POV: Yuuto Kido
"Hm…"
He took a quiet breath, watching the sky slowly shift into shades of orange.
"What a strange day…" he murmured, unaware of the faint smile forming on his lips.
Then he turned toward the balcony door.
"Alright. Let's go back in."
He slid the glass door open and stepped inside.
Miku was still standing in the center of the room, the Chat Group phone in her hand, her expression soft with relief after the long call.
Kido gently closed the door and looked at her.
"So, Miku. You done with your call?"
Miku turned to him quickly—her expression brightening instantly.
"Oh, Kido~ Yes! It's finished. It was just Kuroneko calling."
Her voice—soft and shimmering like a gentle digital melody—filled the room warmed by the evening glow.
"What were you two talking about?" Kido asked, walking to the bed and sitting down.
His tone was curious, but without suspicion.
Miku stiffened just a little.
"I-It was just group matters," she replied quickly, a small smile appearing.
Her Vocaloid tone rose and fell slightly—like her system was a bit nervous.
Kido gave her a brief, searching look—
but Miku's smile was too innocent to question further.
"Anyway—!" Miku quickly changed the topic, "You really need to clean this room! Seriously, look at this mess~"
She lifted a pillow off the floor and patted it.
Tiny particles of digital light flickered off her hands—
as if her non-physical nature left sparkles in the air.
Kido huffed a small laugh.
"Yeah, yeah. I'll clean it later."
Miku placed the pillow back in its place and put her hands on her hips.
"Listen, Kido," she said, voice half-scolding and half-warm,
"From now on, you have to take care of yourself.
Eat regularly, shower, clean your room, sleep properly.
If you don't, your body will break!
And if your body breaks, I can't fix it, you know~?"
Her teasing digital vibrato at the end softened the tone.
Kido let out a quiet laugh.
"Yeah, yeah… You sound like someone's mom."
Miku puffed her cheeks in exaggerated offense.
"Hmph! I just care about you!"
Then she giggled—soft, like a gentle synth echoing in the air.
Kido smiled back—
a real, genuine one this time.
He looked at her standing there, bathed in the orange evening light—
and she seemed more human than ever.
Silence lingered for a few seconds before Miku looked toward the window.
"Well…" she said softly.
"That's enough for today, Kido."
Kido blinked.
"You're leaving now?"
Miku nodded, her blue hair swaying softly.
"Yes," she replied gently.
"I have to return to my world. There are things I can't ignore."
She paused—then smiled again, calming and warm.
"But don't worry. With that phone, we can talk anytime."
Her voice was clear—
but beneath it was something deeper:
warmth no code could replicate.
Kido lowered his gaze, then looked back up.
"…Alright.
Then… thank you, Miku."
Miku smiled sweetly, her blue eyes glowing softly.
"No need to thank me.
I simply sang… and you listened.
That's more than enough."
Soft light began to form around her—
digital particles of blue and white drifting gently, like fragments of evening light.
She stepped back slightly as her body began to fade.
"Take care of yourself, Kido."
Those were her last words before her light dissolved completely—
leaving the room filled only with the warm hues of sunset.
Kido looked at the empty space she had stood in moments ago.
The faint blue glow that once filled the room had vanished—
but the warmth remained.
He looked down at the flip phone in his hand.
A holographic window hovered above it—
the same message, waiting patiently:
"Would you like to accept your reward now?"
[Yes] [No]
Kido inhaled slowly.
His expression wavered—then steadied.
He remembered Miku's smile.
Her warmth.
Her voice.
He nodded.
"…Alright," he whispered.
"If this is my new beginning… then I'll accept it."
He pressed:
[Yes]
Ding—
A soft chime like crystal rang through the room.
Kido looked around.
Nothing happened.
"Huh? Nothing's—"
Before he could finish—
The pain hit.
"A—AAAGHHHH!!"
He collapsed off the bed and onto the floor.
His breathing shattered, his muscles convulsed as if they were burning alive.
"W-what—what is—!!"
He screamed again, his voice tearing against the agony.
His bones cracked—reshaping.
Muscles unraveled—then rewove themselves stronger, sharper, refined.
Every fiber of his body was being remade.
Sweat flooded the floor.
His blood surged like molten fire.
A circle of blue holographic runes formed around him, glowing violently.
---
[Body Integration: Arthur Pendragon (Prototype)]
[Synchronization: 1%… 15%… 42%…]
---
Kido screamed again.
Visions flooded his mind—
battles across green fields, the clash of steel, the roar of armies.
The smell of iron, dust, fire—
and the weight of a crown not meant for peace.
"FOR BRITANNIA!!"
"FOR THE KING!"
Voices thundered—shaking him.
He saw him—
A young man with golden hair and silver armor,
standing beneath a radiant sky, blue eyes deep with burdens unseen.
His expression calm.
His gaze resolute.
"Who… are you…" Kido gasped between waves of pain.
A voice answered—not from the air, but within his soul.
"Rise, Yuuto Kido.
This world needs your heart—
and my sword."
Light engulfed him.
His black hair shimmered—
slowly shifting into gold, bright as morning sun.
His dark eyes turned into clear blue, sharp and noble.
The sound of glass cracking echoed softly through the air.
He lay trembling on the floor, breath ragged—
his lungs burning with every inhale.
The pain slowly faded—
but its echo remained in every beat of his heart.
Hologram text flickered above him:
---
[Synchronization 100% — Integration Complete]
---
Kido's consciousness faded.
His breathing slowed.
His old body was gone.
What remained was the body of Arthur Pendragon (Prototype).
His clothes tore around his reshaped form—
broader shoulders, stronger muscles, refined strength and grace intertwined.
Before darkness fully claimed him,
he caught a glimpse of the last ray of sunlight streaming through the window—
warm, gentle, forgiving.
And in that final moment,
he heard Miku's voice echo softly:
"The world is beautiful, isn't it?"
A faint smile touched his lips.
And he let his eyes close—
quietly sinking into peaceful sleep,
beneath the last light of day.