Sasaki walked beside Mao, their hands still intertwined.
For a while, neither of them said anything.
The Architects' Domain was strangely quiet.
Not empty.
Just peaceful.
Sasaki looked around as they walked.
The castle stretched endlessly around them, with enormous halls branching off in different directions.
Every so often, they passed another Architect.
Some glanced at Sasaki.
Others simply continued with whatever they were doing.
Sasaki eventually looked down at their hands.
Then back at Mao.
"So..."
"Hm?"
"You really aren't letting go, are you?"
Mao looked at their hands.
She seemed to realize she was still holding his hand.
"Oh."
She quickly loosened her grip.
"Sorry."
Sasaki shrugged.
"It's fine."
Mao hesitated.
Then gently took his hand again.
Sasaki glanced at her.
"I thought you were letting go."
"I changed my mind."
"...Okay."
Mao smiled.
They continued walking.
After a few moments, they reached a quieter hallway.
Mao stopped in front of a large wooden door.
She opened it.
"This is yours."
Sasaki stepped inside.
The room was fairly large, but mostly empty.
There was a bed.
A desk.
A bookshelf.
A small window overlooking the Domain.
Sasaki looked around.
"So this is my room?"
"Mhm."
Mao stepped inside behind him.
"Sorry if it's a bit small."
Sasaki looked at her.
"This is small?"
Mao nodded.
"For an Architect."
Sasaki looked back at the room.
"...I think I'll survive."
Mao smiled.
"Good."
Sasaki walked toward the bed.
He pressed one hand against it.
Then sat down.
The mattress sank beneath him.
He stared at it.
"It's comfortable."
"Of course it is."
"Did you choose it?"
Mao paused.
"...Maybe."
Sasaki looked at her.
"You did."
"I didn't say that."
"You didn't have to."
Mao crossed her arms.
"You're already becoming annoying."
Sasaki smiled slightly.
"Thanks."
Mao rolled her eyes.
Sasaki stood up.
He looked around again.
There were still several boxes sitting near the wall.
He sighed.
"Looks like I have some work to do."
Mao tilted her head.
"What?"
"I'm going to clean this."
"You just got here."
"Exactly."
Sasaki picked up one of the boxes.
Mao watched him for a few seconds.
Then another.
Sasaki glanced at her.
"You going to help?"
Mao blinked.
"...I was going to."
"Sure."
"I was."
"Right."
Mao narrowed her eyes.
"You're making fun of me."
"Maybe."
She walked over and grabbed a box.
"Fine. I'll help."
The two began cleaning.
At first, they worked in silence.
Sasaki organized the books on the shelf while Mao cleaned the desk.
Every once in a while, Mao would pick something up and stare at it.
"Where should this go?"
"Put it on the shelf."
"Which shelf?"
"The one you're standing next to."
Mao looked at the shelf.
Then at Sasaki.
"...You're very helpful."
Sasaki smiled.
"I'm doing my best."
Mao placed the object on the shelf.
A few seconds later, it fell over.
She caught it.
"Almost."
Sasaki laughed quietly.
Mao looked at him.
"What?"
"Nothing."
"You laughed."
"I did."
"Why?"
"You almost dropped it."
"I caught it."
"After it fell."
Mao frowned.
"You're annoying."
"You've said that already."
"And I'll keep saying it."
They continued cleaning.
Little by little, the room began to look more lived in.
The boxes disappeared.
The books were organized.
The desk was cleared.
The bed was made.
Eventually, Sasaki stepped back.
He looked around.
"Done."
Mao stood beside him.
She looked at the room.
Then smiled.
"We did a good job."
Sasaki looked at her.
"We?"
"Yes."
"You did about half."
"That's still half."
Sasaki nodded.
"Fair."
They looked at each other.
For a moment, neither said anything.
Then Sasaki raised his hand.
Mao stared at it.
"What?"
"High five."
"...Why?"
"Because we're done."
Mao smiled.
She raised her hand.
Smack.
Their hands met.
Mao smiled proudly.
Sasaki smiled slightly.
"Good work."
"You too."
Mao looked around the room one last time.
"Come on."
"Where?"
"I'll show you around."
They left the room.
Mao walked beside Sasaki, pointing toward different parts of the castle.
"That's the meeting hall."
Sasaki looked through the doorway.
"And that's the library."
Sasaki immediately stopped.
"A library?"
Mao turned around.
"You like reading?"
"Sometimes."
"Sometimes?"
Sasaki shrugged.
"I used to."
Mao studied him for a moment.
"Then you should visit it."
