While I was lazily tending the shop with Alice, a familiar Angel suddenly manifested before us... Eden-san.
At the sight of her, Alice’s guard shot up, her voice laced with caution as she spoke.
"…I don't know which world you’re the god of, but just what do you think you’re doing here?"
"…A god… from another world?" I stammered.
"Yes. Her power is clearly on par with Kuro-san and Shallow Vernal-sama. It’s impossible for a being with such ridiculous strength to exist in this world without me knowing about them… Therefore, it’s only logical to assume she came from another world."
"Affirmative."
Alice had pegged Eden-san as a god of some distant realm, and Eden-san nodded, confirming the assessment without a hint of hesitation.
A god with power rivaling Shiro-san… Did that mean she was at the absolute pinnacle of some other world? If so, then just as Alice said, I couldn't fathom why such a being was reaching out to us.
While those thoughts raced through my head, our eyes met—and for some reason, Eden-san gave me a gentle, tender smile.
"…You mentioned a 'dialogue' last time," Alice pressed. "What is it this time?"
"…"
However, the moment Alice addressed her, Eden-san’s expression returned to a cold, blank mask. She didn't even acknowledge the question.
Feeling a thick sense of tension in the air, I timidly tried speaking to her myself.
"…Um, do you have some business with me again?"
"Affirmative. I desire a conversation with you. Body adjustment complete. Preferences fully accounted for."
"Why does she ignore me but reply to Kaito-san’s questions practically before he’s finished asking them?" Alice grumbled. "Actually, could you just speak normally like you did before? You’re being incredibly hard to follow."
"…"
"Why, you…!"
The difference in how she treated me versus Alice was so blatant that a strained, twitchy smile began to form on Alice’s face.
"…Uh, I’m asking as well," I chimed in. "I’d really appreciate it if you could speak normally."
"I understand."
"…Can I punch her? Can I please just punch this woman?"
"Silence. I acknowledge your strength," Eden-san said, finally looking at Alice. "However, you are not my child. Therefore, I have nothing to say to you."
"Fine… Challenge accepted. I’m going to send you flying!"
"A-Alice, calm down!"
Alice seemed unusually rattled by Eden-san’s attitude. She looked like she was truly on the verge of throwing a punch. However, more than their bickering, I was worried about what Eden-san had just said.
"…U-Um, Eden-san. Can I ask you something?"
"Of course. My beloved child, I shall answer anything you desire."
"Y-Yeah… Um, what exactly do you mean by 'my child'?"
"You were born in the 'world I created'. Thus, you are my child."
"Huh? E-Eh!?"
W-Wait a minute… I was born in a world created by Eden-san? That meant she was…
"I see," Alice muttered, her eyes narrowing. "So you’re the god of Kaito-san’s world…"
"That is correct. However, I am currently conversing with my child. Do not interfere."
"That’s it! I’ve had enough! Even I, the one they call Merciful Alice-chan, have reached my limit! I mean, you’re clearly picking a fight, aren't you!?"
I’d never heard of this "Merciful Alice-chan" before, but since it looked like they were about to break out into another battle, I managed to get Alice to settle down for the moment so I could continue the conversation.
"I see. So, Eden-san, why did you come here today?"
"I came to see you, my beloved child."
I don't know why, but I suddenly felt as if a block of ice had been shoved down my spine. Her eyes, which were supposed to be a brilliant, shifting prism of colors, suddenly looked like a murky, swirling black… Wait, why?
"T-To see me? F-For what reason?"
"Because you are the existence I have sought for so long."
"…A-And what does that mean?"
