The group gathered based on the information provided by Eden, their minds racing as they considered the implications.
"Shaltier, what do you think?"
"I suspect Kuro-san is thinking the same thing... but if the condition to escape the virtual world is to recognize it as a falsehood... based on Eden-san’s words, he must be in a state similar to a dream."
"I agree. In that case, the trial Shiro has given Kaito-kun is..."
Kuromueina spoke with a grave expression, and Alice replied with a similarly serious look, weaving her own deductions into her words. Most of those gathered understood that her speculation was likely the correct answer.
"...A happy dream... where Kaito has everything he desires... and no one ever hurts him."
"So it’s a sweet poison designed to gently melt Kai-chan’s heart. Which means the trial given to him is... a 'Rejection of Happiness,' isn't it?"
"...Rejecting painful things is... easy... but rejecting happiness is... incredibly... difficult."
Isis and Fate, an unusual pairing, discussed the situation as they listened to Kuromueina and Alice's conclusions.
A short distance away, Lilia and Sieglinde looked at each other, seemingly having realized something as well.
"It seems quite a few of you have caught on. Yes, it means Shallow Vernal-sama decided on the nature of this trial by specifically targeting Kaito-san’s 'distortion'."
At Alice’s mention of Kaito’s distortion, several people tilted their heads in confusion. However, a few—including his lovers—darkened their expressions as they grasped her meaning.
Kuromueina turned toward Aoi and Hina, who were among those looking puzzled.
"Aoi-chan, Hina-chan, you both know that Kaito-kun keeps a diary, right?"
"Y-Yes..."
"We do. But is that... Kaito-senpai’s distortion?"
Living in the same mansion, Aoi and Hina were well aware of Kaito’s habit. However, even hearing it called a distortion, they didn't quite seem to understand the gravity of it.
Seeing their confusion, Lilia took over the explanation from Kuromueina.
"Aoi-san, Hina-san... In reality, there are likely far more pages, but for the sake of calculation, let’s assume one diary volume is one hundred pages. How many volumes do you think Kaito-san has filled since he arrived in this world?"
"...If he wrote one page a day, then about... four volumes?"
"...As far as I am aware... he has completed over twenty."
The two girls gasped. They were visibly stunned by such an abnormal volume of writing.
"Yes. Kaito-kun’s diary... no, those are essentially letters to his deceased parents. I’ve been allowed to see them a few times. He records every single thing that happened that day... even the minute details of every conversation he can remember. It seemed like he was slowly getting better, so I never pressed him too hard on the matter."
"...It has been roughly ten years since Kaito-san lost his parents. I wonder just how many diaries he has filled in that time? Little Kaito likely couldn't fully process their deaths... so he began writing those diaries as if he were sending letters to someone far away. Eventually, it simply became a habit."
The distortion Kuromueina and Alice spoke of... Kaito believed he had moved past his parents' death. On a logical level, he certainly understood and accepted the reality of it.
However, deep in his heart, the wound remained. Because he truly, deeply loved his parents, he had made those diaries his spiritual pillar without even realizing it.
While his condition had been improving since meeting so many people in this world, a weight that had accumulated over a decade would not vanish so easily.
"...The dream Kaito is seeing... is one where... his parents are alive... I believe."
"Precisely. If that's the case, then for Kai-chan to wake from that dream... he has to reach a point where he can clearly acknowledge his parents' death once more."
That was why the lovers who knew Kaito best looked so somber. To clear this trial, Kaito would have to be forced to face the death of his parents all over again.
They understood how agonizing that would be for him. Yet, they had no choice. Failing this trial would mean the annihilation of Kaito's memories.
Even meeting Luce, who bore a striking resemblance to his mother, had visibly shaken him, and he had been deeply depressed after realizing she was a different person. His parents were that significant to him.
"Because Kaito-san loves his parents so much... the trial becomes a cruel, agonizing ordeal. She really does have twisted tastes..."
Alice spoke flatly, but her eyes were cold, and it was clear she was desperately reining in her rage.
"...Then, I’ll try calling out to Kaito-kun."
"...Please do."
Acting on the final piece of advice from Eden, Kuromueina touched the cradle and began to call out. In a heavy silence where every second felt like an eternity, they waited for a response that might never come.
"Kaito-kun, put the tree over there, please."
"Got it."
Christmas was coming—the highlight of the year. Following Arisa’s suggestion, the members of the lab were planning a party. Since I lived right next door to Erina’s house, where the party was being held, I had been helping with the preparations since morning.
My father and mother were supposed to join us partway through... I had a feeling it was going to be a very lively day. I was truly looking forward to it.
—...
"Hmm?"
"Is something wrong, Kaito-kun?"
"...Ah, no, it's nothing."
I wondered what that was. For a moment, I thought I heard a voice... but only Erina and I were here. It must have been my imagination.