On the deck of the magical stone ship, the Living Legend, I breathe in the sea breeze that blows quietly through the air to my heart's content. The smell of the tide tickling my nostrils is refreshing and comforting.

　The deep blue sky stretches on forever, the pure white sun spreading a radiant race of light. One round sunbeam in the sky and about ten more reflecting off the ocean.

　The ocean, which extends to the horizon, is a slightly paler blue than the sky. It is a beautiful color of the sea, darker than light blue, lighter than blue, and different from the sky. In the canvas of the sea, there are sparse, almost black blues and unique indigo colors painted irregularly. Perhaps the colors change according to the depth of the sea. It's a color scheme that transcends the art found only in the natural world.

　Silver fishes bounce on the surface of the sea. A white bird flutters in the distant sky.
　The music of the sea echoes in the quiet sound of the ripples. I shut my eyes and let it slowly seep into my mind through my ears.

　I feel a sense of peace.
　I meditate without being driven by anything, without being trapped by anything, without doing anything.

　That's all it takes to make the world so gentle.
　But my heart is not at peace. It was the exact opposite.

　My heart pulses at an unsettling rate.
　Along with my breathlessness, my mouth hurts.
　My skin feels like it's starting to feel rough.
　The darkening of the dark circles in my eyes has deepened and I can't hide my fatigue.

My stomach hurts." ......

　I mutter a few words from the bottom of my heart to the blue sky.

　Then I stagger and lean against the wooden railing on the deck.
　I'm woozy from not getting enough sleep.

　It's smooth sailing on the voyage to the mainland, but I'm tired by contrast.
　I was, by contrast, exhausted.

　I was tired to the core.
　I wanted to climb over the railing and get into the water right now.

　Why am I so exhausted?
　It goes back to the first day of the boat trip.

　First, the reckoning of the promises made to Maria, Snow, Rustyala and the rest of the crew. Then, the narrowing siege of death. The problems that arise from revealing one's identity. The confinement of being a man alone in the confined space of a ship. Excessive skin-to-skin contact from his comrades. My position in the confederacy, which I don't agree with. An unwillingly growing reputation for intercepting enemy ships. The discrepancy between purpose and motivation. The labyrinthine search is difficult to navigate. Forty layers that are difficult to reach.
　And I--.

　--and to top it all off, I met the girl who is the source of my biggest problem.

　A fragile girl with white hair and white plumage that looks vaguely familiar.

　It's no wonder she looks so familiar. At any rate, her source of material--


◆◆◆◆◆


　As we head out into Gliard's harbor, we finally have some free time where we are free to be unchallenged by anything.

　After the Reaper and I stabilize the ship's navigation, Rustyala takes the lead in assigning rooms on the ship.
　Each of us goes into our rooms to relieve the fatigue of the "Dance Tournament".

　I fall into the white bed provided and stare at the ceiling of my room.

　It's a big job just to see Rowen off, but because of Rustyala, I've added the task of vandalizing the casino.
　I was just about to meditate on taking a rest today and was about to meditate when I heard a knock at the door.

'Kanami-san ......, are you there?'

　It's Maria's voice.

'...... okay. You can come in.

　I stood up, startled by the unexpected arrival.
　I invited Maria into my room.

'Excuse me. I know you're very tired, but please give me a few minutes of your time.
No, no, don't worry about it. I'm totally fine.

　Maria starts talking seriously.
　I try not to make her feel uncomfortable and show her that I'm fine.
　It's not a lie. It's true that my physical strength is at its limit, but that means I can't do battle. There's nothing wrong with just talking to them.

　Yeah.
　If all you have to do is talk, there's no problem.
　As long as Maria doesn't lose the light in her eyes here and start a battle, as long as the ship doesn't go up in flames with Arti-bari fire magic, as long as it doesn't turn into a melee with Dia or Rustyala in the mix, we'll be fine.

