With Lunamaria-san’s significant embarrassment, the process of receiving gifts across the parallel worlds was finally over. Honestly, though, this format was a stroke of genius.
Since we utilized parallel worlds, there was no pressure to rush through the guests like an assembly line. I had the luxury of chatting leisurely with every single person, leaving me thoroughly satisfied. If there is ever a next time, I would definitely want the gift-giving to be handled this way again.
Even though the exchange was over, the party itself was far from finished. One last entertainment segment remained—a little something planned by the Representatives of the Human Realm—so I expected we would be moving on to that shortly.
"All right, then," Alice’s voice rang out. "Since Kaito-san has successfully finished receiving all his gifts... shall we take a break? I know for many of you, this feels like taking a break right after the last one, but Kaito-san has been at this without a moment's rest."
"By the way," Fate chimed in, "how many parallel worlds did Kai-chan actually visit to collect all those gifts?"
"He received gifts from four hundred and twenty-three people," Alice replied. "Including the time spent chatting, he averaged about seven minutes per person. That totals roughly fifty hours."
"Wh-whaaat?!" Fate cried out. "That’s more than two whole days! Gross. That would be absolutely impossible for me. I’d give up halfway through the first person."
"I mean, why would you quit during the first person?" Alice sighed. "Well, setting aside Fate-san’s legendary laziness, it really did take quite a while. Since we used parallel worlds, his physical exhaustion was reset every time he crossed into a new one, and he could have taken a break whenever he wanted."
Hearing the numbers laid out like that, it really was a substantial amount of time. That said, from my perspective, it felt as though it was over in a flash after some pleasant chatting. I didn't feel like I had spent two days on it. Having my physical fatigue magically wiped away really made a huge difference.
"True~ Though it seems like it would be mentally exhausting," Fate mused. "Kai-chan should definitely take a solid break... a break... Hmmm. Shaltan, maybe my memories haven't integrated properly? I can't find any memory of Kai-chan actually taking a break."
"That’s because he didn't take any," Alice explained. "In the end, he went non-stop for the full fifty hours."
"Wait, is Kai-chan okay after that? Oh, so that’s why we’re taking a break..."
"That’s the thing. If Kaito-san had been pushing himself, or even if he were just pretending to be fine while actually being tired, Kuro-san, I, or the others would have stepped in to force a break. Just look at Kuro-san; she has a rare look of exasperation on her face, doesn't she?"
I glanced over at Kuro. She was wearing a wry, slightly exasperated smile that seemed to say, Honestly, Kaito-kun, there's just no helping you. I could practically hear her voice in my head.
"Kaito-san’s mental fortitude is that of a monster, beyond any shadow of a doubt," Alice continued. "He’s actually completely unfazed—not tired in the slightest. In fact, knowing him, he’s probably just delighted that the parallel worlds allowed him to give everyone his undivided attention. He's likely thinking he'd like to do it this way every time."
"...Kai-chan really is amazing, after all," Fate muttered.
"Well, while I don't believe Kaito-san is tired... I’m sure there are many people here who are worried about him, and I’d like him to have a change of pace anyway, so we will be taking a break."
Even though Alice understood that I wasn't mentally fatigued, she firmly declared a recess. It was probably the right call. Tre-san, Akane, and several others had asked if I was holding up okay when they gave me their gifts, so a break would put everyone at ease.
"I see. That makes sense," Fate said. "Hey, Shaltan, while we're at it, give me another 'Kai-chan is Amazing Episode.'"
"Excuse me?"
Whoops, Fate-san was starting something weird again...
"You know, hearing about how incredible Kai-chan is makes me feel proud and happy as his lover. Basically, I get to feel great without having to do any of the work myself! Come on, give me more. Like that story just now—the stuff I might not have noticed."
"...Fine. I’ll give you one from during this very party. When Electrone-san appeared earlier, what were your first thoughts, Fate-san?"
"Huh? Well, she's a God on the same level as Shallow Vernal-sama, so the pressure—her aura—was just staggering."
Wait, what? Was there really that much pressure when Electrone-san appeared? All I remember was her appearing with a concert-like flair and thinking how flashy she looked...
"Yes, exactly," Alice said. "Whether you call it magic power, divine power, or existence pressure, she is an Omniscient and Omnipotent God. Her manifestation alone released incredible pressure. It wasn't the kind that crushes your mind, but you could feel the weight of her existence itself. I’m sure everyone in the venue felt it... though Electrone-san adjusted it immediately after seeing the reaction, so it only lasted for an instant."
"Yeah. And?" Fate prompted.
"Well, I don't know if his senses have just been bugged from spending too much time with Gods, but Kaito-san clearly didn't feel any pressure at all. It wasn't that he adapted to it via Sympathy Magic; he just acted like there was no problem from the start. When Electrone-san appeared, his only thought was probably something like, 'Wow, that was a flashy entrance.'"
"...Kai-chan really is amazing, after all."
That really was news to me. I genuinely hadn't felt any pressure whatsoever. But looking at the reactions of Fate-san and Alice, it seemed I really was just being dense and had completely missed what everyone else had experienced.
Perhaps I had simply grown too accustomed to that kind of Godly Aura because I talked with Shiro-san and Machina so often...
The Truth
Godly Aura (Omniscient and Omnipotent): "Well, even if he has incredible adaptability, I have my pride as an Omniscient and Omnipotent God's aura to consider. It can't be helped. Even if it's only until he adapts, I have to let him feel the pressure of a higher existence. Now then, let's go with a light intimidation!"
The End of the Story (Out of the Question): "...Hah?"
Godly Aura (Omniscient and Omnipotent): "—TO EVERYONE EXCEPT KAITO-SAMA!!!! Ah, no, no, no! Just because I'm a Godly Aura doesn't mean I can just do whatever I want! Intimidating Kaito-sama, even for a short time, is absolutely unforgivable! In fact, the very attitude of 'waiting for him to adapt' is a huge problem! I'm the one who should be adapting! I'll proactively adapt myself to his Sympathy Magic!"