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They gazed at each other for a moment, then pressed their lips together.

Isn't this age difference a little off? Shouldn't they be arrested?

Although that's what Alice thinks, they're lovers, so it shouldn't be a problem, right?

After all, that Kuno had shown such an angelic smile in front of her. Surely she could be forgiven no matter what she did?

"Big sister, thank you for finding Kuno!"

"Hehehe, you're welcome!"

Girls' Night Talk - A Girl's Star Journey

"—That's right, Dorothy is Kuno."

"…………"

Click.

It was as if you could hear the air freezing.

"Really...?"

It was Kaguya who broke the silence.

Compared to Shia, who was frozen in place like a statue, she was still able to utter a thought.

"So, since I can retain my memories, for the sake of convenience, shouldn't I also find a chance to reincarnate or something?"

She stroked her chin, a thoughtful expression on her face, though her thought process seemed to be leading her to something rather strange.

"Don't even think about it. Without the bond between me and my older sister, it would be impossible to do that kind of thing, okay?"

Kuno tilted her head, naturally and swiftly denying Kaguya's words.

"Yes, that tone of voice is definitely him."

"Um, Shia? Shouldn't you be snapping out of it by now?"

Seeing that Shia hadn't reacted yet, Alice gently shook her shoulder with some concern.

"...Is that really the case?"

Shia's gaze finally focused, looking directly at Kuno.

"Yes, Sylvia, just like what my older sister said!"

·····

Shea later said she had no memory of how she spent dinner that day.

She only remembers mechanically finishing her dinner as if her soul had left her body, spending the time with everyone in an extremely wonderful yet incredibly harmonious atmosphere.

Then, it got late at night, and it was time to go to bed.

Unlike before, there are four of us together tonight.

Although there is someone leaning against the ceiling.

Below her were three other people sleeping together in a "川" (river) shape.

Alice is in the middle, with Kuno and Shia on the left and right respectively. The small room is unusually lively tonight.

"Hmm...! As expected, your own scent smells much better than the lingering fragrance on the blankets and clothes!"

"...Dorothy, oh no, Kuno, you really are Kuno."

After a night of rest, her tense nerves finally relaxed and she fully accepted reality; Shia's expression returned to its usual calm.

"How can you still have such a question now? Did Sylvia finally turn into a complete idiot while I was away?"

"This... I still can't believe it for a moment..."

"If you still don't believe me, why don't you tell me something only you know?"

"No, no need, I just need some time to digest it..."

—After all, it's not like someone has been naked and sexually assaulted; accepting that kind of thing is indeed difficult.

That's what Alice thinks.

"So, what should I call you from now on? Dorothy? Or the same as before...Kuno?"

"It doesn't really matter, anyway, not many people knew Kuno before. Just call her Kuno, and it'll be more comfortable for Onee-sama!"

"No, I think quite a few people know you... If Kuli and the others knew, their reaction would probably be even bigger than mine..."

"Compared to this, Sylvia, and the one above, how are your relationships with your older sister going?"

"...?"

"...Pfft, cough cough!! You idiot! Even after reincarnation, your mind is still filled with all this nonsense?!"

"What does it matter! In the end, what I want most is for my older sister to belong to me alone, okay?"

Kuno confidently declared her exclusive ownership.

"But considering you've taken care of my older sister for so many years, I'll be merciful and give you a little bit—ouch!! Older sister!?"

"Kuno, isn't it time to sleep? Everyone just came back from such a far place today!"

"Ugh... Big sister, why does your smiling face look so scary... Isn't now the perfect time for a girls' nighttime chat to discuss those things—N-no problem! I'm going to sleep!"

Under Alice's gentle yet undeniable pressure, Kuno instantly fell silent.

After that, Kaguya casually lay down next to Kuno, and the room fell silent for a while.

As night deepened, his breathing became steady.

—Everyone should be asleep by now.

Just as Alice was thinking this, a very faint sound came from beside her.

"...Dorothy, no, Kuno."

It was Shia, her voice was very soft.

"What's wrong...?"

Kuno answered softly, afraid of waking Alice in the middle.

Alice wasn't actually asleep, but she wouldn't miss a whispered conversation.

She closed her eyes and quietly pricked up her ears.

“We…especially Alice, have never forgotten you for a single day.”

"……Um."

"I've been thinking about how to get Alice to see you again... For that purpose... well, Kaguya has actually done a lot of things in secret too."

"Hey! Don't say anything unnecessary... I didn't...!"

"At this point, let's be honest."

"Hmm...tch."

"Um... thank you."

"Alice is very, very optimistic. In the years without you, her smiles have often been genuine. However, she has never given up looking for you for even a second."

"is that so……?"

"That's how it is... I can hardly stand looking at her like that."

Kaguya sighed softly.

“Every time we go to a crowded place, we’re either looking for someone’s attention or helping people in trouble… Of course, this might be a side effect of being resurrected by that thing, but we all know that the biggest reason is definitely because of you.”

"I see... Onee-sama... has indeed been searching for Kuno all along..."

“Kaguya is right, Alice will definitely continue to help others in the future. However,” Shia paused, “she probably won’t get herself involved in all sorts of messy and dangerous things like she used to, just to find some vague figure. After all—she’s already found the person she was looking for.”

(Ah... so that's how everyone sees me?)

(Have I made Shia and Kaguya...worry all these years?)

(I'm a little embarrassed... but thank you, Kaguya, Shia, thank you for always caring about me so much...)

"Junai."

"Ah."

"Thank you for coming back to Alice's side. Thank you for protecting Alice that day. That's all I wanted to say."

"...Kuno is the one who is truly happy and blessed to be able to reunite with everyone!"

"Ugh, so cheesy..."

"That includes you too."

"...Huh? Hmm...Never mind."

Kaguya paused for a moment, her voice so soft it was almost inaudible.

"Welcome back."

"Oh my? That's rare. The person who always says one thing but means another actually says something so bluntly?"

"Will I beat you up?"

Amidst the girls' deliberately hushed yet incredibly sincere whispers, Alice felt enveloped by an unprecedented sense of happiness and security.

This was a warmth she could never have imagined when she had just lost all her family members.

Although some things didn't end perfectly, perhaps what she has now is what she promised that fortune teller—the hapipiyend she recognized, pursued, and ultimately had to reach.

In this tenderness, her consciousness slowly faded away, and she gradually sank into a blissful dream.

—Don't be fixated on the present, nor regret the gradual fading of this beautiful moment. After all, there will be many more days like this in the future; it's just a short rest on the way to the end of the journey.

Meteor Night (Part 1) - A Girl's Starry Journey