' - 'I was a phantom chasing a phantom'
　'The world (you) can't even exist' -

　With that "chanting", the magic power is now evenly matched.
　The reasoning of "the one who steals the logic of the stars" begins to cancel out the reasoning of "the one who steals the logic of the water" (・・・・・・).


◆◆◆◆◆ ...


　It's stone country again.
　Stone houses and stone streets and stone towers.

　After the young Kanami ran away from her father, she no longer trained as a performer.

　Then, like me, she began to attend what she thought was an academy.
　It's the same scene as when I spent my time in the Great Holy City surrounded by knights, and he is steadily finding his new self.

　I'm not sure what the rules are in this other world, but in that academy, a group of kids as big as Kanami gathered together and seemed to be having a great time learning.
　There was no threat or cornering, no competition for their lives.
　Honestly, it was lukewarm.

　So Kanami spends his time there, not as a performer, but as a normal academy student.
　He uses his experience to date to perform to bury himself in the group. He may have understood, even at a young age, that his own birth stood out, but there was also the 'ideal' of his parents.

　Since Kanami had guessed that his father and mother wanted a 'trouble-free child', it was only natural for him to aim for that. He kept his speech at the academy to a minimum, kept his grades mediocre, and never made close friends.
　The extra time was spent in endless entertainment, turning away from the painful reality for a bit.

　It's perfect.
　It's the 'ideal' of my father and mother, but perhaps it's also the 'ideal' of the heartbroken Kanami, thanks to that.

　--Just, of course. That 'ideal' life doesn't last.

　There was a turning point in his life.
　Just like me, he had an important meeting.

　It was an encounter with a pretty girl with brownish hair that hung down to her shoulders.
　The place was in between a series of stone towers. It was a coincidence in the academy life.
　Kanami had been avoiding the girl at the academy for a long time, but when they finally had an encounter, she was able to--

'Eh, could it be ....... Aikawa-san's ......?

　She stopped me at what seemed to be a crossroads in the academy.
　The girl has a strong glow from me, so naturally she attracts the attention of those around her.

''I've been told that ...... often. But it's different just because we have the same last name.

　Kanami knew this was going to happen, so she returned the words she had prepared in advance without pause. However, it wouldn't work for the girl.

''No difference!　I've seen him!　I said hello to you at a party when you were little!　We were close in age, so we played together and trained together!
...... haha. Are you sure you're not the wrong person?

　Immediately, Kanami let out a loud sigh and tried to act dumb and run away. But that would be the deciding factor for the girl.

'See, that!　That shuffling, heartless performance!　I miss it!　There's no way I could be wrong about Kana-chan!
'Yeah, yeah ......?'

　He looked convinced and crowded in, calling out his childhood nickname.
　Kanami was taken aback by this, and his performance slackened a bit.

　His inner thoughts and memories now, thanks to "Affinity", are well understood.
　She's apparently the daughter of a zaibatsu (probably something like the daughter of a great aristocrat). Hence, he was acquainted with Kanami, who was in a similar situation. -- no, Kanami herself doesn't seem to want to admit it, but it's probably not an acquaintance, but a close friendship.

　Without a doubt, the two of them were close childhood friends.

　When I looked at the girl who was my childhood friend, I suddenly remembered my acquaintance, Franlle Helvilshain.
　Clever maybe, but noisy anyway. Once she gets involved, she won't let go until she's convinced. A very troublesome young lady.
　I feel like that kind of ...... or rather the face is quite similar. Their hair color is different, but the rest of them are like sisters.

　And it turns out that this girl who is a childhood friend of mine also has quite a bit of nerve, just like Franlure.

''Hey, Kana-chan!　Oh, you can call me by my name, too!　Just like the old days!
...... Yeah. I'll admit that I used to play, but let's not do that. Also, let's stop yelling.
So, Kana-kun?　Not bad, this too!

　■■chan?

　I felt uncomfortable during the process.
　Only the name part was strangely difficult to hear.

'Really don't. ......■■■ you can understand, right?　I'm at school right now, and, well, you know, what it's like: ......
Yes, it's thin. ...... I'm in a similar position, so I'm well aware that I'm an easy target for bullying and such. But that's not the reason. --Uzumi-kun.

　From earlier, the girl's name has become ■■■ and can't get to me: .......
　Does this mean that Kanami can't remember her name? Sure, maybe it's an old memory, but why is the name just like this .......
　It feels like an 'artificial misunderstanding' as if it has been painstakingly painted over.

'Leave me alone ....... Mr. ■■ is too conspicuous ......
I don't like it. It's a chance to have an understanding friend at school. I don't want to miss it.

　But this girl, she's been amazing for a while now.
　Even though she's still about the same age as I was when I was a candidate for knighthood, she has this sparkle.
　She also seems to have a very good head.
　I'm sure she's a bit of a no-good person for what she's doing, but she's quick to spin anyway.

