Two Paths and One Ending
Higoromo Hibiki spoke.
“Testing, testing. 1, 2, 3. Currently testing the mic. Fuu, alright! Everyone, can you hear me? Listen up. Everyone in the Tenth Region Malkuth should stop fighting, and those in the Ninth Region Yesod should stop the live performance for the time being. This is an important notice. On that note, this broadcast should reach every region and Quasi-Spirit in the Neighboring World. I suppose this is a so-called direct delivery to the brain, huh? I am Higoromo Hibiki, the Dominion of the First Region Keter. And also, the Dominion of the Second Region Chokmah Yukishiro Maya, former Dominion of the Third Region Binah Carte À Jouer, Dominion of the Fourth Region Chesed Ariadne Foxrot, Dominion of the Fifth Region Gevurah Kagarike Haraka, Dominion of the Eighth Region Hod Jugasaki Retsumi, and Dominion of the Ninth Region Kirari Rinemu are here right now. Quasi-Spirits in each region should be good on the uptake and understand what this feeling on their skin means, right?”
“──Now, thank you for your continued support…no wait, that isn’t quite it. In this
Neighboring World, you are now forced to make a decision. To be specific, we are now cut loose from the real world. Are you surprised? Are you surprised? It’s going to be okay. Please calm down. Take a deep breath. …Sounds good. Let’s continue. First, there is no doubt the
Neighboring World will disappear at this rate. The responsibility is not on us, but rather due to external interference. It seems that the great person who created the Neighboring World, God or some else, has seemed to think…the Neighboring World is no longer necessary. Or perhaps
the intentions are something else I don’t know, and what is happening to the Neighboring World so far is for establishing another world. Either that or my understand is completely off the mark. …Well, that doesn’t matter. The important point is that as long as this land remains
adjoined to reality, this Neighboring World will unavoidably perish. To that end, as a result of the discussions, I’ve decided to purge the First Region Keter, which served as an intermediary bridge to reality. Easy and quick.”
“…In other words, it’s as you can assume. This world will become genuine, disconnecting
from reality…it will change into a different world. Conversely, the chance for returning to
reality will be lost. So, if you want to go back to reality, please come to the First Region Keter. The gates in each region are open. From the Second Region Chokmah to the First Region Keter, if you reach this point, we’ll be giving further instructions.”
“To be honest. The relative difficulty of returning to reality shouldn’t be taken superficially. Because as you may already know…we are likely to have died and fallen into the
Neighboring World. In other words, it can be assumed you may die the moment you return to reality. Even if there is a physical body…in reality we are only helplessly adorable beauties.
We would be suddenly appearing with the circumstances of having been disconnected from society. Parents who are supposed to protect us may already be dead. As far as I can imagine, every possibility flows from bad to worse.”
“…But even so. I want to go back to reality. I want to go back home. I want to proceed to
the other side. If that is your desire, please come to the First Region Keter. Whichever is chosen, the sadness will be the same. Then, at the very least, when you make a decision…please don’t regret it. We will do our best to help you. Well then, everyone. Let’s meet again!”
A tremor struck the Neighboring World. Immediately afterwards, instructions from every Dominion were transmitted to each region. It was conformation that the previous communication over the entire Neighboring World wasn’t a lie, and that all Quasi -Spirits were forced to make a choice.
Those who made a decision. Those who hesitated. Those who hesitated after making a decision. Those who believed that the same tomorrow as yesterday would come. And those who weren’t able to hesitate due to feeling confident because of that tremor.
But still, the passage of time goes on. Moment by moment, only time continued to pass by unrelentingly.
──And so. Those that decided to go gathered in the First Region Keter.
◇◇◇
Higoromo Hibiki was finally facing Tokisaki Kurumi.
“Oh. Have you finished already?”
“Yes. I was able to inquire the general outline of everyone’s stories. The only one left is Kurumi-san.”
“Only me. You didn’t have to save me for last. Well, it’s fine. Come, make yourself welcome.”
Kurumi crossed her arms and puffed up with confidence. Hibiki somewhat thought that fearless smile more resembled an enemy of the world rather than an ally of justice.
■Tokisaki Kurumi
(Is Tokisaki Kurumi the savior of the Neighboring World. Or is she an enemy? Either interpretation is fine. A chance encounter, a chance joint struggle, I will never regret becoming friends with this person. I feel like I’ve used up my luck for a lifetime, but then again how old am I actually?)
