In retrospect, it might have been a trivial change. A mere shift in mindset, one could say. However, I’ve found that the things you later realize were simple are often the hardest to discover in the first place.
At the very least, once Fate-san changed her objective to "getting to know the other person first," her relationship with my parents improved at a staggering rate. Of course, things were still awkward here and there, but as I stepped in to mediate and keep the conversation flowing, the talk never died out.
"Ahaha, I see. So Aka-rin really is a hopeless cook."
"...N-No, only a little. Just a tiny, infinitesimal... paper-thin amount! I’m just a bit worse at it than other people."
"That is a hair’s breadth with the distance of heaven and earth between its sides."
"...Dear?"
"Ah, yes, sorry."
Fate-san had become able to converse naturally with both my mother and father with a smile, but she seemed to hit it off especially well with my mother.
"That won't do, Aka-rin."
"I-I mean, if you're going to say that, Fate-sama, you’re a Goddess, so you've never cooked before, right? That means you might be just as bad as I am!"
"...Hmph, what a pity, Aka-rin. I am the Goddess who governs destiny, you know? If I decree that the outcome will be 'delicious,' then I can make a tasty meal even if I just throw the ingredients together at random."
"Isn't that cheating!?"
"Well, even without that, I am a Goddess, so I can do most things if I try. In fact, even when I made cookies for the first time, they turned out delicious quite easily."
"G-Gunuuu... I resent the difference in our base specs."
As Fate-san began to smile naturally, my mother’s tension finally seemed to melt away. Their talk gradually shifted into the easygoing banter of friends. I glanced at the clock and saw that a fair amount of time had passed; it was probably about time to wrap things up.
"...Well, setting aside the story of Mom's poor cooking, it's getting late. Shall we call it a day?"
"Ah, you're right. We certainly did talk for quite a while."
I smiled as I saw Fate-san nod at my suggestion, looking completely relaxed, and decided to ask the question that had been on my mind.
"How was it, Fate-san? Did you... find yourself becoming interested in my mother and father?"
"Hmm, I don't know."
Even though she answered that way, there was no shadow on Fate-san’s face; she had a somewhat refreshing air about her.
"But, you know, I think... that's fine. After all, the heart is a complicated thing. You can't just draw a line saying you're interested if it reaches this point and not interested if it doesn't... and I don't think you should."
"..."
"Today, I had fun talking with Aka-rin and Kazu-yan, and I want to talk with them again... so I think that's enough."
"I see. That's certainly true."
I felt that this was probably an answer close to a perfect score. Fate-san's values, which had previously drawn a hard line between being interested or not, had changed. She was no longer trapped by that binary. It was truly a surprising amount of growth.
"...Well, on that note, I suppose I'll head back now. Aka-rin, Kazu-yan, let’s talk again."
"Yes, by all means."
"N-Next time, I'll make you admit that my cooking isn't actually that bad!"
"I hope I can admit that... but as far as I can see into destiny, the outlook is grim, isn't it?"
"Is my poor cooking decreed by destiny!?"
"Ahaha, well then..."
After teasing my mother lightly, Fate-san moved toward the door on her floating cushion, but she stopped just as she reached for the handle.
"...Fate-san?"
When I called out to her as she stood there silent and still, Fate-san slowly turned back toward us with a smile.
"Ah... I think I've realized one more thing. I see, so this is what it feels like... Aka-rin and Kazu-yan, if I recall, you had your bodies created to match the inhabitants of this world, right?"
"Eh? Ah, yes."
"That is correct."
"...I see."
Fate-san nodded as if she had reached a conclusion. She stepped off her cushion and held her hand out toward my mother and father.
"In my name—the name of Fate—I declare to the Revolving Fate."
""Eh?""
"What—!?"
As Fate-san suddenly began weaving words in a majestic voice, my mother and father tilted their heads in confusion. I, however, looked on with a shocked expression, knowing exactly what this was.
