After target practice, Shiro-san and I headed to the botanical attraction I had previously explored with Lilliwood-san—the Huge Flower Labyrinth. It seemed to be quite popular; unlike the target practice, this one was actually featured in the guidebook.
"We have arrived."
"We have. Now then, Kaito-san."
"Yes?"
"Please get lost."
"...Eh?"
Whoops, she had suddenly started saying something bizarre. It wasn't that I expected a date with Shiro-san to go off without a hitch, but asking me to get lost was... well, that was just Shiro-san for you. Her thought process operated on a completely different plane than an ordinary person’s.
"I have been praised."
"No, that wasn't a compliment."
"I see... Then, please get lost."
"Um, just out of curiosity, what's the reason?"
"When you challenged this labyrinth earlier in the Six Kings Festival, you got quite lost, Kaito-san."
"Ye-yeah, that's true."
"Therefore, it would be 'unfair' if you did not get lost while you were with me as well."
"I see... Wait, what?"
Is that... unfair? Good grief, I was starting to get confused too. Besides, I felt like it would actually be quite difficult to intentionally get lost in a maze.
Assuming this flower labyrinth was the same as the one I had experienced before, even if I didn't remember it perfectly, I felt like I'd be able to make steady progress and reach the goal.
"It is fine for you to challenge it normally. I believe that you will get lost, Kaito-san."
"What a terrible thing to trust me on... No, no, I'm not going to get lost that many times."
"..."
"Gnnnh..."
Even though her face was supposed to be expressionless, her eyes looked as if she were absolutely certain I would fail. Dammit, just watch me. Since it had come to this, I was going to clear this thing in record time.
I challenged the flower labyrinth with great enthusiasm... and thirty minutes passed. Currently standing before me was a wall of flowers blocking my view. In other words...
There was a dead end.
"...Shiro-san, what do you think?"
"I think it would be best to return to the corner seven turns back."
"...Yes."
What was this crushing feeling of defeat? It was strange. When we first entered, the arrangement of flowers was the same as when I came with Lilliwood-san, so I thought the route would be the same too.
But for some reason, from the midpoint onward, I kept hitting dead ends even though I was following the path I thought was correct.
I should have understood the route to some extent based on the types of flowers Lilliwood-san had taught me...
"...Shiro-san, I have one question."
"What is it?"
"...Did you swap the types of flowers at the forks in the path?"
"...Now then, let us head back."
"..."
So you were the culprit after all! Do you really want me to get lost that badly?
"Yes."
"...What a prompt and certain response."
Why did she want me to get lost so much? Knowing Shiro-san, it was hard to believe she was just being mean. That meant she must have had some kind of goal...
"You seem to be struggling quite a bit, Kaito-san."
"Whose fault do you think that is? Seriously..."
"I wonder?"
"..."
"However, Kaito-san, there should be a way for you to easily break through this labyrinth."
"...Hmm?"
"I believe you should simply ask someone reliable for help."
Ah, I suddenly understood. I finally saw why Shiro-san was trying so hard to make me lose my way. In other words, this person...
"I do not know who that someone might be. How mysterious. I wonder if they are around somewhere? Someone who knows the answer to the labyrinth and is reliable..."
"..."
What a transparent appeal. Moreover, given the situation, she was practically an arsonist playing the firefighter. Did she really want to be relied upon that much?
"Yes. You do not rely on me very often, Kaito-san. I am very dissatisfied."
"Um... Sh-Shiro-san... please help me."
"It cannot be helped then. Since it is a request from none other than Kaito-san, I shall guide you."
It was a completely orchestrated flow of events, but when I finally gave up and asked for help, Shiro-san replied in her usual monotone voice.
However, her chin was tilted up by a few millimeters, giving her the distinct aura of a smug victor.
"As long as I am guiding you, you will never hit a dead end again."
"I-I see... Well, um, you're very reliable."
"From now on, please rely on me more and more when you are in trouble. It will make me happy."
"..."
I felt like she was in high spirits, and maybe it was just my imagination, but she seemed more talkative than usual. Was she really that desperate to be needed?
"Yes."
Again, her response was without a moment's hesitation.
"You have been putting me off, Kaito-san."
"N-no, that's not really the case..."
"You have been putting me off."
"...I understand. I'll try to rely on you a bit more from now on."
"Leave it to me."
I felt like she was puffing out her chest, if only a little. I suppose you could say that Shiro-san was quite the meddler in her own way. It was hard to imagine from her appearance, but her personality was surprisingly childish.
How should I put it? For better or worse, she was honest with her own emotions... and in the end, that might be her greatest charm.
At the very least, judging by the fact that a wry smile naturally formed on my face, it was clear that I didn't think spending time with her was a bad thing.
Dear Mother, Father—the Creator God of this world is hard to read, a bit selfish, and blunt to a fault. But even so... I think she has a side to her that’s actually quite cute.
???: "Eh? Serious-senpai? She took a Me-o Purgatory Murder and is currently rolling around over there. Man, it’s a shame to lose such a fine person."
Serious-senpai: "I’m not dead!"