Chapter 780: Intermission: God and Clown ~ ~ Win: 1, Loss: 1 ~ ~ (2/2)

[That's obvious. Even when I want to love my child, I want to make sure I won't trouble him. I'm properly considering my child's circumstances.]

[……Seriously, if you just don't go out of control, you would have been pretty decent.]

[……It's not I mean to do it intentionally either…… but my child is just so cute that I can't stop loving him, and before I knew it, all sense of reason in my mind disappeared.]

Yes…… If ”her too big of a love for Kaito” and ”her thought process that everyone except her children as talking lumps of flesh” was removed, she would have been someone with proper common sense.

……But then, those two peculiarities of hers are so strong that her other traits get overshadowed, making her look like a lunatic……

After smiling at her troubled best friend, Alice changed the subject.

[Well, regarding our swimming tomorrow…… I actually have a favor to ask Makina.]

[……I don't have a good feeling about that, so I refuse. I mean, even if it's easy for Alice to say it, if I interfere with the other world in any way, I would need to explain everything to Shallow Vernal later on. The only reason I'm helping you train is that this is a loophole in our contract…… What we're doing here is already in the gray area, you know?]

[Fumu fumu…… Ahh, I'm changing the subject…… but ”were the burgers delicious?”]

[…………………………………..Eh?]

Makina was about to dismiss Alice's request, but hearing what Alice said right after, Makina stiffened.

[No, I was just curious…… So, how was it? The burgers ”whose ingredients I carefully selected and prepared”, ”hand-made with all my heart” for my ”best friend Makina”…… Were they delicious?]

[……Eh? N- No, ummm, they were delicious but…… Eh? D- Does that mean…… Is this what I think it is?]

[I wonder? I don't know what you're talking about, but I'm glad you found it delicious. Ahh, I'm sorry for digressing, I was just curious…… Now then, let's get back to the topic at hand, I actually have a favor to ask Makina.]

[………………………….]

When she heard the words Alice said with a refreshing smile on her face, Makina looked up to the heavens, looking as if she had given up on so many things.

Remembering the exchange she had with Makina, Alice asked Shallow Vernal.

[Oya? Wouldn't Shallow Vernal-sama, who can read minds, be able to know the answer right away?]

[……What a nasty question. I know that one of ”tens of thousands of methods” in your mind was the right answer, but I don't know which one it is. I see, so a countermeasure like this exists huh.]

[It's more like a practical use of ”Thought Division”. It's like hiding a tree in a forest…… Well, anyhow, I win this time, right?]

[I guess so…… that makes it 1 win and 1 loss…… I see, you're interesting.]

[I'll take that as a compliment.]

[Yes, I hope we get a chance to talk again. I'm sure I can learn a lot from you.]

[I don't really mind, but please make sure you prepare the best tea and sweets available as a teaching fee.]

[I understand.]

Seeing the fearless smile on Alice's lips, Shallow Vernal also slightly smiled. Just like that, unexpectedly, but in the best way possible for the purpose of this day…… The friendship between Alice and Shallow Vernal deepened.

<Afterword>

~ ~ Extra : Why is Makina-chan such a no good scrap? ~ ~

① (Haahhh…… I went out of control and troubled my child…… I'll have to be patient here and not scare my child……)

② (Fuwaaaaaa, my child really is just the cutest. Hah!? T- This won't do! Be patient…… Be patient……)

③ (Nuwaaaahhh!? I can't take it anymoooooore! My child is so cute and I can't hold back anymoooooooore!!!)

④ Blown away by Kuro → Return to ①

※ In some cases, ② is skipped.

It's easy to be fooled by her outrageous behavior and deep personality, but ”she's been repeating the above no good scrap of a loop since her first appearance”.

……I'm reflecting upon my deeds everytime, every single time…… but standing before my child…… I wasn't able to restrain the overflowing love in my heart.