Upon the conclusion of Kaito and Shallow Vernal's date, the worlds that had temporarily branched off into separate dimensions merged back into the original one. Memories and history were reconciled to match the prime reality.
Under normal circumstances, those in the original dimension would not inherit memories from these branched timelines, but there were a few exceptions—specifically, individuals Shallow Vernal deemed worthy of retaining them.
First, as a matter of course, Kaito possessed the memories of every dimension. Since the very purpose of branching the world for this day was to prevent his schedules with multiple lovers from overlapping during seasonal events, his memories were preserved across all iterations.
Beyond him, Shallow Vernal, Kuromueina, Machina, Alice, and—just barely—Fate also retained their memories. These beings, possessing quasi-almighty or almighty class power, were capable of sharing memories through their own innate strength.
In other cases, memories were transferred if Shallow Vernal intentionally chose to pass them on. In this particular instance, Marine, who had exchanged initial greetings with Kaito, and Lilia were the ones selected to inherit them.
For Marine, it wasn't an issue. Retaining the memory of having met and introduced herself to Kaito posed no significant problems. If there was a problem to be found, it lay with Lilia, who had a knack for drawing the short straw in these situations.
Before noon two days after the Founding Anniversary Festival had ended, Lilia was in her office, busy organizing letters and paperwork. Much of it was related to the various nobles she had interacted with during the festival in the Hydra Kingdom.
As Lunamaria, Lilia’s personal maid and confidante, assisted her in their usual efficient manner, Lilia suddenly came to a dead stop.
"Hmm? Is something wrong, Lili? Find something of interest?"
"..."
"You look pale. I find it hard to believe someone like you has fallen ill, but are you alright?"
Since they were currently alone, Lunamaria used Lilia’s nickname, her voice laced with concern. It was a reasonable reaction; Lilia had turned a ghostly shade of blue and a cold sweat was beginning to bead on her forehead.
The reason was simple: at that exact moment, the dimensional integration had finalized, and Lilia had just inherited the memories of that alternate timeline. Specifically, the excruciatingly stressful, stomach-turning memories of everything that had transpired in the Hydra Kingdom.
"...My stomach... it hurts..."
"Do you mean in the mental sense?"
"...Yes."
"Why so suddenly? I don't believe Miyama-sama has done anything in particular today, has he?"
Lunamaria tilted her head, perplexed. Lilia possessed power on par with a high-ranking Count-class demon and held the Main Blessing of Chronoa, a Supreme God. She was naturally immune to disease and possessed overwhelming resistance to almost all status ailments.
For someone like Lilia to complain of stomach pain, the cause had to be psychological. Lunamaria’s first thought was Kaito, but since he hadn't done anything noteworthy that day, the situation was incomprehensible to her.
"...No, it wasn't today. It was... during the Founding Anniversary Festival."
"Pardon? The festival? But that ended quite peacefully, didn't it? There weren't any major incidents, and I don't recall anything troubling happening with Miyama-sama either."
"That’s true, but that's not it... Argh, the frustration of not being able to explain this!"
Lilia had inherited the memories, but Lunamaria had not. Consequently, the maid had no knowledge of that alternate day—a day that, for Lilia, had been an agonizing gauntlet of stress from start to finish.
From Lilia’s perspective, it was as if a massive wave of retroactive stomach pain had suddenly assaulted her from another dimension. Explaining the situation well enough to gain sympathy was a near-impossible task, leaving her to clutch her head in silent, miserable despair.
Machina: "Ah, so that’s the end of the date with Shallow Vernal, then?"
???: "Well, they’ve already promised a proper hot spring trip for later. I imagine that’s when the real festivities will happen."
Machina: "That makes sense!"