When Alice visited the Sanctuary, Shallow Vernal didn't even turn
towards her, as she kept looking at the world from the edge of the
Sanctuary.
(Hmmm. I could feel her disinterest being clearly transmitted~~ Well, I
guess she's mellowed a lot just by the fact that she's meeting me like
this.)
Shallow Vernal's demeanor has certainly become drastically calmer
than before. Just the fact that she is responding to Alice's visit like this
is already unthinkable from the past her.
However, she is still far from being friendly. Shallow Vernal is reading
Alice's mind. In other words, she understands what Alice wants, and if
she isn't interested, she will not even look at her.
[…I have a material that I'd like you to make. It doesn't exist in this
world, so it can't be made by anyone but you.]
[I don't see any reason for me to make it.]
Shallow Vernal responded to Alice's words with her usual
intonationless voice. Indeed, what Alice is requesting of her this time…
so to speak, it isn't directly beneficial to Kaito.
Indirectly, however, there is no doubt that Kaito will be pleased… but
unfortunately, the extent of benefits to Kaito wasn't enough to gain
Shallow Vernal's interest.
[I can see that… Well, that's why I haven't mentioned this matter to you
until now.]
Yes, for Alice who had begun moving one year ago… no, as soon as Kaito
decided to permanently live in this world, her acting at this moment is
just too late.
The reason for this was simple. It was an idea that she had thought
about but had abandoned when she saw that it would be difficult to
convince Shallow Vernal…
[However, things have changed. I'm here now because I think I have a
good chance of convincing you.]
[…Alright. Let's hear it.]
One year ago, it was different even for Alice to persuade Shallow Vernal.
However, after Kaito and Shallow Vernal became lovers, and when Alice
saw how Shallow Vernal is like on her date with Kaito, she felt that it
was worth negotiating with Shallow Vernal now.
[Please listen to me, this certainly doesn't directly affect Kaito-san.
However, by preparing this… Kaito-san will be very happy!]
[...…]
Hence, Alice threw out the lure ball. This was the only card that she
could use to possibly make Shallow Vernal move… Placing down the
Kaito card on the table, she's trying to invite Shallow Vernal's interest.
Then, if Shallow Vernal gains interest in Alice's story, she could
convince her with her storytelling skills… However, in a way, Shallow
Vernal betrayed Alice's expectations.
Immediately after Alice told her this, a huge material rattled in
existence in front of her.
[…Eh?]
[I made it. The material you wanted, in the quantity you want.]
[No, errr… I still haven't explained how it would make Kaito-san happy,
have I?]
Yes, Shallow Vernal had indeed reacted to Alice's lure ball as she had
expected. However, her reaction was on the level in which she didn't
expect.
Shallow Vernal greatly swung her bat at Alice's lure ball, struck it dead
center, and drove it towards a homerun.
[There's no need for that. It would please Kaito-san, wouldn't it? If
that's the case, I don't see any reason for me to hesitate.]
[...]
Hearing the words Shallow Vernal said without even turning towards
her, Alice became surprised, but she began thinking.
(This is honestly surprising. I was expecting her to offer some kind of
exchange condition, such as letting her participate in the construction
of Kaito-san's house, or having Kaito-san go on another date with her…)
Yes, the result was just as Alice expected, with Shallow Vernal agreeing
to her proposal. However, the process was a bit unexpected even for
Alice.
The past Shallow Vernal would definitely have offered terms in
exchange. She would have demanded something in return for her
actions.
In fact, that had been the case during the Six Kings Festival. However,
that wasn't the case with the current Shallow Vernal. She not only didn't
think of getting something in return, she also didn't think of competing
with Kuromueina…
(It seems like Shallow Vernal-sama really loves Kaito-san… even more
than I had thought. Being happy if she got something in return, but not
minding if she doesn't. Her first priority always being Kaito-san's
happiness… I don't dislike that kind of thing. Well, let's just say that it's
to be expected of Kaito-san.)
After thinking about it for a while, a smile suddenly appeared on Alice's
lips and she spoke again.
[Thank you very much. By the way, Shallow Vernal-sama. I have one
more suggestion… but this one is something that will benefit Shallow
Vernal-sama as well.]
[Let's hear it.]
After waking up in the morning, I opened the window curtains and
lightly stretched my body beneath the pleasant morning sunlight.
Yesterday, I told Lilia-san that I was going to build my own house, and
today, it's finally time to put that plan into motion. It's going to take
some time explaining to Alice what kind of house I want, but I'm
looking forward to it.
[Good morning, Kaito-san.]
[Alice, morning. You're just right in time, about yesterday's
conversation, you see…]
[Ah, yes! "I've already finished building your house", so would you like
to go and see it?]
[Then, let's check it—— Eh?]
The house is already built? No, errr… We just talked about it yesterday
though… Eh? Seriously? Overnight?