I walked quietly down the dimly lit street. I felt my footsteps were heavier than usual.
　It wasn't because Luce-san was a different person from my mother........ No, that's part of it, but the main reason for my heavy feet was something else.

　Luce-san looked so much like my mom that I remembered her. Of course, I hadn't forgotten her for a day, even before, but I hadn't remembered her this strongly in a long time.
　When Mom and Dad had just died and were taken in by relatives... I remembered the depressed feeling I had when I couldn't admit that my parents were gone and I kept waiting at the front door for them to return....

　It sounds dumb, but apparently I still can't completely divide my parents' deaths, even now, almost ten years later.
　Still, it's a lot better than it was before I came to this world. I've been very fortunate to have them now so in a little while, I'll be back to my normal routine.

''........it can't be helped. You can spoil me plenty here, Alice-chan, who was called the Angel of Compassion!
........eh?
Hey!　What's up with that delicate face?　The difference in treatment with Miss Isis and Duke Lilia!
Because Alice...
The only thing you can't do is to treat it carelessly if you're Alice.　I think you should indulge me more, Kite-san!
..........hahaha.

　See, I'm still blessed.
　The person who is so close to you is the one who breaks your depressed feelings and makes you smile.

...Do you feel a little bit better?
Thank you, Alice.
Yeah, yeah. Now, praise me more. You can even buy me a plate of the most delicious roasted dragon meat you can find.
....

　It's such a full-bodied smug face that you can almost hear the sound effects, it's a quintessential annoyance.

"Huh~?　You were smiling earlier, and now you're looking at an irredeemable fool, aren't you?
There's a complete idiot in the immediate vicinity.
Some people can't help it!
You, you!

　It's a trivial conversation, a trivial exchange... it makes me so happy that I feel my heart naturally grow warm.
　Seeing me, Alice smiled slightly and without saying anything, she held my hand.

　We intertwined our fingers, in a so-called lover's bond... The warmth of Alice's hand felt so good that I naturally smiled again.

　Dear Mom, Dad - I'm sure I haven't yet been able to properly deal with their deaths. But you don't have to worry about it. It's a good thing that you've got the most important people by your side right now...you know, before you know it - the weight of your feet is gone.









　

(.........What do you think?)
(For what it's worth, there were a few things that the woman said that didn't add up. It was as if there were topics she didn't want to be touched on. Also, I'm still getting used to your honorific language...
(This is the real thing now, so please get used to it. Well, anyway, I feel the same way.......I remember all the faces and names of the participants of the Sixth King Festival, but I don't recognize that one.)
(Hmm....)
(Well, as long as there's a line between being a participant's companion and being a participant's companion, it's not easy to determine.)

　Yes, Alice was quite wary of the Luce that Kaito had encountered earlier. At least to the extent that she was suspicious of the exchange on that occasion.......

(......tch.)
(What's going on?)
("The alter ego has lost sight of that woman.") I'm still suspicious. Even though it's an alter ego, there aren't many people who can scatter my tracks. And it's impossible that I've never seen an opponent at that level.)

　Alice was an existence that held a vast amount of information, especially regarding those with a certain level of power, and she remembered them regardless of their race.
　However, I have never seen anything about Luce.

(.........how do you see it?)
(Maybe Lord Shalovanal or the Earth God........one of them is involved. (This one may need to be explored in earnest for a bit.)
(What does that tell Kite?)
(I can't tell you right now. Giving out uncertain information will only hurt you, Kite.)
(Does that mean 'sometimes it's handled in secret'?)
(.....If that thing is really Kite's mother I will not condone any harm to her. (I will use any means to make it go away)

　Alice was aware of the possibility that Luce was indeed the mother of a pleasant person. Rather, she stepped on a reasonable probability considering the current situation.
　However, if that was the case, he didn't understand why she didn't reveal her identity to Kaito. What matters to Alice is whether or not harm will come to Kaito, and she has no interest in the life of Kaito's mother.

　It's a good idea to be able to have a good idea of what you're looking for.
　While making a vow to never let that warmth disappear.....