Although this person had Yu's appearance, the inside was undoubtedly Yuna. Good grief. It really is a bizarre reunion. It makes me feel indescribably strange.

  "I'd love to catch up on old times since it's been a while, but we don't have much time. Yu wants to return."

  "Because I'm forcefully calling you out with [Rebellion]."

  "I always think this, but your ability is too strong. It's really a cheat, isn't it?"

  To her narrowing her eyes slightly in a joking tone, I also replied in a similar manner.

  "Shut up. In exchange, I have to travel all over the universe."

  "You have my sympathy. Just going to one other world was enough for me. Spare me from being asked to go to the next one."

  I retorted slightly exasperatedly at her waving her hand flippantly.

  "What do you mean 'enough'. Even though you were fully intending to enjoy yourself if you had to go to the next one."

  Receiving my point, she laughed feigning ignorance.

  "Oh, busted? No~, it was just right for relieving stress, you know. That. Like a little vacation feeling? Life in Japan is just stress piling up."

  "And so you intended to rampage around with a magic gun in one hand again, right?"

  "No, no. I'm basically a pacifist. Besides, I became a mother of one child, so I've settled down a little."

  Where is the pacifist?

  I also combined my strength, but above all, wasn't it you who stirred up the world with your drive and turned it upside down many times? Resistance activities against the Zanbie Empire. Capturing the space fortress Estcage that threatened the planet Estotia. The death match with Walter of [Reversal]. And so on. There's no end to counting them. None of them would have been possible without you.

  "But, what if there was a guy you didn't like?"

  "Of course, I'd beat the hell out of him."

  Seeing her form a pistol shape with her right hand and go Bang! with a fearless smile, I thought she hadn't changed a bit.

  "Haha. You haven't changed."

  As my face relaxed with nostalgia, she said teasingly.

  "Nostalgia is for old men~. You look like a brat, so act a little more youthful."

  Can't help being like an old man. I don't even remember how old I am anymore.

  "It feels extremely weird to be lectured by you looking like a little girl."

  "I'm fine. Unlike you who will live on, I'm already a dead person."

  I felt absolutely no darkness in her laughing lightly. Being able to speak so brightly even about her own death must be due to her strength of heart and positive personality. Strong, kind, and bright. She was dazzling to me. More than anyone I met on my travels, she was an existence I was drawn to.

  Looking at her laughing figure, I start to think the real Yuna must be having fun in heaven too, and even grieving becomes ridiculous.

  "It was tough over there in various ways, but it was fun, wasn't it?"

  "Yeah. Those weren't bad days."

  A comfortable silence flowed between us. Even without words, the scenes we were picturing were probably similar. Eventually, I broke the silence and said.

  "Even so, for a mere human with just high Magic Power who wasn't even a FabL, you did well. You performed so actively that our eyes popped out. I was surprised that you beat the Transcendants with just wisdom and wit."

  "You guys, too many of you get cocky just because you have a little power. That's why you get the rug pulled out from under you easily."

  At her words, I myself thought, that's true.

  "Right. Walter lost because he relied too much on his own ability. I didn't like him doing only bad things, so when he died and was exiled from the world, I honestly felt refreshed."

  "I didn't fight to make you feel refreshed, you know."

  "I know that. But to think a FabL would lose to a human."

  "Don't underestimate humans. Precisely because we are the have-nots. Because we are weak. Isn't there something about being able to stand on the ground, join forces, and become desperate?"

  That was a line accompanied by the actual feeling of Yuna, who had fought standing on the side of ordinary humans to the end. She had always walked with the people of the world she went to on her side. She cherished firmly the power of bonds that we had forgotten.

  "No doubt. Those are painful words for us who have power."

  Many of us FabLs become dyed in extreme individualism. Because we rarely meet comrades and have no place to settle, we gradually come to seek emotional support only in ourselves. But I think that's not good. If we shut ourselves in a world of only ourselves, our hearts cannot possibly hold out on a long, lonely journey. We should have stronger bonds as comrades carrying the same fate.

  Following that belief, I 'rebel' against the Star Vein with my own ability and take on the role of connecting FabLs. It was also my reason for living.

  Being such a person, I was naturally very concerned about Yu, who turned out to be a FabL. To think the child of Yuna, who was active across different worlds, would become a person crossing worlds. Really, what kind of twist of fate is this.

  "By the way, about Yu."

  "I heard inside. I wondered why I could exist like this, but I see... a FabL, huh."

  "Yeah. Seems so."

  Although she wasn't a FabL, she was a person who knew that harsh fate. That's why her expression became grim. Naturally. Because it meant her own child would eventually have to go on an endless journey like me.

  "Is it because I tripped to other worlds many times? Because of that, this child has the aptitude..."