It’s up to you to decide, Hibiki-san.
No well, that’s true, but…alright, let’s get started! Without further delay, please give
me your name once more.
It’s Tokisaki Kurumi.
Actually, is there a middle name like Evangeline or Antoinette between Tokisaki and Kurumi?
There isn’t.
Tsk. Career is…actually I’ve just thought of something even better. So, let’s change the
question a little. What is the most memorable thing you’ve struggled with in the Neighboring World?
Hmm…leaving aside the White Queen. In that case, it would be the idol battle in the Ninth
Region Yesod.
Me poking around lead to an unexpected choice…
It was my first experience singing and dancing so much in public. Fufu, it’s a little embarrassing to remember.
But with that in mind, I did go to many different places. It’s a shame that I couldn’t go to the Fourth Region Chesed and only passed through the Sixth Region Tiphereth.
Singing as an idol, competing with water guns, gambling, conducting detective work, and even going on an adventure. Come to think of it, it really was a mess…
True. But I’m glad the idol battle left a lasting impression. That was one of the few times I was useful for setting up the fight.
…Hmm. I would need to disagree with that opinion. Hibiki-san, I would like to take the
opportunity to tell you this. In this Neighboring World, while I was fighting──you have never been useless.
Huh?
Following any battle, I see you clinging onto dear life, where any loss would mean you dying in vain…if you think about it, how else could I acquire inspiration for myself? Please remember.
Even if you think its useless, there are people in this world who are encouraged just from you being here.
…M-Much obliged… Wow, oh no. I think my face is turning red.
Oh my.
No, it’s the opposite turn of events for the interviewer to be the one embarrassed. Are you really Kurumi-san?
I don’t know what you mean…. That being said, Hibiki-san became the Dominion of the
First Region Keter.
Yes?
Did the power of the Dominion come from Sawa-san?
That’s right. At that time, I secretly inherited it. Without Sawa-san, the crisis of the Neighboring World might not have been discovered.
How much longer will it be until the end?
Ah, uhh…let me see. If measured it terms of time experienced, it should be around one
hour. After one hour, the Neighboring World will become separated from reality.
It looks like there isn’t any more time left to go play.
That’s fine, Kurumi-san.
Really?
For having fun, you can always do that after this is all over. Yes, yes. Like I said so many times already, go socialize with that guy to the ends of hell.
(Kurumi-san giggled a little bit from hearing that. I felt a little sad, but I was glad from the bottom of my heart that she enjoyed those words.)
With this, I feel like I’ve done everything I have to do in this Neighboring World. All that remained was to live. Well, of course that had to be the most difficult thing to do!
◇◇◇
It was time to say goodbye. In the empty space, there was one huge gate. It was huge, and incomparable to the gates seen so far connecting the regions to each other. It didn’t look like it could be opened by human strength at all.
However, Hibiki waved her arm and the gate lightly opened.
It was darkness, not light, that filled what was ahead. The Quasi-Spirits that decided to proceed there flinched from this dark destination.
“Okay!”
Meanwhile, the first to raise their hands to go were Kirari Rinemu and Banouin Mizuha, and the group of Quasi-Spirits that were following them.
Turning around, she shouted. At max volume, she conveyed her feelings to all the Dominions and idols that had decided to stay.
“Thank you so much for this! I’ll never forget what happened in this world! I’ll remember every single detail! Everyone, I love you!”
“Me too. …Me too! I love this world, the Ninth Region Yesod, the fans, and the idols from
the bottom of my heart! So, this is really goodbye…!”
Mizuha followed suit, shouting and sobbing at the same time.
“Do your best!”
Haraka’s encouragement, Ariadne and Maya silently waving their hands with all their strength, both caused Rinemu’s eyes to tear up. After wiping that away with the cuffs of her sleeves, she bowed and then turned to look at her microphone before suddenly throwing it.
“Ah.”
It happened to land in the hands of a Quasi-Spirit from the Ninth Region Yesod. She was an unknown idol who had decided to stay after hesitating for a bit.
“I wish you all the best!”
Rinemu bequeathed a first-rate smile to that idol. Mizuha left behind a tear-stained face and tightened chest to everyone looking on. Both of them dived into the opened gate, with their staff members and fans hurrying following after them.
“Now then, ladies. Au revoir!”
