Compared to the God Realm, the Sanctuary is but a small island. Still, it
has quite the size… However, unnn. Somehow, I knew that Shiro-san
would be in this place.
Even though the skies above our heads are different from that time…
This place, with flowers blooming all around our feet, is where Shirosan and I first met.
The edge of the flower field, illuminated by the stars in the skies… The
sight of Shiro-san standing in a place where she can look down on the
God Realm is truly artistic, and I couldn't help but admire her beauty.
[…Kaito-san? Why are you here?]
[Errr, I really had to tell Shiro-san something…]
Shiro-san's eyes seemed to shake a bit at my appearance, but with her
usual expressionless face and intonationless voice, she asked.
[Something… you really had to tell me?]
[…Yes.]
As I nodded my head, I was reminded of the fortune-telling I received
from Elise-san back then. The reversed door… That for me, victory in
the true sense of the word isn't achieved by simply beating Shiro-san,
but by finding the key to open that door.
Throughout the final ordeal, I had also been thinking about this matter
too. What this key is, and what could the real victory be…
And I found something… that I think would be the key. However, I'm not
really sure… if it really was the correct answer or not.
It's just my hunch but… I think this would probably be my "first and
final chance". I only have one chance to turn that key, and if I make a
mistake… That door will never open again. I feel like Shiro-san herself
would tightly lock that door, never to be opened again.
That's why, I hesitated for a moment. However… Well, at the end of the
day, all I can do is just be honest about my feelings, and even though I
don't know whether my answer is correct or not… I'll just tell Shiro-san
exactly how I feel right now.
[…"If I were the one who first met you… If it was me who had saved
you… Would I have become… special to you?"]
[ ! ? ]
As soon as I said those words, agitation could be clearly seen appearing
in Shiro-san's eyes.
[…I don't remember where or from whom I heard these words.
However, just these words remained strongly in my mind. I guess these
really are… words said to me by Shiro-san, aren't they?]
[...]
These words have been stuck in my head ever since the Six Kings
Festival. I don't even remember who told me those words, but I felt that
I should never forget them…
Shiro-san didn't say anything. However, her silence itself made me sure.
It was her who said these words, and that these words contain her
wish…
[My answer to this question is this. "Even if the order in which we met
changed, I'm sure that today won't change."]
[...]
For a moment, a hint of sadness flashed across Shiro-san's face, but her
expression changed with my next words.
[Because even now, Shiro-san is still "special" to me, "someone that
couldn't be replaced by others"… I can't think of any idea how you can
be more special than that. So, I guess it won't change.]
[…Eh?]
[I mean, honestly speaking, I don't really think there's anyone that's as
airheaded and absurd as Shiro-san, you know?]
[…Eh? Eh?]
How should I say this… I saw something very unusual. Shiro-san looked
clearly bewildered. It's like she doesn't understand what's going on…
[…Special? I am special… Even though I didn't save Kaito-san…]
[You're very particular about that, aren't you… Hmm, then, who was it
that treated me when I was badly injured in Rigforeshia?]
[…It was me.]
[Then, doesn't that mean Shiro-san saved me?]
[…Is that how it is?]
[That, it is.]
It seems that Shiro-san is obsessed with the idea of saving me, so even
if it's a bit forceful, I decided to push her in that direction.
Well, of course, I know that what Shiro-san meant when she talked
about "saving" is something else, but I can't really do anything about
that without my memory being erased, so I'll have to convince her with
something else.
[…And one more thing. Do you remember? The first time Shiro-san and
I met… Shiro-san said you'd give me what I wanted, to which I turned
down, didn't I?]
[Yes.]
[I know it's too late to say this now, but thank you very much. It's
because Shiro-san brought that kind of choice in front of me… that I've
figured out what I really want.]
[...…]
[But well… It's that.]
Stopping my words that sounds like I'm trying to convince the shaken
Shiro-san for the moment… I walked before Shiro-san and expressed
my feelings.
[…It doesn't matter. Whether the order we met or what you've done…
Shiro-san has helped me many times. There were many times when I
was being swung around, but the time we spent together was really fun
and made me feel happy. I was drawn to Shallow Vernal, who wasn't
like any other… So, I'll say it again. You've been special to me for a long
time… No one can take your place, for you're someone special to me.]
[...]
When I told Shiro-san that she was special and irreplaceable with a
smile, her eyes opened wide and she fell silent. Then after a little
while… She suddenly lowered her head.
[…F- Fufu…]
[Shiro-san?]
[…Haha, fufufu, is that so… I've already been special to Kaito-san huh…
Ahaha, even though I should have always been reading your mind…
How is it that I didn't know this?]
I had seen Shiro-san smile several times before. But this was the first
time I'd ever seen her laugh with such genuine joy.
Shiro-san then laughed like that for a while, before she turned her gaze
to the Sanctuary's sky.
[…Ahh…"I'm really glad… that I created this world".]
[...…]
[In this world, there are things I don't know… and things I can't do…]
Saying this, Shiro-san turned her eyes that had some tears on its
corners to me and filled with deep emotions, she spoke.
[…and I have…" a story I can't end"… Ahh, this is…]
I'll probably never forget the expression on Shiro-san's face today. In
the field of flowers illuminated by the stars, a surprisingly gentle smile
appeared on the Goddess' lips.
[…This is… quite the "happiness".]
The look on her face as she seemed to sing about how happy she is that
there are things she can't do… looked so inexplicably beautiful that I
was lost for words.
[Thank you, Kaito-san… and, congratulations. My beloved, my
singularity… You had indeed defeated the "God of the End that I am". For
the first time in my life… I now stand in a place that is not at the end.]
I wasn't sure what she meant by that, but apparently, the key I found
was the right one. I see, indeed… It seems like behind the door, I really
had found an amazing hidden treasure.
I think that the best reward of the ordeal is seeing the expression on
Shiro-san's face now… her unbelievably heartfelt, gentle smile.