Sasaki and Mao walked hand in hand as she showed him to his room.
"So this is my room?"
"Mhm. Sorry if it's a bit small."
"It's okay."
Sasaki began cleaning the room while Mao watched.
After a moment, she decided to help.
"Hm? What are you doing?"
"I'm helping."
"...Thanks."
The two continued cleaning until the room was finally in order.
They looked at each other.
Then, they high-fived.
Sasaki smiled slightly while Mao looked proud of herself.
"Alright, come on. I'll show you around."
The two walked through the castle, chatting as they went.
"Hey, Mao?"
"Yes?"
"Have you been alright after all these years?"
Mao suddenly stopped.
She looked at Sasaki in surprise.
"Why are you asking that?"
"I don't know."
Sasaki continued walking.
Mao stared at him for a moment before following.
As they walked, Mao handed Sasaki a map.
"Here. It's a map of the castle. Make sure you don't get lost during meetings. Or when I call for you."
"Alright. Thanks, Mao."
"Mhm..."
Eventually, they reached the garden.
Sasaki stopped.
It was beautiful.
Flowers of every color filled the garden, stretching across the grounds.
Sasaki crouched down and gently touched one of the flowers.
"Hey, Mao."
"Hm?"
"You look like this garden."
Mao blinked.
"Why is that?"
Sasaki looked at her.
You're both beautiful.
He paused.
And you're both short.
"You're both short."
Mao froze.
"..."
Thwack.
"Ouch."
Sasaki rubbed the top of his head.
Mao's face was bright red.
"Mao, you okay? You're really red. Are you sick?"
"No, you idiot!"
Thwack.
"Hey! What was that for?"
"You idiot..."
"Ahem."
Sasaki stood up.
"Done looking around?"
"Yeah."
Mao led Sasaki away from the garden.
But when they reached the next area, Sasaki stopped.
A field of bodies lay before them.
His expression immediately changed.
"What happened?"
"It was the doing of one of the Demon King's generals."
Mao looked toward the ruined town.
"A horde of demons raided this place a couple of weeks ago."
"...Shigura."
Mao looked at Sasaki.
His face had darkened.
"Let's head back inside."
Mao nodded.
The two returned to the castle.
As they walked through the halls, Sasaki noticed Time standing in the exact same place as before.
He hadn't moved.
His eyes have been closed this entire time.
Sasaki continued following Mao.
She showed him the rooms belonging to the other Architects.
Eventually, Mao stopped.
She reached out and grabbed Sasaki's hand.
In an instant, they were transported to a room filled with immense energy.
Sasaki looked around.
Mao turned toward him.
"Sasaki."
"Hm?"
"You are the Architect of Stars."
Sasaki nodded.
"I will assign you your first duty as an Architect."
"Okay."
"I'm going to send you to a kingdom that is on the brink of destruction."
Mao's expression became serious.
"You're going to go there and fulfill all of their wishes."
"All of them?"
"No matter how absurd the wish is."
Sasaki listened carefully.
"You will grant it."
She paused.
"Unless the wish involves you in any way."
"In that case, you reject it."
"I understand."
Mao looked away for a moment.
Her expression became hesitant.
"I can't have anyone taking Sasaki from me."
"..."
Sasaki looked at her.
She quickly looked away.
"Okay."
Mao looked back at him.
"This is going to be the last time you hold my hand for a while."
She smiled faintly.
"Okay?"
Sasaki nodded.
"Alright."
Mao slowly reached out her hand.
Sasaki took it.
Their hands intertwined.
A faint glow surrounded them.
And then—
They vanished.