The Sanctuary was the most sacred place in the God Realm—the dwelling of Shallow Vernal, the Creator God who stood at the absolute pinnacle of the world. Chronoa, the God of Space-Time, appeared before Shallow Vernal, who was gazing out at the world from the edge of the realm as was her custom.
"Shallow Vernal-sama, did you call for me?"
Chronoa spoke after bowing deeply, but her heart was filled with apprehension. Experience had taught her that whenever Shallow Vernal summoned her out of the blue, it almost certainly meant she was about to be assigned a truly ridiculous task. Still, as a deity who had sworn absolute loyalty, Chronoa could not ignore the summons. She waited, trembling inwardly, for her creator to speak.
"Kaito-san won't act spoiled with me."
"Excuse me?"
"Kaito-san won't act spoiled with me."
"..."
Hearing Shallow Vernal’s words, delivered flatly in her usual monotonous voice, Chronoa stood in a daze for a moment before processing the complaint.
"I see. However, is that not to be expected to some degree? Given Miyama’s personality, he does not seem like the type to act spoiled with others."
"But he acts spoiled with Kuro."
"..."
"It is unfair that only Kuro receives such affection. I want him to act pampered with me as well."
"I... I see..."
Shallow Vernal was generally a dry individual with very faint emotions, but there were only two subjects that ever caused her to become expressive. The first, naturally, was Kaito. It was common knowledge among the Gods that Shallow Vernal viewed Kaito as a singular, special existence, and she often showed glimpses of her heart when dealing with him.
The second was the Underworld King, Kuromueina. Chronoa didn't know the full details, but Shallow Vernal seemed to harbor a persistent sense of rivalry toward her. Chronoa assumed it was because they possessed comparable power, viewing it as a competitive spirit similar to her own feelings regarding Ein. However, the reason didn't matter right now. What mattered was that whenever one of those two was involved, the difficulty level of the "ridiculous task" skyrocketed.
"Um, Shallow Vernal-sama... what exactly do you wish for me to do?"
"Fix it."
"Pardon?"
"Do something about it."
"I... I see. Do you have any specific methods in mind?"
"I leave the details to you."
"Understood."
And so, the impossible order was issued: Shallow Vernal was dissatisfied that Kaito wouldn't depend on her, and Chronoa had to find a solution. With no option to refuse, she bowed deeply and departed from the Sanctuary.
(Well, this is actually one of the easier requests. I simply need to ask Miyama to act more affectionately toward Shallow Vernal-sama. Fortunately, I am on relatively close terms with him, so it shouldn't be a problem. I shall head to his house at once.)
A few seconds after Chronoa left, Shallow Vernal felt a surge of magic power and turned around. Kaito appeared in a flash of teleportation magic.
"Hello, Shiro-san... Wait, is something wrong?"
"I am surprised you arrived sooner than expected. Hello, Kaito-san."
"Oh, right. Well, I received some delicious sweets, so I was wondering if you’d like to have some tea with me, if that’s alright?"
"I don't mind. I will prepare it."
Sensing it was rare for Kaito to initiate an invitation, Shallow Vernal gave a slight flick of her finger, manifesting a table and chairs. She sat down across from him and summoned black tea. Kaito took the sweets out of his Magic Box and set them on the table before taking his seat.
"This is unusual. To think Kaito-san would invite me for tea..."
"Eh? Oh, well... I just thought it would be nice to spend some quiet time with Shiro-san for once."
"I see."
Noticing Kaito acting strangely, Shallow Vernal read his heart.
(I came here to act spoiled like Kuro suggested, but how am I supposed to do that? Should I ask for a lap pillow like I do with Kuro? No, I can't just bring that up out of nowhere... Maybe I should think of another way...)
It seemed Kaito had visited specifically with the intention of being affectionate. This was exactly what Shallow Vernal had hoped for, but he was clearly hesitating.
"Wait, Shiro-san? The table, the tea, and the sweets just vanished... And is it my imagination, or is the chair I'm sitting on getting longer?"
"It is not. I simply thought Kaito-san might have something he wanted me to do for him."
"Um, about me thinking of another way..."
"No."
"If you already know, Shiro-san, then there's no need for me to say it out loud..."
"Unless you tell me, I have absolutely no idea what it is Kaito-san wants."
"..."
Kaito looked as if he wanted to complain about her bluntness, but knowing she wouldn't budge, he gave a deep sigh.
"Well... I've been tired lately... and being with you makes me feel at peace... so... I'd be happy if you gave me... a lap pillow. I know it's a lot to ask..."
"I suppose it can't be helped. Since I am in a magnificent mood, if Kaito-san insists that he absolutely wants it, I might consider the request."
"I... I absolutely want Shiro-san to give me a lap pillow."
"Very well."
