Epilogue
Several days after the fake wedding…
With the prince and Rika’s royal wedding scheduled for next week, the capital of Catharn was in a celebratory mood. People were decorating the streets, soldiers were conducting security drills, customers were flocking to the wedding commemorative sales, and there was a smile on every face.
Except for two faces, both white as sheets: those of Amante and Sorella, who were frantically running down an alley.
“Sorella! Hurry! Argh, why are you so slow?!”
“I—I caaaan’t! Hah, hah! I’ve never liked exerciiiise!”
“This is no time for grumbling! We’ve got to run, or else… Gasp!”
“Whaaaat? Oh… Aughhhh!”
As they rounded a corner, both came screeching to a halt.
Hahako was there. She might look exactly like Mamako, but her expression was vacant, and there was an aura of stillness about her.
“Will you two please wait a moment? I just want to talk.”
“We’ve got nothing to talk about!”
“Stop chasing uuuus! Byeeee!”
Both girls spun on their heels, running back the way they’d come. But Hahako came rising up out of the street ahead of them.
Hahako was a unique being created by the game systems based on Mamako’s data. She could spawn anywhere, from anything.
“Please? Just for a few minutes?”
“How many times do we have to say we don’t wanna talk to you?! How long are you gonna chase us?!”
“Did Mamako put you up to thiiiiis? Did she tell you to keep an eye on us so we can’t interrupt the weddiiiiing?”
“Not at all. This is my own decision. I just want to talk to you both.”
“Well, fiiiiiine… Amante, what do you thiiiink?”
“What do I…? Argh, fine! We’re not getting anywhere running, obviously! So just say your piece already!”
“Well, I just have this one question…,” Hahako said nervously. “Do the two of you have mothers?”
“…Huh?”
“Do we have motherrrrs? Ummm…”
“You see, I went to the courtship ball hoping to find a child, but it didn’t work out…”
“You were definitely in the wrong place. Duh.”
“Ms. Shiraaase was helping me, and she suggested I start by finding people who don’t have mothers. I thought that seemed like good advice, so I’m searching for motherless people… Do you two count?”
“Well, that’s obvioooous. We’re in the Libere Rebelliiiion. We’re against the existence of motherrrrs. And we’re two of the Four Heavenly Kiiiings! Of course we have no moooms.”
“…You don’t have any mothers? You don’t, yes? I see!”
Hahako’s expression brightened immediately.
Meanwhile, Amante and Sorella somehow grew even paler.
“W-wait?! Let’s be clear, that doesn’t mean we’re going to make you our mother!”
“These things require mutual conseeeent! No brainwashiiiing! You can’t force people to be your childreeeen!”
“Yes, I know! You have to spend a long time together, building lots of memories, and that way, you become parent and child! I’ve learned that that’s what families are! I know that now… So I’m going to stay with you forever!”
Hahako beamed.
“You can’t just decide that! …Sorella! We’ve gotta run!”
“Retreeeeeat! Retreeeeeat!”
“Oh my! Are we playing mother-daughter tag? I won’t lose! Hee-hee!”
Racing desperately down one back road after another, the two Heavenly Kings found Hahako appearing everywhere they went. Their game of tag showed no signs of ending.
“…So we can leave them to Hahako?”
“Yes. The wedding should be able to proceed without interference.”
“Hahako’s trying to make Amante and Sorella her daughters…? Hee-hee. I think that sounds wonderful.”
“Hmm… Well, if a cross-dimensional wedding is possible… Either way, we’ve managed to fulfill Rika’s request, so that wraps things up.”
The party had returned to the capital to check up on things and were on break at the Mom Shop.
The girls were busy working on the exterior decorations, while Masato, Mamako, and Shiraaase talked.
“So, Shiraaase. In actual fact, are test players and NPCs allowed to get married?”
“There are no restrictions in place, so it is possible. Management is currently monitoring the prince and Suzuya’s example and intend to create such restrictions if it proves necessary.”
“So this wedding’s an experiment?”
“In part, certainly. Ms. Suzuya will be required to file reports on their life together…and continue working as a character designer. A computer has been installed in her room at the castle.”
“Management sure is a slave driver…”
“Perhaps not the most relaxed honeymoon…”
“We can’t let just one individual have all the joy. This is how these things are celebrated in any workplace. That aside… There’s something I’d like to ask you, Masato. If you don’t mind?”
Shiraaase took a sip of tea, watching him carefully.
Whatever she said next was definitely going to be bad news.
“Masato, do you have any intention of settling down with Mone?”
“Yep, I knew it. I knew that was coming… Let me be very clear. I—”
“Someday he’ll marry me, and we’ll live here together!”
“Yikes! Where’d you come from?!”
Mone had come hurtling through the front door and flung herself at Masato. “Mm—heh-heh. Rub, rub.” “Stop rubbing!” She always went for the quick spoiling.
The rest of the girls came back in, too. “Wow! You two are getting along so well!” Porta said, smiling happily.
But Wise and Medhi both frowned, giving him a long stare.
“…Uh, at least say something?” Masato pleaded.
“There’s nothing to say.”
“And if we do say something, Mone and Ms. Shiraaase will just make it worse.”
“I’m offended. Mone may certainly make things worse, but not I. I would never point out how Mone’s behavior is clearly affecting you both.”
“You just did.”
“I knew it. Defensive expressions were the right tactic.”
Wise and Medhi acted normally, like they didn’t care. “We totally overdid it on those decorations. Worked up a real sweat!” “Yes, it’s very hot.” Fanning themselves, they loosened their collars, trying to look relaxed.
Shiraaase and Mamako just smiled at each other, but that was all. Nothing more.
“Hmm… Well, enough about Wise and Medhi. Masato?”
“Nope, I’m not answering anything.”
“If—just if—you were to marry somebody here, who would you choose?”
“Sorry, I couldn’t even hear that one. Man, this tea’s good!”
It was royal tea, sent by the royal family as a reward for their efforts. Had a lot of depth to it.
Savoring that depth was much better than these silly conversations.
It was so quiet.
Everyone by Masato was sitting perfectly still, staring at him.
Ignore them. They don’t matter. Just carry on.
More tea. Good tea. The best.
It was so good, his cup was already empty. But he wanted more.
“Mom, can I have another—?”
“Whaaat?! Ma-kun, you want to marry Mommy?! We can’t… Oh, but I could never turn down a proposal from you… Oh, what should Mommy do?” She clapped her hands to her cheeks.
“Huh?! Wha—?! Mom, what are you talking about?!”
“Mamako, Masato, congrats! I wish you a lifetime of happiness!”
“Wise! I will punch you!!”
Wise smiled gently and started clapping. Medhi, Porta, and Shiraaase all did, too. “There’s no way I can beat Mamako. Sniff.” Mone sobbed bitterly but…clapped for them anyway.
And thus, Mamako and Masato tied the knot. FIN.
“Ma-kun, let’s live happily ever after! Hee-hee!”
“Knock it off already! There’s no way I’d ever marry my mom!”
Just kidding, of course!
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