After finishing my talks with the three Supreme Gods, the time for my conversation with Shiro-san had finally arrived. Knowing her unpredictable nature, I braced myself, expecting her to do something outrageous again.
But Shiro-san simply moved to my side and silently poured sake into my cup, her eyes fixed on the scenery swaying in the breeze.
"Shiro-san?"
Feeling a presence that was somehow different from usual, I called her name with a tilt of my head. Shiro-san slowly turned toward me.
Her beautiful golden eyes gazed at me quietly, and her shimmering silver-white hair, glistening in the hot spring water, only enhanced her divine aura.
"This is a rare opportunity. I said I would not speak of it until the time came, but I suppose I shall tell you a little now."
"Tell me what?"
"About the 'wish' you mentioned to me before."
Shiro-san spoke in her usual inflectionless voice, referring to the request I had made of her previously.
It was about what I would do after my year in this world ended—after the Hero Festival was over.
I had already decided on my own course of action, but it wasn't something I could accomplish alone. That was exactly why I had asked Shiro-san for that wish.
I remembered her saying at the time, "I promise to cooperate," followed by, "We will discuss the details later." This was clearly the discussion she had meant.
"I do not mind granting your wish. However, fulfilling it will require a tremendous amount of effort. Do you understand that?"
"Yes."
It was true that what I had asked of Shiro-san was, in a sense, reckless and selfish. Because of that, I was prepared for her to set some kind of condition.
I nodded quietly and waited for her next words.
"Therefore, I shall set one condition for fulfilling your wish."
"Alright."
A condition... I wondered what she would propose. I could tell from the atmosphere that it wasn't going to be another request for a date.
As a sense of anxiety began to bud in my heart, Shiro-san made a slight movement with her hand.
Realizing she was prompting me to drink, I drained the sake in my cup. As she poured me a refill, she spoke.
"In your world, Kaito-san, there are games called RPGs, yes?"
"Eh? An RPG? You mean, the video games?"
"Yes."
Why bring that up so suddenly? I liked games and had played plenty of RPGs, but why mention them now?
As I looked at her in confusion, Shiro-san continued without a change in expression.
"In RPGs, there exists a 'Last Boss' who acts as the final trial to be overcome, correct?"
"Yes... usually."
"Then let me tell you at least this much now."
Having said that, Shiro-san spoke shocking words with eyes that revealed absolutely no emotion.
"If your journey from the moment you arrived in this world until the end of the Hero Festival were a single story... then for you, I am the Last Boss."
"Pardon?"
What was she saying? Shiro-san was my Last Boss? Why?
"Until now, you have met many people and forged many bonds. However, it is not yet enough."
"Not enough?"
"No. At least, not yet. Now, let us return to the matter of the condition."
"——!?"
The moment Shiro-san said that, an indescribable weight of intimidation bore down on me. The pressure was suffocating, as if every cell in my body were being crushed by the Absolute God’s presence.
"Until the Hero Festival concludes, gain more experience. Forge more bonds. Take all of that and turn it into wings that belong to you and no one else... then stand before me. And then, show me that you can defeat me."
"What!?"
"That is the condition I present to you."
Defeat Shiro-san? Me? Against a bona-fide God who possessed the strongest power in this world and was said to be nearly Almighty?
It was impossible—I didn't even have to think about it. Did that mean she had no intention of granting my wish?
As the thought crossed my mind, Shiro-san read my expression and spoke quietly.
"Please rest assured. I have no intention of setting a condition you have no chance of winning. I am not telling you to engage in combat with me."
"Then... what on earth do you mean?"
"After the Hero Festival ends, I will set a single trial for you. Please overcome it."
"What if I can't?"
A trial set by Shiro-san, the Creator God... I couldn't even imagine what it would be. The question slipped out before I could stop it.
"In that case, the options before you will be the same as those for any other otherworlder."
"..."
"However, if you overcome that trial... then even if it means crossing blades with the gods of your own world, I shall grant your wish."
I didn't know why Shiro-san was proposing such a condition. But I could tell it was important to her. She was clad in such a heavy, serious atmosphere.
"If you desire much, then possess the corresponding resolve. Show me your true worth."
"I... I understand."
"If you can show me that worth... I shall propose marriage to you."
"...Excuse me?"
Wait, what? The air had been so tense that I wondered if my hearing had just failed me. I was certain I had just heard a word that absolutely did not belong in this conversation.
"Um, Shiro-san? What did you just say?"
"I said that if you overcome the trial, I will propose to you."
"Wait, what?"
It was definitely strange. I definitely heard her say she was going to propose. Was I being confessed to right now? Why?
"I have feelings of affection for you."
"Huh!? Ah, um, wait... what?"
"However, as this is my first such experience, I am unsure how I should proceed."
"I... I see..."
Shiro-san had feelings for me? I could tell from her tone that she wasn't joking, but since she remained expressionless, it didn't quite feel real.
"Therefore, I want confirmation that you are an irreplaceable, unique existence for me. Show me your true worth, and give my heart certainty and a catalyst."
"Can I ask one thing?"
"Yes?"
"I'm sorry if I'm misunderstanding, but... is it possible that this whole 'condition' thing was actually..."
"It was merely an excuse."
She stated it outright! Without a shred of hesitation, she flatly admitted the condition was just a pretext!
"That being the case, I look forward to your efforts."
"Wait, hold on, Shiro-san! So, in other words... you... well... you like me?"
"Yes. I harbor feelings of affection for you."
"I-I see... thank you."
Since Shiro-san was so matter-of-fact about it, I was the one who ended up feeling incredibly embarrassed.
But Shiro-san liked me... Honestly, I hadn't even considered the possibility. To me, Shiro-san was a being high above the clouds. I had never thought of her in that way before... no, I couldn't say that for certain either.
How did I feel about her? To be honest, this was an even bigger surprise than when it happened with Sieg-san, and I had no idea what to think.
"An answer is unnecessary at this time."
"Eh?"
"I myself do not know if this affection is strong enough to take priority over all else. Therefore, I shall ask for your answer after the trial is over."
"I... I understand."
So I would have plenty of time to think. But that only made me more curious about what the trial would be. If it was the price for winning over the Absolute God herself, I expected it would be something truly extraordinary.
"Therefore, until the Hero Festival, let us continue to deepen our friendship as before."
"Ah, yes."
"Then, let us begin immediately."
"Wait a second, Shiro-san! Why are you grabbing my hand!?"
"I have decided to deepen our friendship in the same manner as the God of Life."
"No, no! That was definitely the wrong way to do it! Hey, don't pull my hand toward your chest! Stop!"
Dear Mother, Father—Shiro-san’s revelations were a non-stop series of shocks. Her declaration of her feelings was the most stunning of all. But this is Shiro-san we’re talking about... it was completely unexpected, but it really seems like she’s the Last Boss.