After walking some distance and passing the harbor, they saw a lighthouse ahead.
That lighthouse...
Cynthia recognized it. It was the lighthouse where Shirona had spoken with Kaim when she visited Nanjō City.
"You can return to reality from there."
"Through the lighthouse?"
"Yes. Just go through the door, and you'll be fine."
"What?"
Even after hearing that she could return to reality, Cynthia's expression did not brighten. Steven asked whether something displeased her. Shirona shook her head as if to say, "It's nothing," then walked past Steven toward the lighthouse.
"Thank you for showing me around."
"Get going."
Steven said something unimaginable coming from the ordinary Steven, then turned his back on Cynthia and prepared to leave.
However, Cynthia turned around and finally called out to Steven.
"Hey, can I ask you one last thing?"
At Cynthia's words, Steven stopped. He did not answer, but he seemed to remain where he was. Seeing this, Shirona asked the person behind her another question.
"What about that debt you mentioned earlier?"
Earlier, Daigo had told Kaim that he owed him something. Yet all Kaim had done was stop Cyrus in his tracks. What sort of "debt" had brought Darkrai all this way to look after Cynthia? Cynthia wanted to hear the answer one last time.
"If you don't mind, I'll pass your thanks along to Kaim. So, would you mind letting me hear it?"
"A kind person..."
Steven sighed softly and turned to face Cynthia.
"He answered my call. He answered my call and came to find me, even though he didn't know what he wanted to do. Of everyone I've encountered, he was the only one who showed any intention... any willingness to approach me. That was a big deal to me."
Because his very existence caused nightmares against his