What is important to me........what if I was trying to take it away from you.......that's the question White asked. Somehow I got the feeling that this question was significant.
　I can't completely narrow down what that important thing is, but still....

I don't hate you.....
Why?
Probably because White-san has some reason to want to take it away...
What if ... what if it's a stupid reason?

　What is it?　The fact that he asked me this question suggests that this question wasn't a spontaneous thought.
　I'm sure White has a specific vision, and he's asking questions based on that. Maybe it is related to the ordeal that White-san was talking about.

''........Still, I don't dislike Shiro-san.
....
Of course, if it comes down to it, I'll do my best to resist. In order to protect something important, I might even antagonize White-san. But I wouldn't hate White-san for that reason.
"...why?
''Hmm, I don't know if that reason is really silly or not, because I don't know. Even if it's a trivial reason for me, it might be something important to White-san that he can't give up.

　I don't know what he's thinking, but now that I think about it, I realize that I like him a lot. But now that I think about it again, I realize that I like him a lot.
　So I can say with confidence that there's no reason to dislike him. Because..........

I believe that Shiro-san is not the kind of person who would try to take away something important from me for a really stupid reason...........
....

　It's true that White is a natural, with some things that are a bit out of his league and some things that are out of his league. But he's not a bad guy. There were many times when he cared for me in his own way.
　So I don't think he would ever try to take away something important from me for a really stupid reason.

　Hearing my response, Shiro-san is silent for a moment. Then, slowly, he turned his gaze to the sky of the divine world.

''........There was nothing for me.
...What?

　He nods his head at a mumbled voice. Shiro-san gets up from the hot tub and moves towards the center of the hot spring. The back of Shiro-san's very long hair is very picturesque in its own right, and for a moment my eyes are drawn to it.
　Then, without looking back at us, Shiro-san tells us again in a voice without inflection.

''........I'm not being metaphorical. There was really nothing for me. No mind, no feelings, no purpose.......nothing, I was always standing at the end of the line as a being who just had to end it all.
...to finish?
'Yes, I was that kind of being.

　White's story was somewhat abstract, and it wasn't clear to me if I was lacking information or not. But somehow.........I had a feeling that this was a story that I shouldn't miss out on hearing.

'Now that I think back on it, the first emotion I had was........doubt. A small question born in me that kept ending the existence of hundreds of billions of beings for no reason....
....
I saw all kinds of beings. I've seen all kinds of beings, some who love the world they created, some who hate the world they created, some who created the world without knowing it, some who created it for someone else. Some created the world without knowing it, others created it for someone else... I just couldn't figure it out.
What didn't you understand?
'Joy, anger, sadness, fun... "What is it? And the mind, I didn't understand. To laugh, to be angry, to mourn, to rejoice... 'How do we do that?' And I didn't understand the emotions ... I didn't even think I needed to.

　You don't understand the mind, you don't understand the emotions... Does this mean that White-san didn't have those things that you naturally acquire in the process of growing up from birth?

But it's different now, isn't it?
'Yes. The mind ... either I just didn't realize it, or it came to me because I had doubts. That's what Black made me realize.
....
'And then I realized that I had a heart ... and I asked for feelings. I kept asking for a being to 'teach me that'.

　I was aware of the existence of the mind. But I didn't know what emotions were. That's why I sought a being to teach me about it.
　If I only listen to White's words, there is no contradiction. But what is it?　This oddly tricky feeling.....

　At least the Shiro-san I know can laugh and sulk. His expression changed little, and he seemed to have solid emotions as well.
　I wonder what it is?　Something is bothering me. I feel like I'm missing something important, but I can't get an answer to that question.

'Well what are the consequences?　You could say it's what you want, or you could say it's not.
...Mr. White?

　After announcing that much, Shiro-san turned back to me.....with a thin, and sad smile.

'Kaito-san. If it was me who first - with you - if it was me who first - with you.... ...I'm going to be your...
What?

　What is this?　It's not so small that White's voice is inaudible. And yet, I couldn't hear a part of it.
　What did Mr. White just say?　What the hell did I not hear?

Mr. White, I was just...
'I'm sorry. That was a boring story. It wouldn't be good for your health to stay in hot water too long, so let's call it a day.
What?
Then I look forward to seeing you tomorrow.

　White dismissed the conversation with that and then my body was enveloped in a blinding light.






　The next thing I knew, I was back in the central tower with my pajamas on. If I walked straight down this hallway, I would reach my bedroom.
　But... but... what?　What was I talking about before, White?

　Let's see, I was suddenly kidnapped by Shiro-san to the God Realm, we went to the hot springs together and came back with 'idle chatter'.
　Oh, that's right. At my age, I can't remember a conversation from a while ago... maybe I'm just tired.　Well, anyway, I'm going around the festival with Shiro-san tomorrow, so I'll go to bed early to regain my wits.

　I felt a bit trapped, but there was no point in thinking about it any further, so I started walking towards the bedroom... and stopped in the middle.

--I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make your life easier and more enjoyable, especially if you're the one who first met you. Is that...

　For a moment, such unfamiliar words passed my mind.

Dear Mom, Dad - I don't know where or who I heard it from, but it's a strange word. But what is it?　I felt like I should never - ever - forget those words, whoever told me that and for what purpose.