Editing Unlimited Fafnir:Volume 7 Chapter 2 (section)

===Part 4===

"Although there was a dragon disaster alert, the dragon has apparently left?"

"It was more like it disappeared rather than left. Although the alert is still in effect, it should be fine. The office is still opening as usual. I confirmed with the office and they said I'm expected at work."

Mother and Father were chatting while watching the morning news. Shown on the screen were images of Vritra taken by ordinary townsfolk.

Vritra arriving in the sky over Nanato City had become big news, but since there was no actual damage and the brevity of the appearance, rumors were beginning to circulate that it might have been a prank.

Already accustomed to dragon disasters, people did not panic. Life continued as usual in the town. Three years ago, the approaching Hekatonkheir had suddenly vanished. Perhaps due to that kind of precedent, my parents could react in such a laid back manner.

And the Vritra in question was currently eating at our dining table.

Since it would be worrying to leave her alone in Mitsuki's home, we brought her along, saying she was a classmate who arrived late.

"How does it taste? Is it good?"

Seeing Vritra, unused to chopsticks, eating fried eggs and wieners, Iris inquired.

"...This taste doth allow pleasure to be derived from food indeed."

Vritra answered without stopping. Meaning it tasted good, probably.

Things would probably calm down as long as she stayed like this without making a scene.

After breakfast, Father left for work. We departed shortly after that.

"Take care. You're not coming back for lunch, are you?"

"No, I think we will be returning in the evening. See you later."

Following Mitsuki's response, the rest of us said "see you later" to my mother. At the entrance, Ohagi the black cat also went "meow" as though seeing us off.

—Speaking of which, Mitsuki said that Ohagi was picked up by me.

Although this part of my memories was still very hazy, I was probably going to recall it soon.

Led by Mitsuki, we walked along the road with Vritra. There were several helicopters flying around in the sky, possibly belonging to NIFL and the news media.

"Then where are you going next?"

Amidst the propeller noise, Lisa asked. Mitsuki looked back and replied:

"One by one in order, I would like to visit locations with shared memories between Nii-san and me. First, I will take everyone to the shopping street."

Passing by the earlier park, we arrived at the entrance to the shopping street. During my date with Iris, none of the shops were open but by now, many had raised their metal shutters and opened for business. There were also a lot of pedestrians. After the disturbance this morning, schools were probably suspended. I did not see any students on their way to school.

"We mostly shopped at this shopping street. Nii-san, do you recall how we used to help Mother buy things here?"

Pointing at the grocery store and the supermarket, Mitsuki asked me.

"...Yeah. Mother even told us we could buy whatever we wanted with the change. We agonized over what to buy and got scolded for coming home late."

As though floating to the surface from the bottom of my memories, another memory awakened.

"Fufu, something like that did happen. I remember then... I think we bought an ice cream and shared it between us... Now that I think back about it, I cannot believe we did something so embarrassing."

Perhaps remembering what happened at the time, Mitsuki blushed. After listening to her, Iris seemed to have gotten a good idea, so she raised her hand and suggested:

"Mitsuki-chan, let's try doing the same thing. Perhaps that might help Mononobe to remember more."

"Ehhh!? T-That kind of thing now—"

Mitsuki frantically refused but Iris kept encouraging her.

"Don't be like that. Try harder because this is for Mononobe! And I'd like Vritra-chan to try ice cream too."

Iris looked back and waved to Vritra who was trailing at the end in boredom.

"...Ice cream?"

Vritra walked over to Iris while frowning.

"Yeah, it's cold and sweet!"

"I am one who resideth in a higher dimension. I was given no choice but to partake in thy meal earlier. Fundamentally, I need not ingest the same food that ye humans eat."

"Rather than for nutrition, ice cream is something you eat because it's yummy. We just had breakfast too, so we're not hungry, but desserts go in a separate stomach!"

Saying that, Iris held Vritra's hand without reservation.

"...Incomprehensible."

Vritra frowned but did not resist in particular.

"Come, Mitsuki-chan, take us to where they sell the ice cream."

Iris pushed Mitsuki on the back to hurry her.

"—I understand. This way please."

