Fate and Alice were facing off amidst the sunset glow streaming through the window.
“...Phew... Hah...”
“...Hah... Kh...”
“Uoryaaa!”
“Haahhh!”
Locking eyes through heavy gasps, the two lunged forward as if released from a tensioned spring.
Their shadows stretched across the room, overlapping as their thrusting fists crossed—each striking the other's face simultaneously.
“Guh... Not bad... Shaltan...”
“Fate-san... You too...”
Both collapsed to the floor at the exact same moment. For a brief time, silence descended upon the area.
Having clashed and traded blows, the two now wore refreshed expressions—
“...Hmm. Something’s not quite right.”
“...Eh?”
Fate sat up abruptly, staring at the window where the evening sun poured in with a troubled expression.
“Since the sunset is coming in from over there... as I thought, the angle is off. Shaltan, it might be better if you came from that side instead. Alright, Shaltan, one more set!”
“Ehh?! Wait, Fate-san! It’s already been eight times since you said, ‘It has to be a double knockout at the end’! Can’t we seriously stop soon?”
“...I wish to be a woman who never compromises, forever seeking the sublime.”
“Please discard that obsession immediately.”
Hearing Fate announce this with a smug look while staring out the window, Alice let out a long sigh and slumped onto a stool at the counter.
Looking at Alice, Fate broke into a faint smile.
“How was it? Do you feel refreshed?”
“...Who knows? I’m not really sure. Fate-san... I...”
“Are you feeling guilty because you’re overlapping Kai-chan with your dead friend? Seeking him like a replacement?”
“—?!”
Alice’s expression stiffened upon hearing Fate’s words, spoken leisurely as if they were merely making small talk. Her reaction was the ultimate proof that the goddess had hit the mark.
“Or are you afraid of him finding out that you came to this world ‘searching for a place to die’?”
“...Kh...”
“Hey, Shaltan? Is Kai-chan... still just a replacement for that friend to you?”
“N-No! Kaito-san is... Kaito-san is...”
“Then that’s fine, isn’t it?”
“...Eh?”
Fate was the only being in this world who knew Alice’s past—secrets even Kuromueina was unaware of—and because of that, she understood the nature of Alice’s suffering.
Fate told her it was a trivial worry.
“Shaltan, you like Kai-chan and he’s precious to you... so why not just tell him everything? If it’s Kai-chan, I’m sure he’ll accept all of it and still smile for you.”
“...”
“Shaltan, you’re putting a bit too much strength into your shoulders. Scowling like that and cornering yourself... You’ll wear yourself out if you don’t relax properly like I do.”
“...I think you relax a bit too much, Fate-san...”
“Ahaha, maybe so.”
Hearing Fate’s characteristic easygoing words even at a time like this, Alice managed a faint smile.
Seeing Alice’s state, Fate nodded once, turned on her heel, and began walking toward the door as if to say the conversation was over.
“...Just depend on him. Lean on Kai-chan. That’s all I can say to you.”
“...Fate-san... Um... Thank you.”
“Fufu, well, Shaltan and I are Soul Friends after all. ‘The fact that you can use my power with Hecatoncheir is because of that’... right?”
“...Yes.”
“See ya.”
Leaving behind that final bit of advice that suggested she had seen through everything, Fate gave a light wave and departed.
After returning from the God Realm and stopping by Lilia-san’s mansion once, I arrived at Alice's General Store. It had become quite late, and the world was already cloaked in darkness.
“...Well, since her Split Body is following me as a guard, she probably knows I’m coming anyway.”
When I tried the door, it was unlocked, confirming that she was expecting me.
As I stepped inside, I immediately spotted Alice sitting at the counter, but I stopped dead in my tracks.
“Why are you all beaten up?”
“...I was just experiencing a bit of youth.”
“Huh?”
When I asked Alice, who was battered as if she had been in a fistfight, I received one of her usual nonsensical answers. Given the atmosphere, however, it didn't seem like a tense situation, so I decided to let it slide.
“Alice, sorry for the suddenness, but can I go to the back?”
“Sure, Kaito-san is always welcome. Come on in.”
Alice returned my request with a bright smile, but I could tell she was still forcing it.
I wanted to press her on it, but I knew the time wasn't right. I held back and moved behind the counter toward the workshop and living quarters.
The living space was spacious, far beyond what one would imagine from the shop’s exterior. Alice had mentioned it was an application of Space-Time Magic. Considering items like Magic Boxes existed, it wasn't so strange that there was magic to expand the interior of a room.
I moved to the living room, which was separated from the workshop by a single door, and sat in the chair Alice recommended. Without being asked, she brewed tea for me.
After thanking her and taking a sip of the delicious tea, I spoke slowly.
“Hey, Alice...”
“Yes? What is it?”
“...I want to know about you.”
“...A-Ahaha... Is that a pickup line because you were struck by Alice-chan’s cuteness? It’s a classic, but it really hits the heart. Ahaha...”
“...”
“...Ugh.”
When I discarded all indirectness and conveyed my feelings straight, Alice tried to dodge the subject with a joke, as I expected—but I could see her tension. Unusually for her, she seemed truly flustered.
“...K-Kaito-san... But, that is...”
“Yeah. I know it’s something hard to talk about. I don’t intend to force you to tell me... and wanting to know you isn't just about your past.”
“...Eh?”
“Alice’s past is part of it, but to begin with, I don’t know much about Alice herself. Hearing it from you is one way, but I think trying to learn for myself is also important.”
That was the truth. It wasn't just about her history; I didn’t know Alice herself well enough because I hadn’t tried to truly understand her until now.
Thanks to Chronoa-san’s advice, I realized that going around asking others wasn't my style. Instead of just waiting for Alice to open up, I decided to make an effort to learn who she was.
“...By the way, Alice. This living space is quite large, isn’t it?”
“Eh? Yes, well, Alice-chan is the type who’s particular about her dwelling... Um... Kaito-san?”
“I see. In that case, I’m going to ‘stay’ here for a while.”
“Ehhhhh?!”
As I made the declaration, I began pulling a change of clothes and a toothbrush from my Magic Box.
“W-Wait a minute! Kaito-san, l-look, Duchess Lilia will worry—”
“Ah, I already talked to Lilia-san and got her permission before coming here.”
“...Ugh... B-But still. Staying in the same room as a young maiden like me is, well... t-there’s only one futon here...”
“I brought my own bedding, so I’ll be fine. You can just let me sleep on the floor in the living room or something.”
“Auh...”
My preparations were flawless. When I had explained the situation to Lilia-san, she had given her approval, saying, “That sounds like you, Kaito-san.” She clearly understood that I occasionally acted without considering the consequences.
Hearing my response, Alice was visibly flustered and troubled, which was actually quite cute.
“...Well, of course, if you say no, Alice, then there’s nothing I can do. If that happens, I’ll just get a room at a nearby inn and ‘come here early every morning’ instead.”
“A-Are you serious... Uuuu... Understood. I’ll prepare a room for you properly.”
“Really? Thanks.”
“...Ugh.”
For now, I suppose the first stage was a success. Alice was the type who would keep dodging things indefinitely if I held back, after all.
“...Somehow, Kaito-san has become a meat-eater... No, well, that’s one way to...”
Dear Mother, Father—As the first step toward getting to know Alice, I’ve decided to stay at Alice's General Store. If I learn more about how Alice lives day-to-day, more good ideas will surely come to mind. For now—I’ve decided to be assertive.