Shallow Vernal’s almost unchanging expression softened into a faint smile as she patted her lap. The chair had transformed into a bench roughly the size of a sofa. Kaito moved over with a look of surrender and slowly lay down.
"What is this sense of defeat...?"
"Oh? What a strange thing to say. Your request was granted perfectly, was it not? Does that not make you the victor?"
"Ugh... Shiro-san, you’ve developed a mean streak with your teasing lately."
"Do you dislike this version of me?"
"No... it's embarrassing, but... compared to how you used to be, I think I like the current Shiro-san, who shows all kinds of emotions... much better."
"I see."
Hearing his answer, Shallow Vernal stroked the head resting on her lap with a satisfied air, a beautiful smile playing on her lips. They didn't need any more words. They simply savored the feeling of their hearts being connected in the quiet of the Sanctuary.
"Master? He went out about thirty minutes ago."
"Is that so? Do you know where he went?"
"No, I'm sorry, I don't."
"No, I should apologize for visiting so suddenly. Excuse me."
Chronoa’s search for Kaito got off to a rocky start when his Attendant Captain, Anima, informed her that he wasn't home.
(Muu, so Miyama is out. Where could he be? Likely candidates are Lilia’s mansion, the Death King’s castle, or the Underworld King’s castle...)
Since Kaito used teleportation magic, his range was vast, but for Chronoa, travel was instantaneous. She decided to check every place she could think of. However, the search proved to be an ordeal. Kaito was not at Lilia’s mansion, Isis’s castle, or Kuromueina’s castle. She checked every other lead she had, but he was nowhere to be found.
(I can't find him. All that’s left is the Phantasm King’s shop... No, wait, where is that shop even located? I know it is in the Kingdom of Sinfonia, but...)
Alice’s General Store was a place Kaito visited frequently, but Chronoa had never been there herself and didn't know the exact coordinates. She had excluded it from her search for that reason, but now she had run out of other ideas.
(Should I just ask the God of Life and the God of Fate? It will take time to convince them... No, wait. Surely even Life and Fate wouldn't hesitate to help if it is for Shallow Vernal-sama.)
Two hours had passed since she began her search, and anxiety was beginning to cloud Chronoa’s face.
"We cannot find him."
"What!?"
Even using Life’s biological detection powers, they couldn't locate him.
"Hmm, my power doesn't work in places without living creatures to act as sensors... Does that mean Kai-chan is in a void like that?"
"This is bad. I cannot keep Shallow Vernal-sama waiting any longer..."
"Actually, I just thought of something," Life murmured, resting a hand on her chin. "Could Miyama-sama be... in the Sanctuary?"
"What?"
"If he is in the Sanctuary, then naturally neither my power nor Fate's power can reach him."
Chronoa considered this. It made much more sense than assuming he was in some remote wasteland. It was a classic blind spot. She nodded and prepared to return.
"That is highly probable. I shall head to the Sanctuary to confirm. Sorry for the trouble."
"No problem. If he's not there, let us know and we'll keep looking."
"If you find Kai-chan, tell him to stop by my temple on his way back!"
With the voices of Life and Fate behind her, Chronoa hurried back to the Sanctuary. When she arrived, she saw Shallow Vernal alone. Kaito was gone.
(He isn't here either... This is a disaster.)
Gritting her teeth at her failure to fulfill her creator's request, she approached, bracing herself for a reprimand. But Shallow Vernal spoke first.
"Chronoa."
"Yes! Eh? Shallow Vernal-sama, did you just...?"
"You have done well. I am proud of you."
"Pardon?"
The words were the highest praise Chronoa had ever received. Naturally, she had no way of knowing that Kaito had just been there, giving Shallow Vernal exactly what she wanted. Shallow Vernal could have read Chronoa’s heart to clear up the confusion, but she was in such a magnificent mood—her head completely filled with thoughts of Kaito—that she ignored Chronoa’s bewilderment entirely.
It would be quite some time before the stunned Chronoa finally understood the truth.
"So, like Kuro advised, I went and acted spoiled with Shiro-san. It was incredibly embarrassing."
"Ahaha, Shiro was happy, right? She's been talking about that non-stop lately."
"Yeah... well, I guess it worked out. Oh, that reminds me—Kuro, Chronoa-chan was looking for me."
"Chronoa-chan? I wonder why. She could have just sent a Hummingbird..."
"Well, Hummingbirds can't reach the Sanctuary. Maybe it was something urgent?"
"Hmm, I guess I'll stop by Chronoa-san's place for a bit then."
"Okay! Have a safe trip!"
??? [Oops, that was a blunder. I forgot to include the contact info in the previous shopping chapter. Shouldn't Serious-senpai take the fall for this?]
Serious-senpai [Why me!? That was your mistake! You take responsibility!]
??? [Be quiet, you're just a gag character.]
Serious-senpai [Why would you say that now?! I was trying so hard to act like that never happened by not mentioning it!!]