Who does Aikawa Uzumi like best? .......
　The answer is--.

'Hey, who's that ......?　Yotaki is my sister ......, and come to think of it, wasn't there at least one person in the original world ......?　At least one of them is ......, huh?　Isn't there one: ......?　Well, then, that leaves--

　--Rastiara?

　The only one with potential would be Rustyala.
　I liked Rustyala Hoosiers the best (...). That's for sure from the one on the eve of the Nativity.

　However, the skill '??' That feeling hasn't retained its original form because of the decomposition and reconstruction in the skill '?? The anger is still there, but not the love that makes your heart race. It has become just a wreckage of distorted emotions that remains.

　Even though I know by reason that I liked Rustyala, my emotions can't catch up with me. For the life of me, I can't see how I can love that girl with a busted head.

　I think and think and think, but the emotions that are born are more anger than love.
　Anger at the skill of playing with your emotions comes first.

'd*mn ......, it's more serious than I thought ....... That's not good .......

　Because of this, Aikawa Uzumi is not confident that he likes Rustyala.

　Furthermore, even after solving that, the biggest problem still remains.
　My main goal is to settle the love issue. The ideal way to get rid of it is for me to be in love with someone else. But I don't think that Rustyala is in love with me. In fact, I'm not even sure if he has romantic feelings for me. According to the story, Rastiara is three years old. Normally, his emotions are still in the early stages of development.

　It's hard to think about.

　My own love interest and Rustyala's. Both are ambiguous. Both are ambiguous.
　Hence, I knew I had to confirm these two things as soon as possible.

　I had learned to act early and had made up my mind in my heart to act sooner rather than later. And I promised myself that I would not lie to myself and that I would tell it like it was.

　Determined, I made my way to Rustyala's room instead of my own.

　Let's see her, talk to her, and find out.
　I should move before I regret it.

　Walking quickly, I reach Rustyala's room and knock.

'It's me. Can I talk to you for a moment?
Hmmm?　You can come in!

　A sleepy voice comes back to me.
　I walk into the room without hesitation.
　I'm a little nervous to think it's a girl's room, but it's only the first day. Like my room, it's minimally furnished and lacks any girlish features.

　One of the furniture - sitting in front of a wooden desk, Rustyala was running a quill pen.

　Rustyala was illuminated by the candlelight on the desk. I blush at the sight of her.
　She had taken off her usual jacket and was now wearing only a thin layer of clothing.
　However, Rustyala herself doesn't seem to mind, so I try not to mind it either.

'What are you writing about ......?'

　I call out to Rustyala, curious about what she's getting into.

'Huh. He listened well. This is my memoir. I'm planning to make it into a heroic tale someday when I get a decent amount of it...''
Yeah, that sounds like a fun thing to do.
That's why I'm spending all my time in bed to save the adventures of our hero, Lady Rastiara, for future generations.
Do you mind if I take a look at it from the back?　We can talk about it later.
All right, all right.

　Rustyala continues to write, mmmm wrinkling his brow.
　I watch it. For now, I decided to wait until I finished writing today's journal.

　Me and Rustyala are friends, but we're also kindred spirits. The silence doesn't bother me, and I'm somewhat happy just to be with you.
　While waiting, I take out a drink from my "belongings". I recommend a drink to Rastiara as well, and wait for the time to pass slowly.

　And then the strange time, which doesn't feel short or long, passes, and Rustyala finishes writing.

''Haha, finally a break.''
Good night.

　Rustyala stands up and rolls his shoulders to relieve himself.
　She looks a little tired. If you look closely, you can see the faint shadows under her eyes, which detract from her supreme beauty.
　It appears to be a little wobbly. It was that Rustyala.

''Rustyala, are you tired ......?''
Hmm, that's pretty good.

　The reply feels weak, too.

　I'm torn.
　Maybe I shouldn't talk to a tired Rustyala about something that might make me feel even more tired.

　However, I decide to tell her the least. The reason Rustiala is worn out right now is because she has been fighting ever since the Nativity ended.
　First of all, I need to apologize for causing it.

''Hey. Well, about the Nativity: .......
"Nativity?
'I'm sorry, Rustyala. After all the things I said in that cathedral, I ended up not fulfilling any of my responsibilities ....... I'm so sorry.
'...... Haha, you can't do everything like that. Kanami isn't a hero, right?

　But Rustyala laughed and told him not to worry about it.
　I've missed it. This Rustyala's cheerfulness had saved me until the Nativity began.

