It was hard to say whether the scene was a heartwarming one of a motherly figure watching over the growth of her children, or whether I should instead pity the Gods who had performed such exhaustive simulations that they could anticipate her every whim. Either way, our evening trip to the Clock Tower was now officially on the schedule.
With our plans solidified, we continued to wander through the market stalls, enjoying some light, idle conversation.
"I have to say, Shiro-san, things have been going just as you wanted. We’re actually having a date that feels like, well... a real couple."
"True. Everything has been quite smooth so far, and our evening is already planned. However, I feel we are lacking in scenarios where you are more assertive, Kaito-san."
"U-Umm... Well, I suppose that might be true when you put it that way."
Indeed, most of our romantic interactions thus far had been driven by her requests. If she felt I wasn't taking enough initiative, she was certainly right. Since she had voiced it as a concern, it was effectively a roundabout request, and I felt like I should do something to step up.
However, being assertive—leading the way—was easier said than done. If we were in the Sinfonia Royal Capital, a place I knew well, it might have been different. But here in a capital where I had no sense of the geography, amidst the chaos of the Founding Anniversary Festival, I couldn't easily think of a way to take charge while keeping things romantic.
No, I didn't necessarily need to focus on the festival itself. I just had to think of a situation where a couple would be lovey-dovey and I could take the lead.
Assertive, huh... If I wanted to go for something forceful, maybe a wall slam? No, a kabedon felt less like being lovey-dovey and more like a specific romantic trope. It felt like something from the distance of a pair who hadn't started dating yet.
Wall slams aside, I should probably think along those lines...
"Oh?"
Uh-oh. This was bad. Shiro-san had a look of intense intrigue on her face. She was clearly reading my mind, and the concept of a wall slam had definitely caught her interest.
But I needed her to wait. It wasn't something I could just do right here and now. It was a situation that required specific prerequisites. If I were to do it at all, it would have to be much later...
"I see."
"Wait, Shiro-san, why are you waving your hand...?"
"No reason. I simply thought I would create a suitable wall."
"If a wall suddenly appeared in the middle of a busy thoroughfare like this, Chronoa-san's stomach would give out. Please, really, spare her."
Besides, even if she put a wall up right now, it wasn't as if I could just say, 'Alright, time for a wall slam.' There were people everywhere! If I tried something like that here, we’d be the center of attention. Not only would Chronoa-san's stomach be at risk, but my social standing would likely meet a swift end as well.
"If you're interested, Shiro-san, I'll do it later. Just please don't make a wall appear here."
"I see. Then you are saying that if we find a situation with a suitable wall and we are alone, you will do it?"
"Eh? Ye-Yeah, I'll do it, but..."
It seemed the idea of a wall slam had piqued Shiro-san's curiosity to the extreme. She was looking at me with eyes full of expectation. The moment I reflexively nodded, I saw her lightly wave her hand... and the scenery changed in an instant.
High above the capital of the Hydra Kingdom, the three Supreme Gods who were monitoring the date widened their eyes almost simultaneously.
"They vanished!? Could this be the situation we feared... did they teleport somewhere!?"
"They aren't in the vicinity. I prepared perfectly this time, so anywhere within the Human Realm should be within my range of perception... but I cannot find them anywhere. They must have left the Human Realm."
"I think... it’s a subspace. It feels like she created a new pocket of space and moved there. Likely so she could be alone with Kai-chan?"
For the three Supreme Gods, losing track of the pair—even for a moment—during their first date had been a major failure. They had naturally prepared countermeasures for this occasion.
"I see. Assuming the God of Fate is correct, the problem is whether they will return to the same spot..."
"True. If she is still interested in the stalls, they might return to the same place, but they could just as easily pop up somewhere else. We don't know the timing either, so we should broaden our surveillance."
Just because the two had moved to a subspace didn't mean the Gods could take a break. If anything, because they didn't know when the pair would return, they had to concentrate and watch over the entire capital with even more intensity. The Supreme Gods' long day was far from over.
"But still, must be nice, being Shallow Vernal-sama. I want to flirt with Kai-chan too."
Watching the date had only strengthened Fate's desire to be lovey-dovey with Kaito, making her want to visit him the moment the festival ended. With that in mind, Fate turned her gaze back to the capital, wondering if she could ask Shallow Vernal later to let her keep these memories in her self in the original dimension.
Serious-senpai: "Next time looks like it's going to be rough. Maybe I'll escape to a subspace too... ???, make one for me."
???: "Sure thing. How about a subspace with a clear view of the date between those two?"
Serious-senpai: "That would completely defeat the purpose..."