Mitsuki sighed in apparent resignation then started to walk.

"Iris seems especially lively today. She looks even happier than Yuu about the recovery of his memories."

Looking at Iris, Tia commented.

"...Yeah."

I concurred but in my view, Iris seemed to be putting on a brave smile.

"—We have arrived."

Mitsuki stopped somewhere soon after entering the shopping street.

"Eh... This place sells ice cream?"

Making a surprised look, Ariella checked with Mitsuki. It was only normal for her to feel doubt, because the sign read takoyaki shop.

"Yes, this takoyaki shop sold ice cream as well since a long time ago. See, it is on the menu."

Saying that, Mitsuki pointed at the menu in front of the shop. Indeed, it included items such as ice cream, shaved ice and drinks.

"Now that you mention it... We used to buy snacks at this shop once in a while."

The memories naturally flashed through my mind. On the way home from elementary school, Mitsuki and I would pool our pocket money together to buy ice cream or takoyaki while being careful of the gazes of friends and other students.

"Every time we were found out, Father and Mother scolded us."

Mitsuki answered happily in excitement, but in contrast, Firill and Lisa showed stiff expressions.

"...This so-called ''tako''... Wouldn't happen to be the octopus, would it?"

"I fear that... it refers to the devil fish. Takoyaki... I really don't feel that it's edible."

The culture of their homelands probably did not have the custom of eating octopus. With gazes of revulsion, Lisa and Firill stared at the takoyaki sign.

"Don't be so biased if you've never eaten it. I've had takoyaki before and it's quite tasty."

Having lived with Ren in Japan before, Ariella advised the two girls.

"Even if it's tasty, asking me to eat something like that is a bit..."

"I honestly cannot stand an octopus' appearance. Those squirming tentacles... I don't even dare imagine the sight."

Ariella laughed after listening to Firill and Lisa.

"Don't worry, the appearance is totally non-threatening. So, Mononobe-kun, you guys get the ice cream and the rest of us will have takoyaki."

"Mm."

"Tia wanna have takoyaki too."

Ren nodded and Tia raised her hand in agreement.

"Ehhhh!?"

Ignoring Lisa and Firill's wail, Ariella ordered takoyaki and ice cream.

Thus, Mitsuki and I shared one ice cream while Iris and Vritra shared the other one. Ariella bought a box of takoyaki for herself and the rest of the girls, the five of them. Sitting down on the bench in front of the shop, we began to eat.

"Nii-san... Are you sure about eating this with me?"

Holding the ice cream cone, Mitsuki confirmed with a blush.

"If you're uncomfortable with eating it together, Mitsuki, you can have it all."

"N-No, it is not that I dislike it. As long as you are willing, I am fine with sharing it."

"It does feel a bit embarrassing... But to us, sharing one serving of food happened all the time."

I scratched my head and answered. Mitsuki went "ah" quietly.

"What's wrong?"

"...Nothing. Then please go first, Nii-san."

Blushing, Mitsuki extended the ice cream to me.

"Thanks."

I licked the front of the ice cream with my tongue. A cold and sweet taste. Ice cream should taste the same no matter where you eat it, but perhaps because of the location and the mood, this felt a bit nostalgic to me.

"Then I shall start too."

Mitsuki licked the opposite side, restoring balance to the tilting ice cream.

Seeing us like that, Iris smiled contentedly.

"Is it good, Mononobe and Mitsuki-chan?"

"I-It's good."

"...Yes."

We nodded stiffly. Having confirmed that, Iris presented her ice cream to Vritra.

"I'm so glad. Come, Vritra-chan, please enjoy!"

"Hmm..."

Despite much hesitation, Vritra extended her tiny tongue and licked the white ice cream.

"This is—"

Vritra widened her eyes in surprise. Iris asked her encouragingly:

"How is it? It's really yummy, right!?"

"...A human's gustatory perception is more sensitive than imagined. 'Tis a different experience compared to breakfast. I can understand why ye humans are so concerned with flavor."

"Uh... So basically, you mean it tastes good, right?"

Iris confirmed with Vritra, who had used difficult words in her answer. The black dragon in human form avoided eye contact.

