My date with Shiro-san had come to an end. As we stepped through the amusement park exit, Alice appeared before us as if she had been waiting for that exact moment.
"So, Alice, what is your choice? If you intend to go on your date with Kaito-san now, shall I rewind time once more?"
Wait, a date with Alice? Since when was that the plan? Ah—was that what Shiro-san had whispered to her earlier?
Actually, never mind that. More importantly, this Goddess just casually offered to rewind time again. Exactly how many times am I going to have to repeat this day?
"Hmm. While I'd love to take you up on that offer... I'd rather remodel the amusement park first before we date. I did make some adjustments, but as it stands, this park is at a level where an ordinary person would die hundreds of times over."
"I see. Then, what will you do?"
I thought I was in for another repeat of today, but Alice followed up with a proposal—or rather, a save. For all her quirks, Alice is surprisingly sensible when it comes to dates and romance, which always gives me a sense of relief.
Hold on... was the park really that dangerous? Well, I suppose that jet coaster was moving at an ungodly speed, and the merry-go-round looked fast enough to whip up a tornado...
Setting that aside, it looked like my date with Alice would be moved to another day. The only real concern was whether the ditzy Shiro-san would actually keep the amusement park around until then.
"So, Shallow Vernal-sama, please give me this amusement park. I'd like it in a portable state, if you would!"
"I don't mind."
I had definitely underestimated them. Shiro-san’s sense of scale was one thing, but Alice’s ability to naturally ask to just "have" an entire amusement park was equally impressive.
Shiro-san granted the request without hesitation. With a snap of her fingers, the sprawling park vanished, replaced by a small box in her hand.
"I shall name it the Anywhere Amusement Park Box. Consider it a reward for your hard work today."
"Thank you very much!"
The Anywhere Amusement Park Box... I could tell it was an incredible item, but was it actually safe? If a massive park like that appeared out of nowhere, the impact on the surroundings would be catastrophic.
"There is no issue on that front. Using the Anywhere Amusement Park Box automatically teleports the user to a Special Space where the park is located, so it does not affect the physical world. If you exit through the main gates, you will return to your original location."
"I-I see. As expected of you, Shiro-san."
"You are welcome to praise me more, you know. I find that I quite enjoy being complimented."
For now, I decided to just accept that it was an amazing artifact. That was probably the wisest choice.
We left the God Realm and headed for Lilia-san’s mansion to meet my parents. Since Shiro-san handled the teleportation personally, I was dropped directly into the room where Lilia-san was in the middle of her explanation.
"S-Sorry for the sudden intrusion."
"No, it’s quite alright. I’ve just finished the first part of my explanation to the two of them. Yes, finished... or have I? How strange. I have the mysterious feeling that I've given this exact explanation about five times now. It must be my imagination... right?"
I apologized to Lilia-san for appearing out of thin air, but she gave me a gentle smile and told me it was fine. She mentioned that the timing was perfect, but then she tilted her head in confusion. She checked her pocket watch, only to tilt her head even further.
I am so sorry, Lilia-san. It’s almost certainly not your imagination. Time itself has been rewound over and over again today...
While I offered her a silent apology, I turned around and saw my mother and father sitting in their chairs, watching me with heartwarming expressions.
Wait... what was wrong with me? I had so many things I wanted to tell them, so many things I needed to report... but the words wouldn't come.
Mom and Dad were right there. Just that reality filled my heart so completely that I didn't know where to start.
Seeing me like that, my parents looked at each other and shared a smile. Then, they turned back to me and spoke in unison.
"Welcome home, Kaito."
I felt a sharp pang in my chest. It was a simple, everyday greeting. And yet, it was the one thing I had truly wanted to hear for a very long time.
Hearing them say it so naturally made me uncontrollably happy. Finally, I could feel it—Mom and Dad were really here.
"...I'm home."
My voice trembled as I replied. In that moment, I realized there were no words more fitting for our reunion than those.
After all, when I had last spoken to them in that virtual world, my final words had been, "I'm off." Now that we were finally together again, "I'm home" was the only way to answer.