Shinki: How could I casually give up such a useful excuse? If I gave it up, how would I aggressively top you in front of you?
Thinking of this, Shinki put on a stubborn expression, met Alice's gaze, and said, "I won't stop. As long as your happiness lies ahead, Alice, I'll wait for you up ahead. So don't stop!"
Alice: "..."
Mother's words sounded perfectly reasonable, and they were exactly the sort of thing she would do, but why did Alice get the strange feeling that she was making things up out of nowhere?
Although she understood Shinki's feelings, Alice had learned long ago, when she escaped the Underworld, to refuse Shinki's self-righteous goodwill.
That had been true in the past, and it was even more true now.
"Mother, didn't you say you had someone you liked? Then how can you still do this? You should focus your energy on the person you like. Don't let waiting turn into regret."
"You should go back soon. Time waits for no one, so seize the chance before someone else steals them away—"
Alice: Get the hell out already, you daughter-screwing useless support! Only without you can I make a comeback from a disadvantage, damn it!
After saying that, Alice's tone softened, and she put on an expression as though she were thinking of her mother.
Shinki: Seeing Little Ai care about me so much really makes me happy. Little Ai has finally grown old enough to understand her mother's painstaking efforts.
Now I can rest easy and go all out. I believe you'll forgive me in the end, Little Ai.JPG!
Alice did not know that the person Shinki was pursuing was right here. That was precisely why Shinki would never leave. All Alice's maneuver had accomplished was zero damage.
"I never