"These ones—Miyama Akari and Miyama Kazuya—I recognize as those worthy of receiving my blessing."
This was undoubtedly the incantation for a True Blessing. Hearing it, I finally understood the meaning behind Fate-san’s previous question. My mother and father had bodies created to match the Humans of this world. This meant their immunity and physical constitution were the same as anyone else here.
Therefore, even without a blessing, it wasn't as if they were especially prone to falling ill... but conversely, it didn't mean they were immune.
"Therefore—in my name—the name of Fate—I command destiny."
That was why Fate-san was giving them a blessing to ensure they wouldn't get sick... no, was that all? If it was just to prevent illness, a Temporary Blessing would have sufficed. In fact, that would be the standard choice for a Human of this world. Bestowing a True Blessing meant she had another intention.
"O Revolving Fate—become the wind that pushes them forward and invite them toward a happy future. In my name—the name of Fate—I permit the names of these ones—Miyama Akari and Miyama Kazuya—as those under my protection, to be joined with mine and inscribed upon destiny."
With those words, a dazzling light enveloped my mother and father.
"...There, that should do it."
"E-Err, Fate-sama? What was that just now?"
My mother asked hesitantly as Fate-san finished the blessing and spoke with her usual relaxed expression.
"My blessing. Well, you can think of it as a kind of defense magic. With this, you won't get sick. Furthermore, since the True Blessing of a Supreme God grants Agelessness regardless of the specific principle, you won't die of old age, either."
""!? ""
"...Fate-san..."
"I mean, Kai-chan is ageless, so it would be a bit much if the two of you had normal human lifespans. Besides, humans are fragile; you might die in an accident or something. If that happened, Kai-chan would surely be very sad... and I don't want to see that."
Fate-san’s voice sounded incredibly kind and warm as she spoke, her cheeks flushing slightly as she looked away in embarrassment.
"...I feel like I finally understand, just a little, the feeling of 'wanting to cherish the people important to Kai-chan as well.' W-Well, with this, you should be fine for the most part. After all, you have destiny on your side now. You won't die easily."
"...Fate-san... thank you very much."
"A-Ahaha, well then, ask Kai-chan about what a blessing actually is and all that. I'm going home now! See ya!"
Whether she was truly embarrassed or simply finished, Fate-san vanished after speaking in a hurried rush. She knew the previous cause of death for my parents. That was precisely why she had shown them such consideration—to ensure the same thing would never happen again. I truly believe I have a wonderful lover.
And at the same time, I felt happy and proud that Fate-san had grown enough for such a selfless idea to even occur to her.
While returning from the Human Realm to the God Realm, Fate suddenly paused on the path to her temple.
"...I have to thank Kai-chan. The timing was perfect. If we had ended up having tea much later, after my heart had found more room to breathe... Aka-rin probably wouldn't have dropped that memo, and I wouldn't have clung to it as a way to break the tension."
Feeling that the meeting had been a resounding success because Kaito had moved quickly to prepare a place where both parties could meet, Fate switched her vision and shifted her gaze. She looked out at the scenery of the Human Realm from the heavens, just as Shallow Vernal often did, and smiled softly.
"...Is it because my values have changed? It looks much more beautiful than before. Is this the kind of scenery Shallow Vernal-sama has been watching ever since that incident? Fufu, this isn't bad... I feel like I'm going to grow much fonder of many things than I was before."
After Fate murmured those words, a change occurred. In her purple eyes, which had been rimmed with what looked like golden letters, a golden cross appeared. And in her pupils, something new was reflected, stretching beyond the destiny she had always seen.
"He... Hehehe... Ah, what a wonderful 'Future.' I'll have to work hard so that it doesn't change."
She saw a vision of herself surrounded by many people, with a smile of heartfelt happiness on her face, standing firmly by Kaito’s side. Having seen such a future, Fate returned to her temple with new hope in her heart.