　--And the same thing happened to young Kanami as I did, and she begins to give up on the idea that she can't get away with it anymore.

'...... I get it. As an understanding friend, I will cooperate with you, ■■. So, you can be my understanding friend as much as possible, too. ...... Please, .......
Yup.

　The girl gives a gut-punch like a man, then reverses her expression.
　Then she captures all the excitement she just had and whispers to Kanami alone in a whisper.

'So let's go quietly from here ....... Let's show everyone around us the act that it was all a misunderstanding, and then we'll part ways once we're done. Uzumi-kun can do it, can't you?　...... I'll see you after school.
...... Yeah.

　The two young potential performers then use their skills.

　To cancel out the earlier exchange - "You were the wrong person, Aikawa-san!　I'm so sorry! 'Ha, already ....... Be careful next time you go to ......" - what a farce that was, and we'll meet again that evening.

　All the while, Kanami's mouth was a little loose.
　I can tell, because it's me, that she's leaking a little bit of her true feelings while performing various acts in parallel.

　At the same time, I'm convinced that this is the equivalent of me and Rielle meeting.
　Even though we meet in different ways and have different personalities, I'm sure these two are just like me and Rielle.

　Maybe I just didn't realize it, but Rielle may have been a good actor, too. On the contrary, Rielle might have been acting out my 'ideal'.

　My heart clenched at the thought of that.
　And as if to chase after me, Kanami and the girl's days continued.
　It's the daily life of two people who became friends after this day.

　It is, for example, a common scene on the way home -.

I'm home.　Uzumi, it's a miracle!　So you were neighbors!
Are you nuts?　That's because my parents' incomes and positions are so close to each other, so it's not surprising that we're close to home. By the way, I've known about it for quite a while.
'What?　Why don't you tell me what's going on?　...... No, more than that now!　Uzumi, tomorrow we'll go home and go to school together!　It's just that it would be embarrassing if everyone saw it, so we're in the middle of it!
I didn't tell you because I hate that. ......
'Any friend of mine who understands, I'd like to see you do just that!
'Hmm ....... That's the kind of promise I made, so I guess it's no use. ......

　It's annoying.
　Kanami herself is probably just trying to keep her company as an act. For the sake of her own trouble-free academy life, she probably has no choice but to be her friend.

　However, from my point of view, the opposite is true.

　Thanks to the girl, Kanami really seems to be enjoying herself. Her 'happiness' stands out more strongly because she knows the days of her former training immersion.

　But when you realize that, you know that it will bounce back to you as well. The days when I can see how I was misrepresenting myself as a young child continue.

　For example, a common scene of two people having a meal alone together.

'Oh, my mom and dad were pissed at me today ....... They said I'm not an actor at all ....... They told me to be more normal .......
'I'm sorry, but I agree with your parents on that. You have a lot of emotions and a strong character, so you need to be more restrained than other people. If you show even the slightest bit of yourself, it's uncomfortable, like now.
'Oh, that's disgusting!　How about me?
'No, a lady's tone nowadays is ....... I've only seen it in manga except for ■■-san. I know the strange language (character) gets ingrained in you as you act in various ways, but you can always fix it, right, ■■?　Why don't you do it?
...... Sure, it might be weird. But this is who I am, I thought. I can't say exactly why, but this is who I am. Do you know what I mean?
'If you ask me, that's just like you ■■ or ....... Yes, I know what you mean. That's what makes it so important to have a personality.
You have no idea what I'm talking about. ...... Haha, that's as good as Uzumi-kun.
"Yeah, yeah ......?

　They were helping each other.

　Kanami, being an experienced person, would think he was giving her advice.
　But he doesn't realize that he's actually advising her the opposite.

　It's really irritating .......
　I can't help it, I'm irritated with Lagne Kaikwola on those days .......

'Huh. Your sister. You're awesome at that age .......
...... You mean Yangtaki?
'Yes. He's smaller than I am, but he's a hell of a lot more awesome than I am, and he's super famous than I am!
...... Right.
''So, Uzumi-kun, you're Yotaki-san: ......, er, .......''
...... what?
'...... Ah, ah!　Let's play a game today!　It's the holidays!　I don't mind the one you recommended, Uzumi-kun!
'What, you play the game ......?　Mr. ■■?
"Let's play this out!　Today, I'm heartbroken to be reminded of the difference in strength between the Aikawa family and me!　I'll have you healed to the hilt!
...... Thanks. ■■.

　Those days would last for a year or so.

　-- only, of course, that fateful day will come.

　Just like me, Kanami will be able to reach out to them.
　When Kanami's 'ideal' of being a 'child who doesn't cause problems', the limit of his performance, came to an end, his childhood friend, a girl, faced him with her true feelings.

　In a room in the academy where the sunset was shining, the girl was holding Kanami's hand and shouting.

''--Nay, please don't cry!　From now on, I won't be alone anymore!

