A soft breeze blowing the Sanctuary swayed the silvery-white hair of the two people present in that place while their golden eyes crossed each other.

  [……Now that I think about it, the reason why I created you…… I guess it really was just a whim.]

  [Unnn?]

  [I don’t really understand what I was thinking at that time but…… Now, that’s right. I’m glad that I have created you.]

  [W- What’s the matter? Suddenly saying such a thing……]

  Hearing Shallow Vernal speak in her usual inflectionless tone, to which she could also somehow feel calmness within them, Kuromueina curiously tilted her head.

  [It’s really strange. You and I are supposed to be the same, but everything about us is so different. Whether it’s our personalities, our way of life, “our height and breast size”, we are complete opposites.]

  [That last one doesn’t really matter, does it!? I can change my appearance, you know!? I’m not limited to this form, okay!?]

  [However, that’s right. I guess we are similar in some ways.]

  [……Hey, Shiro. Listen to me, okay? The things I said to you earlier are very important!]

  Shallow Vernal spins her words, splendidly ignoring Kuromueina’s complaint. Kuromueina, who has known her for a long time, lets out a sigh, thinking that it’s useless to try correcting her any further.

  However, her dumbfounded expression changed with Shallow Vernal’s next words.

  [Even though we are polar opposites, oddly enough…… “we sought the same being”.]

  […………………]

  Kuromueina immediately knew that she was referring to Kaito. However, she didn’t know the true meaning behind Shallow Vernal’s words.

  It’s true that Kaito came to this world because Kuromueina tampered with the Summoning Magic Circle. It isn’t strange to say that Kaito is the being Kuromueina sought for.

  However, by the way she said it, it sounded like Shallow Vernal had also wanted Kaito. Kuromueina certainly knew that Shallow Vernal likes Kaito…… but even though she had known her for a long time, she didn’t know what was within Shallow Vernal’s heart.

  But Shallow Vernal stopped speaking there, paused for a moment and slightly smiled.

  [……Thanks to you, I was able to know that I have a heart. I never had the chance to say it before but…… thank you, Kuro.]

  [……Shiro……]

  [I’m not sure what you think about me…… but for me, you are more than just my other self, I think of you as “my precious friend”.]

  [A- Ahaha, I’d get embarrassed if you suddenly say something like that. Seriously, what’s with you today?]

  In response to Shallow Vernal’s straightforward words of gratitude, Kuromueina scratched her cheek in embarrassment. Even though she was wondering what’s with Shallow Vernal, hearing Shallow Vernal call her a friend somehow makes her happy.

  [……If it wasn’t for you…… I suppose I could have chosen more “ruthless means” without hesitation……]

  [Eh?]

  With those words, the atmosphere around Shallow Vernal drastically changed. The calm atmosphere she had earlier vanished, and a tingling sense of intimidation enveloped the surroundings.

  [……My half-body, Kuromueina.]

  [!? ]

  [……I wouldn’t argue now about where the “real beginning” started. However, if you are the one who began his story, I will be the one standing at its end…… This is a “declaration of war” from me to you.]

  [S- Shiro? W- What in the world are you……]

  In response to the sudden declaration of war, Kuromueina looked confused. but Shallow Vernal continued, her face still having the same expression she had before.

  [The decisive battle will be fought from the 29th night of the Heaven month to the end of the 30th day…… before the time of their repatriation comes…… be prepared. This battle is different from 20,000 years ago. There will be no “draws”. It will end only when “I won or lost”.]

  [……Shiro, why…… why are you……]

  [I also have “things I can’t give up”. Even if I had to confront you, my friend, for it…… If you want to protect Kaito-san, you must also use everything in your power.]

  [………………….]

  Shallow Vernal’s determination was firm. Even though her expression didn’t change, Kuromueina could still tell that. That’s why…… she wasn’t able to understand.

  What is it that Shallow Vernal wants so badly…… what did she mean with the words real beginning…… After all the times they spent together, Kuromeuina realized that she still didn’t know anything about her friend Shallow Vernal.

  Two beings who once faced each other 20,000 years ago are now facing each other again. With the singularity named Miyama Kaito at its center……


  [……Well then, that’s the end of that conversation. Let’s have some tea.]

  [……Ehh?]

  [I guess the teacakes would be baby castella huh.]

  [Eh? N- No, wait a moment…… I’m begging you, please wait!]

  [What is it?]

  But then, in an instant, the tense atmosphere disappeared and Shallow Vernal spoke in her usual intonationless tone again. Of course, Kuromueina wasn’t able to keep up with the sudden change, looking bewildered.

  [……Where the heck did the tense atmosphere earlier go!?]

  [I dunno? It’s something that doesn’t have a will of its own, so isn’t it possible that it got blown away by the wind?]

  [I’m not talking about that! Ahh~~ geez!]

  [What’s with all your sudden shouting?]

  [……I don’t know. I really don’t understand what you were thinking, Shiro……]

  [Really? That’s strange…… Well then, shall we have some tea?]

  [……I guess…… so.]

  Hearing Shallow Vernal make her usual airheaded declaration, as if the previous conversation had never happened, Kuromueina’s shoulders slumped.

  Then, with a look of resignation, she sat down on the chair that Shallow Vernal created and started drinking tea.

  [……Rather, is it really alright to drink tea with someone you had just declared war on?]

  [Unnn? I declared war on you, but that doesn’t mean I’ve come to hate you…… The war will also start on the 29th day of the Heaven month, so having tea now is not a problem.]

  [……H- Hmmm.]

  The conversation between the two ended with a doltish atmosphere…… But by no means did Shallow Vernal say that their conversation earlier disappeared.

  The one-year story of the being named Kaito in this world…… The confrontation between the beginning and the end isn’t that far-off.

  **********