As we continued our work at a leisurely pace, chatting as we went, Fate-san suddenly took on a thoughtful expression. She shifted her gaze toward Isis-san and spoke.
“...You know, to be honest, I really didn’t get you until just a little while ago, Ai-chan.”
“...What... do you mean?”
“I mean, we almost never actually talked before, even though I’ve known about you for ages. Given that, I just didn’t understand why you were always going on about being lonely or solitary.”
Fate-san looked back down at her hands and resumed her work. She spoke in a nostalgic tone, prefacing her thoughts by emphasizing that this was how she had felt until very recently. Isis-san stopped working and turned her attention toward her.
“...To me, it seemed only natural that someone overwhelmingly powerful would be solitary. I couldn't wrap my head around why you'd bother trying to make friends with people so far below you. The strong and the weak don't stand on the same stage, so it’s only logical for there to be a gap. It’s also natural for the weak to fear the strong, so I thought it was foolish to even care about that. Well, I suppose that was just me having a narrow perspective, and it wasn’t like you were in the wrong or anything like that~”
“...O-Oh?”
“To the ‘me’ from a while ago, Ai-chan was just a strange person who thought about incomprehensible things... It wasn’t that I liked or disliked you; it’s hard to put into words, but my impression was just that you were an odd, nonsensical person.”
“Since you say ‘until recently,’ does that mean you’ve changed your mind?”
Though her tone was as relaxed as always, Fate-san’s voice didn’t sound like she was belittling Isis-san. On the contrary, her expression suggested a soft, self-deprecating smile.
When I asked for her current impression of Isis-san, Fate-san glanced at me, then looked back at Isis-san.
“...Well, how should I put it? Ai-chan is actually quite ‘normal.’ I don’t mean that in a bad way—it’s more like you’re just a normal girl. It made me realize that the public’s opinion—calling you the ‘terrifying Six King’ or the ‘Symbol of Death’—really can’t be trusted. Well, maybe it’s just because I’m not affected by your Magic Power of Death, though.”
“...Thank you.”
“Huh? Did I just say something worth thanking?”
“...I don’t... know. But... being told that I am normal... made me happy. That is why... thank you.”
“Hm. Well, in that case... you’re welcome, I guess?”
“...Yes.”
Perhaps it was because she had been feared by so many people for so long—by the entire world, essentially—that Isis-san looked incredibly happy to be called “normal” by Fate-san.
Seeing that face, Fate-san fell silent for a moment... then smiled cheerfully, mirroring Isis-san’s expression.
“...I guess there really are some things you just won't understand until you talk like this. Yeah, I think I like your personality, Ai-chan. I feel like we could be good friends... and since we have this chance, we should get to know each other better! So, Ai-chan, what are your hobbies?”
“...Hobbies? ...Reading books... and collecting commemorative gifts... I think. ...What about yours, Fate?”
“I don’t have any! If I had to pick something, it’d be skipping work!”
“I’m not sure that counts as a hobby...”
She’d used a lot of words to get there, but in the end, Fate-san just wanted to convey that she’d genuinely grown interested in Isis-san.
It might be a bit disrespectful to say this about someone far older and more powerful than me, but seeing Fate-san’s growth in moments like this made me feel both happy and heartwarmed.
The two of them continued to exchange stories, mixing in plenty of idle chatter. The atmosphere was wonderful; it felt like they were growing closer with every word. I couldn't help but smile as I joined in.
I had originally thought they were a pair with too many conflicting personality traits, but their compatibility was actually much better than I’d expected. The conversation was incredibly lively.
“...So, Ai-chan, what’s the thing you like most in the world?”
“...Kaito.”
“Oho, then we’re the same~”
“...Yes... the same.”
The mood was incredibly soft; the two of them looked like they would be perfectly at home chatting idly over a cup of tea.
“...By the way, Ai-chan, I’m tired. Let’s take a break.”
“...Eh? ...But... it’s only been a few minutes.”
“No, no. Don’t you think me working seriously for several whole minutes is a massive achievement?”
“...U-Um... m-maybe?”
“Right! Which is why we need a break...”
“No, it’s still way too early. Let’s finish at least one first.”
Their personalities might be compatible, but if I left them to their own devices, Isis-san would definitely be swept away by the pushy Fate-san. I had to keep a close eye on them.
After all, if I agreed to a break now, she’d surely find one excuse after another to keep slacking, and we wouldn't even be finished by sunset.
Sigh... for the first time, I think I finally understood how Chronoa-san feels.