Fia-sensei and Noin-san's commotion had died down, and I was heading to the bedroom.
　It seems the two of them only came to take a bath and not to stay here. Can't I just stay with the three six-ohs?
　Anyway, after discussing the time and place for tomorrow's meeting, we both went back to the inn.

　But, well, I was really tired today because of a lot of things. I haven't been able to sleep well due to the embarrassment of sleeping together, and I feel quite sleepy.
　I'd like to get a good night's sleep, but I'm not sure what will happen.

　With that in mind, I open my bedroom door and walk in.
　Then, inside the large room, there was no sign of Isis-san, Alice or Ain-san, and Kuro was sitting alone on the sofa, eating a baby sponge cake.

''Ah, Kaito-kun. I'm home~
'Well welcome back, are you done talking?
Yeah. It was just a quick check.
'I see... where are Mr. Isis and the others?'

　After telling Black, who was returning from his discussion with Mr. Magnawell, that he was welcome back, I asked him if Isis and the others were not in the room.

'Ah~ I asked everyone to leave me 'alone with Kaito-kun' today,'
'What?　Really?
Yeah. Well, that's just the way it is, so...

　Black moves to the bed and sits down, telling me that Isis and the others will not be here today. Then he looked at me and smiled gently, then opened his arms.

''Quick, Kite. Come here~
'What?　Wh-What do you mean?

　For some reason, I ask Black, who is waiting for me with a gentle smile, with his arms outstretched, back.

''........Look, Kite, you had a lot going on today, right?''
Uh-huh.
It's okay. I'm the only one here. I've got a ward on, so even White can't see me here now so... okay?
...Black.

　I'm not sure if it's quirky or not.......after all, Black saw everything.......oh, so that's why he said we'll talk later?
　Hearing Kuro's words, I moved closer to him and buried my face in his chest.

　Without saying a word, Kuro hugged me, holding my head in his arms.
　........Warm. There was no sound around me, I could only feel Black's warmth. It was impossibly comfortable, and I felt as if I was being warmed gently from deep inside.

'....I thought I knew....
Yes.
He said it was likely to be someone else, that it couldn't be my mom but I think I was disappointed when I was sure it wasn't her.
I see.

　

''But at the same time, I was relieved and convinced that I wasn't wrong in my prediction.''
I don't get it, do I?
'Yeah I guess that's how I wanted it to be after all.　I don't know if he wanted her to be my mom or if he wanted her to be someone else... it was a weird blur and I didn't know how it was.

　I can't come to a good conclusion about Mr. Luce's case. I confess that I was feeling bewildered by the lack of a clear answer.
　Black keeps one hand on my head and gently strokes my head with his other hand.

'Kite, it's okay ... nothing is a crazy idea,'
What?
'Your precious mother died, and you were putting your mind to rest, no matter the form, right?　And then suddenly you see someone who looks just like your dead mother it's only natural to get your hopes up.
...Black.
The death of a loved one is not something you can divide up, even if you think you can. If you can't forget, you don't have to. If you can't find an answer, you don't have to give it.

　It is too gentle an affirmation. It's a voice that resonates deep in your heart, as if she had saved you once.

I'm sure your hesitation is due to the fact that you still hold your mother in high regard. I'm sure it's okay to stay the same.
....
Yeah, but you can't do this all by yourself, okay?　You don't have to get lost, you don't have to give an answer but you can't think about it all by yourself. Will you talk to me about it?　And then I'll be there for you as long as you want...
Yes.

　I've never told anyone this, but I've always had one regret. I hadn't been able to properly 'say goodbye' to my mom and dad....
　Once when I was in the car in the accident, when I was trembling with fear of death, I felt my mother's hand on my cheek. I'm thinking that maybe she and Dad were still alive at that time.
　Of course, I know that there was no way I could say that in that situation.

　But the fact that I couldn't say "Thank you" and "Goodbye" to my parents, the ones who loved me so much, was a constant regret. I've always regretted not being able to say "thank you" and "goodbye" to my parents, who loved me so much.
　I guess that's why I was hoping for the best. That Mr. Luce would get the chance to say the words he once couldn't convey to being my mom........

''........Hey, Kite?　Should I just go to bed?
Yes.
I'll hold you forever. So you won't be alone, even in your dreams.
Thank you.

　But I really think I'm going to be okay now. I don't think I'll ever be able to separate Mom and Dad from each other again. If something like this happens again, I'll probably expect it to happen again, and I'll be depressed.
　But that's okay...at least as long as I can't forget them, I don't have to worry about forgetting them.

　I have people who support me in my weak heart, so that's why I'm able to look forward to those indivisible feelings. That's what I've come to believe.

　Dear Mom, Dad - I've been struggling with a lot of things, and many people have helped me, and I'm going to be able to do better tomorrow. There is no basis for this, but because of today's incident, my heart has become a little stronger again.