A few days had passed since Sasaki and Mao had visited the Sage.
The Architects' Domain had mostly returned to normal.
Mostly.
Kural and Nexus stood together in one of the castle's long corridors, discussing the cracks that had begun appearing throughout the space continuum.
Thin fractures shimmered in the air before disappearing.
Nexus watched one carefully.
"At this rate, the cracks will spread into the lower realms."
Kural crossed his arms.
"We'll deal with it later."
Nexus looked at him.
"Later?"
"We have enough problems already."
Before Nexus could respond, the enormous doors at the end of the corridor opened.
Both Architects turned.
Sasaki walked through.
Neither of them spoke.
Something about him felt different.
His expression was calm.
Too calm.
His aura carried a quiet pressure that made the atmosphere around them feel heavier.
Kural's hand instinctively moved toward his weapon.
Nexus adjusted his glasses.
They exchanged a nervous glance.
"What happened?" Kural whispered.
"I don't know," Nexus whispered back.
Sasaki stopped in front of them.
His eyes moved between the two.
Then he spoke.
"Where."
A pause.
"Is."
Another pause.
"Mao?"
The tension immediately disappeared from Kural's shoulders.
Nexus sighed.
"She's sick."
Sasaki frowned.
"Why would that affect us? We're Architects."
Nexus hesitated.
"...It's not a normal sickness."
Sasaki stared at him.
"...Go on."
Nexus rubbed the bridge of his nose.
"She's terribly lovesick."
Sasaki's expression stiffened.
"...Why?"
"Ever since you two returned from meeting the Sage, she hasn't eaten properly."
Kural scratched his head.
"She hasn't really been drinking either."
Sasaki's expression changed.
"How long?"
"A few days."
Sasaki went silent.
Kural glanced at Nexus.
Then back at Sasaki.
"She's also been following you around."
Sasaki blinked.
"...Following me?"
"Constantly."
Nexus nodded.
"Everywhere you go."
Sasaki looked genuinely confused.
"Why?"
"That's what we're trying to figure out."
Sasaki thought for a moment.
Then turned around.
"I'm going to see Mao."
"Wait."
Nexus raised a hand.
Sasaki stopped.
"It's probably best if you don't."
"Why?"
Nexus looked uncomfortable.
"Because she's emotionally unstable right now."
Kural nodded.
"She's been waiting outside your office."
Sasaki blinked.
"She has?"
"Yes."
"How long?"
"...Most of the day."
Sasaki's expression softened.
"I'm going to see her."
Nexus sighed.
"Then at least bring her something warm to eat."
Sasaki nodded.
"I will."
He walked away.
Kural watched him disappear around the corner.
"...Do you think he'll be okay?"
Nexus stared after him.
"I have absolutely no idea."
Sasaki eventually reached the kitchen.
The castle was enormous, and despite having lived there for some time, he still occasionally found himself getting lost.
He gathered what he needed and began preparing a simple warm meal.
For a while, everything was quiet.
The only sound was the gentle clatter of utensils.
Then Sasaki stopped.
He felt something.
Someone was watching him.
He slowly turned around.
Nobody was there.
Sasaki stared toward the doorway.
"...Must have been my imagination."
He continued cooking.
After finishing, he carefully placed the meal onto a tray.
Then he headed toward Mao's room.
The farther he walked, the quieter the castle became.
Eventually, he stopped outside her door.
He knocked.
"Mao."
No answer.
He knocked again.
"It's me, Sasaki."
Silence.
"I brought you some food."
Still nothing.
Sasaki frowned.
"Mao?"
A few seconds passed.
Then—
THUD!
Something crashed inside.
Sasaki immediately straightened.
"Mao?"
He reached for the handle.
"Mao, I'm coming in."
He opened the door.
His eyes widened.
Mao stood in the middle of the room half naked.
Her hair was messy.
Her room was completely disorganized.
Books were scattered across the floor.
Her umbrella rested against the desk.
She looked exhausted.
