I have returned to Alice's shop through shifting magic.
　It seems that my body is currently strung with a defensive magic made from the magical power of all six kings except Kuro, but I can't see any changes from what I see.

''........Actually, it would have been better if Ayn-san could have helped me too.......''
...Mr. Ayn said no, right?
Yes, he turned me down with a buzz and said he wasn't going to accept my summons.
I see...

　You're going to have to make sure that you're not going to have to worry about it.
　I'm not going to say anything pretty for Black's sake, regardless of whether or not Alice and the others asked me to do so.
　Otherwise, I think it would be rude to be rude to Black.

　As I was thinking about this, I heard the door of the grocery store open.

''Excuse me....
What?
Mr. Ayn?

　The person who walked into the store was Ayn-san, who had just come up in the conversation.
　Ayn-san walked straight over here and stopped in front of the astonished me and Alice, and turned her wisteria eyes to me with a cold expression on her face.

''.........Kite-sama, I'll go ahead and check it out. Are you going to have second thoughts?
Wait a minute, Mr. Ein. What do you plan to do with such a question?

　It's announced in a cold voice, as if there's no emotion in it, and as I unintentionally step back, Alice quickly stands in front of me and glares at Ayn-san as she says the words.
　

''.........Chartier. I'll clear up any misunderstandings in the meantime.
Then why won't you help me?
'It's simple. There are no absolutes.
What?

　In their staring posture, Ayn-san and Alice exchange words sharply.
　When Alice asks why she won't cooperate, Ain-san nonchalantly replies that it's because she's not 100%.

''If the results of Kite-sama's actions bear fruit, Chrome-sama will be saved.......it doesn't matter. Now, if there's even a shred of possibility that Chrome-sama will be hurt do you think I'll overlook that?
What are you going to do about Mr. Kite?
I won't hurt you. I will just persuade you. Just so you can reconsider, 'hours, days, years' ... I can do that.
What?　Are you serious?!

　Maybe, no I'm sure that Mr. Ein can manipulate time. So these words are not a bluff.
　The atmosphere that Alice wears is becoming increasingly angry, but even so, Ayn-san remains calm and stares at me.

"Lord Kite, in light of what I just said I will ask you again. Do you intend to have second thoughts?
It's not there.

What?

　No matter what Ayn-san says I won't change my decision.
　I don't have any noble reasons or cool ideas I just like Black because I can't give up on him I just want to. That's all.

　Ayn-san hears my words and nods quietly, then points her hand at me.
　

''........Eh?''

　While Alice made a startled sound, the sphere of magic power left Ayn-san's hand and was sucked into my body.

''........Ayn-san?''
I would have done what I said before, but I'm afraid I've been poisoned by you too and I'm willing to bet that I have. So, for once in my life and only this one time I will break my own self-imposed rules.

　Slightly, with a smile so small that you can't tell if you don't pay attention, Ayn-san quickly turns on her heel.
　Looking at Ayn-san, who is about to leave as it is, as if her business is over, Alice mutters while letting out a big sigh.

''I'm saved. To be honest, if you fight against Ayn-san with most of your magic power drained, it's going to be difficult to protect Kite-san.
''Don't say random things. You cut the 'trump card', didn't you?
'Well how about it?　I think you're overpaying.

　Hearing Ayn-san's words, which she tells plainly, Alice shakes her head in an appropriate manner.
　Without refuting that person-eating attitude, Ain-san walks to the door, where she stops once and opens her mouth without looking back.

''Lord Kite, if you hurt Krom-sama no matter what the outcome, I will not forgive you.
Yes.
But if you saved Master Krom I will never forget that debt for the rest of my life. I will repay you.
...What?
Good luck....

　With one last small word of support, Ayn-san left the grocery store.











　It had been a little while since Ayn-san left, and I was thinking about leaving too, when Alice spoke to me in a calm voice.

''Kite, do you remember when I asked you before if you thought there was power in your heart?''
'What?　Yeah, when we met at the gate, right?

　The words Alice told me, the words she told me in the form of the Phantom King when we encountered each other for the third time at the gate returning from the demon world.
　At that time, it ended up being vague, but Alice seems to want to tell me something.

''........Power resides in the heart. If your heart is strong, you can make as many miracles as you want.
Alice?
Take it to heart.
Okay.

　I didn't know what the hell the analogy was about. But strangely, I wondered if I could call it reality, but his tone was as if he had experienced it himself.
　Come to think of it, you used the phrase 'the world I was in' earlier as well.......and it seems that Alice still has secrets to tell.

''Good luck with that. I'm cheering for you. From the bottom of my heart........''
Thank you.

　But even if that's the case, this is not the time to ask that question... now, yeah. Let's just focus on Black, that's all I can think about.
　That would be the best way to thank Alice for her sincere support.












'Kite?　What are you thinking about?
'What?　Oh, no, not really.

　In the middle of a conversation with Kuro, who visited my room at night, as is customary, I seemed to be thinking about what happened during the day.
　It's impossible to be conscious of it, and maybe it can't be helped, but Kuro hasn't asked anything about it.

'Ah!　All right!　You were thinking about tomorrow's date!
Uh, yeah ... something like that?
I'm so excited. I'm gonna get dressed up for my date with Kite!
Yeah.

　I think Black would notice that the Sixth King and Mr. Ain's magic power has put up a barrier on my body..........I'm sure he knows.
　But he doesn't touch it...maybe he dares not to touch it.

　When I looked at Kuro while thinking about it, I felt that his behavior was somewhat different than usual.
　I'm sure you'll find that the tension is strangely high, but it doesn't look like Kuro.
　He doesn't want to touch on that topic, so he acts cheerful, but he seems to be impatient inside.

"........Hey, Kuro?
Yeah?　What's going on?

　I stare into Black's eyes as he quietly calls my name and tilts his head towards me.
　The beautiful golden eyes seemed to be holding me captive, and I felt like they were shaking somewhat uncertainly.

　Yeah ... right.
　I was really looking forward to tomorrow's date with Black, and I was really looking forward to it too.....................I was so, so nervous and restless.

　Tomorrow's date should be fun. I want to laugh with Kuro and walk through this beautiful world together, so shouldn't we settle this issue now?
　It's easy to procrastinate ... no, it's easy. But in the end, it's no different than running away.

　I don't want to go on a date with such a hazy feeling, feeling Black's impatience.
　So ... be prepared!　Gather your courage!

　My hands tremble slightly from nervousness. My throat feels desperately thirsty, and the reflection of Kuro in my eyes looks many times more beautiful than usual.
　I've never made a confession before in my life... how can I be this nervous?　My body stiffens as if I'm being pressured in a vise from all directions.

　In front of Black, who is still tilting his head, I take out the golden fruit that Alice gave me from the magic box with my trembling hands and slowly present it to Black.

I want you to take this.
'What?　Nah....what....so...

　Seeing the fruit I offered him, Black's eyes shook widely.
　The eyes widen with a mixture of great turmoil and fear......................Black stares at me stunned.

　Dear Mom, Dad - I've often heard that you don't need a reason to fall in love with someone, but I think that thing is really true. There are certainly triggers for being rescued and saved, but the reason I fell in love with Kuro seemed to be natural, regardless of such things. Anyway, today, at this time and place, I'm going to express my feelings to Kuro.