Listening to Alice’s story, I couldn't bring myself to say I understood her suffering—not even a fraction of it.
"Alice... I lost my parents too, a long time ago. I think I understand at least a little of the pain that comes with being the one left behind. But the time I’ve spent living doesn't even begin to compare to yours. I can't just casually say I know how you feel."
"I see."
Twenty-one years and change... that was the sum total of my life. Even so, after losing my parents, I had found myself giving up on so many things.
If I hadn't been summoned to this world, stuck in an endless cycle of lonely days, I couldn't say for certain that I wouldn't have eventually chosen the worst path for myself.
How many millennia had Alice carried that weight? Tens of thousands of years in her original world, and tens of thousands more in this one. It was a dizzying, unfathomable span of time... countless days of agony endured only because of the wish her best friend had left behind.
I couldn't bring myself to claim I understood.
"I tried to act cool and said I wanted to protect your heart... but in reality, there are probably only a handful of things I can actually do for you."
"……"
"But, well... I can at least promise to stay with you from now on."
"……Ah."
I poured my heart into those words, pulling her closer and tightening my embrace. I held her small body firmly, desperate not to let her warmth slip away.
"To me, Alice... you’re an idiot. You’re hopeless, frustrating, and you never take anything seriously."
"That’s mean, Kaito-san."
"But you’re also cheerful and reliable. You’re someone I can truly be myself around... and at some point, you became so precious to me that I can't imagine a life without you by my side."
"……!?"
I heard a sharp, breathless gasp as Alice shifted slightly in my arms.
"I promise I will never leave you alone, Alice. So, from now on, I want you to stay with me as just 'Alice'—no more masks, no more acts."
"Ugh... yes... if that is what you want... I will stay by your side forever."
Her voice trembled as she wrapped her small hands around my back. Her feelings were clearly the same as mine; it was an embrace meant to tether us together, a silent confirmation that we were no longer alone.
A promise to never leave her behind—that might be a tall order for a mere human like me. But I was determined to keep it.
"I’m not ageless, so it might be difficult... but since Noin-san went from being a human to a demon, maybe there’s a way for me to—"
"Eh? But Kaito-san, you're ageless."
"……Huh?"
Wait, what? That was strange. I’d just made a grand, dramatic declaration of my resolve to stop being human just to stay with her... so why was she looking at me like I'd said something incredibly stupid?
Me? Ageless? Hahaha, what a time to start joking... wait, she’s serious?
"Haven't you heard from Shallow Vernal-sama?"
"About what?"
"I mean... the effects of her Blessing..."
"She just tilted her head and looked confused when I asked her..."
Why was Shiro-san’s name coming up now? It was the same as when I met Lilliwood-san—why did everyone else seem to know more about my own body than I did?
Did Shiro-san’s Blessing really make me ageless?
"I-I see. Well, I heard it from Kuro-san... but apparently, Shallow Vernal-sama's Blessing is a complete, superior version of every other god's blessing. That means you receive every single benefit a divine blessing can offer."
"Really? Wait, is there even a blessing that grants agelessness?"
"The True Blessing that Duchess Lilia received from Chronoa-san does exactly that."
"……"
The shocks just kept coming. So Lilia-san was ageless too? And apparently, so was I.
Listen here, you Natural Goddess... you never mentioned any of this to me.
(It appears my blessing is superior to all other gods.)
Too late! And what do you mean, "it appears"?! Kuro has a much better handle on your power than you do!
(That is a surprise... In that case, were the additional magic formulas I inscribed on you unnecessary?)
Hey, what else did you do to me while I wasn't looking?! My body is being super-remodeled without my consent!
I threw a mental retort at Shiro-san and then looked down at Alice’s blinking, stunned face.
"So... I’m ageless?"
"It seems so... Heh... hehe..."
"Kuh... hahaha... What is this? I can never quite pull off a serious moment, can I?"
"Well, that’s very much like you, Kaito-san!"
"Hey, give me a break..."
We couldn't help it. We looked at each other and laughed. That slightly silly, imperfect exchange felt exactly like 'us,' and the tension that had gripped us finally dissolved.
"Well, if I really am ageless, I guess it’s a good thing. At least I won't have to make you sad."
"But you aren't immortal, you know?"
"Well... that’s what you’re there for, right? To protect me."
"So that’s how it is... I really can’t beat you. Fine, leave it to me. I’m undefeated when it comes to protection. But in return... you have to protect my heart so I don’t push myself too hard or lose my way. Okay?"
"Yeah. I promise."
I asked Alice to protect my life, and she asked me to protect her heart. It was a gentle, reassuring contract that filled the gaps in both our souls.
"Alice. I love you. I want you to stay with me forever."
"Kaito-san. I love you too. Please, keep me by your side."
We exchanged those soft words of confirmation, and as if drawn by a magnet, we leaned in and shared a gentle kiss. It was soft and warm, a tender exchange of heat that let our feelings resonate as one.
When we finally pulled apart, there were tears in Alice’s eyes.
"I was afraid for nothing."
"Yeah?"
"I was trying to fall in love so that I could finally die and go to where my friends were. I was so scared that if I actually found love, that urge to die would only get stronger. I couldn't find the courage to take that final step."
Still crying, Alice wrapped her arms around my neck, clinging to me.
"But it seems I won't be joining them yet. Now that I’ve fallen in love with you and had those feelings accepted... that desire to die has vanished. I want to be with you forever. I've finally found a reason to want to live for the future."
"……Yeah."
"Kaito-san... just once... won't you call me by that name?"
Alice whispered the name into my ear, then pulled back to look me straight in the eyes. I understood immediately.
It was the name of the hero who had once saved a world. It was the identity she was finally, truly ready to leave behind.
"Alicia."
"……"
Hearing the name, Alice closed her eyes in silence for a long moment. When she opened them again, her beautiful blue eyes were filled with a firm, unshakable light.
"Thank you. In this moment, the girl the other world called a hero—Alicia—is truly gone. My name, the one that will walk beside you from here on, is Alice. I look forward to our future together."
"Yeah. Me too."
Having said farewell to her past, Alice gave me a radiant, beaming smile.
She wasn't a hero from another world, a fragment of a fantasy, or a faceless king. She was just a girl living in this world—Alice.
It was a smile as bright and powerful as the sun. It was the genuine, heartfelt happiness her best friend had always wished for her.
Dear Mother, Father—I was able to accept Alice’s feelings and convey my own. The bond we’ve spun has become stronger and firmer than ever. Together with her, she will surely continue to shine by my side.
Serious-senpai: "A-Ah... it’s no use anymore... it’s all over..."