"I affirm that pleasure is derived from flavor and texture. However, 'tis without value to me."

"Why?"

Looking like she disagreed, Iris asked. Hence, Vritra generated dark matter on her palm without saying a word. The dark matter's outline twisted and transformed into an ice cream.

"Wow... Amazing, I can't believe you made food..."

Iris exclaimed in surprise. Since cooking in most cases involved multiple ingredients of plant and animal matter, using dark matter to make this kind of food would be the same as entering the realm of biogenic transmutation. Even though they were capable of creating salt or sugar on their own, ordinary Ds could not accomplish this feat of transmuting food. Kili was probably the only D who could. Nothing less expected from Vritra, but—

"I can create anything by myself. Hence, thy favorite food is completely worthless to me."

Vritra spoke with apparent disinterest then licked the ice cream she had made. However, she frowned.

"...What's wrong? The taste is different from what you thought, right?"

This possibility occurred to me, so I asked.

"Apparently a mistake in proportions. Minute differences, probably... I never expected such a dramatic change in flavor."

Vritra stared at the ice cream in astonishment. Hearing her say that, I smiled wryly. Evidently, Vritra was not omnipotent.

"Given this example, you'd better not brag you can create anything. No, I should say that even you can't perform perfect biogenic transmutation either."

I tried to bait her to answer. Recalling what Vritra had done so far, this possibility was quite likely.

"What?"

Vritra frowned. I shrugged at her.

"You tried to offer Tia to Basilisk before and tampered with Kili's dragon mark to make her Hraesvelgr's mate. But if you've got complete control over biogenic transmutation, you would've created Ds as mates directly in the first place."

Thinking back to Hekatonkheir attacking Midgard and Kili's dragon mark changing color, I continued:

"You didn't because such precise tuning is very difficult, right? Just like this ice cream here."

"......"

Vritra remained silent unhappily, proving the correctness of my hunch.

"Even the matter of creating life is quite suspicious too. Is Kili really a human you created out of dark matter?"

If life could be created, there should be others the same as Kili, right? Following this line of thinking, I asked Vritra.

"—She is my daughter."

Vritra replied curtly as though avoiding a direct answer. Perhaps I had touched a sore spot. Vritra glared at me with eyes of fury.

"Mononobe, Vritra-chan, let's save such a hard subject for later. Look, the ice cream's gonna melt if you don't finish it quick."

Just as the smell of gunpowder had crept into the mood, Iris hastily intervened. Just as she had pointed out, the ice cream was melting.

"Hmm."

Suddenly snapping out of it, Vritra licked the original ice cream. Indeed, she liked the taste very much.

"So Mitsuki, we'd better hurry before the ice cream melts completely."

"Y-Yes."

Mitsuki nodded and we licked the ice cream alternatively. But the more we ate, the more necessary it became for us to lick the same spots.

My heart naturally began to pound as I saw Mitsuki licking the trails left on the ice cream by my tongue. Probably aware of the indirect kissing, Mitsuki had blushing cheeks and moved quite stiffly.

My emotions were about to go out of control. To calm myself down, I shifted my gaze to Lisa and the other girls.

"—Look, it doesn't look like octopus at all. It's very good, so try it."

Using a toothpick to eat the freshly made takoyaki, Ariella encouraged the indecisive Lisa and Firill.

"It's really yummy! Not a lie!"

"Mm."

Tia and Ren were also eating takoyaki and concurred with Ariella.

"...Fine. By this point, I cannot escape anymore."

Perhaps having readied her resolve, Lisa stabbed a takoyaki with a toothpick and brought it to her lips in trepidation. Firill gulped and quietly watched her.

"—Hmm."

Lisa took a bite of the takoyaki. Although it seemed quite hot, she still chewed.
[[image:UnlimitedFafnir v07 130.jpg|thumb]]

"H-How is it?"

"The outside is grilled to perfection, the inside is fluffy and sticky... The filling is chewy with quite a novel texture, the flavor is... not bad too."

After listening to Lisa's comments, Firill also brought a takoyaki to her mouth.

"Ah... It's true, it's unexpectedly delicious and the filling's texture is definitely interesting."

