A gentle breeze drifted through the Sanctuary, swaying their matching silver-white hair. Golden eyes met golden eyes.
"Reflecting on it now... I suppose my creation of you was truly nothing more than a whim."
"Huh?"
"I don't quite understand what my past self was thinking back then, but now... yes. I have come to believe I am glad I brought you into existence."
"W-What's with you all of a sudden...?"
Shallow Vernal spoke with her usual lack of inflection, yet her tone felt strangely peaceful. Kuromueina tilted her head in bewilderment.
"It really is a mystery. You and I are essentially the same existence, yet everything about us is different. Our personalities, our ways of life—even our heights and chest sizes are polar opposites."
"The last part has nothing to do with anything! I can change my form, you know! This isn't my limit!?"
"Even so, yes. I suppose we do have our similarities."
"Hey, Shiro. Are you even listening? I just said something really important!"
Shallow Vernal gracefully ignored Kuromueina’s protest and continued her thought. Having known her for an eternity, Kuromueina simply sighed, realizing that further corrections were a waste of breath.
However, her exasperated expression shifted instantly at Shallow Vernal’s next words.
"Despite being opposites, by some strange coincidence, we both... sought the same existence."
"..."
Kuromueina understood immediately that she was referring to Kaito Miyama. However, she couldn't grasp the true intent behind the words.
It was true that Kaito had come to this world because Kuromueina had tampered with the summoning magic circle. It wasn't an exaggeration to say he was the existence she had sought.
However, the way Shallow Vernal phrased it implied that she, too, had sought Kaito. Kuromueina knew that Shallow Vernal was fond of him, but even after all their time together, she couldn't fathom the depths of the Creator God's heart.
Shallow Vernal paused, and after a brief silence, a faint smile played on her lips.
"Thanks to you, I realized that I possess a heart. I haven't had the chance to say it until now... but thank you, Kuro."
"Shiro..."
"I don't know how you feel... but to me, even more than being my other half, you are a precious friend."
"A-Ahaha, you're making me blush, saying that so out of the blue. Really, what’s gotten into you today?"
Kuromueina scratched her cheek, clearly embarrassed by the straightforward gratitude. Whether it was the joy of being called a friend or simply the rarity of the sentiment, she looked genuinely happy despite her confusion.
"If you weren't that kind of person... I might have been able to choose cruel means without hesitation."
"Eh?"
With those words, Shallow Vernal’s atmosphere shifted. The peaceful air vanished, replaced by an intimidation so sharp it felt as though it were pricking the skin.
"My half-body, Kuromueina."
"!"
"I have no intention of debating where the True Beginning lies. If you are the beginning of his story, then I shall stand at its end. This is my declaration of war to you."
"S-Shiro? What on earth are you—"
Faced with Kuromueina’s bewilderment, Shallow Vernal’s expression remained flat as she continued her monotone delivery.
"The Decisive Battle will take place from the night of the 29th of the Month of Heavens until the end of the 30th... the Time of Return. Be prepared. This will not be like our clash twenty thousand years ago. There will be no draw. The matter will only be settled by my victory or my defeat."
"Shiro, why? Why would you say something like that...?"
"There are things even I cannot give up. Even if it means standing against you, my friend... if you wish to protect Kaito-san, then face me with everything you have."
"..."
Shallow Vernal’s resolve was absolute. It could be read in the very air around her, even without a change in facial expression. And that was exactly why Kuromueina didn't understand.
What could Shallow Vernal possibly be seeking so desperately? What was the True Beginning? Kuromueina was struck by the painful realization that she still knew nothing about her friend.
The two existences that had faced off once twenty thousand years ago were now confronting each other again, centered around the singularity known as Kaito Miyama.
"And with that, our talk is over. Let’s have some tea."
"Hah?"
"I suppose baby castellas would be the most appropriate snack?"
"Wait! No, hold on! Please, just wait a second!"
"What is it?"
The heavy tension vanished in an instant, replaced by Shallow Vernal’s usual, hollow voice. Kuromueina, unable to process the whiplash of the sudden shift, stood there with a look of utter shock.
"Where did all that tension go!?"
"I wonder? It isn't a sentient thing, so perhaps it simply went wherever the wind blows?"
"That’s not what I meant! Ugh, honestly!"
"Why are you shouting all of a sudden?"
"I don't know... I really don't understand you, Shiro."
"Is that so? How strange. Well then, shall we have tea?"
"I guess... so."
Kuromueina’s shoulders slumped at the display of Shallow Vernal’s usual airheaded nature, acting as if the previous conversation had never happened. She gave up and sat in the chair Shallow Vernal had manifested, reaching for her tea.
"Is it really okay to drink tea with someone you just declared war on?"
"Hmm? I may have issued a declaration of war, but that doesn't mean I’ve come to dislike you. Besides, our hostilities don't begin until the 29th of the Month of Heavens, so having tea now shouldn't be a problem."
"U-Umm..."
Their conversation concluded in a somewhat hollow, dazed atmosphere. However, the words Shallow Vernal had spoken were far from gone.
The story of a single year that Kaito Miyama was weaving in this world... there was very little time left before its Beginning and its End would clash.