  Yuna placed her hand on the chest of her own Yu's body and looked unusually brooding. Only the appearance was a child, but that was the face of a mother worrying about her child, which I didn't know.

  Even if I denied it with half-hearted consideration, knowing her, she would only blame herself more. I stated what I honestly thought.

  "Maybe that's possible, but the absolute number of FabLs is small to begin with. The causal relationship is unknown."

  "I see..."

  Unable to watch her looking brooding, I decided to change the subject forcibly.

  "But I was surprised. Is it parental love, or what? You're watching over your child even in that state. Normally, almost no ego would remain."

  I had a vague guess as to why Yuna remained inside Yu. Despite being frank and tomboyish usually, she had been a person who loved children since long ago. Especially if it's her own beloved child, all the more so. Her face changed from gloomy to a sudden smile. I could take it as an affirmation.

  "Yu has a strong core, but is still a weak child. I can't leave him alone. At least until he gets a little bigger. Besides, I have worries too."

  To her, who this time oozed anger, I asked curiously.

  "What. Worries?"

  "It might be trivial to you, but. Yu is being bullied at my sister's house."

  "Abuse, huh."

  When she nodded, she lifted her shirt and showed a large blue bruise. There were traces of other injuries remaining, and just looking at them was painful.

  "Those guys, just because I pointed out embezzlement at the company and warned them a bit, they held a grudge. If they have complaints, say them all to my grave. Moreover, saying they'll raise Yu, they even snatched our inheritance. Or rather, that's their main purpose. Ah, it pisses me off. Shall I go open a wind hole in their foreheads right now?"

  I stopped her, who was making a fist and getting worked up, with words.

  "It's not your body, so stop it. Besides, the time you can be you isn't long enough to do something like that."

  Looking down at Yu's small and weak body, Yuna clicked her tongue.

  "Tch... If I were alive properly, I wouldn't let Yu go through such painful experiences."

  Yuna distorted her face as if biting into her own powerlessness. It was a figure of hers I had rarely seen. It must be very frustrating not to be able to protect her child by herself. Unable to bear it, I offered.

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  "Shall I do something about it?"

  But she just shook her head regretfully.

  "I appreciate the sentiment, but you, who don't even have Japanese citizenship, wouldn't be much help to begin with. The moment the police find out, you'd be arrested immediately for illegal entry, so there's little you can do in this country."

  "Ah. A world with that kind of developed security. What a pain."

  "Although, if you could use your ability satisfactorily, it would be a completely different story. But here, you can only use it for comfort, right?"

  That's right. As expected of Yuna. She saw through it.

  "Yeah. I'm beaten. It's not just that the ability works poorly. Even my body feels strangely heavy."

  "This world has abnormally low tolerance."

  Yuna laughed like a flower. In a world like this where I can't do what I want, can't do things for others. It's probably one of the causes of her death too. It's really hateful.

  "Not being able to use a single magic spell must have been troublesome in various ways."

  "True, there are troublesome parts. Though you could say it's safer for that amount. Besides, even if you try hard, it will probably only be a temporary solution. You can't stay on Earth forever, right?"

  "Well, yes."

  I took out a measuring instrument from my pocket and checked it. It was something I asked a researcher I became close with in a certain world to make. It's an item that reads the state of the Star Vein during world transfer and allows knowing roughly the duration of stay in that world.

  If the stay period was long, I could have taken various measures to somehow obtain citizenship or something and act as Yu's guardian to do something. But the numerical value showed a ruthless result.

  "About a few more months."

  "I knew it. I thought it would be around there."

  "Sorry. For not being able to help."

  "Can't be helped."

  Yuna continued with eyes hiding sorrow turned toward me.

  "Because there isn't a single understanding relative who would entrust this child to a foster care facility."

  "Is there no one?"

  "Literally no one. Terrible story, right?"

  What kind of trick of fate is this? Those who become FabLs often have unfortunate backgrounds, but... Of all people, your child. It's too much. Yuna spoke full of dissatisfaction.

  "The folks at the office and school won't move unless it's something major. Even if abuse is suspected, without clear evidence, the perpetrator's opinion is prioritized in this impossible don't-rock-the-boat policy. Even if I rush to a consultation center now, with this girl's appearance, no matter how much I resemble her, I won't be treated as the person herself."

  Sighing heavily, she muttered as if spitting it out with her breath.

  "Pathetic. To think I could save a world, but can't save my own single child."

  "Yuna..."

  I sympathized with her strongly. I wondered if I could somehow make the environment surrounding Yu even a little better. Then, she suddenly started shouting. Yu's young voice echoed throughout the park.

  "Dammit~, the real me! Dying on your own leaving cute Yu behind!"

  "H-hey."