With that said, Carte À Jouer raised her hand in a splendid manner. The fans that decided to stay screamed. The fans that decided to go with them also screamed.
“You have an unexpected number of fans, Carte-san!”
“Fufufu, who do you think I am, Higoromo Hibiki! Alright, you guys are coming too!”
“Go, go Spade-kun〜♪” (Ace of Spades) “The question is whether or not our consciousness will remain!” (Four of Clovers) “I think it’ll be fine!” (Nine of Diamonds) “May God grant our prayers.” (Twelve of Hearts)
Always making noise, their liveliness was reminiscent of the Town Musicians of Bremen. Keeping herself magnificent and carefree until the very end, Carte À Jouer departed from the Neighboring World.
Jugasaki Retsumi remained firm and held back the tears. But just as she was about to enter the gate, she turned around and shouted.
“Kareha! I’ve always loved you! I will never forget this feeling even if I die!”
Shouting, crying, sobbing, but even so this girl turned to face behind her once more.
Someone shouted, “Keep at it.” Responding to those words, this girl raised up her fist into the air without looking back.
Tsuan was staring intently at Kagarike Haraka.
“Well then master, bye-bye. Thank you for everything.”
“Hmm? I wonder if I really deserve those thanks. I think you could have figured it out by yourself…”
“That’s not it. That’s not the case. …I’m glad that master was there. I was happy to be able
to fight together with master. I was able to do my best because of master.”
Tsuan was moved to the extent of shedding tears. Haraka saw this and exhaled out an “Ah” sound in admiration. Even though she knew to expect this.
“Leaving the nest is painful, isn’t it?”
“Yeah. It’s painful for me. But I’ll endure it. ──It was really nice to meet you.”
Tsuan wiped away her tears and gave Haraka a big smile. She did so in hopes that this expression would leave behind the best memory.
And then, Quasi-Spirits leaving the Neighboring World jumped into the gate one after the other. Even Quasi-Spirits that were as close as sisters, or those who sharpened each other skills as rivals, will inevitably be separated.
Anxiety for the future, loneliness from the past, all of it came together in complete harmony to produce a strange atmosphere for this place.
This was neither a wake nor a funeral. This was like both an entrance and graduation ceremony.
Some people cried. Some people laughed. Some people screamed encouragement. Some people were frightened. And then, there were those who tried to overcome that fear.
Farewell, farewell, farewell.
And like that, there were only two people left.
“Well then, everyone. It’s time to part ways!”
In response to Hibiki’s words, the surrounding Dominions and Cistus solemnly nodded. “I’ll entrust the Neighboring World to you all. If it’s you guys, it’ll probably be okay!”
“Leave it to us. Higoromo Hibiki, good luck to you. …This isn’t much, but take this
talisman.”
“From me.”
“From me too~”
Maya handed over a book. Haraka gave a talisman. Ariadne presented earplugs. “Earplugs?”
“I wanted to give a pillow, but I was stopped.”
“Uh yeah, I would be a little embarrassed to receive that…”
“Here is one kunai from me. If you safely cross over to the other side, you can throw it away. I’m worried about the laws for the possession of weapons there.”
“No, I won’t throw it away!”
“Hibiki-san.”
“Oh, from Cistus-san…a flower?”
“Yes. Good luck.”
“…Thank you very much! Now, on to Kurumi-san.”
Kurumi nodded at Hibiki and faced the remaining Quasi-Spirits who were staying. And then, she silently bowed.
The Quasi-Spirits involved with her, including the Dominions, were all naturally bewildered.
“It’s in poor taste to be so surprised here. …Everyone, thank you very much. I came here as
a traveler and will leave here as a traveler…”
Covering the memories that have come and gone, it spun into words.
“Yes. I can’t say that there were only good memories, but I enjoyed being involved with everyone. I didn’t know how much fun this long, long journey would be, and it felt like it would continue forever. But there is no such thing as a never-ending journey. In that case, this journey was nothing more but aimed at not ending here at that point. But my journey through the Neighboring World ends here. But, it’s not boring because it’s over. And it doesn’t mean that reality will be fine just because it’s the end. …It’s likely that…only the person who
made this decision can understand…how it’s a complicated feeling to consider.”
It was meaningless to compare which world was better.
It wasn’t just that Quasi-Spirits were choosing where to live. They were making a decision. Rather than a comparison of good and evil, they were seeking something that might or might not be beneficial.
