Ever since Epsilon and Miyabi had begun living together, sharing meals had become their standard routine. This evening was no exception. As Epsilon sampled the dinner Miyabi had prepared, a look of genuine wonder crossed her face.
"Today's grilled fish is remarkably delicious."
"Oh? Ah... you're right. It tastes much better than usual. Perhaps I simply happened to find a high-quality fish today."
The meal was undeniably tastier than their typical fare, but Miyabi had no recollection of changing her cooking method. She simply chalked it up to luck with her ingredients and moved on.
However, there was a specific reason for this change. During her reincarnation, Miyabi’s soul had been damaged. While she perceived this only as a partial loss of memory, she had also lost the magical aptitude unique to otherworlders.
When Machina restored her soul, Miyabi’s magic—a power closely resembling Kotodama—was revived as well. The enhanced flavor was the direct result of Miyabi’s habit of whispering, "Become delicious, become delicious," while she worked. Her magic was now responding to her words and physically improving the quality of her cooking, though neither of them had any way of realizing it yet.
"Still, creating an entirely new world just for a birthday celebration is quite staggering," Miyabi remarked.
"Miyama Kaito-sama's influence is truly immeasurable. Considering that a gathering of this scale would likely cause a massive uproar unless held in a separate realm, such measures are a necessity."
"I see... I wonder, if someone with that much influence spoke to him, do you think Ozma-sama would finally become proactive about romance?"
"I suspect it would be difficult. My impression of Miyama Kaito-sama is not that he is proactive himself, but rather that he is naturally loved by those around him. Relationships seem to progress because others approach him with such aggression."
"Hmm. What a disappointment... If only Ozma-sama were a bit weaker, it would be so much faster to just force a fait accompli through brute strength. Things are never quite that easy, are they?"
Epsilon couldn't help but let out a wry smile at Miyabi’s regretful murmur. Despite her refined, ladylike appearance, Miyabi’s thought process was surprisingly blunt and linear—she truly did think like a member of the War King's staff.
After finishing their dinner and clearing away the dishes, the two transitioned into their nightly tradition: an evening drink. Epsilon sipped from her sake cup while sampling the snacks Miyabi had prepared.
As a subordinate of the War King, Epsilon was no stranger to boisterous banquets and large quantities of strong spirits. Lately, however, she had found that she far preferred this quiet time, slowly enjoying a drink alone with Miyabi. Not that she disliked the parties, of course; comparing the two was ultimately a meaningless exercise when both brought her joy.
"Come to think of it, four former Hero-roles were also helping with the party preparations," Epsilon noted.
"Ah, the other immigrants. Until my memories returned, I didn't really feel like an otherworlder, so I didn't see the Hero-roles as being from my own home country. Now that I remember everything, I’d like to meet them. They are from an era much further in the future than mine, so I’m curious to hear their stories."
"I’ll introduce you if the opportunity arises. Though, to be honest, I’ve hardly spoken to anyone besides Miyama Kaito-sama myself. Still, putting that aside, has regaining your memories had any other effects on you?"
"Hmm, in some unexpected ways... Take the weaving I do. I thought it was perfectly fine before, but looking back, I realize the colors and patterns were a bit off after I lost my memories. I must have been unconsciously trying to mimic the kimonos and designs I remembered from back home."
Miyabi produced textiles as both a hobby and a source of income, selling Japanese-style fabrics. While Blossom was her primary customer, the fabrics sold well enough to others to provide a steady, albeit modest, livelihood.
"I see. So your past memories were serving as experience even without your knowledge."
"Yes. Though I didn't realize it until those memories were restored."
"There are things one only understands after losing them, and things one only understands after gaining them back..."
"You never know what will trigger a realization until it happens. But as far as my memories go, unfortunately, there was nothing that would help progress the relationship between Ix-sama and Ozma-sama."
"...As dedicated to that cause as ever, I see."
