The shelves were neatly packed with manga, YGO cards were stored under the bed, and half-painted Warhammer 40K miniatures sat on the workbench. Every last bit of it felt so familiar to Ash. Of course, the most eye-catching thing was the wall covered from end to end with neatly arranged tokusatsu toys and collectibles, all lined up in order. Everything was so perfectly suited to his tastes that it felt incredibly comfortable.
But why did that last thought end with a question mark?
"If it were me, I'd arrange them like this... No, if it were me, I wouldn't have kept them this neat!" In truth, while he would play with them endlessly and treasure them when he first got them, once the initial novelty wore off, he would quickly grow tired of them and toss them into a box to pile up, just like model-kit collectors buying new kits. "In this case, it could only have been Mana and the others carefully arranging them for me."
Just seeing it was pleasing enough, but when had this happened? Why didn't he remember it? As his doubts multiplied to the point where Ash began wondering whether he had erased too many memories through the system and developed amnesia, the photograph placed at the center of the desk seized all his attention.
"What happened...?"
The photo showed him with Ai and Homi, all three smiling with such pure, uncomplicated happiness. Such smiles could only appear on the faces of people living fulfilled and happy lives. Anyone who saw it would think they were a harmonious, wonderful family of three.
Could it be... New Hundred Worlds had already been defeated, and the world had long since returned to peace? Then we all got married, had children, and have already been living perfect lives