"And that's precisely the octopus. See, wouldn't it be a shame if you missed out because of prejudice?"

Ariella spoke proudly. Lisa and Firill nodded in agreement with complicated expressions.

"Yes, you make a fair point... But even so, I have no wish to eat any other octopus cuisine."

"Me too."

Firill concurred with Lisa but after noticing my gaze, she turned to face me.

"Oh... Mononobe-kun, do you like octopus?"

"Hmm? I don't hate it."

"I see... Then I have to work hard to stop finding octopus disgusting."

Overturning her earlier decision, Firill clenched her fist and declared.

"Hold on, Firill-san, you are selling out too easily."

Lisa sighed in exasperation. Watching the scene, I could not help but smile wryly. Mitsuki patted me on the shoulder.

"Nii-san, it will melt if you do not hurry. You can finish the rest."

"S-Sure."

Since melted ice cream had begun to flow onto my hand, I popped the ice cream into my mouth together with the cone.

"The one called Iris, thou shalt have this."

Vritra shoved the poor tasting self-made ice cream to Iris and silently resumed eating the original ice cream—



After finishing the ice cream and the takoyaki, we began to visit places with memories one after another.

There was the old shrine where we went for the New Year's first shrine visit and summer festival, the hobby store where Mitsuki and I would pool our New Year's money together to buy games, the bookstore we frequented in the past, the elementary school where we studied at the time—

Although the commotion caused by Vritra's appearance had caused schools to shut down temporarily, the shopping street was in business as usual.

After having lunch at a family restaurant offering set menu items, we took a bus to the observation platform on the mountain.

"—How are you, Yuu? Are you recalling more things?"

While feeling the rocking of the bus, I looked at the scenery outside the window. Sitting in the back, Tia asked me.

"Yeah... I recall many memories at every place Mitsuki brings us to. But—"

Despite nodding, my voice showed reservation.

"But what?"

Sitting next to me, Mitsuki urged me to finish what I was going to say.

I felt a bit hesitant, unsure whether I should say it, but after deciding hiding things from Mitsuki again would be bad, I spoke up:

"What revived are almost all memories between me and Mitsuki. In the beginning, I didn't find anything strange about that, but when we visited the elementary school, I still could not recall much except things related to Mitsuki. I clearly should have close friends but I can't recall the names and faces of them."

"That's... surely because memories with stronger impressions get recovered first. Don't be so impatient. Tia doesn't think there's a problem."

Tia encouraged me cheerfully but I felt unable to nod in agreement, because this was not my first time experiencing the anxiety of being unable to recall anything apart from memories related to Mitsuki.

"...I hope so. It somehow feels more like the time after my first deal with Yggdrasil."

"The first deal—You mean the fight against Hekatonkheir at this town?"

Mitsuki asked in confirmation. Perhaps reacting to the mention of Hekatonkheir, Vritra glanced in our direction from her seat farther away.

"Yeah. I made a total of three deals. The first time, all memories unrelated to Mitsuki became fuzzy. The second time, I forgot about Mitsuki before she became part of the family. The third time, I lost all memories earlier than three years ago. Right now, my condition is the closest to the way I was after the first deal. Maybe recovering this much is already the limit—"

"It's not like that!"

Sitting in front, Iris immediately leaned forward in my direction and said.

"I-Iris?"

"Mononobe, aren't your memories just starting to recover? You should be able to remember everything if you try hard enough! The observation platform we're visiting next is a very special place, right?"

Iris confirmed with Mitsuki, because before taking the bus, Mitsuki had already explained to the whole group the reason for going out of our way to visit the observation platform so far away.

"Yes, that observation platform is an extremely important place to Nii-san and me. It is also the place where we faced off against Hekatonkheir three years ago."

Mitsuki spoke nostalgically. Listening to her, Iris clenched her fist.

"Since it's a place like that, you'll definitely remember more of the past! You mustn't give up, Mononobe!"

"...Yeah."

Overwhelmed by Iris' vigor, I nodded. After listening to her, I felt more optimistic for some reason.

Thus, the bus took fifteen minutes to reach the station near the observation platform. Fresher air filled my lungs as soon as I got off the bus. A small stream ran beside the bus stop sign, most likely the source of the river running through the center of town.

