"Your time is limited, right? So you probably don't have much time to do those kinds of things, do you?"
That's what Arcueid said. What she pointed out was undeniably true. Humans do indeed waste a lot of time on unnecessary things, but—
"That's just human nature. Maybe it's precisely because of that, we're called primates and have become the rulers of the surface."
"...I don't understand. I understand each word, but when they're put together, I can't make sense of it."
Arcueid looked at Shinji with a puzzled expression. Her confusion might also be the same confusion felt by the planet that gave birth to humans.
Shinji sighed softly.
"Honestly, I don't understand what I'm saying either. It's just a feeling—yes, most of the knowledge we learn won't be useful in the future, but sometimes it is. For example, I might think I won't need to go abroad, but what if I do? The English would come in handy, wouldn't it? The future is something no one can predict. Don't you agree?"
"That does seem to be the case."
"And besides, is wasting time such a bad thing? Who defines what a waste is? Other people? Or yourself? Depending on your perspective, the answer can change. From a biological standpoint, humans are inefficient beings. Most of our lives are spent wasting time. But from an individual's point of view, it's different. You might think school life is meaningless, but Gaia might think our date today is equally meaningless."
"Huh? Why do you say that?"
Arcueid was startled.
"Gaia sent you to follow me to explore the spirit particle world. But where are we right now? Is this the spirit particle world?"
"No, it's Earth. Ah—"
"Not just this date—everything you do on Earth is a waste of time. Eating is a waste of time because you don't need food for energy. Sleeping is a waste of time because you have infinite stamina. Watching movies, shopping, playing games, even sneaking into a school to play teacher-student with me—all of it is a waste of time."
Hearing Shinji's words, Arcueid's eyes grew quiet and hollow, and she spoke in a small voice.
"Yes, all of it is a waste of time. So why do I do it?"
"The answer is simple: because it makes you happy. And that's enough. Even if something is unnecessary, if you find joy in it, it has value. It's not a waste of time."
"Is… that so?"
Her crimson eyes, brighter than blood, gazed quietly at Shinji, just staring, staring.
"I… still don't understand. I've never done anything meaningless before, and I've never been interested in unnecessary things. But ever since I met you, I feel like I've changed, like I've become strange."
"There's nothing wrong with being strange."
Shinji stepped down from the podium and walked in front of her, his smile reflected in her eyes.
"Don't think about who you were before. Don't think about whether it's right or wrong. Answer me, Arcueid Brunestud—have you been happy during this time with me? Have you found joy in these meaningless things?"
"I'm happy. Very happy. Living like this, being this happy, is something I never even imagined before—joy... Have I broken? After lasting for so long—, for such a long time, I was only watching my dreams—"
Arcueid's figure seemed to blur, like a projection from a film reel, unclear and hazy.
Eight hundred years of wandering, a mirage-like dream.
The white princess's silhouette flickered in the twilight.
"On the surface, I haven't changed, but inside… I've become filled with all these unnecessary emotions—joy, pain. I can't ignore the things I used to be able to ignore. So, I must be broken, right?"
"Who knows? I'm a human, not a True Ancestor, so I can't answer that. But you should be able to find the answer in the planet's memories. From what I know, the other True Ancestors weren't as obsessed with necessity as you were. They did meaningless things too, just to feel joy and pass the time in their long lives."
"Like drinking blood?"
Shinji's smile stiffened at her remark. She knew how to hit where it hurt.
"I won't deny that. But it's not just about drinking blood, right? Not all True Ancestors drink blood. As long as you don't bother anyone else, it doesn't matter what you do."
"Including drinking blood?"
This girl was relentless.
"Of course. Don't humans have blood donation programs? There's not much difference between getting blood through a tube and drinking it directly. As long as there's a legitimate supply of blood, you control the intake, and don't create Dead Apostles, then the act of drinking blood isn't a problem. That's why I've always admired Van-Fem. He handles it very well. He's one of the few Dead Apostles I wouldn't want to fight. If possible, I'd ask you not to hunt him either, even if he's standing right in front of you."
"Because he doesn't cause trouble for humans?"
"Exactly. Not only does he not cause trouble, but he also benefits both humans and the planet. You're the same, Arcueid. I've thought about you a lot, and in the end, I decided it doesn't matter—you haven't caused anyone any trouble. So whether you're broken or not, who cares?"
"Is that so? But Shinji, you're always yelling at me and hitting me on the head. Isn't that different?"
Arcueid's gaze was still shadowed, and it was truly heartbreaking to see her like that.
"Of course, it's different. I'm not just anyone. I told you before, we're friends, we're family, we're partners. That's all there is to it. You bother me, and I hit you on the head—that's what family does, they take care of each other. And honestly, I like the current you more than the old you who obsessed over meaning."
"Really?"
A faint light flickered in her shadowed eyes.
"Really."
"You're not lying?"
"I'm not lying."
"Then, can I keep being like this? Keep eating delicious food, playing fun games, watching good movies, and doing meaningless things. Can I keep bothering you?"
"Sure. But I'll keep disciplining you with my fist of love if you get too out of hand! Otherwise, you really will start bothering other people."
"...That's so mean! Am I really that unreasonable?"
Arcueid pouted, but the darkness had already left her eyes.
Shinji breathed a sigh of relief and burst out laughing.
"Ahahaha! What are you even saying? Hearing you talk about being unreasonable is so weird, I can't stop laughing."
"...!!"
Ah, now she was mad.
"Shinji, you idiot! I was being serious, and you're just laughing at me. Hmph, didn't you just say you liked me?"
"Did I say that?"
Shinji played dumb.
"You did! You said you like the current me."
Arcueid pressed on.
"Oh, that must've been your imagination."
Shinji continued to feign ignorance.
"No, I didn't imagine it."
"Yes, you did."
"I didn't!"
"You did!"
"Shh~ Be quiet. I think someone's coming."
"Where? I don't feel anyone…"
Arcueid tilted her head to look down the hallway, but when she turned back, Shinji had already jumped out the window. She immediately realized what had happened.
"You tricked me! Stop right there!"
There was no way Shinji was stopping, so he ran even faster, turning his head to shout back.
"Come catch me! If you do, I'll take you to an even better restaurant—uh, I mean, I'll let you 'hee-hee-hee'—no, I'll treat you to a nice meal!"
"Hmph, you won't escape."
Arcueid crossed her arms, full of confidence.
This chase was just as meaningless as everything else, but she no longer cared.
Deep in her heart, a strange emotion was taking hold.
That emotion easily overwhelmed the eight centuries that had passed, and the teachings of the True Ancestors she had received from childhood.
That emotion was called joy.
The scarlet sunset slowly faded as the princess, bathed in the glow of the setting sun, lifted her head to greet the coming night.
Above her, the moon began to rise.