There was no storm at the mountaintop, no black hair spread out like a river, and none of those disgusting, hideous Chang Ghosts.
There were only dark clouds overhead, while the firelight clearly visible from the foot of the mountain could not be seen at all from here.
"Caw—"
A crow cried out. Perhaps because of the uninvited visitors, a three-legged crow flapped its wings and took flight within Fujimaru Ritsuka's field of vision.
".That bird."
Like Ritsuka, Kanna watched the bird vanish from sight, suddenly feeling a chill run through her.
".Let's go, Master. The mountaintop is right ahead."
"The person we're looking for... is there."
In truth, they only half understood the situation they were in.
The memories of the previous loops had not fully returned to them, and their understanding of this Singularity was far from complete. They did not even understand what was happening now, or why they had appeared in this place.
But—
Fujimaru Ritsuka and Sakumura Kanna both knew one thing.
They were searching for something.
Perhaps someone.
Perhaps some so-called "truth."
Whatever they were searching for lay on the other side of the ridge.
And the person standing there, with his back to the ridge, quietly standing by the lakeside—
"So why was it you?"
".Mr. Sakumura?"
In a trembling voice, Kanna softly called the name of the person standing by the lake.
Sakumura Anno.
He heard the voice behind him, but did not react.
"You created this Singularity."
Fujimaru Ritsuka and Sakumura Kanna descended the ridge together and said to Sakumura Anno with certainty.
Sakumura Anno still did not turn around.
"You—why did you do this?"
Kanna reached out, wanting to ask, wanting to tell this perfect Mr. Sakumura from her memories about the doubts in her heart.
However—
Sakumura dispersed.
He