"There is an observation platform after a short walk from here. Let us go, everyone."

Mitsuki began along the path to the observation platform.

The sloped path was quite gentle. Even a child would not find the journey too hard.

Before Mitsuki became my sister, we apparently ascended this sloped path together with each other's family. Although fragments of memories were surfacing, I could not recall what Mitsuki's parents looked like.

Just as I thought, what flashed through my mind were memories related to Mitsuki.

'Yuu-kun, wait up!'

'You're too slow, Mitsuki!'

I heard voices from our younger selves.

—Leaving our parents behind, Mitsuki and I had run up this sloped path.

'Yuu-kun, don't leave me behind!'

I originally expected Mitsuki to run out of breath halfway, but she desperately followed me to the very end.

I remembered that time—

While I was reminiscing, we arrived at the observation platform. Although the journey felt like it should have been longer, that was probably because I was still a child back then.

"The view becomes wide open all at once."

Looking at the view of Nanato City in the distance, Lisa remarked.

"...Although I sweated a lot, the breeze is very comfortable here."

Fanning the front of her uniform, Firill was enjoying the mountain breeze.

"There's no one else apart from us. After that kind of commotion this morning, I guess that's only natural."

Looking at the deserted observation platform, Ariella murmured.

"No, this place was rarely visited to begin with. It feels pretty much like this all the time."

While feeling the surfacing memories, I replied to Ariella. Listening to me on the side, Mitsuki agreed.

"—That is because there is nothing else to see. I heard that this observation platform was remodeled from the remains of a past castle. Remnants of the castle walls remain over there too."

"Huh!? Castle walls?"

However, Lisa reacted with sensitive hearing.

"...I'd like a look too. I'm interested in Japanese castles."

"Tia too!"

Firill also expressed interest and Tia concurred.

Scant remnants of the castle walls were located on the edges of the observation platform with a sign board erected on the side to introduce the historical ruins. After Lisa and Firill went over, Ariella also invited Ren to go.

"Ren, let's go have a look."

"Mm."

Once they departed, only Mitsuki, Iris and Vritra were left by my side.

"Oh, Vritra-chan, there's a telescope over there. Let's have a look."

Iris suddenly showed an expression as though she realized something. Speaking loudly on purpose, she took Vritra's hand.

"I have no interest in that sort of—"

"There there."

Iris forcibly dragged Vritra away. She probably wanted Mitsuki and I to spend time alone together.

"Iris-san..."

With a complicated expression, Mitsuki watched Iris leave, but as soon as she noticed my gaze, she smiled, somewhat troubled.

"Nii-san, given this rare chance, let us look for our houses like we did in the past."

"—Yeah, I remember there's the shopping street's arcade for a landmark."

I accepted Mitsuki's suggestion. Leaning with my hands on the railing, I looked at the scenery afar. Compared to Tokyo, this place was a countryside town without neither towering buildings nor special characteristics. But if I shifted my gaze to areas even farther away, I did not even see any towns.

"...There hasn't been much progress in the reconstruction of neighboring towns."

Three years ago, Hekatonkheir had already wrought plenty of destruction before arriving at our town. Mitsuki and I had witnessed the neighboring town getting trampled by its gigantic feet. The signs of destruction from that time were still clear to see even now.

"Since damage was not limited to just the neighboring towns, I suppose they could not spare the limited manpower."

Mitsuki held down her hair that was billowing in the wind, answering in calm tone of voice.

The one who controlled Hekatonkheir was "Black" Vritra. Using her own word, it was her stand-in.

Stand-in—Normally speaking, this Shinto term referred to "a substitute for a god or spirit to possess."

In other words, whether that blue giant or the current human appearance, both were essentially the same to Vritra.

A vessel created for the main body's consciousness to reside, a materialized physical body.

The girl looking through the telescope with Iris some distance away was the perpetrator responsible for this scenery of carnage.

However, she did not feel responsible. Asking her to atone was probably impossible. Confronted with something whose value system was incompatible with ours, what kind of relationship should we build with her?

Besides, what kind of existence was Vritra's main body? And where was it?

