After finalizing his plans with Kurumi, Souta quickly set off for the Date A Live world.
As soon as he arrived, he looked around. Sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting bright reflections on the polished floor.
The surface gleamed like a mirror, and the refracted light was a bit dazzling.
A sense of familiarity struck Souta, and after thinking for a moment, he recognized the place.
It was the same café where he first met Kurumi.
Seriously... this place is basically turning into my fixed teleportation point.
At that moment, he heard the sound of delicate footsteps behind him.
Turning around, he saw Kurumi approaching from behind.
The moment she spotted him, she naturally wrapped her arms around his and led him to a seat by the window.
"This is thirty years in the future, right? When did you come back?"
After pulling out his chair and sitting down, Souta casually asked Kurumi.
"After confirming that Mio Takamiya had disappeared again, I used 'Bullet Eleven' to return from five years ago. I couldn't stay in the past forever, after all. In that timeline, I had already left the Neighboring World, and if I ran into myself, it might cause some unwanted consequences."
The afternoon sunlight cast a warm glow on her face, the golden radiance making her skin appear almost translucent.
Today, she wasn't wearing her usual ponytail. Her long, silky hair cascaded naturally down her back, and her black-and-white Gothic dress gave her an air of elegance and nobility, like an untouchable flower on a high peak.
Souta's gaze landed on the small red flower pinned to her hair by a ribbon—it was inexplicably cute.
Sensing his stare, Kurumi smiled and asked:
"I tried a different style today. Does it look good?"
"Yeah, it suits you perfectly." Souta nodded appreciatively.
"I picked this outfit just for you. It seems like you really enjoy seeing me in dresses." Kurumi added.
...Well, it's not like I've ever seen you wear anything else.
Except for that school uniform from 28 years ago.
How about wearing some lingerie for a change?
Kurumi turned her gaze outside the window, watching the pedestrians passing by. Then, she suddenly said:
"The people from Tokyo and Kanagawa—the ones we sent overseas—have all returned, with the help of support organizations."
"They're back?" Souta instinctively glanced at the people walking by and murmured, "It's been thirty years... So much has changed. I wonder if they'll be able to adapt to this new city."
"Souta, this is a good thing. That's how I've always seen it. Whether they can adapt or not is their concern, not ours."
Kurumi's tone was serious as she continued:
"The people whom Mio Takamiya used to refine Sephira Crystals are now living well.
The ones we saved from the 'Eurasian Sky Disaster' are also alive and well in this world. There was some unrest at first, but everything has been moving in a positive direction."
Her golden eyes locked onto his, filled with sincerity.
"Thank you, Souta. You helped me fulfill my long-standing wish."
"I'm not finished yet."
Kurumi interrupted him, then continued:
"But, Souta, you also indirectly caused a little problem for me."
"Huh?" Souta was surprised. "What problem?"
Kurumi rested her chin on her hands, gazing at him with a slight pout and a teasing tone:
"I've lost my purpose in life. I don't even know what to do next."
"Souta-kun, you have to take responsibility for this."
Souta scratched his cheek. "Well, there's still the matter with Mio Takamiya..."
Kurumi smiled sweetly at him. "Now's not the time to bring up another woman's name."
"...Fine, fine. I'll take responsibility."
Souta sighed, but rather than exasperation, his face held more amusement than anything else.
"So, how do you want me to take responsibility?"
"Hmm... I want you to go on dates with me when I feel like it."
Kurumi reached out her right hand to him and said:
"Starting now. Come take a walk with me."
Souta looked at her delicate hand before taking it in his.
Kurumi effortlessly laced her slender fingers through his, entwining them firmly.
"This way feels more comfortable. You're not allowed to let go, okay?"
She said playfully before pulling him along, walking out of the café and onto the bustling street.
Kurumi held his hand tightly, as if her grip reflected her slightly nervous emotions.
But Souta's cooperation eased her tension a little.
As they strolled, they chatted casually.
"By the way, now that you're back in this timeline, have you visited your friend Yamauchi Sawa?"
Kurumi's expression turned somewhat melancholic.
"What happened to her?" Souta asked.
Did something happen to Yamauchi Sawa?
"She got married. Her daughter is about the same age as I look right now—she's in high school."
Kurumi sighed softly.
"When I went to find Sawa, I told her the truth and asked if she wanted to live on with me.
But in the end... she asked me to absorb the remaining lifespan she had gained from the 'Life Extension Card' she used back then."
"Huh? You mean the card I gave her? Why?"
Souta was surprised. Was there really someone who could be so indifferent to immortality?
"Because," Kurumi's eyes held a complex emotion. "She wanted to grow old with her family at a normal pace. If she didn't, she would eventually become isolated and alone."
She spoke with a faint sadness in her voice.
"In the end, she chose her family... and left me behind once again."
"She just chose to live as an ordinary person. She never said she was cutting ties with you," Souta reminded her. "You can still visit her anytime."
"But it won't be the same as before. I guess I'm the only one whose time is stuck in the past."
Kurumi was still conflicted about it.
For her, thirty years had passed in an instant, while Yamauchi Sawa had experienced them all.
It was natural that a gap had formed.
Souta gently squeezed her hand and patted her shoulder with his other hand.
"This just means you're sentimental. That's a good thing, Kurumi.
And actually, you don't need to be so sad. Think about it—you're different from normal people. You're the Spirit of Time, Time Emperor."
Meeting her gaze, he continued:
"With the unlimited time I've given you, you can always go back and revisit the past.
If you ever miss the days when you and Sawa were best friends, just time travel back 28 years and spend time with her again.
For you, time isn't a barrier—it doesn't have any real meaning, does it?"
Kurumi blinked in surprise, then let out a small, amused smile.
Souta's way of thinking was as loophole-abusing and rule-breaking as ever.
Shaking her head, she murmured:
"No, clinging to the past too much isn't a good thing."
Then, without warning, she leaned in and nestled her head against his chest.
"Right now... having you is enough."
She whispered softly.