It was the day after Jack, the Moon's management magi-brain, was connected to Milowina's Fellowship Bracelet via a dedicated line.
Jin visited the All-Creation clan territory in the Nord Federation to take custody of Hanako, an automata created by Marikka.
"I hope I'm not too early."
"No, not at all," replied Sion of the All-Creation clan, an old friend of Jin's. "I've already notified everyone involved that you'd be taking custody of Hanako, Jin."
Many had wished to bid Hanako farewell afterward, but they had all paid their visits yesterday before heading home.
"It's not as though they'll never see her again, after all," Jin noted.
Sion asked with a hint of concern, "Tell me, what kind of procedure are you planning to do?"
"Nothing bizarre, don't worry. Let's see... I'll check her memory records, and if necessary, issue one or two additional commands using a Magi Emulator. That should be enough."
"What kind of commands?"
"Well... how about something like, 'Live happily even after I am gone'?"
"Ah, that sounds wonderful. Jin... please take good care of Hanako."
From her expression and words, it was obvious that Sion worried about Hanako from the bottom of her heart.
"Leave it to me. Once Hanako is back to normal, I'll bring her by for a visit."
Sion's face brightened at his words. "I'd really appreciate that. Please do."
"Consider it done."
With Sion leading the way, Jin headed for Marikka's house.
It stood right next to Sion's—a cozy, charming home.
"Marikka stayed single all her life, you know..." Sion murmured, shooting a fleeting glance at Jin.
Failing to grasp the meaning behind her look, Jin let it slide. "...So, where is Hanako?"
"This way."
The front door was left unlocked.
Entrusted with managing the house, Sion stepped straight inside, leading Jin and Reiko down the hall.
Reaching the end of the corridor, Sion stopped. "This is Marikka's bedroom."
She opened the door to the inner room.
"..."
Beside the window, where soft sunlight filtered through lace curtains, stood a bed. Sitting on a stool by the pillow was a single automata.
"Hanako," Sion called out, but Hanako showed no reaction.
"Hanako."
"Hanako-san."
It was the same when Jin and Reiko addressed her. She merely stared at the empty bed with unfocused eyes.
Even so, the flow of mana told both Jin and Reiko that she had not shut down.
"Hanako, come with me," Jin urged, but still received no response.
When Reiko moved in to pick her up, Hanako finally reacted.
"...N-No... Please..."
Hanako squirmed, trying to break free from Reiko's grasp.
"This won't do," Jin muttered, judging from her resistance that forcing her away would only cause harm. "Reiko, use the ether eliminator and the Magic Canceller."
"Understood."
By forcibly reverting the mana back into free ether and then removing the free ether, Hanako shut down.
"All right, Sion, I'll leave the rest to you."
"Yes, take care."
With Reiko carrying Hanako, Jin hurried back to Hourai Island.
They headed to a room on the third floor of the laboratory—the residential area.
Waiting there was Marikka, revived as a homunculus.
"Hanako..." Marikka murmured, looking anxious.
Jin gently laid Hanako on the bed. "Marikka, please wake her up."
"Understood....Hanako, 'Start.'"
"...Ah..."
Hanako's eyes fluttered open.
"Hanako, do you know who I am?"
"Marikka... sa... ma..."
Hanako slowly raised her upper body.
"Yes, it's me. I'm sorry for making you feel so lonely."
"Marikka-sama... Marikka-sama!"
Hanako threw herself into Marikka's arms.
"Marikka-sama..."
Leaving the master and servant to their heartfelt reunion, Jin and Reiko quietly slipped out of the room.
Jin left it entirely up to Marikka to explain why she was alive and how she had regained her youth.
"I'm glad that worked out."
"Yes, Father. It went very well."
Jin and Reiko exchanged nods and smiles.
"Jin-nii, how did it go?"
Elsa came over just then. Ever since hearing about Hanako, she had been keeping it in mind.
When Jin explained the outcome, Elsa beamed. "I see. That's wonderful."
The next day, Jin visited Sion once more, bringing Hanako and Reiko along.
"Jin! Hanako! Are you really all right now?"
"Yes, Sion-sama. I apologize for causing you such worry."
Having regained complete stability, Hanako bowed deeply to Sion.
Watching her, Sion breathed a sigh of relief and smiled. "As expected of you, Jin. She's completely back to normal."
(I'm sorry, Sion...)
Jin apologized to Sion in his heart.
He couldn't tell her that Marikka still lived on through homunculus transformation.
According to the rules set by Hanna, Laojun, Jack, No. 700672, and the others, they were 'not to inform the prospective individual about homunculus transformation beforehand.'
Perhaps Sion suspected something, but asking her directly was simply out of the question.
(Someday, when the time comes...)
Thinking about what that 'time' meant for Sion, Jin felt a twinge of loneliness and sorrow.