?"It’s only been two days, but it felt like a grand journey. I enjoyed it," Terumi said. "It’s been a long time since I felt the word 'joy' come naturally to me. Even Letty was having the time of her life."
?"You mentioned searching for the five stones, so we merely lent a hand," Clamo replied. "It is my greatest honor that you enjoyed yourselves."
?"Yeah, we only meant to gather five stones, but then the earth started splitting and volcanoes erupted—we were in total chaos. Never experienced anything like it in my life."
?"The stones of Fire, Earth, Wind, and Water are being kept on our ship," Clamo explained. "But what you saw was the fifth, the rarest resource of all. You were lucky. We were invited to the second 'Miracle Hour' and witnessed a dream-like sight that only exists in reality. Now, let us bring the effigies inside and align all five."
?The way back felt strangely faster than the journey there. The group gathered once more in a circle before the weathered, handmade door that Clamo had opened.
?"Is time running out, Laili?" Clamo asked.
?"Yes, Clamo. We have less than thirty minutes. If we continue to converse past 22:00, we will cross the junction of world-lines, causing a massive divergence. While a correction is possible, it would involve the Ministries of Defense and Intelligence agencies worldwide, consuming a colossal amount of energy for time travel."
?"Is that different from a time leap or a time loop?" Terumi asked.
?"Terumi, don't make me laugh," Laili replied. "They are entirely different things."
?"Is the future me like this too?"
?"Yes. You’re almost indistinguishable. Though... I feel the future you is a bit more 'adult'."
?"Hey! Don't talk about me like I’m a kid!"
?"Even with a century between us, you two bonded so quickly," Laili remarked, showing a rare, gentle smile—as if experiencing human emotion for the very first time.
?"Anything else to say, Clamo?" Terumi asked.
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?"Don't say it like it's a final goodbye, Terumi."
?"Just a little advice would be fine, Clamo," Amethyst added.
?"Oh, you've got me there, Amethyst... Wait, I remembered a message from Phoebe!"
?"The future Phoebe?"
?"Exactly. She said to avoid black clothes as much as possible. She wants you to wear pastel colors or vibrant primary colors."
?"Does she mean I should pick brighter colors even for my work clothes?"
?"Yes, that's it. She says it changes your mindset, and more importantly, the quality and breadth of your relationships. It’s already been scientifically proven. It's a major reason why we are able to live such rich lives today."
?"I’ll try that. Thank you."
?"Clamo, anything else?"
?"One more thing. This is just something that occurred to me personally, right now!"
?"Let's hear it then."
?"It's about Toraemon."
?"The robot you cared about the most? Are you worried about him?"
?"Not at all. Is Byakko still doing well?" Phoebe chimed in.
?Byakko—or Toraemon—was a "defective" robot Phoebe had raised with love, later cared for by Clamo. As his creator, she was more curious than anyone about how he was being utilized in the future.
?"Don't worry, Toraemon is doing great. However... he forgot a certain promise he made to you, Phoebe. The promise to reveal his true name. Today is the perfect chance. Please, tell me."
?"Has my future self forgotten? Or is she intentionally staying silent? Or perhaps... there’s no longer a need to tell him," Phoebe mused. "But if I remember it now, then I shall tell you."
?"I've got it! Byakko's true name is..."
?"Hizuiro Kohaku."
?"What!?"
?"I remember waking up from a dream where a single tiger was breathing out many amber-colored souls. I jotted it down the morning he came to our house."
?"I see..." Clamo murmured.
?"Is that enough to satisfy you?"
?"It means the mystery is solved, Phoebe!"
?"Wait, isn't that too fast, Clamo!?"
?"We have one and a half minutes left. I'll be brief."
?Clamo traced the true name into the dirt, breaking it apart:
?“His Iro Kohaku”
?"Phoebe, when you return, try aligning the letters like this. Doesn't it connect to the effigy from earlier? That's all from me."
?"Clamo, I'm not quite catching the spark yet..."
?"On the day after a crimson sunset, we met. And within 'Hisiro,' you find Hiiro (Crimson), Hisui (Jade), and Hi-izuru (Sunrise). Time is short, but I am truly grateful to have met you all. Let's meet again."
?A bolt of lightning suddenly ran down Phoebe’s spine.
?"Clamo! I finally...!"
?"It means you've found something more wonderful than any resource. Phoebe, I’m glad we made it in time! Now, go back to your world, piece the answer together, and let it live within your daily life."
?"Thanks for coming all this way from the future, Clamo. We’ll manage here, so you stay well over there too," Terumi said.
?"Clamo, I wanted to talk more about when I was taken by the UFO, but this was truly fun," Amethyst added.
?"Fox-mister, I hope we can play with balloon dolls again. Thank you!"
?"I thank you for your thorough guidance throughout, Clamo."
?Laili spoke the final words as the last ten seconds ticked away.
?"Until we meet again... in a hundred years."
?As they stepped through the door, the landscape began to dissolve. Clamo’s figure grew faint, fading into the distance...