"Regret always comes too late," or so the saying goes. Usually, you only realize you've failed once the deed is already done, and by the time you notice, it's often far too late to do anything about it.
It's a common enough story: a single careless remark spiraling into a catastrophic situation. But when you're the one actually living through it, the despair is truly indescribable.
Humans are creatures of regret. We look back at the past and clutch our heads, thinking, If only I had done this then, or If only I had realized it then...
As a mere mortal without the powers of a god, I have no way to turn back the clock. Yet the thought still lingers—if only there were some way to fix that mistake...
While dwelling on a past that could not be changed, a question I had already asked myself a dozen times drifted through my mind: How on earth did I end up like this?
"Is something the matter, My Beloved Child? Are you lost in thought?"
"No, it's nothing."
"I see. Since we have this wonderful opportunity today, let us go on a 'Strolling Just the Two of Us' to our heart's content."
"...That's... right."
She had an angelic smile on her face and looked the part of a literal angel, so why was it that all I could see was the phantom of a drooling predator?
Her tone was polite and her expression seemed kind at a glance, so why was the seeping madness not being hidden at all?
In the first place... really... why did things turn out like this? I had already lost count of how many times I'd wondered, but I regretted my careless remark from the bottom of my heart.
The whole thing had started a little while ago. I was having my usual tea party with Eden-san, who visited me with a frequency of about five times a week. It had been a completely normal progression of events.
About fifteen minutes had passed. Since Rampage Phase 2 was already behind us, I figured that in just a bit, I’d send the usual signal to Kuro to wrap things up.
To put it simply, I had let my guard down. No matter how much Eden-san stood out as the single most dangerous person among my acquaintances, a standard routine had already been established.
I had felt at ease, assuming things would go the same way as always. But it is precisely at times like those that an Irregular occurs.
"My Beloved Child, as a mother, I have traveled this world extensively and found several places that I personally like."
"Heh, I'm a bit curious about the kind of places you'd like, Eden-san. What are they like?"
"There are several, but one is an island with a very lovely view. It is quite large, but few living creatures reside there. It possesses the beauty of nature left to itself, quite different from a refined and managed beauty."
"Heh, that sounds nice. Since you like it, Eden-san, it must be a wonderful spot."
While maintaining the conversation with a smile, I was focusing more on monitoring Eden-san—knowing she would likely go on a rampage before long—rather than the actual topic. Eden-san was starting to talk a bit faster, but her expression was still a gentle smile rather than a deep, distorted grin, and the madness hadn't started leaking out yet. Judging by my past experience, she would be fine for a little while longer.
"Yes. I truly wish to show it to you as well, My Beloved Child."
"That sounds good. I'd like to see it at least once."
I was thinking that if her expression changed to the deep grin of Phase 3, I would channel magic power into my necklace to alert Kuro. I wasn't fully concentrating on what was being said... that was my first mistake.
"In that case, shall we tour the places I found together, starting today?"
"Sure, I don't have any particular plans today, so that's fi—... Wait, what?"
Then came the second and fatal mistake. While giving a mindless reply, I had declared that my schedule for the day was wide open.
"Then it is settled. Fufu, I am very much looking forward to going out with My Beloved Child."
"Eh? Ah... R-Right... I guess so."
By the time I realized my blunder, it was too late to take it back. In Eden-san's mind, the trip together was already a done deal. If I tried to back out now... the consequences would be far too terrifying to imagine.
Moreover, even if I tried to decline, I had already confessed that I had no plans. Since my opponent was Eden-san, who could read minds, I couldn't even fabricate a random excuse.
But above all, it was my responsibility for not paying attention. Since I had technically given my consent—even if it was a half-hearted response—I didn't have the heart to try and cancel now.
In other words, I had no choice but to brace myself.
As a result of those two overlapping mistakes, I was pushed into a situation where I felt nothing but dread—a 'One-day Stroll Together with Eden-san.' My heart was filled with anxiety.
N-No, maybe there’s a chance she’ll go on a rampage immediately and the whole thing will end quickly... Y-Yeah... Surely it’ll work out somehow... I hope it does... Actually... I have a feeling it won't.
Serious-senpai: "...Wait, just when I thought Lilia had miraculously dodged a stomach pain flag for once, the Protagonist went and built a Dreadnought-class Stomach Pain Flag instead..."
???: "Kaito-san... you've really overdone it..."