The business meeting between Black and Alice is over, and as I was thinking of leaving because I didn't want to stay for too long, Alice spoke to me just at the right time.

'.........Kite, 'What you asked for before' is ready.
'What?　As expected, you work fast....
'What?　What?

　What Alice was talking to me about was the job I asked her to do a while ago...I put some difficult conditions on the stone, and I thought it would take more time, but it seems it's already done.
　Naturally interested in this conversation, which only the two of us understand, Kuro approached me while tilting his head.

"Kuro, stay there for a moment!
Huh?　Oh, yeah.
So, Alice. Where is that thing?
'It's right here. I'm sure you've met all the conditions Kite gave you.

　Stopping Black, who was approaching, I receive a small box from Alice and check the inside.
　

Thank you for the help. So how much?
''As for me, I had a hard time getting that material as well. So how about 10000R?
Okay.

　It's good to say that it's a pretty high price considering the things, but it's a reasonable place to be considering the demands I presented.
　Thinking so, I handed a gold coin to Alice without any particular trouble.

　And after thanking Alice once again, I left the store with Kuro.

















''Mmmm.''
Why are your cheeks puffed up?

Don't be a sulky...

　It seems that he doesn't like the fact that I've been sneaking around in addition to excluding him, so he puffed up his cheeks adorably and turned away.
　However, it doesn't seem that Kuro is not really angry, so he immediately let out a sigh and returned his cheeks back to normal after a while.

I'm not going to ask you if you don't want to say it, Kite, but........
'What?　No, it's not that I don't want to say it or anything, it's just...
Yeah?

　Seeing Kuro nodding his head at my words, I took out the box I had bought from Alice, knowing I was nervous, and held it out to Kuro.

I'd like to thank you for everything you've done for me.
'What?　What?　Kite?
I'd appreciate it if you could take it.
...Oh, thank you... uh, can I open it?
Yeah.

　Yes, what I was asking Alice for was a gift to give to Kuro.
　I wanted to do something to thank Kuro for all the help he's given me since I came to this other world, so after much thought, I decided to give him this.
　I've been thinking about what Kuro had said before, and I knew I couldn't just give it to him, so I asked Alice to make some changes.

　I'm sure you'll be pleased to know that I'm not the only one who has done this.

"Could this be.........
Yeah. It's a necklace that Black liked when we had a date. I asked Alice to make it out of a material that's really stretchy so I don't think it'll tear even if you're a hexenbiest.
Kite you.....

　The necklace that Kuro took out of the box is designed with a series of silver stars and is the one that Kuro asked me if it would look good on our previous date.
　At that time, I didn't buy it after all, because Kuro seemed to run out of it when he was in demon beast mode... but I had actually bought it later in secret.

　And when I asked Alice if she could make it so that it wouldn't break even if it took on a larger form, she said it would be fine if I used a special material, so I asked her to get it and remake it for me.
　I'm sure you'll find that Alice's technique is superb, and at a glance it's a normal necklace...no, it's more delicate and beautiful because of the detailed workmanship, but it's made to fit the wearer because of its excellent elasticity.

　You're going to be able to find out more about the best way to get the most out of this project.

".........Kaito-kun.......I......
Yeah?

　You're going to mumble something in a voice so low that it almost fades away, but the words immediately stopped.
　After a few moments of silence, Black looks up and smiles brightly.

''I'm sorry. It's nothing.........thank you, Kite. I'm so happy for you I'll take good care of you.'
Uh-huh.

　I didn't know what he was about to say, but apparently it wasn't a good topic to step into so easily.
　At the very least, I could sense an earnest emotion from Black, who was smiling somewhat differently than usual, telling me not to ask him anything more.

''That's right!　Kite, since we're going out together, let's go get something to eat.
Yeah, you know, it's right around lunchtime.
Mm-hm. Okay, let's go to my favorite place.
Do you recommend it?　What kind of food do they serve?
"Let's see - I used 'striped frog meat'...
Change.
...What?

　I've eaten a lot of things when I've been in this world.
　I've eaten dragon meat, bear meat, the meat of some horrible thing called a tyrant worm, but please don't eat frog meat just yet.
　I know there are edible frogs and toads and such but it would take a lot of courage to eat them, so I'll give you some time to see if there's any.

　Dear Mom, Dad - the person with whom I've spoken the most words and been closest to since I came into this world. But after today, I've realized. I still don't know what's in Black's heart at all.




















　In the demon world, the residence of the Dark Lord Chrome-Aina is relaxing in her room when Zechs comes to visit her.

''Chrome-sama, regarding tomorrow's visit........oh?''
Yeah?　What's going on?
No, he's in a very good mood. Something tells me you're enjoying yourself very much.
Ha-ha, well, it does feel a little better, doesn't it?

　Without denying the words Zechs told her, Crom Eina smiled like a girl.

''Is that ... a necklace?　It's unusual for Master Chrome to wear an accessory.
Yeah. Well, I love it so much how do you like it?　Do I look good?
'Yes, they look great together. But it looks like you've cast quite a powerful state-preservation spell.
Yeah. I don't want it to get dirty or anything.

　A necklace of shiny silver stars gleamed on Chrome-Aina's chest, and the fact that Chrome-Aina, who basically never wears any accessories, wears it on a dare means that she really likes it.
　Seeing Chrome-Aina caressing the necklace on her chest as if she were handling a treasure, Zechs also smiled calmly.

''I see........well, excuse me. I was here for tomorrow's meeting.''
'Oh, yes. As I sent you a letter beforehand, about ten o'clock should be fine.
Then I'll send you a hummingbird like that.
Yeah, nice to meet you - and get some samples reshaped, just in case.
Yes, sir.

　After lightly discussing her plans to visit Lilia's mansion and watching Zechs bow politely and leave, Crom Eina turns her gaze to the necklace on her chest.
　

''........It's not fair. This is.........of course I'm going to be happy about this.

　After muttering to himself to no one, Chrome-Aina stroked the necklace once more before.......lightly kissing one of its stars.

''.........Kaito-kun. .........and.........?

　After muttering in an inaudible small voice, Crom Eina looks up and stares into the void.