"I will."
"Good."
They continued walking.
Mao pointed toward another hallway.
"That leads to the training grounds."
Sasaki looked interested.
"Training grounds?"
"Mhm."
"Can I use them?"
"Of course."
"Even though I'm new?"
"You're an Architect."
Sasaki nodded.
"Right."
Mao smiled.
"Besides, I'd like to see what you can do."
Sasaki looked at her.
"You don't know?"
"No."
"Even though you knew me when I was younger?"
Mao's smile faded slightly.
"I knew you."
She looked ahead.
"But you changed."
Sasaki was quiet.
Mao noticed.
"I'm sorry."
"For what?"
"For not remembering everything."
Sasaki looked at her.
"You don't have to apologize."
"But still..."
She looked down.
"I remember you as a child."
Sasaki smiled faintly.
"Was I annoying?"
Mao laughed.
"Very."
"Figures."
"You asked too many questions."
"I still do."
"Exactly."
Sasaki chuckled.
The two continued walking.
After a while, Sasaki spoke again.
"Hey, Mao?"
"Yes?"
"Have you been alright after all these years?"
Mao stopped.
Her smile disappeared.
She slowly turned toward him.
"Why are you asking that?"
Sasaki thought for a moment.
"I don't know."
Mao stared at him.
Sasaki didn't seem to understand why he'd asked.
He simply continued walking.
Mao remained still for a few seconds.
Then quietly followed.
She caught up with him.
"You really don't know?"
Sasaki shook his head.
"No."
Mao smiled faintly.
"You're strange."
"So I've been told."
Mao looked at him.
"But..."
She paused.
"I'm alright."
Sasaki nodded.
"Good."
They continued.
After a few more steps, Mao reached into her sleeve and pulled out a folded piece of paper.
"Here."
She handed it to him.
Sasaki unfolded it.
"A map?"
"Mhm."
"The entire castle?"
"And the surrounding areas."
Sasaki studied it.
"Why are you giving me this?"
"Because you're going to get lost."
"I won't."
"You definitely will."
"I have a good sense of direction."
Mao stared at him.
"You've been here for less than a day."
"...Fair point."
Mao smiled.
"Keep it with you."
"Alright."
Sasaki folded the map and placed it away.
"Thanks, Mao."
"Mhm."
Eventually, they reached the garden.
Mao pushed open the doors.
Sasaki stopped.
He stared.
The garden stretched across the grounds.
Flowers of every color covered the grass.
Trees stood along the edges, their branches moving gently in the wind.
Small spirits floated between the flowers.
Sasaki slowly walked forward.
"It's beautiful."
Mao smiled.
"You like it?"
"Yeah."
He crouched down.
One flower caught his attention.
He gently touched its petals.
Mao stood beside him.
"That's one of my favorites."
"Why?"
"I don't know."
She crouched beside him.
"Maybe because it survives here."
Sasaki looked at her.
"What do you mean?"
"It's not an ordinary garden."
Mao looked around.
"Things that shouldn't grow here somehow do."
Sasaki looked back at the flowers.
"Sounds familiar."
Mao smiled.
"Does it?"
"Maybe."
They sat there for a moment.
Neither of them spoke.
Then Sasaki looked at Mao.
"Hey, Mao."
"Hm?"
"You look like this garden."
Mao blinked.
"Why is that?"
Sasaki stared at her.
For a moment, he seemed to actually think about his answer.
You're both beautiful.
He paused.
Then another thought came to mind.
And you're both short.
"You're both short."
Mao froze.
"..."
Sasaki looked at her.
"Was that not what you expected?"
Thwack.
"Ouch!"
Sasaki rubbed the top of his head.
Mao's face was bright red.
"Mao, are you okay?"
"Yes!"
"You're really red."
"I'm fine!"
"Are you sick?"
"No!"
Thwack.
"Hey!"
"You idiot!"
Sasaki rubbed his head again.
"What was that one for?"
"For the first one!"
"I thought you liked the compliment."
"It wasn't a compliment!"
"You said the garden was beautiful."
"I was talking about the flowers!"
Sasaki smiled.
"So you agree."
Mao froze.
"...I hate you."
Sasaki laughed.
"No, you don't."
Mao looked away.
"...You're still annoying."
Sasaki stood up.
"Come on."
Mao looked at him.
"Where?"
"You said you were showing me around."
Mao said.
"Fine."
She stood up.
"Let's go."
They left the garden.
The peaceful atmosphere slowly disappeared.
Mao led Sasaki toward another part of the Domain.
The further they walked, the quieter it became.