“You all who are staying in the Neighboring World are right. The girls who decided to leave the Neighboring World are also correct. Certainly…there are no mistakes for either side.”
Kurumi took a deep breath and then said her final words.
“Now then, everyone. Regardless of what happens to this world afterwards, I’ll leave it all to you.”
Kurumi gave a small wave goodbye. There were those that responded and others that didn’t. Some were sad and others continued to be confused. Not everyone in the end where friends and had to be friendly.
However, they were undoubtably living in the same world. They all were girls aware of their own existences by breathing beside each other.
Kurumi thought that the Neighboring World was the sum including all that love and suffering.
──It was too late.
No, if she had noticed this earlier, her life choices might have been different.
It may be that the Neighboring World was the final resting place while regretting the moment of that distant, distant summer.
But, that didn’t happen.
“Cistus.”
“Yes.”
“Goodbye. A former me.”
“Yes, goodbye…Tokisaki Kurumi.”
Kurumi grabbed Hibiki’s hand and took a step forward to make a leap. As soon as Kurumi and Hibiki disappeared into the other side of the gate, the door slowly closed.
And then, a while later.
In the real world, the place called the Neighboring World vanished. Observation became impossible as if one world had collapsed. For humans living in reality, they couldn’t tell if anyone would still be alive.
But there were these girls who had lived their lives over there.
◇◇◇
Holding hands, they kept silently walking.
“Please don’t let go.”
“Y-Yes of course, if I let go, it feels like I will never see you again!”
Hibiki’s voice was scared, sounding shrill and nervous.
There was no road in sight. The wind was noisily blowing. There was no light. There was only that fierce sound.
It felt like walking down a dark wilderness.
It was impossible to tell if they were even moving forward.
“Kurumi-san!”
“Yes, what is it!?”
“What does Kurumi-san want to do after returning back to reality!?”
“Oh, so it’s just a continuation of the interview!?”
“There is the impression of something like that!”
“Of course! I’m going to meet that person! I’ll be sprinting with all my strength in a wedding dress!”
“Wow, scary! That’s scary, Kurumi-san! I mean, talk about heavy!?”
Imagine it.
One day, a girl wearing a wedding dress started running to your home or school while a deeply moving BGM started to play.
It could only be described as scary & heavy.
“What──is──wrong──with──you!”
Hibiki laughed at that happening. She laughed and tried to strengthen her grip.
And then, she noticed.
She couldn’t feel her hand. She didn’t feel Kurumi’s hand which she should be tightly gripping.
“Kurumi-san!”
“What is it!?”
Voice, a voice could be heard. Only a voice could be heard. But let alone the hand she should be grasping; she couldn’t even see her own hand anymore.
“I might be in danger!”
So, she shouted. As loud as possible, towards Kurumi who should be there.
“Hibiki-san, how are you in danger!?”
“I don’t feel anything! I can only hear your voice!”
Silence.
The sound of the wind dominated the surroundings.
“──Oh, so it’s true.”
At the end of that whisper, even voices were cut off.
“Ah…”
Her heart was racing with an ominous premonition.
“Kurumi-san?”
Silence.
“Kurumi-san? Kurumi-san! Can you hear me!?”
Silence.
“Hey, please. Please reply. Kurumi-san, please say that you’re here. Please…! No, I don’t
know where to go…!”
Was she running, walking, or standing still?
The darkness enveloped her so much that she couldn’t even tell what was going on anymore.
However, she understood the warning from her instincts to not stop.
If she relaxed just a little, she would hit her limit. At moment she stopped, she would die.
Because of that premonition, she tried to move her legs. In reality, she might be trying to move her legs while standing still──somehow, she managed to shake off such hallucinations.
Forward.
Towards a tomorrow that was full of hope.
Behind.
Towards the brink of death that was full of despair.
Which way was she walking? Walking? Am I walking?
Higoromo Hibiki didn’t know. The wind was slowly growing stronger.
“Uuuuuuuuu…!”
She ran while groaning and crying. The words meaningless death stuck to my mind and wouldn’t leave.
“No, no, no…! Help, someone…someone please help…!”
Usually, someone would respond. Usually, Kurumi would lend a hand as if it couldn’t be helped. However, I can’t see her. No sound. No smell. Even the feeling of touch was removed.
What should I do? What should I do?
