.]
[Auuā¦ā¦ auuuā¦ā¦]
[Lilia-san? If itās not convenient for you, we can do it another day, you know?]
[N- No! I- Itās awright!]
ā¦ā¦She bit her tongue. She just strongly bit down her tongue. Each of her reactions is just too cute. As I happily looked at Lilia-san, who accepted my date invitation with a bright red face, Dr. Vier clapped her hands
.
[Ahh, thatās right! Iāve got something good for you.]
[Something good?]
""
[Unnn. This was something given to me tooā¦ā¦ Itās a ticket for a play. Errr, it should be here somewhereā¦ā¦ Found it! Here you go.]
[Eh? Errr, can I really have it?]
[Of course. Iām really glad for the thought they had when they gave it to me, but it isnāt really convenient for me to go there myselfā¦ā¦ I think it will expire in about 10 days, so you should go check it out soon.]
[ā¦ā¦Thank you.]
[Youāre welcomeā¦ā¦Ā Well, I only have one ticket, so youāll have to buy another for the other personā¦ā¦ I heard theyāre playing something pretty popular.]
A play huhā¦ā¦ I knew that there was such a thing in this world, but I have never been to one, even in my world. Gratefully accepting Dr. Vierās kindness, I confirmed if Lilia-san would like to go there, to which she nodded her head several times with a bright red face. Thereupon, Dr. Vier announced that she was going back to her clinic. After thanking and apologizing to us once again, she left. I also left the office after having a short discussion with Lilia-san about our plans for tomorrowās date.
ļ¼ ļ¼ ļ¼ ļ¼ ļ¼ ļ¼ ļ¼ ļ¼ ļ¼ ļ¼
After dinner and a bath, I went back to my room and was writing my diary, thinking about the day, when Kuro appeared just as usual.
[Kaito-kun! Iām here~~]
[Welcome.]
[Hey, Kaito-kun. This might be suddenā¦ā¦ but how about we go on a ādateā?]
[Ehh? Date? Right now?]
Kuro appeared in my room, and with her usual bright smile, she told me something out of the ordinary. Itās currently 9:00 pmā¦ā¦ Early enough to go to bed, but itās late enough to wander around outside.
[Unnnā¦ā¦ Iād like to go to a place with Kaito-kun. Is it no good?]
[Not really, itās alright with meā¦ā¦ Hold on, Iāll get my jacket.]
[Unnn!]
When I agreed to her date invitation, Kuro nodded with a sincerely happy smile on her face.
Kuroās Teleportation Magic brought me to the Heroās Hill, the place where we teleported earlier today. Standing in front of the huge stone monument that was once said to be left behind by Neun-san, Kuro turned to me and spoke with a gentle smile on her lips.
[Kaito-kunā¦ā¦ Thank you so much.]
[Ahhā¦ā¦ Well, Iām glad that Kuro and Dr. Vier was able to reconcile with each other.]
I immediately understood that the words of gratitude she said to me were referring to Dr. Vierās matter.
[Unnn. If you hadnāt made your move, Kaito-kunā¦ā¦ I donāt think Vier and I would ever have a chance of reconcilingā¦ā¦ Perhaps, weād never make up if you hadnāt made your move.]
[ā¦ā¦ā¦ā¦ā¦ā¦..]
[Iām really gladā¦ā¦ I could feel happiness from the bottom of my heart. As I thought, Kaito-kun really is amazing. Iām so happy that I have met you and became your loverā¦ā¦ Once again, thank you.]
ā¦ā¦How strange. Because of this matter, Iāve been through a lot and am extremely tired. But seeing Kuroās smile, I felt like all that tiredness I felt was worth it. In the end, the reason why I moved around that muchā¦ā¦ I understood that there was no difficult logic to it, for all I wanted was to see Kuroās smile. Kuro smiled like that for a few moments before she reached out a hand towards the night sky.
[ā¦ā¦Kuro?]
[Wait for a bit, okay?]
As she said this, powerful magic power that seemed to shake the air was released from Kuroās body.
[ā¦ā¦Twilight of the Stars, Memory of the World, Afterglow of the Distant Dayā¦ā¦ āPlanet Memoryā.]
[Eh? Wha!?]
As Kuro calmly spoke those words, in that moment, the scenery in my eyes drastically changed. The night sky, which was supposed to be slightly cloudy, suddenly turned into a starry skyā¦ā¦ C- Could this be what Kuro was doing earlier? Sheā¦ā¦ changed the weather?
[ā¦ā¦This is the āStarry Skies of a Thousand Years Agoā.]
[A- A thousand years ago?]
[Unnn. Iāll just slightly mess with the world for a little while.]
