After Catastro-san's turn, many people I've met in the past brought me
presents to celebrate my birthday.
Well, seriously, being in a situation like this, looking at all these many
people I've met… I realized once again how much kindness I was
surrounded by.
I've been caught up in events that I've only seen in novels, like being
summoned to another world… and now, I'm surrounded by so many
people.
Going to another world, using my cheat to become an unparalleled
warrior, amassing great wealth and fame… I had vaguely dreamed, no, I
fantasized about such a thing occurring in another world. My current
situation though was different from what I had imagined.
Even though I'm in a different world, I'm still too weak to do anything on
my own, and I have to spend my days relying on the help and support of
many people.
But well, thinking about it again, there's nothing strange about it.
People living on their own… if you look for them, they probably do exist.
However, I don't think there are that many of them. Everyone has things
they can and they can't do, and using their skills to help one another,
they live together.
To be honest, there are more things I can't do than the things I can but…
Even Kuro and Alice who seemed like they can do everything, or Shirosan, who is almost omnipotent, isn't perfect in every way.
They also have things they don't understand, things they don't know,
and things they're confused about. If I can make up for those things,
even if it's just a little bit and support them when it's possible… I could
never be any happier.
Unnn, that's right… This life in another world may not be what I had
imagined. However, rather than disappointment…
"Now then, it's finally Alice-chan's turn to give her a present! Let's go
outside for the moment… Yes, well then, Eden-san. Please teleport
everyone."
[…Incomprehension. Question, Me, Instruction Execution, Obligation,
None.]
"…It's for Kaito-san's sake, you know?"
[Some, Dissatisfaction, However… Acknowledged.]
As I was pondering about things, Alice told Eden-san to teleport Edensan everyone out of the venue for some reason.
A gift that can't be given here? Does that mean it has a really big size?
No, putting that aside… Is it just my imagination? Doesn't it seem like
Alice and Eden-san got closer with each other?
The fact that that Eden-san, even though she was complaining, follows
Alice, who is not a resident of her world, may mean that Eden-san
appreciates Alice in some way. After all, Eden-san basically ignores the
people of this world when they talk to her…
As I was thinking about this, the scenery instantly changed and we were
teleported outside the castle. It doesn't feel like we were teleported with
Teleportation Magic though, it's as if the background really just changed.
Putting aside her abnormal words and actions, I guess she is still the
God of a world.
[Well then, everyone, please move as I instructed. Magnawell-san, please
take another 50 steps back.]
"Mhmm, let's be careful with my feet…"
[You can just float back… Wait, oi, you rotten angel! Didn't I tell you the
plan in advance!? Your spot is on the edge. What? If you have a problem
with that, pluck out those annoying wings of yours.]
Alice created a large number of clones, each of them scattered and began
guiding each people. Following one of Alice's clones, I lined up with the
others.
How should I say this… It's just a random thought but… this feels like
we're getting a "group photo".
Magnawell-san and the large-bodied Megiddo-san were placed in the
back. Kuro, Isis-san, Sieg-san, Lilia-san and Alice gathered right beside
me.
And once everyone has been arranged, most of Alice's clones
disappeared, while some clones moved a few distance away.
[Yes, well then, everyone! Please turn towards me. Make sure to properly
smile, okay?… Well then, say cheese!]
As soon as she said that, Alice's clone seemed to glow slightly… and
moved at a speed that I couldn't perceive.
I was able to easily understand what Alice had done though.
With a bright smile on Alice's face… I saw "a picture in a beautiful
frame"…
[Kaito-san, happy birthday. This is my present. I've also properly placed
State Preservation Magic on it!]
[...]
She totally got me… This is so unfair. There's no way I can be unhappy
about this, you know?
[…Thanks.]
The picture was as elaborate as a photograph, yet it was drawn with
warm colors. There was a picture of me and the people who had
gathered to celebrate my birthday.
The me within the picture looked really happy… and he had a hearty
smile on his face.
Ahh, seriously… I feel happy. It's not what I had in mind… but the days I
spend in this world… is way, way better than I had ever imagined.
And this picture in my hand——- was indeed filled with such happy
thoughts.
Dear Mom, Dad——— Whether it's Humans, Demons, Gods… or me, no
one is perfect, and that's why we complement each other. Our thoughts
overlap, our hearts communicate, and our memories are woven
together. It's not something you can see, and it doesn't have an actual
temperature. However, there definitely is something warm within it.
——— I guess that is what people call bonds.
——A picture of a happy memory, and everytime I look at it, I remember
those days.
——And at the same time, "I feel regret".
——Over and over again… yes… over and over again…
——Even though I know I can't change it… I still regret the past.
——Ahh, why didn't I…
——Why didn't I properly say it?
——That "next time, something normal is alright"…