I don’t know the answer. No one can tell me.
Then, the sound of the wind made my ears ache. Was she still breathing? Was she dead or alive? Either that or she already disappeared.
The sound of the heart yielding.
The soul was rotting away. There was never a body to begin with.
There was no room for Higoromo Hibiki to claim her existence.
This was death, disappearing, becoming lost, emptiness, annihilation, and despair.
“────Ah.”
Hibiki, quite as if choking from drowning, stopped her feet and collapsed.
She knew that once she had stopped, she would never again be able to stand up or start walking again. Hibiki collapsed.
“Aah…”
Was it impossible after all? Was it an area I couldn’t reach because of not having a physical body?
Alone in an uninhibited wasteland, Hibiki stayed laying down.
After that, Hibiki recalled her past. A small, little past that was insignificant.
──Higoromo Hibiki was born an Empty.
When did I arrive at this Neighboring World? When did I fall? When did it occur? Everything was left vague, only knowing my own name and the name of the Unsigned Angel <King Killing>.
Vaguely recalling those days.
I realize I was nothing more than nothing when born.
After all, nobody was around. There was no Unsigned Angel. Even a name was terrifyingly unclear.
Higoromo Hibiki, Higoromo Hibiki, Higoromo Hibiki, Hibiki, Hibiki, Hibiki──
“Having regrets?”
──None whatsoever.
“Why? This is such a painful way to die.”
Ah, that’s right. Rather than a drowning analogy, this was more like suffocating. It was proof that the soul was trying to stop living.
Hibiki wanted it to be easier. A release from right now which was only painful. But I can’t do that. I don’t want to do that.
“For Tokisaki Kurumi’s sake?”
Right, hearing that said placed it into consideration. I’m fighting right now. Is it really for Tokisaki Kurumi?
──Just a little, it feels different.
Until now, the girl named Higoromo Hibiki found her purpose in life being helpful to Tokisaki Kurumi. It’s wasn’t a joke that she would die for her.
But now things had slightly changed.
──I want to live for myself.
I want to live and walk side-by side with Tokisaki Kurumi. As her friend, as her companion.
I want to chat about things don’t have to do with either life or death. I want to laugh when talking about movies, love, and so on.
──It’s just my own selfishness. But.
“It’s fine. Affirming one’s desires is the first step in becoming a human being. Let me tell you how to become human.”
──Really? Who are you?
“We were just trying to kill each other. Yamauchi Sawa…I am her dregs.”
──Dregs?
“Hmm, maybe leftovers or surplus would sound better? Well, consider me something like good fortune for yourself. Anyway, like I was trying to say, Hibiki-san. You are not human.”
──Eh, ah, does that mean I’m some kind of inhumane brute?
“That’s not it. What sort of twist would that be? You really didn’t exist as a human being.”
──Huh.
“When I caught you before, I read the memories of the soul. As a person, you are the dregs of countless Empties given shape. Higoromo is someone else’s family name. Hibiki is someone else’s surname. <King Killing> was also something once worn by another Empty.”
──Wow. So, I’m really a demon made up of three different bodies?
“…There shouldn’t be only three. Perhaps more than 100 Empties are involved in
constructing your being. Don’t you have various miscellaneous talents? That’s what those Empties once possessed.”
──Is it really around 100 bodies…?
“While other Empties acquire their purpose and then disappear, you are the opposite. You had no purpose in living from the very beginning. A life created by chance that should have disappeared. That is Higoromo Hibiki. No, it was.”
──Then right now, I am.
“You need to configure a body. It’s sort of like trying to conceive a child. Ah, sorry. That was a little bit disgusting to say.”
──Being my first time, can I do it skillfully…?
“Nice to see you play along. Anyway, the body in a nutshell is composed of various things. Skin, nails, muscles, nerves, bones, blood, and much more. But those substances themselves that make up the composition aren’t a big deal.”
──Is that so?
“Yes. After all, what makes a person worthy of being a human being is the soul rather than the body. But how much of that abstract concept can sincerely be known? The issue right now is that you have never moved while considering what it’s like to have a physical body in reality. But from here on out, you need to move in accordance to that basis. That means changing all the actions you have unknowingly omitted in your life until now.”
──But if it is like that, wouldn’t that be immensely difficult?
“Without a doubt, it will be tremendously difficult. To the extent that you would think it would be better to die. You don’t even understand how to make your heart beat.”
