Having completed two full rounds of the Hydra Kingdom's Founding Anniversary Festival, I returned home and slept with the understanding that I’d be back in my original dimension upon waking. I couldn't exactly distinguish one dimension from the other, but it certainly felt like I was back where I belonged.
Attending the festival twice in a row had been fun, but it had definitely taken its toll. I was feeling a significant amount of mental fatigue, so I decided to spend the day lounging about instead of heading out.
"Kai-chaaaaaaan!"
"Oof!?"
No sooner had the thought crossed my mind than Fate-san materialized in my room without warning, lunging at my chest with terrifying momentum. Since my lack of physical strength is something of a known quantity, I stood no chance of stopping her tackle. I was knocked backward, and it was only by sheer luck that I'd just woken up and the bed was right behind me to catch my fall.
"...Fa-Fate-san? What’s this all about so suddenly?"
"Kai-chan, I worked so hard! I want you to pamper me!"
"Uh, sure?"
"I gave you and Shallow Vernal-sama my full support during your date, didn't I? I'm absolutely exhausted, so I came here hoping Kai-chan would praise me."
"Ah, I see. You definitely did a lot... Wait."
I clearly remembered how all the Gods, Fate-san included, had provided such thorough support and responded instantly to every situation. I had no doubt that her claim of working hard was the truth. However, one detail caught my attention.
"Fate-san, do you actually remember the other dimension where Shiro-san and I went on our date?"
"Hmm? Yeah, I remember. It took a bit of effort, but I managed a self-transfer of my memories. Since I can do it, Shaltan and the Underworld King definitely can too. Besides, I'm sure Shallow Vernal-sama ensured that anyone she intended to remember would have their memories transferred."
"I see. So that's possible, too... Fate-san, I have one more question. From my perspective, it felt like the original dimension happened first, followed by the parallel one. How does the timeline actually work?"
"Explaining the details is complicated and a total pain, and I doubt I could do it justice... Roughly speaking, you can think of it as finishing your time in the original dimension and then moving to the parallel one while being sent back in time."
"I see... Then, for example, is it possible to do more than just transfer memories to the original dimension? Could someone transfer memories of a dimension they visited previously to a later one?"
"Since your memories were transferred like that, it's certainly possible if someone wants to do it. Though, I think it’s impossible unless you're at least Quasi-Almighty Class."
"I see... Thank you."
Hearing Fate-san’s explanation solved a mystery that had been nagging at me. It was about why Alice hadn't shown her face a single time while I was on my date with Shiro-san.
Alice usually kept her distance out of consideration whenever I was with a lover, but so many things had happened during the date with Shiro-san that it wouldn't have been unusual for her to pop up. Given her personality, I was certain she had been supporting us from the shadows, but now I knew why she never appeared before us. She had performed a self-transfer of her memories from the first round, and she was likely too embarrassed by the events of her own date to look me in the eye.
"Kai-chan?"
"Ah, no, I just realized the answer to a question I had. Anyway, thank you for your hard work, Fate-san. Thanks to you, I had a wonderful time."
"Well, if Kai-chan and Shallow Vernal-sama enjoyed yourselves, I guess it was worth the effort... That aside, pamper me!"
"What did you have in mind?"
"For now, just keep holding me like this and pet my head. Then let’s just laze around together."
"Alright. I was planning on having a lazy day anyway, so let’s do that."
"Yay!"
I let out a wry chuckle as Fate-san pressed her head against my chest, demanding affection. I did as she asked, stroking her hair while lightly wrapping my free arm around her. I really was quite tired, so a day of doing nothing sounded perfect. I might even drift back off for a second nap...
Serious-senpai: So that's why she never showed her face in front of Kaito and the others... I see, she was too embarrassed because she remembered the first round...