Sasaki noticed the change.
He looked around.
"What happened here?"
Mao didn't answer immediately.
Then Sasaki saw it.
A field.
Ruined buildings.
Broken roads.
And bodies scattered across the ground.
Sasaki stopped walking.
His expression changed instantly.
"...What happened?"
Mao looked toward the ruined town.
"It was the doing of one of the Demon King's generals."
Sasaki remained silent.
"A horde of demons raided this place a couple of weeks ago."
Sasaki stared at the destruction.
His hands slowly tightened.
"...Shigura."
Mao looked at him.
His expression had darkened.
For a moment, Mao didn't say anything.
Then she gently touched his shoulder.
"Let's go back inside."
Sasaki looked at her.
Mao gave him a small smile.
"You don't have to look at this."
Sasaki looked back toward the ruined town.
Then nodded.
"...Okay."
They turned around.
On the way back, neither spoke much.
Eventually, Sasaki broke the silence.
"Mao."
"Hm?"
"Does this happen often?"
Mao looked ahead.
"Sometimes."
"Do the Architects stop it?"
"We try."
Sasaki frowned.
"Try?"
"There are things even we can't prevent."
Sasaki didn't answer.
Mao glanced at him.
"You don't have to carry everything yourself."
Sasaki looked at her.
"I know."
"Do you?"
He paused.
"...I'm learning."
Mao smiled faintly.
"Good."
They continued walking.
As they entered the castle, Sasaki noticed something.
The Architect of Time was standing in the exact same place as before.
His eyes were closed.
Sasaki slowed down.
"He hasn't moved."
Mao looked toward him.
"Who?"
"Time."
"Oh."
"He's been standing there the entire time."
Mao shrugged.
"That's normal."
Sasaki stared.
"That's concerning."
Mao laughed.
"You'll get used to it."
Eventually, they reached a quieter hallway.
Mao stopped.
Sasaki looked at her.
"What?"
She reached out.
Then took his hand.
Sasaki looked down at their hands.
"Again?"
Mao smiled.
"You'll see."
A faint glow surrounded them.
The world blurred.
And in the next moment—
They were standing inside a completely different room.
The air was heavy with energy.
Sasaki immediately looked around.
"What is this place?"
Mao released his hand.
"This is where Architects receive their assignments."
Sasaki looked around.
"So this is my first one?"
"Yes."
Mao's expression became more serious.
"Sasaki."
"Hm?"
"You are the Architect of Stars."
Sasaki nodded.
"I remember."
Mao took a slow breath.
"I'm going to assign you your first duty."
Sasaki straightened.
"What is it?"
"I'm sending you to a kingdom."
"Okay."
"It's on the brink of destruction."
Sasaki's expression hardened.
Mao continued.
"Your job is simple."
"Simple?"
"You're going to fulfill the wishes of its people."
Sasaki stared at her.
"All of them?"
"All of them."
"No matter what they ask for?"
"No matter how absurd the wish is."
Sasaki thought for a moment.
"Even if someone asks for something ridiculous?"
"Yes."
"And I'm supposed to grant it?"
"Yes."
Sasaki sighed.
"That sounds like a lot of work."
Mao smiled.
"It is."
Sasaki looked at her.
"Why me?"
Mao's expression softened.
"Because you're the Architect of Stars."
Sasaki nodded slowly.
"I understand."
Mao hesitated.
"There is one exception."
Sasaki looked at her.
"What?"
"If a wish involves you in any way..."
She looked away.
"You reject it."
Sasaki frowned slightly.
"Why?"
Mao didn't answer immediately.
Her fingers tightened slightly.
"I can't have anyone taking Sasaki from me."
Silence.
Sasaki stared at her.
Mao quickly looked away.
"...That's all."
Sasaki didn't say anything for a moment.
Then:
"Okay."
Mao looked back at him.
"Okay?"
"I understand."
She smiled faintly.
"Good."
She looked down at their hands.
"This is going to be the last time you hold my hand for a while."
Sasaki looked at her.
"Why?"
"Because once you leave, you'll have your own duties."
She smiled.
"And I'll have mine."
Sasaki nodded.
"Alright."
Mao slowly reached her hand toward him.
Sasaki met it.
Their fingers intertwined.
Neither spoke.
For a moment, they simply stood there.
Then Mao smiled.
"Take care of yourself."
Sasaki looked at her.
"You too."
A faint glow surrounded their hands.
The room began to blur.
Mao's voice was the last thing Sasaki heard.
"Good luck, Sasaki."
And then—
They vanished.