A girl with uneven, silky pink hair lay there.
From behind, her long twin tails were entwined with red ribbons. Viewed from the front, one might mistake her for having short hair.
Her emerald-green eyes were closed at the moment, only her long and beautiful lashes visible.
Her face—without a single flaw and resembling that of an angel straight out of a painting—was peaceful, like a sleeping beauty.
Around her neck, which was as fair and smooth as freshly fallen snow and matched the flawless skin of her face, she wore a collar attached to a short chain. It made her appear like an imprisoned angel, stirring a deep urge in anyone who looked at her to protect her.
Beneath that neck was a curvaceous figure without a trace of excess, a masterpiece as if sculpted by the world's greatest artist.
Her body was clothed in what appeared to be a battle outfit, mainly silver-white with black patterns. The top resembled a modified chest binder with wing-like adornments at the hem, while the bottom consisted of a pleated mini-skirt paired with pale blue over-the-knee socks. Her shoulders, arms, and legs were all equipped with armor.
This girl—Ikaros—was like an angel come to life from the world of anime. No, in fact, she really was just that: a stunning, anime-like angelic girl. Looking at her, Yazuki couldn't help but feel like he was dreaming.
Suddenly, her eyelashes fluttered slightly, and a single glimmering teardrop escaped. Was Ikaros… crying?
Yazuki reached out to wipe away the tear, but just before his finger touched it, he pulled back.
He felt utterly unworthy to even touch this pure, untainted angel before him.
"'Let's go home together,' huh… I can't believe I even said something like that."
Scratching his head, Yazuki silently cursed himself.
Would the awakened Ikaros even want to go home with him?
He had abandoned a girl as pure as a blank sheet of paper in a foreign world, left her waiting all alone. That was nothing short of a sin.
Come to think of it… was Ikaros really something he had entirely created himself? He couldn't help but feel like she truly was the Ikaros.
Just then, she began to emit a light—radiating from within. A gauzy glow enveloped her entire body, making her look even more ethereal and divine.
When the misty light faded, her trembling eyelashes lifted to reveal eyes like newly born crimson moons. Her cherry-colored lips parted softly.
"Self-repair has reached optimal functioning. Preparing to awaken."
The voice, though mechanical and emotionless like that of a robot, was still so pleasant—clear like the sound of a mountain spring.
At that moment, watching this angel awaken, Yazuki sat up straight, as tense as a student about to be scolded, nervous and uneasy.
He looked into those eyes, now glowing with red light that gradually faded back into a clear emerald green. She blinked, her face unreadable, then turned to face him. Supporting herself with her delicate, lotus-like hand, she slowly rose.
"Question—Who are you?"
A soft, confused voice flowed from Ikaros's lips. Yazuki's body stiffened at once. That was a critical hit straight to the heart.
It felt like he'd been shot through the chest. So painful. She didn't recognize him, didn't even acknowledge him as her creator?
Wait… he almost forgot—he looked different now from before. No wonder she didn't recognize him. That realization eased his heart a little.
Yazuki opened his mouth, unsure of what to say, and could only muster a bitter smile.
Suddenly, a soft little hand took hold of his.
It was Ikaros's.
She rubbed his hand gently as if trying to confirm something. Her expressionless face showed a flicker of emotion, and then, as if jolted by electricity, she quickly pulled her hand back.
Ikaros curled up slightly, backing away into a corner. It was like watching a small child who had done something wrong—scared and unable to approach him.
Even though her face still showed little emotion, she now gave off the aura of a timid little creature, easily frightened and in need of protection.
Did… she recognize him? If he were a complete stranger, Ikaros wouldn't react this way.
Yet, seeing her so scared of him filled Yazuki's heart with complicated emotions.
"Do you… know who I am, Ikaros?"
He spoke with a tinge of bitterness. Ikaros blinked her emerald eyes wide, as if in disbelief, and then gave a small nod.
"I'm sorry."
"I'm sorry."
They spoke in unison, both stunned by the synchronicity.
"No, Ikaros. You have nothing to apologize for. As your creator, I failed to notice your condition. I even left you behind in that world, alone all this time. I really am the worst…"
"Master, that's not—"
"Let me finish. I'm a shameless man, and an incredibly selfish one too. I won't try to excuse myself. There's no excuse. But whatever I can do for you now, I'll do my best to fulfill it. That said, if you ask for my life… I'm sorry, I can't give it to you. Like I said, I'm a shameless, selfish man, a possessive bastard who wants to bind you by my side. In fact, even saying all this, I had the urge to forcibly use an Absolute Command Protocol on you so you'd never leave me…"
Every word he said was the truth. He really meant it. Ikaros—his ideal angel—was someone he couldn't bear to lose.
As he kept talking, he lost track of what he was saying.
Maybe he was projecting himself onto Ikaros, seeing a reflection of his own self in her, and that's why he didn't want her to go?
But now… it felt like something inside him had been released.
As for Ikaros, she still wore that expressionless, unreadable look.
"So, Ikaros, would you still be willing to stay with someone like me?"
Whatever choice she made, Yazuki was prepared to accept it. He sat there like a defendant awaiting a judge's verdict, nervous and tense.
Hmm? Why isn't she answering?
After a moment of silence, the seemingly slow-processing Ikaros tilted her head slightly, looking adorably confused. Her cherry lips parted.
"Ah? Master, Ikaros has attempted to analyze your words 372 times… but still doesn't quite understand what you're saying."
So all that heartfelt, soul-baring talk… was for nothing?
That kind of confession was not something he could easily repeat. Or maybe… maybe he was just taking advantage of Ikaros's incomplete emotions, manipulating her to stay? Truly, he was despicable.
"But… Ikaros understands one thing. Master needs me, right?"
With her head tilted, Ikaros still had that calm expression, but there was an undeniable hint of joy in her voice.
Yazuki nodded immediately.
The next moment, the angel smiled—just a little, but unmistakably a smile—and spread her arms wide like wings, leaping into his embrace.
"Entertainment-Purpose Universal Angel—Ikaros. I'm glad to be of service to Master~"