Sheās just nonchalantly saying that, but that sounds like a really big dealā¦ā¦ In other words, what sheās saying is that she had rewound the time of the sky back to a thousand years agoā¦ā¦ In front of the astonished me, Kuro continues to speak while staring at the huge stone monument.
[A thousand years ago, under this starry skyā¦ā¦ I had presented Neunā¦ā¦ No, Hikari-chan with a choice.]
[A choice? To Neun-san?]
[Unnn. I had her pick a choice between āgoing back to her previous worldā or 'staying in this worldā.]
As I recall, Lilia-san told me that the stone monument and the Japanese katana here have been endowed with a very powerful State Preservation Magic. And the words she said just nowā¦ā¦ Itās just a guess, but I think it was Kuro who casted that magicā¦ā¦ However, why is she telling me this story after making the same starry sky she had a thousand years ago? As soon as this question came into my mind, Kuro looked away from the stone monument and gazed at me.
[ā¦ā¦The truth is that if I had wanted to, I could have 'sent Kaito-kun back to your previous worldā without having to wait a year.]
[ā¦ā¦U- Unnn.]
That isnāt anything surprising. Kuro is Shiro-sanā¦ā¦ The Creator Godās half-body, so her power is comparable to that of the almost omnipotent Shiro-san. It wouldnāt be strange if they were able to send me back to my world. However, the questions in my mind just increasedā¦ā¦. Why is she talking about this now?
[ā¦ā¦Kaito-kun. I told you that I wouldnāt ask you about this until after the Festival of Heroes, didnāt I? I said I would respect your choiceā¦ā¦]
[U- Unnn.]
[ā¦ā¦However, can I beā¦ā¦ a little selfish?]
[Ehh?]
I havenāt told Kuro what Iām going to do after the Festival of Heroes ends. No, I tried to tell her. But Kuro didnāt want to hear it, saying that I could tell her about it after the festival was over. It doesnāt matter what choice I make. After she told me that she would respect my choiceā¦ā¦ This topic was never brought up again.
Thereupon, moving her small feet to move closer to me and hugging me with her small body, Kuro spoke.
[ā¦ā¦Kaito-kun. Please donāt go back to your previous worldā¦ā¦ From now and foreverā¦ā¦ I want to stay in this world that I love, together with my beloved Kaito-kun. Thatās why, in this worldā¦ā¦ I want you to stay by my side.]
[ā¦ā¦Kuro.]
Sheās a kind girl. She doesnāt want to make me feel like sheās narrowing down my options, so I didnāt dare mention my choice until now. But now, Kuro has made it clear to me that she doesnāt want me to go back to my worldā¦ā¦ To be honest, I couldnāt help but feel happy. Gently hugging Kuroās body back, I spoke as gently as I could to reassure her.
[ā¦ā¦Kuro, Iāve actually made a request to Shiro-san.]
[ā¦ā¦You did?]
[Unnnā¦ā¦ I asked her to allow me one chance to 'say goodbyeā to the people who took care of me in my world.]
The request I made to Shiro-sanā¦ā¦ It was a request to let me say goodbye to my uncle and aunt who had taken care of me, whether itās by letter or through other means. In response, Shiro-san agreed to let me āreturn to my original world for some time, before returning back to this worldāā¦ā¦ Well, thatās apparently something she would grant if I pass some kind of final ordealā¦ā¦
[K- Kaito-kunā¦ā¦ Does that meanā¦ā¦]
[Unnn. Iām not going anywhereā¦ā¦ Iām also going to live in this worldā¦ā¦ standing beside Kuro.]
[Kaito-kunā¦ā¦]
[Kuroā¦ā¦ Errr, ummmā¦ā¦ āI love youā.]
[ ! ? Kaito-kun!?]
I was feeling embarrassed, but I somehow managed to express my feelingsā¦ā¦ To which, Kuro hugged me tightly.
[I love you too! Kaito-kun, I love youā¦ā¦ Iām happy, Iām so happy.]
[Ahahahaā¦ā¦ It somehow feels embarrassing though.]
Kuro tightly clings to my bodyā¦ā¦ Not wanting to let her loving warmth escape, I tightened my embrace. Still hugging my body, Kuro looks up and smiles, looking really happy from the bottom of her heart.
[ā¦ā¦Hey, Kaito-kun.]
[Unnn?]
[ā¦ā¦I want to kiss.]
[Unnn, me tooā¦ā¦]
Under the light of the stars, shining upon our bodies, Kuroās face and mine came close togetherā¦ā¦ until the distance between us finally becomes zero.
Under the star-filled sky, just as Neun-san had done in this place in the past, I told Kuro my choice. Itās not that I donāt have any regrets in my previous world. However, Iāve already made up my mind. Even after the Festival of Heroes endsāāāā Iām going to live in this world.