Shiro-san’s reward, Life-san’s Temporary Blessing, concluded without a hitch. I pushed the questions lingering in the back of my mind aside; thinking about them wasn't going to get me anywhere anyway. Instead, I decided it was time to go and greet Kuro and the others once more.
By the way, as a result of Life-san’s blessing, some of the attendees were looking remarkably younger. Ryze-san, for instance, had transformed to the point where I would’ve believed he was in his teens if someone told me.
Interestingly, Life-san’s blessing... had no effect on me. It seemed that when a higher-ranking God has already bestowed a blessing, those from lower-ranking Gods are simply repelled.
Then again, I was only twenty-one to begin with. I wasn't at an age where I was desperate to turn back the clock, and since Shiro-san’s blessing apparently made me ageless anyway, missing out on Life-san’s effect wasn't really a problem.
While thinking about such things, I moved toward the area where the Six Kings were gathered. Isis-san was the first to notice my approach. Her face lit up so brightly it was impossible to miss; she stood up from her chair and came toward me. Every single one of her gestures was truly lovely... I really do think she might be an angel.
"Kaito! Good evening."
"Good evening. Isis-san, thank you for all your hard work managing the Six Kings Festival."
"Yes... I worked hard... Did Kaito... enjoy it?"
"I did. I really had a great time."
"If Kaito enjoyed it... then I am... happy too."
Isis-san, who smiled bashfully as she said that, was an angel, to put it mildly. Who on earth would give such a lovely person a dangerous epithet like the Death King?
Her Magic Power of Death was one thing, but I feel like that epithet is also a factor in why she’s avoided. Whoever came up with it must have been completely malicious... If I ever find them, as her lover, I’m going to punch them at least once...
"Ow!? Wh-why did you punch me out of nowhere!?"
Well, I found the culprit. They were surprisingly close.
"I suppose it’s because I sensed a disturbance in the force?"
"Huh!? It was leaking out? I mean, sure, I’m a 'Mysterious-type Transcendent Beautiful Girl,' so malice is an included optional feature, but—N-no, wait, it’s a misunderstanding! I wasn't planning on something like, 'This looks like it’ll make a fortune, so I should start selling Kaito-san Goods'—Migyah!?"
"You... do you even know what portrait rights are?"
"I... no understand... Otherworld Language—Another one!?"
She was as ridiculous as ever. I wished she’d take a page out of Isis-san’s book. Right next to us, Isis-san was looking adorable, her expression suggesting she really wanted that merch but would hold back if I didn't like it.
Anyway, just as I was playing the straight man to Alice's usual antics, Kuro approached with a bright smile.
"Kaito-kun! How was it? Did you have fun at the festival?"
"Hm? Oh, yeah. Every day was great."
"I’m glad! Then all that preparation was worth it... So, Kaito-kun, 'which festival did you enjoy the most?'"
"..."
As Kuro asked that with a beaming smile, I felt the surrounding air freeze for a heartbeat.
What a person... She just dropped a massive bombshell while wearing the smile of a saint!
"Well, every day was pretty good... but compared to my project, which utilized the pinnacle of modern technology, I’d say the others were still lacking."
Alice fired the opening shot of this terrifying conflict in a breezy tone.
"Being 'new' doesn't necessarily make it 'better,' you know? I don't believe flashiness is a requirement for true tranquility."
Lilliwood-san appeared out of nowhere, speaking with a serene smile.
"Forget that! A festival is all about fighting! True enjoyment only comes once you've overcome a real challenge!"
Naturally, Megiddo-san jumped into the fray.
"Your festival is far too barbaric. If the goal is to entertain the guests, then my festival—which covered a vast array of interests—was surely the superior event..."
I didn't think he’d care about this kind of thing, but Magnawell-san weighed in with a surprisingly competitive edge.
"Fufu. Kaito-kun doesn't actually like things to be too flashy. A simple festival like the one I planned is much better."
Kuro spoke with a confidence that practically radiated from her. Though, honestly... her festival wasn't simple at all! It was the Baby Castella Festival!
As things began to heat up among the Six Kings, I broke into a cold sweat while frantically searching for an answer. No matter what I said, I was going to offend someone. What was I supposed to do?
Wait, right! There’s always the Seventh Day! Since that was the culmination of the whole week, I could just say they were all great...
"The day Kaito-san enjoyed the most was the Seventh Day, when he was with me. I have decided so."
Why are you getting involved, Goddess of the Top Floor?! You just torpedoed my only safe answer! Crap, now what... wait. Come to think of it, Isis-san is the only one who hasn't joined in...
I stole a glance her way. She was wearing a gentle smile as she spoke.
"I... think every festival... was amazing... None of them... are things I could have done... Everyone... is so incredible... That’s why... when Kaito said he enjoyed all of them... I was happy too."
She truly, purely believed they were all wonderful. Seeing her smile with such guileless sincerity, the others suddenly looked quite sheepish.
"Y-yeah, I guess so. There’s really no point in arguing about which was 'best'."
"I agree. Everyone brought their own unique flair to the table. Comparing them was a mistake to begin with."
"U-umu. Quite right. Each one was distinct and wonderful in its own right. There is no need to rank them."
"True enough. I definitely couldn't have pulled off the kind of stuff you guys did..."
"Well, that certainly took the wind out of my sails. None of us can compete with Isis-san."
As expected of the champion of purity and angelic charm. The tense atmosphere evaporated instantly.
It had been one wrong move away from a full-blown argument, but thanks to Isis-san, everything was resolved peacefully...
"Nevertheless, the Seventh Day he spent with—Oh?"
"Please, read the room."
The only person who failed to grasp the situation was the Natural God, who tried to bring it up again. I promptly shut her down with a hand to the face.
Dear Mother, Father——I think it’s truly wonderful to be able to look at others and genuinely think they're amazing. Because of Isis-san and her ability to do exactly that, the end of the Six Kings Festival... concluded in what one might call a grand finale.
???: "As expected, the 1st place in the popularity poll is in a league of her own." Serious-senpai: "...Maybe we should just let her be the main heroine?" ???: "Wait, hey!?" Serious-senpai: "...Eh?" Me-o: "..." Serious-senpai: "Ah... wait, no, I was kidding! It was a joke! Stop... put the fist down...!"