　Right now, we're united in fighting back against the Palinkron. There's no way that could happen. While telling myself that it will definitely be okay--I check the "Treasured Sword of the Areis Family, Rowen" hanging on my hip, fully activate the skill "sensitivity" and finish preparing to listen to Maria's story.

　Good.
　Let's listen to what Maria has to say.

So, is there something you want to talk about?　Maria
Yes, it's an important story: ......

　They say it's an important story.
　I restrain my body from trembling and keep a smile on my face as I speak.

...... If it's important to you, I've got something to tell you. I'm okay now, so let's talk about it slowly.

　I could sense from Maria's appearance what she was talking about. Probably me and Maria's story would be the same.
　I couldn't cut it out while I was in the Confederacy, but I have plenty of time to do so now.

''It's about that night of the Nativity, when you and Arti fought Kanami-san together.

　Maria breaks off the conversation with a depressed look on her face.

'Oh, ......,'

　My face darkens as well.
　The fight that day has left a deep psychological trauma (trauma) for both of us. I'm sure both Maria and I would like to pretend that it wasn't a deep psychological experience. -- that's why we look up and remember that day.

'I betrayed Kanami-san that day. I avenged the favor I received and even tried to take Kanami-san's life. ......

　Maria speaks in a sullen voice.
　Her face was contorted with regret and her body was shaking all over. But I'm sure I have the same look on my face and my body is shaking as well.

I don't mind, it's my fault. I told you that day.　You were like my only family. So I bought you for money, kept you close, favored you, and made you a tool for my own satisfaction. I didn't think about the other person, pretended I didn't hear about their love interest, and continued to hurt Maria. You deserve it.
'No, Kanami, you did nothing wrong. He rescued the slaves, stood by them, and gave them preferential treatment. ...... Whoever heard it, there is nothing wrong with it, rather, it's a good deed. He didn't think about the slaves and pretended he didn't hear about their love interest. ...... This is normal.
Huh?

　Maria roughly dismisses my full-throated argument.

'Kanami-san is too good for people. You seem to think it's natural to respond to other people's love, but in fact, it's the opposite. There are more people in the world who pretend not to notice or take advantage of you. It's not uncommon for people to ignore it because they think it's a nuisance. It's even more so if the person you're dealing with is a slave.

　In a nonchalant manner, Maria speaks of values that are the complete opposite of mine.
　I can't say back because I can't decide if that cold-hearted sense of love is unique to Maria or common in the other world.

'And yet, Kanami-san, out of guilt, even said, "You can be mine," and "I don't mind if you die. He's an idiot. A really big idiot. ......

　I remember.
　I was trapped in Alty's 'ordeal' and I was going to bet everything on Maria.

'Yeah, I definitely feel like I said a lot of stupid things ....... But when I'm cornered, I'm just like that. If Maria swears to go to the deepest depths instead of me - if she promises me her sister, that's fine. I still feel the same way.

　The truth is, it's not good. But I didn't want to lie.
　Hence, I would leave reason and emotion in the balance and leave the decision to Maria.

...... I don't have 'eyes' anymore. So I don't even know if Kanami-san is lying to me. I have no choice but to believe you.

　Maria took my words happily and walked over to me sadly.
　Then she rests her head on my chest. After a short pause, she puts her hands around my waist and says, "I can't replace Kanami.

'I can't take Kanami-san's place. That's why I can't make Kanami-san mine. Above all, I don't need it anymore. Because, Kanami-san told me, "I'm not going to leave you alone. She said, "I won't leave you alone anymore," "I won't leave you. And I believe that.
'Oh, I won't leave you alone again ......, I promise.'

　Mary refused the covenant.
　She didn't refuse it because she didn't believe in it, she refused it because she believed in it.

　That's where she felt a bond with Maria.
　She chose a bond that was far more precious than a contract connected by calculation and conditions.
　Maria leaves my side and looks up. There is no longer a sad face there.

