Maria leaves, and once I'm relieved, I deploy Dimensions.
　I'm going to do a final review of the ship's course before I go to bed.

　As I review the important parts of the ship, I find Snow. She is just a stone's throw away from my room. A terrified and uncomfortable-looking Snow walks into the room.

'Well, I was going to talk to Kanami, and I happened to come over to ......, that ......'

　From the way he looks at me, I realize that he's been listening to me talk to Maria.
　And Snow notices what I noticed, too, and bows her head honestly.

'...... Sorry, Kanami. I heard you talking to Maria.
No, he was talking pretty loud. I don't mind.

　However, the story changes a lot depending on whether he was heard loudly or with vibrational magic. I can't be certain, but I have a feeling that he was heard with vibrating magic. Snow would normally do it.
　A little sadly, Snow repeats the story with Maria.

'Hey, was Kanami going to be Maria's ......?　When I did, I said no, like that: ......

　Snow asked monotonously what was bothering her the most. She was shocked that I said I would become Maria's.
　I'm not afraid to answer without embellishment.

It's not just a matter of time before you'll be able to get your hands on a new one," he said, "it's a very different situation for you and Maria. ...... It's really a lot of things with Maria.
'Oh, I see. ....... It's not mine, that's what I meant ....... Eh, ehehe. Oh, yeah, I see. ....... It's okay, I knew that. That's why Kanami didn't belong to me ....... After all, you don't like me ......--

　As I follow up with Maria, the light fades from Snow's eyes and I almost feel self-hatred.
　I raise my voice to follow Snow's overly sensitive mind.

''--Snow, wait, calm down. If you've been listening, you understand. I had some deep issues with Maria. I hurt Maria too much, so I didn't deserve to be hers. It's not that I didn't particularly like being Snow's, or anything like that!

　He grabs Snow by the shoulders and struggles to explain.
　It's terrifying to see Snow return to normal here.

　Seeing my earnest face, Snow regains his composure.

'Hmm, hmm. ....... Okay.
'Good. I thought I'd have to tell you the same story again as the day before yesterday: ......
'By the way, if you're willing to be mine, you're always welcome. Unlike Maria, I don't have a problem with being told what to do. In fact, I'm soooooo happy.
'Well, okay, ....... That's great, Snow. I wonder what you were able to convince me to do the day before yesterday: ......
Ehehe. ......

　Snow catches my sarcasm with embarrassment.

　He scratches his head with a sullen expression on his face.
　After parting ways with the Walkers, Snow is free of the shackles of years of bondage and can do whatever he wants. And having left the Confederacy on a ship, his looseness had reached its peak.

　I understand the feeling, but I would like to see him tighten up a bit more. From my point of view, this is where I would be in direct confrontation with Palinkron.
　But Snow doesn't meet my expectations, he chuckles and asks

...... So, is Kanami starting to like me now?
'No, it's not going to be. You think Snow is going to be, yesterday, .......

　Snow is horribly bad at love.
　I'm glad that Snow is the man Palinkron has arranged for me to marry. If it had been someone who understood men's hearts a little better, I might have lost out to that sweet world.

　I sighed in disgust.
　Then Snow shudders, sweating and wondering.

'...... That?　Why, I don't know, does it feel bad?　Oh, I guess it's still called that?　Should we have a nickname like Maria that we don't have anywhere else?

　Snow says something completely misguided.
　It's worse than me being stupid enough to fail to save Maria and Rustyala and the others. When I try to stop Snow's outburst, I'm interrupted by horrible words.

''--Hmmm. It's ......, how about your husband or something?
No. No. Absolutely not.

　I shook my head in spinal reflex.
　Why would he choose such a heavy-handed nickname as Maria and Snow? There are many more solid, likable nicknames that could be used. I can no longer believe that he is doing this just to be disliked. I'm surprised that they want to be liked for this.

　It's not that I'm trying hard not to like them either. But I don't know how to like them in this situation.

You see, I'm still Kanami's fiancé. Isn't that kind of thing possible?
By the way, I've never agreed to be Snow's fiancée.
'But I was in a duel with Siddharq and it was as good as it gets. Sir.
'Oh, I've had that ....... I almost forgot about ...... because that's when I was at my most dazed. No, I wanted to forget .......
'You should at least take responsibility for that one. If there are any suitors for me, from now on I'll say, 'I can't because I have a husband named Kanami.'
'It's a dueling vow, isn't it? How hard is it to retract that one, dammit: ......!

