“I will repeat it once more. I’m the victor and you are the loser. This game was started by the challenge letter that you had issued and it was accepted by me. Since there’s a person who appeared and cleared your game, you are obliged to praise the victor as the position of a host. A person who cannot accomplish that should have never aimed to be a host.”
*Kack!* Canaria who had heeled to a stop before Izayoi looked larger now even though she was supposed to be a petite woman. The young Izayoi took a step back and dropped the line in a sullen tone.
“……You mean for me to admit defeat?”
“That’s right. Then as the position of the host, announce the proclamation of a winner who has cleared your game. And with that, this game will end.”
“……”
“And when your game has ended……Let’s start a new game together.”
---*What?* That came so suddenly, like a sneak attack, that it left Izayoi stunned.
Canaria seemed only to think of herself at this point of time as she continued on:
“That’s right. That’s the promise for the next game. Oh well, it’s good as well. For the next round, I will take on the position of the host. As long as I use the money that you have prepared, I can build quite a satisfactory stage……Hehe. This time, let me be the one to show you what a true host is.”
“So how about that?” Canaria tilted her head as she asked.
Because of how the topic had progressed in such an unexpected direction, Izayoi couldn’t help but gape in a daze without an inkling of what reaction to give at this point in time.
Just like that, he stared stupidly at Canaria for quite a while---before seeming to think of something as he pouted and asked:
“Then……the game’s prize is?”
“Prize?”
“Nn. Since it is a game that only both of us participate in, then there’s no need to prepare all those things that you discussed just now right?”
“Nn~ That sounds about right as well……Oh well, then let’s do it like this?”
Canaria bent her knees to match Izayoi’s eye level.
Following that, she then allowed their foreheads to touch and told Izayoi in a tone that sounded like she was pulling an evil prank:
“If I win……I can get a sharp tongued son.”
“……”
“If you win……Then I will always be your playmate for life. An additional condition would be: I will also prepare a great place for you to rest and relax.”
“How about that?” Canaria asked with a smile.
Izayoi had a troubled look, seemingly in a bind as he placed his hand behind his head to think for quite a while before nodding his head in an exaggerated yet swaggering manner.
“……Ah, I just can’t think of any other plan. So the victor of this crappy game will be you, Canaria.”
“Thank you. Then it is now my turn as the [Host] to invite you.”
Saying that, Canaria had tugged Izayoi’s hand and with young Izayoi, they walked hand in hand towards the door.
---The game between the two of them continued for almost two years.
Crossing the boundaries of countries, they traveled across continents. Going in search of the demon at Iguzau Falls, and had gone to confirm the end of the world……In the end, both of them reached a welfare organization.
[CANARIA foster home]---that was the children's welfare organization that was built just to accept Izayoi.