"Of course! Once I help Ix-sama and Ozma-sama settle their romantic affairs, I intend to marry Ix-sama myself! I'd like things to move along quickly. But Ozma-sama is quite the formidable opponent—a true ultimate bachelor. Perhaps it’s better to take our time and progress gradually... but then..."
Watching Miyabi contemplate the situation with a dead-serious expression, Epsilon took a sip of sake and smiled. Things realized only after loss, and things realized only after gain... Epsilon's earlier words were drawn directly from her own harrowing experience.
In truth, it had been Agni who first liked Ozma and began approaching him aggressively. Epsilon's own affection for Ozma was not a lie—she deeply respected his strength and liked him as a man. She could say without hesitation that he was her favorite member of the opposite sex.
However, if she were asked whether her rivalry with Agni—a competition that had spanned since their childhood—played a part in her pursuit of him, she would have struggled to find an answer.
(Ozma-sama seems to find me more difficult to deal with than Agni. Perhaps he senses that part of me.)
Her feelings for Ozma were genuine. However, imagine a scenario where Ozma—who was far stronger than Epsilon and capable of self-resurrection—had died, just as Miyabi once had. Would Epsilon have ended up in the same state she had been in for Miyabi?
No. She would have grieved, certainly. She would have wept and felt a profound loneliness. But in the end, Epsilon would have eventually accepted Ozma's death. She would have carved the memory of him into her heart and continued to move forward.
She certainly wouldn't have done what she did for Miyabi. She wouldn't have spent every night for months weeping, unable to contain her emotions, desperately seeking out forbidden arts to reclaim their shared life.
Epsilon’s mental state during that period had been truly terrifying. After securing permission from Megiddo, she had abandoned all duties as a general for half a year. She had spent every waking moment without rest in the library of Isis’s castle, obsessively researching forbidden books. Her desperation had been so absolute that even the Death King had hesitated to approach her, and the Phantasm King had been moved to offer her help.
"Miyabi."
"Eh? Oh, yes!"
Epsilon gave a light call and patted her lap. Miyabi immediately sensed the intention and sat down on Epsilon’s lap with a delighted expression.
Epsilon was tall even for a man, while Miyabi was somewhat petite, creating a noticeable difference in their frames. Epsilon wrapped her arms around Miyabi from behind, resting her chin on the girl's shoulder and closing her eyes.
This kind of physical contact was common during their drinks—a brief, quiet intermission. Miyabi beamed with happiness as she was embraced, and Epsilon wore a gentle, tranquil smile.
Ozma might be the person Epsilon liked most as a man. But if she included both sexes, Miyabi was the most important person in her life. Her most precious treasure was already right here in her arms.
Epsilon didn't particularly care if she married Miyabi first. If Miyabi had a specific order of events in mind, she was happy to go along with it at a leisurely pace. They were never going to be apart again anyway; she intended to be by Miyabi's side forever. There was no need to rush.
"...Miyabi, I’m off work tomorrow. Shall we go out? I heard Noin-dono opened a shop that handles items from your world."
"I’ve been wanting some small plates, so it would be wonderful if they have them. But more than anything, I’m just happy to spend the day with Ix-sama."
"Fufu... you exaggerate. We've gone out together plenty of times."
"No, no. No matter how many times we do it, spending time alone with the one I love is always special."
"I see... Perhaps you're right."
Epsilon mirrored Miyabi's joyful expression with one of her own. There truly were things one couldn't understand without gaining them. She found it a surprising new discovery that she was, in fact, the type to be fiercely obsessive when it came to the things she held most dear. Epsilon tightened her embrace slightly.
"Miyabi... are you happy now?"
"Yes, of course! I’m happy now, and I know I’ll be happy from now on. After all, I plan to stay by Ix-sama's side forever."
"I see. Then I must make sure I never betray those expectations..."
As they sat laughing and talking, they were enveloped in a peaceful, profoundly sweet atmosphere.
Serious-senpai: "...Ugh... They're flirting even more than I expected (Despair)... They're just doing back-hugs like it's the most natural thing in the world... These two are dangerous..."