Deny everything experienced so far and create it from scratch. Actions that even an unborn child preforms unconsciously will need to be done consciously. Forgetting a single one meant dying immediately. In the real world, no one can live without breathing.
──But even if I’m told to make my heart beat…!
“I am here. I, Yamauchi Sawa, lived as a human being. That’s why the remnants of experiencing an actual body are around a tenth.”
──I see! By the way, Sawa-san.
“I don’t think you have a reason to call me Sawa-san, but…what is it?”
──No. If I go to the real world, I would become Yamauchi Sawa…is there a horror -like
punchline waiting for me?
“…”
──…
“There’s not much time, so we’ll need to start now. …You are free to refuse, but rest assured
that means disappearing.”
──Wow, that’s foul! No, it’s fine. No matter what happens, I’ll struggle on to live!
“…How truly resilient… But please rest assured. You will never become Yamauchi Sawa.
After all, I’m only a fragment. As long as there is the whole called Higoromo Hibiki, it wouldn’t have much of an effect. Only──”
──Only?
“Thoughts regarding Kurumi-san might become a little heavier.”
──Eh, I’m aware that it’s heavy.
“Looks like this is going to be annoying.”
──Well, that’s fine! If all the circumstances are explained, I’m sure this will mean being pampered by Kurumi-san in one way or another.
“You truly are forward-looking.”
Visibly astonished, Sawa──or rather the Sawa within Hibiki, sighed.
“Cough, cough, cough”
The first thing I perceive is pain. A scathing sensation that I have never experienced before.
“That’s breathing, Hibiki-san. Let the heart beat and the blood flow.”
“Uhya…you say it like it’s a tutorial…”
However, the pain within myself revived as just about everything seemed to sink into the dull and silent darkness.
Breathe. Let the heart pulse. Let blood circulate. That is what is needed to live in the real world.
“This isn’t darkness, but rather your path. You’re not use to looking at things visually yet.”
An overwhelming amount of light. The pain seared into the eyes.
“To live means experiencing cruelty, suffering, and pain. Can you still do you best?”
“Of course, I can! Gah, it hurts!”
A cough escaped with her voice. Everything had its own weight, and for humans it’s the entrails that break down food for energy. For a great number of humans, Reiryoku was just meaningless fuel.
If the Neighboring World was heaven, then reality was a world of hardships.
It was a struggle just to live. There’s no point in seeking the meaning for life.
Right, it didn’t make sense to define a purpose for living. Living itself had meaning. The real world was something like that.
Innocent, pure, crafty, whimsical, cheerful, gloomy, Higoromo Hibiki was a Quasi -Spirit who inherited all these dregs from each girl little by little.
But finally, for the first time in her life, she strongly embraced the actual feeling of living.
◇◇◇
This dazzling light had heat, and the air she breathed in felt a little muddy.
“──Aah.”
Surprisingly quick, it was much easier than expected. Tokisaki Kurumi had returned to reality from the Neighboring World.
The <Zafkiel> held in her hands rustled and become dust. Her body also felt heavy. Her Reiryoku running dry was comparative to falling from a position which was impossible to recover.
The morning sunshine. Noise that was heard coming from who knows where. The smell of the asphalt that she would usually never care about.
“I’ve…come back…”
Then, she suddenly noticed something and turned to look behind her. Nobody was there. The hand she was supposed to be connected to had disappeared before she could notice. She had disappeared even though it was a straight path.
She tried to let out her voice, but then stopped. If there was no reply when she called out her name, then it would feel like an eternal parting. So, she didn’t have the courage to call out her name.
Just like always, Hibiki would come screaming.
“Kurumi-san, I made it!”
Right, screaming just like that──
“Hibiki-san!? Why is Hibiki-san screaming like a frog that’s about to croak!? No, it can’t be. Is this what I think it is!?”
“It is what you think it is, gehogehage!”
A few minutes behind Kurumi, the once Empties girls that made up Higoromo Hibiki were now enjoying a singular life in this world as a human being.
“Um, Hibiki-san? No matter how much I can comprehend, do you understand that this isn’t a scene that should be comedic? Why don’t you take this seriously after screaming my name like that?”