  Don't tell me she's going to start rampaging with that small body. Knowing her, she might do it. Just as I tried to stop her, worry was unnecessary. Yuna placed her hand on her chest and said as if speaking to Yu sleeping inside.

  "Yu. I love you more than anyone else. As long as even a bit of consciousness remains, no, even if it's gone, I'll be watching over you forever. So absolutely don't lose!"

  Struck by that love, I couldn't say anything for a while.

  Once Yuna calmed down, I asked something I had been curious about.

  "Do you know the detailed situation of your death?"

  "Unfortunately. My existence depends strictly on Yu's memory. I don't know what Yu couldn't know."

  "I see... That makes sense."

  I thought I might be able to get close to the truth of her death, but.

  "Just... somehow. Even from my perspective, I feel like there are parts where memories are missing a bit unnaturally. Maybe the living me did it intentionally to protect Yu."

  "I see. Because there would be many shocking things for a child."

  Was the core within that unnaturalness? Frustrating. But, hmm? I noticed one strange point.

  "Wait. Come to think of it, why do you know so much about me? Yu shouldn't know anything about me."

  Then, she answered immediately with a face saying she was waiting for it. She must have anticipated this question.

  "That. The reason I know about you is because I happened to tell Yu detailed stories about other worlds as fairy tales many times."

  I see. That was a lucky coincidence. Thanks to that, I can talk properly with Yuna like this.

  "Although, the Yu in question was small, so he seems to have forgotten everything about you."

  "Too bad. If he remembered even a little, I wouldn't have been treated as a suspicious person suddenly."

  When I shrugged, she burst out laughing as if remembering. Right. She was watching from inside, so she knows.

  "Pfft. That was a masterpiece! One word, suspicious person! Maybe you were just a guy who didn't leave that much of an impression?"

  "That hurts."

  If she told the details, my exploits should be considerable too. Well, compared to Yuna, it was in the plain direction, so maybe it can't be helped. If FabLs move too openly, the excessively large power creates distortion in the world somewhere, and often results in nothing good. So there's also the part where I went around supporting Yuna. It's a problem that we can do whatever we want with the world with these hands.

  Regaining my composure immediately, I decided to throw the question I had been holding since hearing from Yu that Yuna passed away.

  "Returning to the earlier topic."

  "Ah."

  "Honestly. I just can't believe that you died in a mere accident."

  No matter how much she is not much different from an ordinary person in this world, would Yuna, who is cautious and light-footed, die easily in an accident? For example, if it were a car accident, she seemed like someone who would manage to escape with stuntman-like movements before collision.

  Wondering what she thought of my simple question, Yuna closed her eyes for a moment. And when she opened her eyes, her expression was calm as if she had realized something.

  "People die when their time comes. In a world without magic... even I can be taken by something simple. It’s just that the end we all face... came a little early for me."

  Then she laughed lightly and added, "Though, dying in an accident is certainly not cool."

  Seeing her state, I had to realize painfully. That she had already completely accepted her own death. That she had already gone to a position opposite to me, to whom life clings and won't let go. From the embers of her laughing in front of me, that fact hit home. It was enough to make me give up further pursuit.

  Yuna is no longer in this world.

  In my long journey, I have experienced bereavement as many times as there are stars. It would be a lie to say I'm not used to it. On the contrary, there is a part of me whose emotions are increasingly unmoved by human death. Maybe eventually I won't feel anything.

  Her death was a shock enough to shake my dulled heart greatly. That's how special Yuna was to me.

  There is little time left. Soon the effect of [Rebellion] will cease to reach. Yes. My ability is strictly [Rebellion]. It doesn't completely overturn the laws of the world. A [Rebellion] caused once is guarded against by the world. The laws develop resistance to this ability. Once resistance is formed, it becomes less effective from the next time. If that happens, I might be able to reach the girl Yu, but beyond that is impossible.

  Undoubtedly, I won't be able to call out Yuna anymore. In other words, this is the genuine last time I can meet Yuna. Surely she vaguely understands that too.

  Because this is the last time. Before the end comes. There is something I intended to tell her when I came to this world. I want to convey at least that. I thought so.

  Even just as a formality is fine. I know the answer. That's fine. The result isn't important. Conveying it is important. If I don't convey it, I will absolutely regret it. Forever, from now on.

  When I learned the future that Yu would become a FabL, I was sad. To think Yuna's child, of all people, would shoulder the same cursed fate as me. But thanks to that, when I felt Yuna's presence inside Yu. Imprudently—I was happy. It gave me a last chance.

  This feeling I felt seriously, only once in my long life of journey. I decided to convey it to her.

  "Hey."

  "What?"

  "What were you doing in this world?"

  "Here? I was working as an agent for a certain intelligence agency. But honestly, raising a child was tougher, I suppose. Because Yu really cries a lot. Geez. Who does he take after."

  "Haha. I see."