　I swear from the bottom of my heart.

'Ehehe, just give it up. 'Sir,'
'I'm sorry, Mrs Snow. Please just forgive your husband. ......

　I bow my head without hesitation.
　This isn't just about me.

　Tomorrow, let's say everyone sees Snow, who calls me Master.
　And then the temperature of the ship will suddenly drop. Naturally, Maria would be lit and she would adamantly continue to speak of the owner of the example. Rustyala happily says to that, "Just in time!　Just in time! And that would be an incentive. If that happens, even Dia won't look good. Sera would also say something outrageous with her unpredictable thought process. If that happened, her best friend Reaper might even leave in an affectionate manner. If the only normal person on board, the Reaper, was gone, the ship would just be a powder keg without a safety device. --The ship could easily fall.

...... eh, so bad?
Please, Snow. Something's wrong with the ship. You'll be dead in a day.

　I'm seriously concerned for the life of the ship.
　Snow nodded reluctantly, as if he could tell that.

'It looks like Kanami is really in trouble if I say too much of this. ...... Okay, I'll stop. I want Kanami to like me. ......
'You really want to be liked, don't you ......?　You're not lying, Snow. I'm gullible when it comes to these things, so give me a break, okay?　I'm starting to feel like it's a punishment for Snow to like me: ......
It can't be true. I'm with Maria and I love Kanami to death, too.
Oh, thank you. ......

　Snow doesn't shy away from saying it in front of him.
　That didn't make it clear that Maria is shy, so she didn't even say "I love you". I cringe at the abrupt confession.

　Then Snow turns her eyes on me, as if she's expecting something.
　If you were listening to Maria's story earlier, Snow would want a response. He seems to think that after hearing that Maria was spoiled, he can spoil himself now.
　I choose my words and answer slowly.

'...... I'm sorry, Snow. I'm sorry, but I don't think I'll be able to accept that feeling until my main goal is accomplished. I don't have that much time to spare right now.
'The main purpose ......, your real sister. The one who makes Kanami even say "I don't care if I die" .......
'Yeah, I'm aiming for the deepest part of the labyrinth for my sister. I'll tell you more about it tomorrow, but if I don't accomplish it, it's very unlikely.
...... Got it.

　By speaking with sincerity, Snow nodded honestly.
　I realize that my persuasion skills are improving. I haven't repeated my mistakes many times on Date.

　Just as I was about to end the conversation, Snow interrupted me with a smile like a sunflower.

'But that means that if I reach the deepest part of the labyrinth before Kanami, then Kanami is mine, right?
'No, I do. Let's not do that kind of thing. -- I mean, you're still going for that!　Where were the decisions and vows made the day before yesterday, really?　You haven't changed much, Snow!

　Truly, Snow is honest. He honestly puts his own needs first.

'No, I've grown up a bit, haven't I?　This much.

　Snow is about an inch long with his thumb and forefinger.
　Apparently that desperate persuasion was only worth an inch.

'Really, people don't change that easily. ......
Yeah. So take it slow, Kanami.

　Snow smiles softly at me as my shoulders slump.
　It was a little different from her own best.

''From what I can see, Kanami seems to be in a great hurry. So I want you to relax your shoulders more ....... Otherwise, I'd feel uneasy over here .......

　Snow saw my condition more accurately than anyone else. She had only known me when she had no memory of me. Back then, I could afford it. Compared to that, I can't help but look like I'm in a hurry now.

　As my memory returned, I remembered many of my missions. But I remind myself that being in a hurry does not produce good results.

'Yes, ....... I'll relax a bit. Thanks, Snow.

　Thinking about it, I was constantly thinking about Palinclone in the corner of my mind. This would limit my vision and I would fail again.

　I couldn't have realized this on my own. I thanked Snow honestly.
　Snow cracks a smile and begins to ask for help, looking a little flirtatious.

'Yes, let's relax. As for me, I'd like to take it easy and sail around for a year or so. Leave the Palinclones and all that stuff alone.
No, you're too lazy to do that: ......
'But Palinclones are a pain in the ass when they're your enemy, you know?　Annoying?　Can we just quit and travel the world or something?
By the way, the Palinkulon has been assimilated with the Guardian Tida's magical stone. It should be very strong, so you'll have to join us.
...... Uh-huh?　...... I'm a ship keeper, okay?　I'll do my best to see you off.
We can hire a boat keeper. I'll take care of it.
'No, I just want to be as reserved as possible when dealing with guardians (guardians). Tida - you have that Tida's magic stone, Palinkron ....... That idiot is .......

