<Author’s Notes>

I didn’t have much time, so today’s chapter is a bit short.

At the foot of the World Tree, which is located in the open space of a large garden in Symphonia Kingdom’s Royal Capital…… Nebula was making something with her processed branches.

Because she has a restriction that prevents her from being a certain distance away from her World Tree, she could not participate in the ship party, so instead, she can only stay at Kaito’s home, where she is making woodwork to pass the time. But soon after, Nebula stopped her work and let out a sigh with a somewhat dismayed expression on her face.

[……Good grief, what a roundabout way to go about things.]

The air seemed to shake just slightly right after Nebula murmured that. Under normal circumstances, it wouldn’t just be something that makes one feel discomfort about, but for the Absolute Nebula, it was easy for her to guess what had happened.

[Instead of visiting directly, you went out of your way to create a phase-shifted other space just to meet……]

[Ahh~~ No, umm…… I know your situation over here, so let’s just say I was being a little cautious…… Umm…… You see…… errr……]

[It’s been a while, “Canaris”. For you to come all the way here to see me, you’re still as conscientious as always.]

[ ! ? Nebu…… Nebula…… -sama……]

Hearing her name called in a calm voice, ●●●●●…… Canaris’ voice trembled and her expression distorted. As if time had stopped since that moment, her face, which had not yet moved for hundreds of millions or trillions of years, moved, and tears came to her eyes, which had not held light.

She has wanted to see her for a long, long time. Even though she understood at that time that she would never see her again, she looked for her every time she visited a new world. She thought that the day would never come when she would hear her gentle voice calling her name again……

The one standing before her is a little shorter than what she used to be, about a meter shorter, and her magic power has changed a bit since being reincarnated as a Spirit. But even so, she was easily convinced. That the one before her is Nebula, whom she has wanted to meet for a long time……

[……I believe you already understand this, but I’ll say this first. Apologies and gratitude are just disrespectful to me. What happened at that time had occurred under my judgment and the Absolute me had acted at my own discretion. Everything had already concluded in my mind…… There’s no sin, no gratitude, nothing for you to burden. Having such a thought existing in your mind is disrespectful to me.]

[……Yes…… I had thought…… Nebula-sama…… would say…… something like that……]

Canaris approached Nebula with tears streaming down her face and clung to her petite body.

[……I won’t say it…… If that’s what Nebula-sama says…… Whether it’s apologies…… or gratitude…… I won’t say them. B- But…… Please at least…… let me say this…… I missed you…… Nebula-sama…… Even if you had such an appearance…… the fact that you’re still here…… makes me…… helplessly happy.]

[You’re exaggerating…… but well, I’m glad that you came to show yourself like this. It must have taken you a long time to get here…… but you did a good job, Canaris.]

[ ! ? ! ? NEBULA-SAMAAAA!]

As Nebula lightly patted her head with a gentle smile, Canaris, unable to hold back any longer, clung to Nebula and started crying loudly.

Seeing this, Nebula smiled lightly while continuing to gently stroke her head.

[Good grief, I thought of serving you some tea since you came all the way here, but it seems that will have to wait a while longer…… But well, accepting such things is also the duty of this Absolute, so cry until you have let everything out.]

Her voice was gentle and warm…… that just hearing those words made Canaris feel as if all the long and painful days had paid off, and Canaris continued to cry like a little child in Nebula’s chest.

<Afterword>

Serious-senpai : [Hmm, I slept well. I’m sure the party isn’t over yet, but it should have progressed quite a bit.]

? ? ? : [That’s right. It just finished…… the serious development we’ve had after a long time, that is.]

Serious-senpai : [……………………Eh?]