Under a cloudless blue sky, I climbed the stone stairs. With the end of summer approaching, it felt as though the temperature was finally becoming more manageable. Of course, even after moving between worlds, Shiro-san’s—the Goddess’s—blessing remained in effect, so I didn't actually feel the heat all that much.
I gazed idly at the scenery as I reached my destination: the grave of my mother and father.
"Mother, Father. This won't be the last time, but I don't think I'll be able to come by for a while."
I didn't write in my diary today. After everything that had happened during Shiro-san’s trial, I had a lot on my mind, and it just didn't seem to fit the atmosphere. I had a vague premonition that my ride would be arriving today.
"While I'm away, Uncle and Aunt said they’ll come by regularly, so I don't think the grave will fall into disrepair."
To be honest, explaining things to my uncle and aunt had gone much more smoothly than I’d anticipated. It turned out Eden-san had pulled some strings. A woman named Amaterasu-san, who claimed to be Eden-san’s assistant, had visited the house and given them an explanation that they were able to accept.
Incidentally, this Amaterasu-san wasn't the actual sun goddess from Japanese mythology. She was a being created by Eden-san to assist her, and apparently, she had chosen the name herself. While she introduced herself as an assistant, Eden-san referred to her as a "tool," which hinted at a rather pitiable situation.
The one thing they had insisted on was that I return to visit from time to time. It seemed that while I had been keeping my distance out of a sense of reservation, my childless uncle and aunt truly thought of me as their own son. When I realized that, I’d found myself tearing up.
As for Mitsunaga-kun, he hadn't returned to this world, choosing instead to live permanently over there. Eden-san had already erased all records of his existence from this world. Aoi-chan and Hina-chan would primarily live here and visit Trinia occasionally.
Aoi-chan had mentioned that she might cut ties with her family and move there permanently after graduating high school, but she was currently torn because she wouldn't be able to play online games.
Hina-chan had asked me, "My father and mother say they’d like to retire in the other world... Kaito-senpai, could you put in a word for them?" So, I planned to consult Shiro-san once I got back.
As I walked while lost in thought, the scenery suddenly shifted. It became a landscape like cyberspace, with the Iron Star visible in the sky.
"Eden-san?"
"Hello, Kaito Miyama. I’ve called you here because your ride will be arriving shortly. It seems the one coming to collect you is the Half of God."
"I see... Really, Eden-san, thank you for everything. I’m truly grateful."
From the explanation to my relatives to handling the paperwork after my departure, Eden-san was supporting me through it all. She had been an incredible help. I tried to express my thanks, but...
"No thanks are necessary. It is only natural for a mother to help her child. However, as a mother, it is heartbreaking that my Beloved Child is establishing his base elsewhere. No matter which world you go to, this remains your home. Please return whenever you wish. Once a month... no, once a week... once a day... no, I cannot bear to be apart from my child for that long. A mother worries. I haven't finished brainwashing—I mean, educating those Talking Meat slabs in that world yet. Perhaps I should have my Split Body move there permanently... Yes, let's do that! My Beloved Child will surely be happier by his mother’s side! Yes, precisely! It is wrong for mother and child to live apart. If I were to live with my child..."
"..."
I could have been genuinely grateful if it weren't for this part. Please, give me a break. If I lived with Eden-san, my stomach would probably be in knots constantly.
Of course, Eden-san didn't stop there. She continued her passionate monologue, her eyes shimmering with floating Dark Hearts. Just as she was about to step fully into the realm of total madness, space itself tore open—and Eden-san was sent flying.
"I absolutely won't allow that."
"Tsk... This loathsome Half of God... interfering with my tryst with my Beloved Child again..."
Kuro had arrived to pick me up. Normally, this would have escalated into a full-blown brawl between the two of them, but Eden-san just clicked her tongue in annoyance and promptly vanished.
Kuro also felt different. Her hair, usually cut in a semi-short style, was now as long as Shiro-san's, and her black coat was embroidered with mysterious, silvery-white patterns.
"Good grief... Okay, let's try that again! Kaito-kun! Sorry for the wait, I'm here to take you home!"
"Yeah, it’s been a while. By the way, Kuro, you seem... different?"
Even though two years had passed on her side, Kuro’s presence was overwhelming. If I had to compare it to something, it was like Shiro-san. Just by standing there, she felt like a being apart, as if the entire area was under her absolute control—a feeling I’d only experienced when I first met Shiro-san.