"Nii-san, your brow is all knitted together. Have you forgotten we are trying to find our houses?"

Perhaps noticing my thoughts had gone on a tangent, Mitsuki looked up at my face and asked.

"Oh right, uh..."

I referenced my memories while looking for the arcade serving as the landmark, but unable to orient myself, I failed to find it. Seeing me like that, Mitsuki pointed with her finger and said:

"Look, the shopping street is over there. You can see the reflecting sunlight."

"...Oh, so it's over there. Considering the river's position, our home is—That side."

I finally found the shopping street then deduced my home's location from the relative position.

"Fufu, Nii-san, you used to be the one who told me the shopping street's location, you know? Now the situation has reversed."

"...Yeah."

Her words caused my memories from that time to revive vividly.

"Do you recall—our promise?"

Mitsuki asked me slightly nervously. Without needing me to focus, the memories at the time replayed in my mind.



'What a surprise... The buildings became so small.'

My younger self looked at the scenery over the railing and exclaimed in joy.

'Can you see our homes?'

Showing excitement in her eyes, the young Mitsuki searched for our home.

'Should be around there, right? See, that's the arcade in the shopping street.'

'Eh... Where? I can't see it!'

Leaning against her shoulder, I pointed into the distance. Mitsuki and I carved the sight of our town into our hearts and retinas.

Mitsuki looked like she was in a good mood. The young me asked her if something good happened.

"Yeah, because I kept up with Yuu-kun today! You usually leave me behind all the time, don't you know that hurts my feelings?"

'That's because you're too slow.'

'I'm not slow. I finally caught up today. From now on, we'll stay together forever and ever!'

Saying that, Mitsuki hugged my arm.

'D-Don't do that, it's very stuffy. What do you mean, stay together forever and ever? That's impossible!'

'Why is it impossible? As long as we get married, even if we turn into old people, we'll still be together forever!'

Mitsuki replied with an innocent smile.

'What are you talking about? Don't you know kids can't get married?'

'I know, that's why I'll settle for being a fiancee until we become adults.'

Hearing her declare so openly, I was stunned with surprise. At this time, Mitsuki silently drew her face near.

Then—



'This is the kiss of engagement, Yuu-kun.'

Recalling the soft sensation of her lips, I felt blood rushing to my face.

"Oh, Nii-san... You are going red. Looks like you remember. That is a relief to me."

Mitsuki blushed shyly and smiled.

"It was before we became siblings..."

"Yes. Back then, I had already decided to marry you, Nii-san. To prevent you from getting stolen by someone else, I did everything I could despite being a child."

Mitsuki spoke in what sounded like a joking tone of voice, but her face was shrouded in gloom.

"Neighbors since birth, going to the same kindergarten and elementary school, with strong ties between our families—Back then, I believed that if we grew up together like that, we would eventually get married. Until that accident happened..."

Mitsuki's words drew out more of my memories. Memories I had instinctively avoided recalling. Memories tinged with pain and sorrow.

The screeching sound of brakes could be heard from the past, then an impact that seemed to turn the world over.

In that very instant, Mitsuki and my future was twisted dramatically.

Back then, I even did not understand what had happened.

While I was on a camping trip with Mitsuki's family, the car was driving along a mountain path with excellent visibility. Mitsuki and I were chatting excitedly in the back seats. We never expected to be deprived of our happy times henceforth.

It was apparently an accident.

An accident where two died and two survived with light injuries.

The deceased were Mitsuki's parents whereas Mitsuki and I were the lightly injured ones.

We survived thanks to awakening our power to generate dark matter. Indeed—Mitsuki and I had become Ds after that accident.

"After my parents passed away, the future envisaged in my dream was destroyed as a result, my D powers also awakened... I was uncertain what lay in store for the future... Just then, Nii-san, your parents offered to adopt me as their ''daughter'', but—"

Looking out at Nanato City's scenery, Mitsuki gripped the railing hard.

Right now, I could definitely remember what happened back then.

'Listen carefully, Yuu. Now that Mitsuki-chan is alone, we have to become her family. I hope you'll be Mitsuki-chan's older brother, Yuu.'