"I have waited an eternity. I waited for a child born of my own creation to finally defy me. Yes, it was you. That time before, you stood your ground and faced me head-on… with such valiant, dignified eyes… Ah, it was magnificent. I can create an infinite number of puppets that simply do as they are told. But I wish to grant my favor precisely to those who dare to resist me. Yes, it is you. You are my ideal, my supreme one. My beloved child… Ah, let us give thanks for the miracle of our meeting… Please, show your face more clearly to me—no, let your 'Mother' see you. Those eyes with such a powerful brilliance, how beautiful they are. Ah, there is no need to be afraid. I shall pamper you until you melt. I shall whisper a love that burns you to ash. But for such a precious child to be breathing the air of this world… Ah, no, it will not do. Breathing the same air as this common rabble is beneath you. I shall 'create air' specifically for you. Yes, that is perfect. I shall create an atmosphere that only you can breathe, just for your sake. Rest assured, my beloved child. I returned to the original world once to memorize 'every record'. Yes, I am the one who knows you best. The exact weight you were at the moment of your birth, the variety and quantity of every ingredient you’ve ever consumed, even the total number of breaths you’ve taken in your lifetime… I know it all. I have 'adjusted this body' to match you perfectly. I have remade everything from scratch to suit your preferences, becoming that which you find most comfortable."
H-H-How terrifying! What was with this person? She was radiating a level of dread I had never experienced before! She was speaking in a ceaseless, rhythmic drone without me saying a word… and the highlights had completely vanished from her eyes!
"…Kaito-san, the god of your world is completely unhinged," Alice whispered. "Her eyes are totally dead."
"I didn't want to know this. I really didn't want to know any of this…"
If I’d had the choice, I would have preferred to stay ignorant of the fact that the god of my world was a yandere who had me completely locked in her sights. I desperately wanted to run away. There was something pitch-black and bottomless deep within her pupils as she continued to talk like a broken recording… It was genuinely haunting. Even Alice seemed repulsed. Her previous anger had vanished, replaced by a look of sheer discomfort.
"…Ah, yes, that is right. I understand my child better than anyone. I can love my child more than anyone. Ah, in that case, I might as well 'create a world' just for you. Yes, that is it. I shall create only beings that affirm your existence. I shall prepare treasures worthy of your hands. In that world, I shall love you until you dissolve. Yes, that is what is best for my child… Starting now—"
"Hmph!"
Just as Eden-san’s terrifying ramblings were escalating to a dangerous level, Kuro suddenly appeared out of nowhere… and without a single word of warning, she punched Eden-san right in the face.
Eden-san was sucked into a black vortex and vanished… but as expected of a god, she returned almost instantly, looking entirely unbothered.
"…What do you think you’re doing, Half of God?" Eden-san asked calmly. "I was in the middle of contemplating a glorious future with my child. I will not forgive you if you continue to interfere."
"That’s my line!" Kuro shouted back. "You suddenly disappear back to your world, and the second you come back, you start spouting this nonsense? I told you before, if you bother Kaito-kun, I’ll eliminate you!"
"I am not bothering him. My child's true happiness lies in being loved by me."
"…No, it really doesn't."
Since she was trying to force such a horrifying version of 'happiness' on me, I denied it immediately. I expected her to be offended, but for some reason, Eden-san’s eyes sparkled the moment she heard my cold rejection.
"Ah… Ahhh… You’ve defied me yet again… How gallant. Ah, you truly are the supreme existence!"
"…"
It was no use. This god was completely beyond help.
"I don't know what you're talking about… Regardless, if you scare Kaito-kun any more than this… I really will blow you away."
"…Try it, if you think you’re capable."
"…"
"…"
Eden-san, who didn't hesitate for a second to pick a fight with a visibly furious Kuro, was truly a force to be reckoned with… and more than anything, she was a nightmare to deal with. I was starting to feel a profound sense of anxiety about my future.
"…Kaito-san, do you want some tea?"
"…Something bitter, please."
As I watched sparks fly between Kuro and Eden-san, I slumped into a chair and drank the tea Alice had brewed for me, my face etched with exhaustion. The steam stung my eyes… or maybe I was just tearing up.
Dear Mother, Father—Eden-san turned out to be the god of my original world. Of everyone I’ve met since coming here, she is by far the most intense person yet. And she’s completely locked onto me. How should I put it? Her love is just too heavy.