“I-It can’t be helped!? I also wanted to create a more moving reunion! But! I! Actually! What with this and that! This is the first time in my life I’ve let my voice come out from my vocal cords! M-My eyes are tingling and when trying to take a deep breath, the air feels thick with something…”
The girl in front of her looked both similar and dissimilar to Higoromo Hibiki, Yamauchi Sawa, and the White Queen respectively. An uncertain face, a face that seemed to always look like that.
However, it could be understood from this boisterous noise alone.
No matter what, she was definitely Higoromo Hibiki.
“…Is that right?”
“No, just a short while ago even I didn’t know who I was. Actually, it actually took months’ worth of time, but a shocking truth was discovered!”
“Eh, ha, eh?”
Hibiki’s mood grew to even higher ridiculous heights. That was fine, but what she was trying to say had become strangely unclear in meaning.
“Well, in short I’m not human. Uhh, that is to say I’m some sort of existence like a colony or ensemble. Unfortunately, a shocking truth came to light that even if a physical body could be formed, I had no knowledge of breathing or how to make my heart beat. Then, just as it looked that nothing could be done, Sawa-san’s final leftovers…things that were left behind, no
actually remnants would be a cooler way of saying that. No, I’m not making fun of Sawa -san, it was really something like remnants in the end. Ehh, I wonder how much we ended up discussing. At any rate, I am Higoromo Hibiki. I’ve become human for the first time with various Quasi-Spirit souls blended together. But! Basically, nothing has changed that much! That’s all!”
Kurumi was overwhelmed by the story going back and forth, but she extracted the important details for the time being.
“…Does that mean, you are Higoromo Hibiki…and also a little bit of Sawa-san?”
“Well, you can think of it as something like that. Thank you for your continued guidance and encouragement.”
…So that was it. First of all, Kurumi thought there was something that needed to be done.
“Hibiki-san.”
“Fuah?”
She closely embraced Higoromo Hibiki. Her lovely and strong heartbeat was transmitted to Kurumi’s body.
She was alive. Higoromo Hibiki was alive here.
Hibiki was confused, but before long she took a deep breath and wrapped her arms around Kurumi’s body.
“…Kurumi-san.” “What is it, Hibiki-san?”
“I want to cry.” “Oh, how strange. I feel the same.”
“Then, do you want to cry together on three?” “That’s a good idea for Hibiki-san.”
“Yes.” “Now then.”
1, 2, 3.
And so, Tokisaki Kurumi and Higoromo Hibiki decided to cry to their heart’s content. Whether sobbing or weeping, the tears that came out wouldn’t stop. This must seem shameful or embarrassing. But more than that, for all the unendurable sadness, the joy for everything was also irresistible.
The end of a long, long journey. Their destination was a happiness called reality.
◇◇◇
The connection between the real world and the Neighboring World was severed. Observation from the reality would recognize it as approximately a complete disappearance.
However, the Neighboring World was alive. Those who lived in the Neighboring World were also alive.
“There’s a lot of confusion in each region. First of all, we need to decide upon the Dominions for each region as soon as possible.”
Maya regretfully shifted her glasses up. Haraka crossed her arms with a troubled look. And Ariadne Foxrot was still asleep. Sagakure Yui, who was appointed as secretary, stepped back from an unpleasant premonition.
“…For the time being, the Seventh Region Netzach will be left to Sagakure Yui…”
“Um…I desperately don’t think I am suitable for being a Dominion…”
“It’s fine. For times like these, I’ve written a manual. The title is Even an Idiot can be a Dominion.”
“Anyone can do it!?”
“Not everyone. The Dominion must be powerful. In that respect, Sagakure Yui can…dominate with numbers.”
“That’s quite the pointless reason…”
“Apart from the First Region Keter which is fine if absent, there’s still the Third Region Binah, the Sixth Region Tiphereth, the Eighth Region Hod, the Ninth Region Yesod, and the Tenth Region Malkuth…so many…too many…!”
“Shall I take over the Eighth Region Hod and the Tenth Region Malkuth?”
To those words, those four people suddenly looked towards the door of the conference room.
When did she sneak in? With a smiling face, Tokisaki Kurumi──or rather the girl called
Cistus, waved her hand to them.
“Will you accept?”
“If you guys are okay with it, then it’s fine. Although, if you can’t trust me, then I suppose it can’t be helped──”
“No, that’s not the case at all. Here, sit down, sit down. Sagakure Yui has some tea if you want. Don’t mind me, my limbs are on the brink of going to sleep. Now, Cistus (former name Tokisaki Kurumi), it’s fine if you take over the Sixth Region Malkuth, the Eighth Region Hod, and the Tenth Region Malkuth. If you don’t mind, please just sign here.”