　Snow seems to think more about the fact that Palinclone has the magic stone of the guardian (guardian) Tida than Palinclone himself. Thinking back, he said something similar with Maria.
　It seems that Snow is not very good with Guardians.

'Are you that afraid of guardians (guardians) ......?'
Yeah. I had a bad experience with a little guardian Tida a long time ago, so...

　The cause seems to be that battle junkie's fault.
　There must have been a time when Snow was immersed in exploring the labyrinth. Perhaps, like with me and Dea, she had gotten into fights along the way.

But I'll still try my best. If guardian (guardian) Tida is involved, I feel like I shouldn't run away. If I don't, I won't be able to move on.

　Snow was frightened, but his mouth tightened into a single word as he declared.
　It was a strength that Snow didn't have before. He looks like the Snow he was two days ago when he stood up on his own strength and showed it.

　Maybe the shameful remarks he made earlier were Snow's own joke. I'm relieved to see that Snow is definitely moving forward, albeit slowly.

When that happens, please do me a favor, Snow.
You can count on me, Kanami. From now on, we're all equals.

　Snow reaches out his hand, bringing up the promise he made two days ago.
　I take his hand and clench it.

　The strength of his hand gives me a sense of security.
　I'm more than happy to know that I now have a partner I can rely on.

　With those last words, we said our final goodbyes.


◆◆◆◆◆


　Sending Snow back to her room, I walk through the ship alone.

　As I make my way down the dark, wooden corridors, I ponder. Unusually, I was thinking about something that wasn't about the labyrinth or the Palinkron. I seem to have taken Snow's advice and am able to think about things that are relaxing and entertaining.
　And then I realized something.

　I hadn't realized it due to the unique circumstances of the other world, but it was very important.

　My short life...a little over 16 years.
　The fact that the two of them now are the first time a girl has ever confessed to me.

　This is still barely within the realm of puberty for me. I'm interested in girls in my own way, and I'm ecstatic to be approached by a cute girl. Today, I almost got tricked by a certain girl because of this.

　Anyway, I have faint dreams about women.
　Strangely (・・・・), I didn't have much contact with girls my own age in my former world. For some reason (...), I think the only person of the opposite s*x for me was my younger sister Yotaki.

　But a few weeks after I came to the other world, to my surprise, two girls confessed their feelings to me.

　To be honest, I even thought that confessions were just an urban legend. I thought it was something that only existed in games and dramas. At least in my school life, it was not a shadow of its former self.

　But at the same time, I am aware of the heavy responsibility that has arisen.
　Even if two people confessed their feelings to me, only one of them would be able to reciprocate the feelings, at best. The one who is not chosen will be very sad along with the disappointment. I know from my experience in drama and video games that where someone is happy, someone else is shedding tears.

　But that doesn't mean it's a good choice to choose no one forever.
　From my experience with many creative works, I know that a protagonist who wanders from place to place can have a bad ending. The more you stretch it out, the more the accumulated love and hate will make things worse.

　Therefore, the important thing here is to put an end to something like this love affair as soon as possible.
　I decide to do so.

　To confront both of them with a definitive answer.
　This would be the best way to minimize the total amount of grief. Anyway, it's better to be quick.

　Aikawa Uzumi should make it clear who he likes.
　If I show the girl I like, I can show everyone a new future.

　Then both Maria and Snow will be able to give up and look for a new love. The wounds would be less severe and they wouldn't have to waste their lives.
　At first, they might not accept it so easily. But if you are sincere, cautious, and patient, I'm sure they will understand in the end. Both Maria and Snow are different from when they met. They have acquired that much strength.

　The sooner we settle that, the sooner I won't have to feel sick to my stomach every time we start talking about love or anything else. I can focus on the labyrinth without having to think about anything else. It also reduces the gap in my mind that will be exploited when I fight the Palinkron. So many good things.

　It's all good.

　Maybe it's because so much has happened all day, or maybe it's because I feel like my head is boiling and thinking about the most ridiculous things. Nevertheless, I'll try to think about it all with a single mind, aiming for the best possible ending.

　Who does Aikawa Uzumi like best .......

　I ponder as I walk down the corridor of the ship.

　There is no light in the ship. I walk through the darkness as if I were being swallowed by it.
　And the answer I get is...