"Hey, since we're at it, could you, um, help me put this on?"
Black Agetha hesitates as she holds out a ribbon.
"I have no idea how to tie a ribbon, you know."
"Well, I haven't done it either. I wouldn't be able to tie a ribbon by myself."
"I see. Well then, I'll help you."
Afterwards, the two of us struggle together to tie the ribbon around her hair.
"How does it look?"
Black Agetha has tied her hair into two on each side.
"It looks cute."
"R-really…"
Black Agetha nods, looking shy as she lowers her head.
Seems like she's more pleased than I expected, making it worth the effort.
◆
It's the 9th day since we defeated the Demon Lord.
We, who had deliberately moved away from the royal capital, were heading towards the Lind Principality, located in the neighboring country of the Ritzken Empire.
The Lind Principality would later unify with several other countries to form the Nagara Federation, several decades from now.
The town we arrived at was the capital of the Lind Principality, called Gran Lind.
"We finally made it," said Black Agetha, riding ahead, letting out a sigh.
"We've been traveling for quite a while," I replied.
"It's already late today, so all that's left is to eat and sleep," she said.
"That was my plan," I said.
"Is that so?"
After passing through the gate, we had dinner at a restaurant we found and then searched for an inn.
"Today marks the 9th day," I muttered as I lay down on the bed.
When I was in the royal capital, on the 9th day after defeating the Demon Lord, I was killed by someone.
Even though I know I won't be killed today, being so far from the royal capital in the Lind Principality, I still feel tense.
"Hey," suddenly the black Agetha sleeping next to me spoke up.
"You had a physical relationship with 'her,' didn't you?"
I quickly realized that 'her' referred to the different personality of Agetha, not the one in front of me.
Why ask such a sudden question?
"Yeah, I did."
Thinking there was no point in hiding it, I affirmed it. After all, both Agetha and black Agetha were just different personalities of the same person.
"Well… Do you also want to do such things with me?"
Black Agetha seemed embarrassed to ask, fidgeting. Um, what should I say? I do like the black Agetha, so saying I don't want to would be a lie. But can I honestly express that?
"Well, yeah, I like you, so, um, I guess I would want to," I said, deciding to be honest after some hesitation.
"I see. So you like me. Well, I guess it can't be helped. Come on—" Saying that, black Agetha spread out her on the bed.
"Um…"
Not understanding the meaning, I tilted my head.
"Geez, you're a slow one! I mean, you can do whatever you want with me. Don't make me say embarrassing things like that!"
Oh, I see. Because I didn't expect black Agetha to suggest such a thing, I didn't immediately understand.
"You don't have to force yourself, you know."
"I'm not forcing myself. It's just that, I felt it was unfair that she did it and I didn't. Or, do you dislike being with me, Kiska?"
It's kind of cute. Faced with the sincere affection of black Agetha, I couldn't help but feel something.
"Agetha, I like you."
Before I knew it, I had pushed her down.
◆
After it was over, I inevitably became calm.
I had been involved with both Agetha and black Agetha. For a moment, the thought crossed my mind: Is everything okay?
Well, they are the same person, two sides of the same coin. It doesn't make much of a difference which one I got involved with.
So, Agetha should understand and forgive me.
… Is everything really okay?
"Hey, are you going somewhere?"
Suddenly, black Agetha stood up from the bed and started changing.
"I just feel like getting some fresh air for a bit."
I thought it wouldn't be a good idea for a girl to go outside at this hour, but when I looked at the window, the sun was just about to rise. It seemed like it had become morning without me realizing.
"I'll be back soon."
Saying that, I watched as Agetha left the room.
◆
Black Agetha, having left the inn, walked through back alleys, choosing deserted places that would likely have little foot traffic even during the day.
"Sorry, looks like I kept you waiting."
Black Agetha, now standing still, addressed the figure on the other side of the street.
"It's fine. I'm not bothered."
Even though those words were spoken, the tone clearly conveyed irritation.
"I see."
"Hey, what's that?"
A finger pointed towards something.
It was referring to the ribbon tied in Black Agetha's hair.
"He gave it to me as a present."
"Is that so?"
A faint grinding sound, like teeth gritting, could be heard.
"Jealous, are we?"
The tone was practically provocative.
"Yeah, I'm really jealous."
"Don't take it. This was a gift from him to me."
"Oh, I see."
The figure spat out the words.
"Hey, can we get started already?"
"Yeah, talking forever won't change anything."
While talking, black Agetha opened her "Item Box" and pulled out a sword from the void.
The figure also had a sword in hand.
"Well then, let's begin."
"The duel between you and me."
In an instant, the sound of an explosion echoed.
◆
"She's quite late."
I had been waiting in the room for black Agetha, but she hasn't returned.
I'm worried.
Well, I think black Agetha could easily repel any assailant, but the mysterious perpetrator who killed Agetha in the previous timeline crossed my mind.
Come to think of it, today marks the ninth day since defeating the Demon Lord.
When I was in the royal capital, I was killed on the ninth day.
Even though this town is far from the royal capital, I suddenly feel uneasy.
"I'll go check the situation outside for a bit."
Saying that, I opened the door and explored the surroundings of the inn for a while.
A sound of flesh being cut could be heard.
Looking towards the sound, I saw a girl holding a sword.
Even from behind, I could tell.
It was Agetha.
"Hey, Agetha. What are you doing?"
Saying that, I approached.
The fight seemed to be over already. While Agetha was standing, the other person was lying in a pool of blood, not showing any signs of movement.
Maybe Agetha took care of the perpetrator who was trying to kill us. Such a thought crossed my mind.
"Kiska—"
She turned towards me, calling my name.
Wait a minute, a sense of discomfort washed over me.
The one in front of me wasn't black Agetha but the regular Agetha. Well, considering she has a dual personality, they might switch places at times, I thought optimistically.
Until the next moment.
I became aware of it.
The identity of the person lying at the tip of her sword.
It was also Agetha.
Yes, there were two Agetha's in front of me.
One Agetha, holding a sword, and the other is black Agetha, lying in a pool of blood.
"It's all out in the open now."
Agetha said that and laughed.
"Could it be that you were the one who killed me in the previous timeline?"
"Yeah, that's right."
She nodded.
That smile of hers seemed nothing short of madness.
◆ ◆ ◆