The 15th day of the second month of fire. A small general store located at the end of an alleyway in the royal capital of the Kingdom of Symphonia. Inside the shop, two small girls were facing each other across the counter.

''........So I took away my own work, let alone the work of my subordinates, and I was just working away.......and not only Kuronoa-san, but also Raife-san, who was awake before I knew it, said to me, 'Please, take a break.... You said 'give me' and you're here... is that what you're saying?
Yeah. I mean, it's terrible, isn't it?　You're mad at me if I don't do my job, and now you're going to take the day off if I do...
No, Mr. Fate is too extreme.

　The owner of the grocery store, the alter ego for the shop keeper, Alice, with a dumbfounded expression on her face after hearing Fate's story, quickly prepares two cups of tea and places them on the counter.
　

''So?　What is it that you want to ask me?
Well I knew that in this kind of thing, it's better to hear a different point of view than just my own.
...hmm.

　While thinking about how fresh it was for Fate to be so distressed, Alice waited for Fate's words without making any unnecessary teasers.
　As it was, after a bit of silence passed, Fate began to speak quietly and slowly, as if she had made up her mind.

''Well.... Lately, I guess?　When I think about Kai-chan, I don't feel comfortable. I can't stop thinking about Kai-chan in my free time, and I don't know what to say to her when I want to see her. So, you know, maybe... I don't think so, but I was wondering if I was.............................falling in love with you. No, I don't think so, but....
Huh.
''So. I'd like to hear Char-tan's opinion on this, and I'd like you to answer honestly... is this what love is all about?
No, it's not...
Oh, wait a minute!　I knew I wasn't ready for it to be so straightforward!　Wait a minute!
....

　The way she spoke with her face slightly downcast was too easy to imagine from her usual fate, but.......but she still didn't seem to approve of it.

''Well, what did I say?　You know, the kind of thing that communicates in an otherworldly language in a very understated way...
Wrapped up in an oblique manner?
Yeah, that one!　First of all, I want you to wrap up that ostracism... 'about a hundred times' before you answer me, is this what love is all about?

　Looking at Fate who speaks with an uneasy expression, Alice looks a little dumbfounded, and then slowly opens her mouth.

''........No, well, well, Fate-san, for better or worse, has a nature most similar to Sharovanal-sama's among the divine race.......so to have an interest in an individual in the first place is a rarity in itself. So I suppose it's only to the extent that that unusual object, Kaito-san, seems a little special. When you think about it, it's something that gets stuck in the doldrums.
"...Nah, I see!　I know, right!　Just in case you're wondering... what's your opinion that isn't wrapped up in obloquy?
No matter how I hear it, I'm 'betrothed', totally 'damsel in distress'.
....

　Hearing Alice's reply, Fate's shoulders slumped in a gulp. If it's said by other Aristocrats, but if it's said by Alice, who is a close friend of his own and others, Fate can't ignore it either.
　









　Returning to his temple, Fate sat in the corner of the cushioned room, hugging the cushions Kite had given him with a puzzled look on her face.
　 Is it because he is aware of that?　Fate still hadn't been able to take in the feelings.

　At first, she was definitely willing to take advantage of the pleasant person. A good property that met the minimum requirements of someone who was not boring to her, yet was still good-natured...maybe that was the extent of her perception.
　At least at that point in time, Fate was interested in the pleasant man, but did not harbor any fondness for him.

　When did a change in feelings begin to appear?　At least when they went to the Hydra Kingdom together, her mind had already begun to show a change.
　Fate hadn't been with Kaito for a long period of time since she met him. However, the memories she had accumulated were many in their own right.

　To begin with, Fate has been sneaking out of the temple at a high frequency and going to visit Kite, usually being brought back to Kronor on the way, so the time itself isn't that long, but there are still many words exchanged.
　We once went to a hot spring together and exchanged words. We even explained to each other about our own rights and ideas. We even went on a date, albeit a little aggressively.

　When did that start?　The purpose of getting out was not to skip work, but to fit in with the pleasant people....

　When did it start?　When Kaijin smiled, he was able to smile naturally....

　When did it start?　I'm not sure I'd be willing to work....at least a little....for a pleasant person....

　There is no answer to the thoughts that go around. However, Fate's mind is already beginning to be convinced, giving a name of 'love' to an unearned emotion.
　Little by little, she had begun to accept her own attraction to the pleasant person. And that's why she was deeply confused at the same time.

I don't understand...........

　The longer we stay the same the more timid we become about change. Fate hasn't experienced a major change in tens of thousands of years.
　That's why the changes that are beginning to happen to him now are so frightening. I was worried that I was beginning to change.

　The person she fell in love with--what should she look like from now on--what should she look like?

　She didn't - she didn't know.