Chapter 5: The God Who Tastes Cake

What was I thinking back then?

“Praise me, Purina de Fontaine!”

Unlike the cowardly, weak me, watching ‘Purina’ perform confidently on stage, under the spotlight, what was I thinking?

‘Ah…’

Beautiful.

Noble.

So dazzling, unlike me.

I was in awe of how she immersed herself in her performance, heedless of the gazes around her.

So that’s how acting can be done.

What about me?

How did I act on that stage?

I performed the image of a god that people expected, always mindful of their eyes.

But ‘Purina’s’ acting… doesn’t it seem like she’s the real God of Water?

With acting like that, she could perfectly deceive everyone.

‘Amazing…’

If only ‘Purina’ had been the one acting from the start, if I had been the fake Purina instead.

‘…’

A wave of emotions churns my stomach.

Admiration fills my heart, and regret occupies the empty spaces.

What was I thinking back then?

‘…’

Yes, I definitely thought she was admirable.

…That’s what I thought back then.

“Hm, how was it? Pretty good, right?”

It was easier than I thought. Just acting moderately as the God of Water was enough to make the people cheer.

‘It was more than just good…’

“Anyway.”

Purina’s schedule is surprisingly light.

Most of the time is spent watching plays or overseeing judgments.

…On the surface.

I know, from watching her all this time.

I know what she’s been doing behind the scenes.

For 89 years, without a single break, she’s been searching for ways to counter Fontaine’s prophecy.

Now it’s my turn to take over.

But for now…

It wouldn’t hurt to let Purina rest after all her hard work.

For a while, I plan to spend time doing things Purina enjoys.

Even though I have control of the body, she can still feel the sensations if she wants.

“Purina, is there anything you want to do?”

‘Something I want to do?’

“Yeah, you’ve worked so hard. Don’t you think it’s okay to rest sometimes?”

‘B-But we don’t know when the prophecy might come true…’

“Still, you need to take care of yourself sometimes.”

‘Maybe…’

People need to rest when it’s time to rest.

If you keep running without stopping, you’re bound to fall eventually.

And the scars from that fall won’t fade easily.

…I know, because it happened to me.

That’s why I want Purina to be happy.

I want her to smile.

Sincerely.

‘Ugh, are we really okay doing this?’

At a time when we should be researching various materials, we were at a café, eating limited-edition cake.

“What’s the big deal? Who’d dare question the God of Water, Purina?”

‘That’s not the point…’

The sweet aroma tickled my nose.

I eagerly stabbed the cake with a fork.

Maybe because I could never eat this in reality, I felt oddly excited.

“Be honest, you’re enjoying this, aren’t you?”

‘Well, yeah, but… we shouldn’t be doing this…’

Purina’s sense of duty is too strong for her own good.

Sacrificing herself for everyone else?

I could never do that.

‘…’

…Unless it was for someone precious.

“Just hush and taste it.”

Ignoring Purina’s voice ringing in my head, I put the cake in my mouth.

The melting whipped cream and freshly baked bread were enough to quiet her.

‘It’s delicious…’

Purina’s awe brought a smile to my face.

When she’s happy, I’m happy.

Maybe it’s because we share the same body, but that’s how it is.

Since she seems to like it, we’ll have to come here often.

Someone was watching her from afar.

“Purina…?”

He stared at her, bewildered.

“…She’s supposed to be alone, so who is she talking to?”

Fontaine’s Chief Justice muttered in disbelief.