Despite a minor incident along the way, Isis-san and I had thoroughly enjoyed the third day of the Six Kings Festival. Now, we had come to watch the fireworks that would serve as the day's finale.
We sat side by side on a small hill that offered a panoramic view of the display, a spot Isis-san had specially prepared in her capacity as the host. A certain type of flower seemed to cover the entire hillside, their forms distinct even as the twilight deepened. With petals as transparent as blue crystals, they felt somehow nostalgic, yet more fitting for this moment than anything else in the world.
"……Kaito…… do you…… remember…… this flower?"
"Yes. It’s the…… Blue Crystal Flower you gave me when we first met, isn't it?"
"……Yes…… The flower…… of our memories…… mine and Kaito’s……"
"You're right. I think it is."
The Blue Crystal Flower I received from Isis-san was still carefully displayed in my room. Just as she said, that flower was likely our very first memento. It shouldn't have felt like it was that long ago, yet the memories felt like ancient history. I even felt as though Isis-san and I had been together for years already.
When had it started? When did I begin to feel so at peace whenever I was with her? When did every single one of her gestures become so agonizingly precious to me? Every time we added to our store of memories, her presence in my heart grew larger and more beloved. It felt as if there was no limit to how much I could care for her.
"……I…… always…… hated…… this world…… and myself."
"……Eh?"
As I was lost in thought, Isis-san let the words spill out in a quiet whisper. I turned to look at her.
"……The world…… wasn't kind to me…… and I…… was always scaring others…… I always…… always…… hated it."
"……"
"……I used to wonder…… why was I even born? ……Why…… was something like the Magic Power of Death…… dwelling inside me……? Over and over…… over and over…… I thought about it."
I could understand the feeling of hating oneself, if only a little. I had hated myself for always making convenient excuses, for always running away, and for being unable to change. However, my struggle with the gap between the ideal and reality—my own sense of worthlessness—had lasted less than ten years. Even so, it had been agonizing. I remembered feeling a bone-chilling cold in my heart, wondering if I was an unnecessary existence.
The suffering she had endured—not because she had run away like I did, but because of a nature she was born with—must have been far greater. Just how many years had Isis-san survived that? Thousands? Tens of thousands? It was easy to put into words, but as a mere human, I couldn't truly grasp the weight of that time.
"……But…… now…… it’s different…… I…… like this world because I met Kaito…… and I love myself…… for being able to feel that Kaito is precious."
"……Isis-san."
"……I…… unlike Fate…… cannot see destiny…… but…… if there is such a thing as destiny…… then I was surely…… born…… to meet Kaito."
Isis-san slowly spun her words, imbuing each one with a depth of emotion that defied expression. It sounded almost like a song, her beautiful voice soaking into the very depths of my soul.
"……Kaito."
"Y-Yes!"
"……I…… love Kaito so much…… more than anyone…… more than anything…… you are so precious…… So…… it doesn't have to be right away…… but someday…… when Kaito is ready…… I want you…… to marry me."
It was the same proposal she had made when we first met. However, the emotions in my heart as I heard them now were worlds apart from that day. Back then, being suddenly proposed to by someone I had just met had left me mostly bewildered—and, though it was shameful to admit, I had even felt a little afraid.
But now, I was simply overwhelmed with joy. I was so happy to hear those words and to receive the affection she was offering me. After a brief silence, I looked straight into Isis-san's eyes and spoke.
"……I think it will still take a little more time. Once I’ve prepared myself to live in this world for the rest of my life, and after I’ve said my farewells to those who looked after me... I will definitely give you my answer in my own words. So, please wait for me."
"……Yes!"
"……Thank you, Isis-san. I’m truly glad I met you."
"……Mm? ……Huh? ……Kaito…… you aren't using polite speech?"
"Eh? Oh! I-I'm sorry! I just, habitually……"
"……No…… I…… prefer it that way…… it makes me happier…… So…… if it's okay with Kaito…… I want you to speak…… in your natural tone."
"Understood…… ah, no, I get it. It’s, well, still a bit confusing."
"……Fufu."
Watching me get flustered because I had unconsciously slipped into my natural way of speaking, Isis-san let out a radiant, happy smile. And at that exact moment, as if to offer us a blessing, a massive flower of light bloomed in the night sky.
"……Ah…… the fireworks."
"……Isis-san?"
"……Yes?"
"Let me say it again. I love you."
"……I love Kaito too."
No more words were needed. Beneath the multicolored flowers illuminating the dark, our shadows overlapped.
Dear Mother, Father— When we first met, I felt mostly confusion and sympathy. But as we spent time together, that changed into peace and affection. From strangers to friends, from friends to lovers…… and now, moving forward from lovers by building even more memories together—I've taken a step toward such a future.
Serious-senpai MK-II (Remaining HP 13): "Guh…… A-A reservation of a marriage proposal…… You’re pretty good…… But! Since I’ve become MK-II, I can withstand even an instant death-class strike like that!!"
Archangel: "……What…… are you…… misunderstanding?"
Serious-senpai MK-II (Ponkotsu): "……Eh?"
Archangel: "……Every time…… I have a solo story…… my Sugar Power increases immensely…… And…… once the third day ends…… I still have…… the 'Popularity Poll Extra Chapter' scheduled…… Do you understand…… what this means?"
Serious-senpai MK-II (Remaining HP 0): "Aaaaahhh…… ugh, ah……"