“Can you please not just casually increase the region by one!? Aren’t I still inexperienced!?”
Maya, who had forcefully compelled Cistus to sit down, vigorously rambled on as she fetched some official papers. Cistus responded by performing the straight man routine.
“In the first place, I don’t even know what a Dominion means…”
“Documents.”
“Yes?”
“I don’t know about the other Dominions, but for me a Dominion means paperwork. No t long ago, due to the influence of a certain queen, I had to issue a permit to travel from region to region.”
“This is a starting point that suddenly causes nausea and dizziness. …But now that the
White Queen is gone, do you still need documents anymore?”
“Documents are necessary for discussing, deciding, and making a final verdict.” “Still not done yet? I’m dying of boredom…”
Ariadne screamed while still being completely exhausted. After looking at her with a sideways glance, Maya cleared her throat.
“Anyway, I think we can do it together. Welcome to being a Dominion, Cistus.”
“I humbly accept, Maya-san.”
Next to Maya who was nodding in satisfaction, Haraka took out a large liquor bottle from out of nowhere.
“Let’s end the meeting here!”
“What do you mean, there’s still a mountain’s worth of documents still to be decided.”
“Maya’s words are steadily becoming like a fast-forwarded recording. What, isn’t this like an event to solidify unity? Isn’t it okay to have a drink?”
Maya let out a sigh at what Haraka had said.
“…Well, if it’s just a cup.”
Haraka loudly shouted while pouring the sake into the cup.
“Well then…to the friends who went to the other side and also to the irreplaceable friends
who remained here!”
Cheers, they all partaken in a cup of sake with that toast in mind.
This easygoing time was the same as ever. There was anxiety and fear over the unknown, but hope was also here.
The Neighboring World no longer existed next to reality.
“T-This is huge!”
“?”
It was a Quasi-Spirit from the Second Region Chokmah who rushed into the Dominion Regional Meeting. Maya, recognizing the familiar face, turned to there and asked what was wrong.
“Ah.”
“…Ah?”
“A new Quasi-Spirit has been observed. It’s a Quasi-Spirit that appeared after being separated from the other world.”
Maya immediately stood up and started running. Ariadne, Haraka, Cistus, and Yui also hurriedly followed suit.
Ariadne shouted while running.
“W-What does this mean!? Wasn’t the connection to the other world completely cut off!?”
“It hasn’t been long since then, and no Compiles have been observed either. When that disappeared, I thought we were cut off from the other side too!”
“I don’t know! I don’t know, so there’s no choice but to ask the Quasi-Spirit!”
The Quasi-Spirit that was surrounded was anxiously looking around. With tears in the corner of her eyes, she looked just like a newborn baby deer.
“D-Don’t be scared~”
Sagakure Yui (different model) tried to soothe the girl while having a cramped smile on her face. While being comforted, the girl, who looked around to be the same age group as them, spoke.
“U-Um. Where am I?”
“Uhh…”
Sagakure Yui wondered if it was okay to answer. Perhaps she felt uneasy about the situation, so her trembling became even more intense. Only at this moment, Yui cursed her own self-sufficiency.
“Y-You’ve arrived…to, to…”
Retiring in about halfway, Maya had Haraka take her away.
“W-Who are you?”
“…I am Yukishiro Maya.”
“Ah, okay. Yukishiro-san, where is here…?”
“Before answering that question, please answer my question. Please tell me your name and past.”
“Uhh, my name is────. Past…I can’t remember the past.”
“What I have in my hand.”
“It’s the Unsigned Angel────.”
Name, Unsigned Angel, and an unknown Quasi-Spirit.
Was there no past or had it been forgotten? Or…as Maya once thought, perhaps Quasi-Spirits
were being born into this Neighboring World?
She wouldn’t know which one this was until further research. But for now, this is what she needed to tell her.
“Welcome to the Neighboring World. Nice to meet you.”
She would start by smiling and extending out a hand. Just like what was once done for her.
The frightened Quasi-Spirit breathed out a sigh of relief at those words and Maya’s smile.
And, she firmly squeezed back the hand offered.
There were changes in this world, but it still kept turning regularly. The fate of these girls was as they had desired.
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