''Now I'm relieved. Kanami-san is so needlessly disciplined, I thought she thought she was going to be mine. Again, Kanami-san doesn't belong to anyone.

　It's the same Maria's face as always.
　It's not the empty face she once had. Nor was it a face tainted with despair.
　She has returned to the Maria she was when we were exploring the labyrinth together.
　I smile just like I used to.

'Yeah, you're right. I don't belong to anyone.
'Hmph, yes. It's the opposite. Dare I say it, I'm Kanami's (・・・・・・・) (・・・・・・・).

　Maria reverses the conversation with a good smile.
　She was back to her usual Maria, but the words were unheard of.

'Well, wait, Maria. We were going to end the conversation very nicely now, weren't we?　It's like, we're all just like, we don't belong to anyone. So, I don't belong to anyone, and Maria doesn't belong to anyone. And isn't that the best way to end the conversation?
'No, no, that's not the same thing as this. Kanami-san wasn't guilty of anything, but I have a lot of sins to answer for. In fact, I was ready to kill Kanami-san, I was.
Yeah, I forgive you for everything. I'll let you off the hook for that--
'--Yes, that is absolutely unacceptable. So I have to atone for that sin. Burning my house, betraying me at the last minute, almost killing me, that's not an ordinary thing to atone for. What should I do?　I don't have a choice, so I'll have to give up everything I have. Yes, I have no choice but to do so, since I feel that this is the only way I can atone for my sins. I have no choice but to go beyond the status of a slave and become the complete property of Aikawa Kanami.
You just said you forgive me: ......
'Yes, ....... I don't want to call you 'Master' anymore, so let's call you 'Owner'?
'Listen to people: ......!　Maria is innocent. So please don't tell me that she's going to be someone else's.
'Innocent?　...... Kanami, please calmly compare our sins with each other. In all likelihood, I am more guilty than you are. First of all, this idea was originally Kanami's idea, right?　Kanami first tried to help your sister by selling herself, didn't she?　Are you good at it and I'm not?　Oh, another example of partiality. Are you not going to be my equal in the future?
All right, all right. No partiality. I'll treat you as an equal. So give me a break: ......

　I surrender to Maria's sudden counterattack.
　When Maria sees this, she speaks with a look of consternation.

''That's the way it is. You just don't want to be told that it will be yours all of a sudden. Don't forget that. If you leave it alone, a few days later you will probably say the same thing to someone else. Kanami-san,
'All right. I'll try not to say anything frivolous: ......

　Apparently, my current reckless talk was to discourage my behavior.
　I understood that and I nodded my head. Honestly, I remember too much of a light-hearted remark.

'Yes, be careful. Otherwise, the person I love will end up being someone else's before I know it. If that happens, I think I'm going to die.
......, er, eh, you're kidding, right?
'No, I'm not kidding. By the way, I'm also serious about 90% of what I said earlier. I want to be there for you even if you become 'property'. I don't want to leave you anymore, not even for a moment. ...... I love Kanami. I'll say it again and again because they already know everything about me. Okay?　I, Maria, love Aikawa Kanami.
'Yes, yes ......'

　I'm too direct in my confession, and I become a respectful guest.
　Even though we already know this, it's embarrassing to be told this after a change of pace in normal times.

　It was the same for Maria.
　She still has her smiling poker face stuck on, but her ears are still slightly red.

　If it was me in the past, I wouldn't have even tried to notice the red color.

　But now I can understand it.
　It's all Maria's embarrassment that she's reversing the subject and talking about her sarcasm endlessly. It has become a habit of trying to appear strong because she doesn't want to show her weaknesses.

　The more insecure she becomes, the more irreverent she becomes. The more insecure he becomes, the more irreverent he becomes, and the more insecure he becomes, the more irreverent he becomes. The way she spoils others is fatally twisted.
　That's Maria.

　The sight of her hurt my heart a little bit.
　If Maria was like that, then the girl called Arti must have been like that too. Unlike Rowen, I didn't understand with Alti until the end of time.
　Now, that remains as a great regret.