—On the day of the funeral, Father said that to me in our backyard.

To be honest, I had no idea how much of what Father said I understood at the time. I think I would feel confused—Whether becoming family or an older brother, were such things that simple?

However, I could not leave Mitsuki all alone. That one point was extremely clear.

Hence, I nodded and promised Father.

Nevertheless, Mitsuki reacted in surprising manner at the time.

Evidently recalling what happened then, Mitsuki smiled wryly.

"To me, those words robbed me of my last hope, robbing me of the future where I could be married to you. Unable to control my feelings, I burst out crying and ran away from home... I think I must have said many mean things to you when you came chasing after me."

Mitsuki asked me if I still remembered.

"...Yeah, I remember now."

Reviving in my mind was the sound of Mitsuki screaming as hard as she could.

'Yuu-kun, you understand nothing! Nothing at all... because—'

The young Mitsuki was voicing her feelings while crying. Quietly, I hugged her. I could clearly remember the sensation of her small and trembling shoulders, as well as the cold feeling from clothing wet from her tears.

"Nii-san, you took on all of my uncertainty and emotions. You said that no one knows about us becoming Ds so things were fine as long as we kept the secret. Because we are not blood-related, we could marry even after becoming siblings... Every word you said reassured me."

"That's right... It was there that we made a promise."

I felt furious that I had forgotten something so important. Even if Yggdrasil was responsible, this was clearly the one memory I absolutely must defend—

'Don't worry, Mitsuki. Even after becoming siblings, I will also always love you more than anyone else. Let's get married when we grow up.'

My younger self definitely made this vow.

"Please do not look so troubled. It was indeed a very precious promise to me, but even so—It was nothing more than a verbal agreement between children."

Pressing her hand against my cheek, Mitsuki smiled faintly at me.

"Love? Marriage? You probably did not fully understand at the time, Nii-san, so... Just as I mentioned before, I have no intention of binding you to this promise, Nii-san."

"But Mitsuki, you were serious, right? Starting then, you already..."

"...Because I was a precocious girl."

Mitsuki smiled wryly and withdrew her hand. Then she looked at Vritra who was together with Iris.

"Nii-san, you made three deals with Yggdrasil, losing memories every time, is that correct?"

"Y-Yeah."

It troubled me to hear her suddenly change the subject.

"On which occasion did you forget about the marriage promise?"

Looking at Iris, Mitsuki asked solemnly.

"I think it's either the first or the second..."

"Please state clearly which time it was. This is extremely important."

"Probably... the second. When I downloaded weapons data in order to defeat Leviathan, I think."

After the first deal, I still remembered everything so long as it was related to Mitsuki. Forgetting the important promise with Mitsuki probably happened after the Leviathan battle.

But why was she asking about this? I looked at Mitsuki, only to see her gazing at Iris afar while she spoke:

"Then Nii-san, allow me to ask you: When did you fall in love with Iris-san? After the Leviathan battle? Or... before?"

Then Mitsuki turned her gaze back and looked squarely at me while she posed her question.

My heart was pounding harder and harder.

Mitsuki was asking whether I started falling for Iris before I forget the promise. I always believed that I fell in love with Iris because I had forgotten my promise with Mitsuki... But now that I think back about it, the timing seemed ambiguous.

After the Leviathan battle, Iris kissed me with gratitude as the stated reason. It was starting then that I became intensely aware of Iris, but if one were to ask whether I had started falling for her before that? I could not answer immediately.

Seeing me at a loss for words, Mitsuki smiled wryly.

"—Since you are unable to answer, Nii-san, allow me to change the question. Right now, Nii-san... Do you love me?"

The instant she asked that question, all the accumulated memories and emotions surged from the depths of my heart.

"That goes without saying."

This time, I could answer immediately, but Mitsuki gave a deep sigh.

"However... That is surely love as family... Right?"

"Huh?"

"Nii-san, you probably experienced romantic love for the first time... only after encountering Iris-san. I know that you hold me very dear, Nii-san, but please do not use our promise as a reason to cover up your true feelings."

