Black Rabbit had never imagined that the person standing before her was actually a One-Digit existence.
A being straight out of legend.
Within Little Garden, there were no known One-Digits at all—only Two-Digits remained active.
According to rumor, the true One-Digits all lived somewhere beyond the reach of Little Garden itself.
And yet—
One had appeared right before her today.
Izumi didn't bother explaining further.
With a single step, his figure vanished from the spot.
Watching his disappearing back, Black Rabbit remained frozen for quite some time.
At that moment, Sakamaki Izayoi looked toward her and finally voiced the question she had been holding back.
"Hey, Rabbit."
"What exactly is your relationship with Canary?"
She had wanted to ask since earlier.
This rabbit clearly knew her mother.
Hearing the question, Black Rabbit finally snapped back to reality.
She looked directly at Izayoi.
At the girl currently disguised as a boy.
"I was about to ask you the same thing."
"I'm Canary-sama's adopted daughter. What about you?"
Nearby, Kudou Asuka and Kasukabe You immediately perked up.
An unexpected family drama!?
They had only just arrived in Little Garden and were already witnessing something this juicy.
Their curiosity instantly ignited.
Could these two actually be related somehow?
Sisters?
Relatives?
Izayoi frowned slightly.
"Adopted daughter?"
"How old are you?"
"…Younger sister?"
The moment she said that, Black Rabbit understood immediately.
Younger sister?
"No. I'm the older sister!"
This person must also be one of Canary's adopted daughters.
Thinking that, Black Rabbit instantly puffed out her chest proudly and assumed the posture of an older sister.
"You're also one of Canary-sama's adopted daughters, right?"
"Then that makes me your senpai."
"I was adopted hundreds of years ago."
"You're only a teenager right now."
"So naturally, I'm the older sister."
As she said that, the way Black Rabbit looked at Izayoi completely changed.
Mm.
She suddenly had a little sister.
Not bad at all.
Izayoi's face darkened immediately.
"Hundreds of years?"
"Tch. Old woman."
Black Rabbit instantly became annoyed.
"Is that any way to speak to your older sister!?"
"Izayoi, call me Onee-sama!"
Now that she had learned two things—
That she had gained a younger sister…
And that Canary could potentially be revived…
Black Rabbit's mood had completely skyrocketed.
Naturally, she began acting smug.
Unfortunately for her, Izayoi ignored her entirely.
Power flickered around her body.
Her hair returned to its previous spiky appearance.
A false Adam's apple reappeared.
Her voice once again became masculine.
She had returned to her male disguise.
"Shut it."
"I'm not acknowledging any of that."
"Right now, we should focus on reviving Canary."
"You heard what that guy said."
"We'll have to pay a price."
As she spoke, Izayoi stared directly at Black Rabbit.
Hearing those words, the smile on Black Rabbit's face gradually disappeared.
What replaced it was a bitter expression.
"…I already made my decision."
"If reviving Canary-sama means selling myself to him, then I don't mind."
"But before that…"
"We should visit that world first."
"For now, let's head back to the community."
Izayoi fell silent.
Her fists tightened unconsciously.
Her emotions were incredibly complicated.
Nearby, Asuka and You exchanged glances.
Neither of them interrupted.
But Kasukabe You's eyes flickered slightly.
Reviving the dead…
Could that apply to her situation too?
At that moment, she quietly made up her mind.
She would ask him someday.
After discussing things briefly, the group began walking toward the city.
Along the way, Black Rabbit continued organizing the information in her mind.
Pay a price… and one's wishes could be granted?
That reminded her of the legacy Canary had left behind.
Perhaps…
That world truly held the answer to saving their community.
Thinking of that, determination slowly filled Black Rabbit's heart.
If possible—
She wanted to restore her community's name and banner.
Maybe this was their chance.
No—
The greatest miracle would be reviving everyone who had been lost.
Thinking of all her former companions, Black Rabbit's eyes filled with hope once more.
Under the sunlight, the group walked toward the city, each carrying their own thoughts.
And unlike the original timeline—
Izayoi didn't wander off midway.
Meeting Izumi had completely killed her mood to fool around.
Right now, she just wanted some peace and quiet.
Don't ask who "quiet" is.
...
Meanwhile—
Izumi had already arrived at the very core of Little Garden.
The Central Nexus.
Several figures were already waiting there.
Sweeping his gaze across the group, Izumi's lips curled upward.
The Halloween Queen.
Kouryuu.
Indra.
Pṛthvī Mata.
The Twin Goddesses of Creation.
Several supreme gods from the Taoist pantheon.
At this moment, the true rulers of Little Garden had all gathered together.
The instant Izumi appeared, every single one of them greeted him with utmost seriousness.
Indra stepped forward first.
"Izumi-dono, welcome."
"Welcome to Little Garden."
Hearing that, Izumi chuckled.
"Yo. Nice to meet you all."
"The Halloween Queen, huh? Mm, very nice."
"And this must be little Kouryuu? Adorable."
"Oh? The Twin Goddesses of Creation too? Excellent."
"…Wait."
"The Buddha is a woman!?"
"Ohhh, and these three should be the highest Taoist gods, right?"
"Honestly, I'm a Taoist believer myself."