But the moment she saw Sasaki, her expression changed.
Her eyes widened.
For a second, she simply stared at him.
Then she smiled.
Not her usual smile.
Something softer.
Relieved.
As if she'd been waiting for him.
Sasaki immediately looked away.
"I'm sorry."
He quickly shut the door.
There was a brief silence.
Then the door opened again.
Mao grabbed his arm.
"Sasaki."
She pulled him inside.
The door closed behind them.
Sasaki stumbled slightly.
"Hello, Mao."
His voice was cautious.
Mao didn't answer.
She simply stared at him.
Sasaki looked at her.
"...Are you okay?"
Nothing.
"Mao?"
She stepped closer.
Sasaki instinctively took half a step back.
"M-Mao?"
She stopped.
For several seconds, neither of them spoke.
Mao's expression slowly changed.
She looked almost afraid.
Sasaki noticed.
"...What's wrong?"
Mao lowered her gaze.
"You left."
Sasaki blinked.
"I went to get food."
"I know."
"Then why—"
"I thought you weren't coming back."
Sasaki went quiet.
Mao looked up at him.
Her eyes were tired.
"I waited."
Sasaki's expression softened.
"Mao..."
"I waited outside your office."
"I know."
"I waited in the hallway."
"I didn't know that."
"I waited here too."
Sasaki looked around the room.
"How long?"
Mao didn't answer.
That was answer enough.
Sasaki sighed.
"You shouldn't have done that."
Mao stepped closer.
"Why?"
"Because you're exhausted."
"I don't care."
"You should."
"I don't."
Sasaki looked at her.
Mao reached out and grabbed the sleeve of his coat.
She didn't let go.
"Stay."
Sasaki froze.
"...Mao."
"Just for a little while."
Her voice was quiet.
Sasaki looked down at her hand.
Then back at her.
"You really are acting strange."
Mao frowned.
"Is that bad?"
"No."
Sasaki breaks.
"It's just... different."
Mao tightened her grip on his sleeve.
"Don't leave."
Sasaki sighed.
"I'm not going anywhere."
Mao stared at him.
"Promise?"
Sasaki hesitated.
Then nodded.
"Promise."
Only then did Mao finally relax.
But she still didn't let go.
Sasaki glanced at the meal in his hand.
"I brought this for you."
Mao looked at it.
"I don't want it."
"You haven't eaten."
"I'll eat later."
"No."
Sasaki placed the tray on the desk.
"You'll eat now."
Mao frowned.
"You sound like Kural."
"That's unfortunate."
She almost smiled.
Sasaki pulled a chair over.
"Come here."
Mao sat down.
He placed the meal in front of her.
She stared at it.
Then at him.
"You made this?"
"Yes."
"For me?"
"Obviously."
Mao's expression softened again.
She quietly picked up the spoon.
Sasaki watched until she took the first bite.
"See?"
He smiled faintly.
"Not so difficult."
Mao continued eating.
After a few bites, she looked at him.
"Sasaki."
"Hm?"
"Can you stay until I finish?"
Sasaki nodded.
"Sure."
Mao smiled.
For the first time in days, she looked genuinely calm.
A little while later, Sasaki stood up.
Mao immediately looked toward him.
"Where are you going?"
"I'm just putting the tray away."
Her expression changed.
Sasaki stopped.
"...I'll be back."
Mao watched him carefully.
"You promise?"
"Yes."
He walked toward the door.
His hand reached for the handle.
Then he stopped.
Someone was standing outside.
Kural.
He was leaning against the wall.
He had apparently been there for quite some time.
Sasaki stared at him.
Kural stared back.
Neither spoke.
Sasaki slowly opened the door.
"...What's up?"
Kural said nothing.
Sasaki glanced toward Mao.
Then back at Kural.
"...Hey, Kural."
Still nothing.
Sasaki's expression became increasingly uncomfortable.
Finally, he sighed.
"...How long have you been standing there?"
"Long enough to think something other then staying with her happened."