"Hold on, I—"

I wanted to stop Mitsuki from drawing conclusions on her own, but she ignored me and continued:

"Memories are simply a record of the past. I believe you should follow your feelings and pursue a future shared with Iris-san, Nii-san. That would be the right thing to do instead."

Saying that, Mitsuki grabbed my hand and walked over to Iris and Vritra.

"M-Mitsuki!"

Dragged forcibly, I protested but Mitsuki did not stop.

"...Mitsuki-chan?"

Originally talking to Vritra, Iris noticed us approaching.

"Iris-san. We have finished talking. I am returning Nii-san to you now."

Mitsuki released my hand and pushed me towards Iris.

"Eh? Returning Mononobe to me... What do you mean by that?"

Iris asked Mitsuki in surprise.

"—The one Nii-san loves is you, Iris-san, so do not worry about me. Please find happiness together with Nii-san."

"Eh...? W-Why is this happening!? The one Mononobe loves the most is you, Mitsuki-chan! That's why I—"

Iris answered frantically. Unable to understand their dialogue, Vritra stared at me incredulously.

"You are mistaken. Nii-san's heart... belongs to you, Iris-san. I know this very well."

"No! Mononobe cherishes you more than anyone. I've been watching Mononobe the whole time, so I know!"

While listening to Iris, Mitsuki turned slightly stiff.

"...I have watched Nii-san far longer, much longer than you have, Iris-san. On matters regarding Nii-san, my correctness is absolute."

"It's true that my time with Mononobe is shorter than yours, Mitsuki-chan... But I watched him agonize over his memories from the closest position possible. You don't know the current Mononobe as well as I do, Mitsuki-chan!"

In response to Mitsuki, Iris argued without backing down.

"What... Nothing of that sort! I know Nii-san's matters best! That is why I know that Nii-san ought to be with you, Iris-san!"

"Wrong, you don't know Mononobe. Mitsuki-chan, you totally don't understand how much Mononobe loves you!"

Mitsuki and Iris glared at each other.

"H-Hey—"

Although I knew I should stop them, doing that meant I must first come to a conclusion. After the recovery of my memories, my feelings for Mitsuki became very strong, but at the same time, my feelings for Iris still remained in my heart. There was nowhere enough time for me to weigh these feelings against each other.

"Nii-san, stop spacing out. Please kiss Iris-san right now. That way, I can give up."

Saying that, Mitsuki pushed me towards Iris. With our bodies pressed together, Iris blushed.

"Wawa!? Mononobe, no! If you want to kiss, you should kiss Mitsuki-chan!"

Despite her panic, Iris still pushed me towards Mitsuki. This time, I was put in pose as though embracing Mitsuki. Her cheeks went red.

"N-Nii-san, what are you doing!? You are embracing the wrong person!"

I was pushed towards Iris again, but of course, Iris pushed back.

"What exactly are ye doing...?"

Vritra looked at me in exasperation while I was being pushed on both sides by the two girls.

It was then when Lisa and the others returned from checking out the castle walls.

"What is the situation here?"

Lisa asked with a troubled expression.

"Tia knows! This is definitely the game of 'Oshikura Manjuu'! Tia wants to play too!"

For some reason, Tia joined in with the pushing. Perhaps it was something she picked up from a book.

"Ah, so it's that exercise... Let me play too."

Firill expressed interest but Ariella stopped her.

"No, I don't think so. Right, Ren?"

"Mm... It's not. Oshikura Manjuu is an exercise you do in cold weather."

Ren nodded and agreed with Ariella.

Seeing everyone's eyes on them, Mitsuki and Iris stopped pushing and looked each other in the face.

"...Iris-san, let us have a good talk about this later."

"Yeah... I know."

Despite glaring at each other, the two girls separated from me.

"Eh? It's over already?"

Pushing my abdomen nonstop, Tia cocked her head in puzzlement.

I stroked her head with the horns while observing the situation between Mitsuki and Iris.

The two girls kept their distance and were talking to separate people. Lisa seemed to notice the tension floating between them but she did not look like she was going to say anything.

I turned my gaze to the view of Nanato City's streets and this time, I soon found the arcade at the shopping street.

My memories had definitely recovered.

However, the problems arising from my recovered memories were not that easy to resolve.