I didn't know where it all began, or if there had ever even been a beginning at all.
By the time my existence had taken a definitive shape, I was already standing at the "End." I had no particular reason for ending countless worlds. Just as a living creature breathes, it was simply a natural act for me.
The God of Destruction of the End, the End of the Story... my existence always stood at the conclusion. No, to be more precise... it wasn't that I chose to stand where things concluded, but rather that wherever I stood became the conclusion itself.
Whichever it was, the result remained the same, and perhaps there was no meaning in pondering it. At any rate, I witnessed many conclusions and brought an end to stories beyond counting.
When was it that change arrived? This, too, lacked a major catalyst. Without any warning, a question suddenly welled up in my mind: "What is a heart?"
As a matter of simple knowledge, I knew, of course. The many existences I had ended displayed various emotions. Anger, sadness, resignation, joy... I had seen them many times. I could infer what they were from the knowledge I possessed.
However, I did not understand... anger, lamentation, joy... how does one feel those things?
I had nothing of the heart or the emotions I knew of only as facts. I'm sure that's why it happened. The reason I listened to the Earth God's words and created the world was because I thought that if I did so, I might finally understand what a heart is, and what it means to feel.
I tried making various adjustments to the world I had created.
If I created a "being who can defeat me," perhaps something would change.
If I bestowed a portion of my Authority upon a Demon, perhaps a special existence would be born.
If I created a "creature specialized only in destruction," perhaps it would exert some influence.
If I used the "soul of an otherworld Evil God obtained by chance" to create a "creature with magic power that directly acts on emotions," I might be able to know what they call feelings.
If I remade plants that do not possess emotions, I might find some hint for me to obtain them myself.
If I forced a creature born in this world to "abnormally evolve," I might notice some factor that would change me.
If I guided an existence from an otherworld to this world, a new change might occur.
If I were to say results were achieved, I suppose they were. The being who could defeat me, born of my whim, taught me that a heart existed within me as well.
But even so, I still did not truly understand emotions.
My other half... whenever Kuro laughed or got angry, I found it strange. Why could she, who was supposed to be the same existence as me, do those things as if they were natural? Why was I, who was supposed to be the same, unable to do them?
Thinking about it now, the moment I harbored that doubt, I must have already possessed a heart and emotions... but I remained unaware of that for a long time.
The reason I sought Kaito-san, the reason I treated Kaito-san as special... was because he was the Singularity who would teach me emotions. I continued to seek your existence.
I wanted emotions. That was why I wanted to become special to you. My Singularity, the existence I sought... I thought that if only I could obtain that, I would be able to stand in a "place that is not the end," just like the others.
The result did not go exactly as I had intended. However, it took a form far more wonderful than I had ever imagined.
Kaito-san... he brought an end to "me as the End of the Story." Me, who was nothing more than a phenomenon that ended all things... without knowing a single thing about that, he sought me out as a matter of course, as a single individual named Shallow Vernal.
If you weren't here, I would have remained unaware of my own emotions. If you weren't here, I would never have turned my gaze toward anything other than myself. Because you made me realize, I was able to know myself. I was able to know my surroundings. I believe that is truly more pleasing than anything else.
The name of the "being who can defeat me" is Kuromueina. A kindhearted friend who walks a different path from mine, despite being born as my other half.
The name of the "Demon bestowed with a portion of my Authority" is Ein. Kuro's first family member, who was given the name of the Beginning.
The name of the "creature specialized only in destruction" is Megiddo. An intelligent crimson beast who sealed away his heart that sought only destruction and obtained a heart that enjoys combat instead.
The name of the "creature with magic power that directly acts on emotions" is Isis. A gentle King of Death who suffered from her cursed power, yet never lost her kind heart or her hope.
The name of the "plants given emotions" is Lilliwood. A beautiful flower who became the origin of many spirits—of plants with hearts.
The name of the "abnormally evolved creature" is Magnawell. The king of the Dragon Race, who possesses a deep vessel befitting the world's largest physical stature.
The name of the "existence from an otherworld" is Shaltier... no, Alice. The Phantasmal King who deceives the world, reaching a realm concerning hearts and emotions that even I cannot match.
I certainly had a hand in the beginnings of those individuals. However, what they accumulated afterward belongs to them and no one else. Now, I can understand the meaning of the words Kuro once said: "This world belongs to those who live in it." And I even feel proud of that...
"...Shiro-san?"
As I was lost in thought for a moment, Kaito-san was staring at me with a puzzled expression.
"No, it is nothing."
After letting a smile play on my lips at that dear gaze, I took his hand and began to walk.
Ah, truly... how happy an emotion is the feeling of looking forward to what is to come. Every time I am with Kaito-san, I feel it deeply.
I am standing now not at the "End of the Story," but in the "middle of a happy story"...
Serious-senpai: "...Wait, hold on, this is being brushed off like it's some heartwarming story, but... the reason the Six Kings were born is this person!?"
???: "It's mostly Shallow Vernal-sama's fault."
Serious-senpai: "It's not just 'mostly,' it's everything, isn't it!?"
???: "More importantly, why did Shallow Vernal-sama take the soul of the Evil God that I... Alice-chan defeated as a 'takeout'? I mean, Isis-san is a former Evil God!? Even for me, that's a shocking fact!?"