　Kanami was crying in response to that heartfelt appeal.

　It seems to be a little different from me here.
　No, in the first place, Kanami and I are just going down the same path like a mirror, there is no part of us that was exactly the same. However, I think I felt the same way as Uzurinami that day, even without the tears.

　The evidence of what has been swirling around in my chest from earlier is unstoppable.

'...... Yeah. We'll be together from now on. ...... I want you to be with me.

　Kanami speaks for it.
　The girl tells me the answer to 'what if'.

'Yes. I'm not going to disappear from Uzuraha-kun's presence. ...... From now on, we are 'all together'. So please don't cry anymore. ......

　If I had been just a little more honest then, would we have been able to hold hands like this? If I had done so, would I have been able to avoid the goodbyes that would follow? Would I have been able to be myself in the true sense of the word?

　As I watch the two youngsters progress, I think about the person I was not long ago.

'I'll see you later!'
'Yeah, see you at ....... ■■chan ......
"......!　See you later, Kana-chan!

　The two men, having become honest, say their temporary goodbyes and return to each other's homes.
　On a stone road, under a red sunset.
　It's a new beginning for two promising people.

　--But looking at their backs, I can't stop having a bad premonition.

　No, not a premonition, but a conviction.

　That's the only unavoidable 'affinity', the so-called 'logic' of the world.
　So now I am connected and reaffirmed with Kanami.

　What awaits at the end of that new path--

'Dead ......?　■ ■■ is ......?

　The news of her childhood friend's death.
　Kanami is told by a man who seems to be an instructor at the academy, and she is left in a state of desperation. While everyone around her is in a state of panic, she is unable to acknowledge the reality of the situation and attends the funeral as she is swept away.

　Thanks to the interaction between the parents, they are very close to the coffin.
　There, Kanami continues to sit, not moving slightly.
　People are busy walking around the hall.
　From what I overheard, it seems to be an accidental death. However, Kanami doesn't have the energy to confirm the details.

'■■-san: ......'

　All day long, I've been calling you by name only and waiting for a response.

　Speaking of which, you said: .......
　We all want our loved ones to be alive.
　We dream of the moment when the dead person comes back to life and says "good morning" again.

　But that's a dream is a dream.
　Every time you call his name and he doesn't answer, Kanami learns the reality. She learns that [dead people don't come back to life] and becomes stronger as a 'person'.

'■■san, why are you ......!　Why ......!!!

　Like me, Kanami comes to understand the meaning of death. She learns that those left behind have no choice but to take on the lives of those who have died and move on.

　Honestly, I expected this scene from the beginning when I was doing "Affinity".
　This is an unfortunate event, but it's not a bad one.

　It's not a bad thing .......
　Inevitably, there was one thing that bothered me.

'■■, ■■, ■■, ......'

　It's a 'name'.

　I'm not asking you to change the past.
　I don't want to see a girl come back to life from here, and I don't want to see a stinky thing.

　But a name.
　But I wanted her to at least say her name to mourn her death clearly.

　Even if I die, I want to keep the three letters of "Lagne". I've been living my life avoiding becoming something that isn't there, so I strongly believe that.

　At least, a name.
　A name, a name, a name, a name!

　When you're dying, I want you to at least call your name from someone you care about.

　Even I have not forgotten my name.
　The only thing I've decided not to lose is the three letters Riel until I die.
　So, Kanami, don't just pretend she wasn't there--!

...... Kanami's brother (・・・・・・・・)!

　I was exhausted by the long 'affinity', but I was able to make that voice.

　I was confident.

　I was.
　Only now I was.
　I could do it.

　The reversal of that which isn't there.

　I'm here...
　That's where I am....
　I was proud of that assertion in its own way.

"- 'I am the phantom that chased the phantom'.
　'I can't even exist in the world (you)' -!

　The subject is a girl's "name".
　Time is the distant past. The place is someone else's memory.

　Normally, it is impossible to interfere.
　But it reaches.
　The stolen ri and 'affinity' will ignore all barriers.

''--Huh?

　There was a definite response to that 'reversal'.
　But it was so heavy that I was surprised.
　It was as if I had lost all the blood in my body, even though I had only heard the name.

　It was proof that 'forgetting' was not a half-hearted attempt to 'flip' 'forgetting' into 'recall'.

　The thing that had been "forgotten" is now "reversed" and "reborn" in the world with such an amount of heat.

　I felt a tremendous amount of heat from the "reversal". That heat did not take the red form of fire, but became pure power (energy) that interfered with the world, and then -

Konagi-san: ......!

　Hear the name.
　The girl's name is Conagi.

　Clearly, now, I - as well as Kanami - will get it back.

'Uh-uh ......!　Lake Nagi: ......!　Why ......!

　A thousand years later. Another world. The same nature. Affinity. And death.
　Many coincidences come together, and in a really far, far away place, Kanami finally gets her childhood friend's time back.