The 15th Day of the second Fire month. At a small miscellaneous goods
store in the back of an alley in the royal capital of Symphonia. Inside the
store, two petite girls were facing each other across the counter.
[…So, as you were doing nothing but work, not only your own but even
the work you stole from your subordinates… Not just Chronois-san, but
even Life-san woke up and asked you to take a break, and thus, you
came here… Did I get that right?]
[Unnn. I mean, aren't they cruel? If I don't work, they'll get angry, and
when I do work, they'll ask me to rest…]
[No, they're telling you that because you're too extreme, Fate-san.]
As the Alice clone, which is the storekeeper of the miscellaneous goods
store, has a dumbfounded look on her face while she listens to what
Fate said, she quickly prepares two cups of tea and places them on the
counter.
Alice, who was very close with Fate… close enough calling them best
friends wouldn't be an exaggeration, didn't mind Fate's sudden visit and
properly listened to her.
[So? What is that you want to ask me?]
[Unnn… I thought it would be good to get opinions from different
perspectives, not just my own.]
[…Fumu.]
As she thought that it's refreshing to see Fate so distressed, Alice waited
for Fate's words without making any unnecessary comments.
After a few moments of silence, as if she had made up her mind, Fate
began to speak quietly and slowly.
[…You see. It's just that, lately, you see? When I think about Kai-chan, I
feel restless. And yet, whenever I'm not doing anything, I find myself
thinking about Kai-chan, but even though I want to see him, I don't
know what face I should have when I face him. That's why, perhaps, I
thought. I think I'm probably mistaken but perhaps… I may have…
fallen in love with Kai-chan or something like that. I've been thinking
that I was mistaken though…]
[…Hahh.]
[And so. I'd like to hear Shalltear's opinion, I just want an honest
answer… Is this that love thing?]
[Well, that is…]
[Ahh, wait a minute! It seems like my heart still isn't ready yet if you
said it too straightforwardly! Hold on!]
[...…]
The way she spoke, with her face slightly downcast, looking so meek
unimaginable from the usual Fate, what she's feeling was too obvious
but… the person herself doesn't seem to recognize it.
[Errr, how should I say that again? There are those words in
otherworldian language talking about tuning it down…]
[Saying it indirectly?]
[Yeah, that! First, I'd like it if you say it indirectly…"100 times" more
indirectly before answering me. Is this that love thing?]
Seeing the anxiousness on Fate's face, Alice looked a bit dumbfounded
before she calmly spoke.
[…No, well, for better or worse, among the gods, Fate is the most alike
to Shallow Vernal-sama… someone who was rarely interested in a
person in the first place. So, I guess, Kaito-san, who is one of the rare
people who caught her attention, would look a little special in your
eyes. Thinking about it again, you just found yourself in deep trouble.]
[…I- I see! I- I guess that's right! Then, I'll ask for the sake of it… but if
you don't indirectly say it?]
[No matter how I hear you described it, that's "love at first sight". You
totally looked like "a maiden in love".]
[...]
When she heard Alice's reply, Fate's shoulders slumped down. She
wouldn't mind if it's said by some other random person, but if it's said
by Alice, who she considers her best friend, even Fate wouldn't be able
to ignore it.
Somewhat dispirited… or rather, looking as if she was uncertain about
her feelings, Fate thanked Alice and left the miscellaneous goods store.
When Fate returned to her temple, she sat in the corner of her cushion-
filled room, hugging the cushion Kaito had given her with a puzzled
expression on her face.
She was a Supreme God… a God, a being completely different from
Humans. Was it because she was aware of this? Perhaps, it was because
of this that Fate still hadn't fully accepted her feelings.
At first, she was definitely going to take advantage of Kaito. He met the
minimum requirement of being someone who would not be boring for
her, and at the same time, a nice and good-natured person… Perhaps,
that was the extent of her perception towards him.
At least, at that point in time, Fate was interested in Kaito, but she did
not hold any affection for him.
When did the change in her feelings begin to show? At least, when they
went to the Hydra Kingdom together, her feelings had already begun to
change.
For Fate, it hasn't been a long time since she met Kaito. However, they
had accumulated many memories together.
In the first place, Fate often leaves her temple to visit Kaito, and
although the time they spent together isn't very long, as Chronois
usually brings her back along the way, they had still talked with each
other quite often.
They've talked with each other as they bathed on an onsen together.
She had also explained to him about her authority and her way of
thinking. And although it was a bit forced, they even went on a date.
How long has it been? That her purpose of visiting Kaito changed, from
being able to skip her work, to being able to meet Kaito himself…
How long has it been? That she has learned how to smile naturally
when Kaito smiles at her…
How long has it been? That she willingly thought of working a bit… if
it's for the sake of Kaito…
Within the train of thoughts in her mind, no answer came out. However,
Fate's mind has already begun to convince herself that the name of this
unfathomable emotion within her heart is "love".
Little by little, she began to accept herself that she was attracted to
Kaito. And that's why, at the same time, she was deeply confused.
[…I… don't know. Love… Romantic emotions… What should I do with
this… is something I don't know…]
The longer one had stayed the same… The more cowardly they are
about change. Fate is someone who has not experienced any major
changes in tens of thousands of years.
That's why, these changes that are starting to happen to her now…
really frighten her. She felt anxious about the way she was beginning to
change.
And to him who she fell in love with—— What kind of face she should
have when she faces him——
She—— doesn't know.