　I'm sure that girl who was irreverent to the end of her life will probably always be--

　I contort my face.
　Maria sees this and adds her words in a panic.

''Uh, yeah. So ......, as a matter of fact, here's my main point: ......
Yeah, yeah, I know.

　After that battle, I can see that Maria is trying to be honest.
　Because me and Maria both swore that we wouldn't hide anything from each other.

　Maria piles on the directness.

'So, what do you think of me, Kanami-san, ......?　Please say it without favoritism or guilt. Will Kanami really keep me by your side after all you've done for me ......?

　I felt nostalgic about Maria's question.
　Once, in the labyrinth, she asked me something similar to Arti and Rustyala. But at the time, I couldn't answer immediately. I faked it.

　This time, I will tell Maria.

Of course, I'd be happy to be there for you. I'm sure you'll be happy to be by my side. ...... I can't just say that I love you as the opposite s*x. I'm sure that somewhere in the back of my mind, I see Maria as my sister.

　I think to myself that's a cowardly thing to say.
　Normally, it would be a response that would be as good as a refusal. But Maria smiled with satisfaction.

'...... No, it's enough. That's enough words for me.

　She knew. That my "piling on to my sister" was a favor of the highest order.
　I looked into Maria's eyes and continued my confession.

'I'm glad you're by my side. I won't leave you alone again. I won't even lie to you.

　As if in response, the temperature in the room rises.
　A chunky magic swells overflowing from Maria, burning her cheeks.

　Maria turned her reddened face away, suppressing the overflowing heat, and said.

'Thank you for ......, thank you.'

　I smile, too, and place my hand on Maria's head.
　Maria bites the touch of my hand comfortingly. She squirms around like a cat.

　Now our relationship is back on track. No, I think we're more than that, we're bonded together.
　Maybe it's a connection with the negative elements of redemption and trauma. But I could certainly feel something close to a blood connection.

　I pet Maria and tell her what I'm going to do.

'Maria ....... I'll tell you all about me tomorrow.

　Mutual understanding is necessary for the upcoming battle.
　I can say that it's essential, especially for the Palinclones, who will be able to exploit the gaps in our minds. That's why I decided to tell all of my friends about the other world and skills.

'All about Kanami-san: ......'

　Maria only knows the circumstances of my other world in bits and pieces.
　I could see that I could hear all of that, and I nodded with a serious expression.

''Yeah. But it's late today, so let's talk about it tomorrow. Tomorrow, we'll call everyone and talk about it all together. This can't just be about Maria, you know.
Yes, I understand.

　Maria approves with a radiant face.
　It's a look I've never seen before, as if all the stagnation that has been pent up for a long time has been expelled.
　I also feel a sense of relief, as if I've repaired the buttons I've been misplacing.

　Then Maria says, "That's it for today," and goes to leave the room.
　She opens the door and is on the verge of leaving. As we say goodbye, Maria speaks.

'...... Kanami-san. Honestly, I believe that the extent of being "Kanami-san's" is not enough to atone for your sins. So I'm going to pay back the rest, little by little.
For the record, I'm thinking the same thing as Maria.

　I return it, looking into both of Maria's lost eyes.
　We both wanted redemption for each other.
　Maria reaffirms our twisted bond and we say goodbye to each other, just as we did one day.

''Well then, good night.'' --My owner (・・・・・・)
You're being sarcastic.

　But unlike someday, we don't have a single depressing emotion. We beat the joke as if we were dealing with a permissive friend.
　Before I knew it, my body had stopped shaking.

　It was the moment when I felt that in a real sense, me and Maria had become friends.
　All the battles we had fought until today were paying off. I felt like that.
　I was filled with a sense of contentment.

　But it doesn't last long. It was a satisfaction that only lasted for approximately a few dozen seconds.

　Soon, the next customer would arrive to replace Maria.