  Yuna looks truly happy when talking about her child. She probably built a lovely family and lived happily here. That fact made me happy as if it were my own. Gulp. I swallowed my saliva.

  "Can I say one thing?"

  "What?"

  "I... always loved you."

  She wasn't surprised.

  "I knew."

  "Is that so."

  I feel like I got shoulder-surfed.

  "I'm not dense. You coward. Since you never said anything."

  "Dammit. I intended to surprise you by confessing when I came here. It's ruined."

  "Idiot. And you're too late. First come, first served."

  Then she laughed a little shyly.

  "Besides, you're not my type. I'll reject you normally."

  Relieved that the expected answer came, I decided to exaggerate playing the loser. No, there is no loser. I was satisfied with having conveyed my feelings.

  "Allriiight! I got rejected! Now I have no regrets! I can die anytime!"

  "Even though you can't die."

  "Being told by a dead person hurts my heart."

  We laughed out loud together. Around the time we finally stopped laughing, Yuna announced deeply.

  "What should I say about you. Rather than a romantic interest, you are a close friend I can be myself with. Until now, and from now on too."

  "Then, I suppose I'll gratefully continue to be your close friend."

  There are no hard feelings. After conveying my feelings, we are back to normal. My heart was clear.

  "So, I have a request for my close friend. Because I can only ask this of you."

  "What is it?"

  She looked straight at my face with serious eyes. However, that expression was not as tense as her eyes, but rather even felt softness. It must be because there was trust that I would listen to her request.

  "Won't you become Yu's friend?"

  I see. So it came to that. It wasn't unpredictable. Because her regret is first of all about her child, Yu, left behind. Yuna placed her hand on her chest again and continued while pointing at Yu.

  "From now on, many painful things are waiting for this child. I wanted to be by his side if possible, but given my condition... I think my consciousness will disappear eventually. No matter how much I intend to watch over him in spirit."

  Yuna narrowing her eyes lonely is fleeting like a lie. Weak like a joke. I didn't think I would see such a figure of yours.

  "But you are a FabL like this child. Even if not always, you can be together for a long time."

  She bowed her head deeply. It was an uncharacteristic action. Is it her way of showing seriousness in making a request?

  "Please. Just as much as you can is fine. Won't you be by Yu's side and lend your strength?"

  Of course, my answer was decided.

  "Fine. I accept my close friend's request."

  "Thank you."

  Yuna made a face that looked happy from the bottom of her heart.

  However. It's not interesting for me to just accept it. I shall interact with Yu in my own way. When Yuna is gone, where should I pour this love left hanging in the air? Of course, the answer was decided. The true owner of the girl's body rejoicing in front of me. Since it's a partner I'll have a long relationship with. Let's spoil him plenty.

  Besides, well, he was originally a boy, but when he's a girl, he can be said to be exactly Yuna's daughter. Isn't the future truly exciting?

  While smiling wryly inwardly that in the end I'm chasing Yuna's shadow, I dared to say it showily.

  "Alright. I suppose I'll spoil Yu plenty. At least the appearance resembles you, so she seems likely to become a fine woman of my type."

  Then, Yuna's expression clouded amusingly.

  "What kind of pervert makes a move on the daughter of the person he likes. I absolutely won't give Yu to you. I'll work on his deep psyche so he doesn't let his guard down around you."

  "That's a problem. It's troublesome if Yuna becomes an enemy."

  Around here, finally the effect of [Rebellion] became poor. The time when Yuna's spirit could no longer be maintained had finally come. It was really in the blink of an eye.

  "Seems like, time."

  "Yeah."

  I asked one last thing.

  "Was your husband a good person?"

  Yuna answered with a superb smile.

  "Of course. The beeeest husband! If it's bragging, I can do it for hours!"

  "Haha. Is that so. I wanted to hear it."

  "I wanted to tell you."

  Heavy silence flows between the two. I have to say something. If I don't say anything, it will end like this.

  "It was fun." Yuna said quietly.

  "Yeah. It was fun."

  Really. It was fun.

  "See ya. Lenks."

  "Goodbye. Yuna."

  We finished the parting matter-of-factly, with smiles.

  Goodbye. Yuna.

  Huh. What was I doing? Right. Lenks did something to me and I lost consciousness. Without even searching, he was right there. Sitting on the park bench.

  I thought I would question him. I intended to. But, when I saw his face. Such feelings blew away without a trace. Just as I saw...

  Lenks was crying.

  Silently, he was shedding large drops of tears. I had never seen an adult cry. Seeing him looking so sad, so lonely, as if he had lost something important, my chest tightened too.

  Approaching him softly, I used my small body fully to hug him. I don't know why I wanted to do that. I just somehow felt like I wanted to do this for him.

  "Hey. Lenks. Why are you crying?"