"Hmm? Oh, right now I'm merged with Shiro."
"Merged? You can do that?"
"Yeah. Shiro and I were originally one being, after all. Though right now, I'm the dominant personality, so it's not exactly the same as returning to our original form."
I see. Kuro and Shiro-san were the two halves of the original almighty power. Now that they were joined, she was essentially in the state of an Almighty God. That explained the incredible pressure I felt. But why merge now? Was it necessary to travel between worlds?
"No, it's not that. It's just... well, Shiro and I argued over who would get to pick you up. We competed for a long time, but since we couldn't reach a decision, we eventually agreed to merge."
"..."
Since she was merged with Shiro-san, she was reading my mind perfectly. My guess had been spot on.
"Then we argued over who would be the base for the merger. In the end, I won at rock-paper-scissors, so I got to be the base and come get you."
"I see. That sounds... like a lot of work."
Couldn't they have just come together?
"Because I wanted to be the first one to see you, Kaito-kun."
"Well..."
"No, no, this is very important! It's only been two months for you, but I've been waiting for two years! I mean, that's a drop in the bucket compared to how long I've lived, but I was lonely."
Kuro pouted slightly as she stepped forward and hugged me. It was a simple sentiment, but those words made me so happy that all my previous exasperation vanished.
I hugged her small frame back tightly. Regardless of whether it had been two months or two years, I had wanted to see her too. To be honest, I had been lonely as well.
For a little while longer, I just wanted to bask in this warmth.
Moving between worlds with a being who possessed almighty power meant there were no complications. The transition was as instantaneous as my first summoning.
Just like that, I was back in the nostalgic land of Trinia. I wasn't exactly sure where we were—it looked like a grassy hill, but I didn't recognize the specific spot. Looking into the distance, however, I could see Hero’s Hill, so we were likely near the Friendly City.
"By the way, why here?"
"Just because!"
There was no particular reason for choosing this spot; it was just a whim. That was very like her. When I turned to look at her, she had already returned to her usual semi-short hair and black coat.
"Oh? You're back to normal, Kuro?"
"Yeah, I undid the merger as soon as we arrived. Oh, I have a message from Shiro. She said, 'Please come to the Sanctuary after you've finished your greetings.'"
"Understood."
I’d intended to visit Shiro-san anyway, but the fact that she sent a message through Kuro meant she probably had something specific to discuss. She’d said "after you've finished," so I figured I’d make the God Realm my last stop and visit everyone else first.
As I was thinking, Kuro suddenly tugged on my hand. I looked back to see her wearing a radiant smile.
"Anyway... Welcome back, Kaito-kun!"
Kuro really wasn't fair. She always knew exactly what I wanted to hear and said it so effortlessly.
"I'm home."
I pulled her close once more, putting every ounce of my feelings into those words.
Dear Mother, Father—it all started when I got caught up in a Hero Summoning and was brought to another world. That world was different from anything I’d imagined; it was a peaceful place, filled with warmth and kindness.
I experienced so much love and was shown so much gentleness that my story, which had come to a halt, began to move again. In this world, I found my greatest treasure.
But I suppose there's no need to write that in a diary anymore, is there? I’ve recorded so much. I will continue to keep this diary, and my story will continue.
However, I think I’ll set down the pen for a moment. My precious friends and loved ones give me so much, and the scenery they show me is so vast, that I could never hope to write it all down.
And I’m going to stop writing these like letters. If there's anything I want to tell you, I won't do it through a page. I’ll tell you myself when I go home—no, when I make a World Homecoming.
Finally, I’ll close this out by slightly changing the very first words I wrote when I arrived here.
Dear Mother, Father—I was caught up in a Hero Summoning. But the other world... no, the world where I will live from now on—it is, and surely always will be—peaceful.
Serious-senpai: "What a great final episode. Now I can finally retire! Thanks for everything! Farewell!"
???: "Whoa, where do you think you're going? That was just the end of Part 1 (Over 600 Chapters). Part 2 is just starting. You aren't getting away that easily."
Serious-senpai: "...Is there... any seriousness?"
???: "Think about it. The one-year time limit is gone, the world leaders and literal Gods are his allies... do you really think there's going to be any drama?"
Serious-senpai: "Nooooo! I want to go hoooooome!"
???: "Too bad. This is your home now."
Serious-senpai: "I'm sick of all this sugar!"