'Yes, you're right. I'm not a hero. ......
'Kanami isn't a hero, but she did the best she could to be the 'hero' of my story. Kanami taught me to 'be me'. For that alone, I am so grateful.
But then I couldn't protect you from the Hoosiers' pursuers ....... On the contrary--
"-- The contract was 'entertain me'. I'm not saying you have to play 'hero'. Rather, it's my job to do that, so don't take it.

　Rustyala would not let me get the chance to apologize.
　Realizing that she didn't want an apology, I nodded, calming myself down.

'I see. ....... Okay, I won't say anymore. I'll just say thank you.

　Rastiara accepts my "thank you" with satisfaction.
　And me and Rustyala smile at each other.

　I understand.
　We're friends, so it's only natural that we help each other, and I don't need you to apologize. That's what Rustyala thinks. I admire that admirable way of thinking.

　We spend time just smiling at each other in silence.

　It's a comfortable time.
　After all, I feel most at ease when I'm with Rustyala.

　Just when I thought that was the case.
　Rastiara turned heavenly and let out a deliberate voice.

''--Oh!　You know, when I didn't remember, you promised to do whatever you said you'd do!　Like!　
What?　You'll do anything?　Did I promise you that ......?

　I dig up the memories. And I find them.
　We had an appointment, for sure. It was when Rowen and I registered for the tournament together.

'We had a bet on whether or not you'd take me out of 'Vualhura'. Heh, that was a win for me, right?
'Oh, oh ....... You said it, but isn't that quaint ......?
No, a promise is a promise. Let's see, what can you do for me: ......?

　Instantly, the peace I was feeling dissipates.
　I get a headache just by remembering the previous convictions that Rastiara has suggested.

''Hmm, it's hard to think of anything... ......''
If you can't think of something, why don't we pretend it never happened?
Wait, wait, wait, wait. I'm coming up with something!

　Rustyala looks panicked and tries to squeeze it out of his head.
　I can't stop sweating fat. It's because the answer Rustyala gives after worrying about it is obviously a bad one.

　And the answer that Rastiara, who has a huge brain, comes up with after a lot of worrying is--

Well, I suppose I could use a hug.

　-- it was unexpected.

　It's a pretty request that's too good to be true.

What?　Hugs (hugs) ......?

　I return the distracted voice.

'Yes, a hug. "Yes, hug me tightly. It's like a heroine in a story.
What the hell?　Why cuddle?!

　Rustyala begins to give me instructions with a serious gesture. I'm confused by her uncharacteristic request.

'Well, what can I say: ....... Because these are the promises of a heroic tale. I'd like to do it at least once so I can use it as a reference for writing a heroic tale someday, you know?
'Oh, a heroic reference: ......'

　I turn to Rustyala's journal on the table.
　Perhaps this writing is one of her dreams. If it means collaborating with it, then the embarrassment is lessened a bit. But even so, I'm embarrassed about what I'm embarrassed about.

　When I'm confused by my reply, Rustyala's face looks a little disappointed.

''Duh, if you don't, I'm not saying you have to, but ......
I didn't say no. I don't mind. No, I don't mind that. I've got something to do with that.

　To my own surprise, I didn't want to see Rustyala's sad face.
　I felt calm while I was far away, but when I was talking in front of him, I could feel my heartbeat speeding up.

''Well, you don't have to be that enthusiastic ......?　Try it, because this is a test. ......
Yeah, let's give it a try. Let's give it a try: ......

　Me and Rustyala calmly check each other.

　This is confirmation.
　Don't get me wrong.
　This is for the story she's writing.

　As I tell myself this, I slowly reach out and take Rustiala's body to my chest.

　I don't know how to do it well. But I try desperately to remember the creations I once saw in my former world and try to recreate as much as I can of a scene from a heroic tale as Rustyala would want.

　I place my left hand on the back of Rustiala's head and pull her closer.
　I'm embarrassed, so I avoid staring at each other and place Rustiala's head next to mine. Our ears are within ear-to-ear contact and we are in a position to listen to each other's heartbeats.
　I can feel Rastiara's body through my fingertips and torso.

　The scent of Rustyala's hair tickles my nostrils, and the throbbing sound of our pulses echoes through each other's body. Smoother than silk and softer than a marshmallow, I can feel it through the skin I'm touching.
　Of course, since we're hugging each other, Rustyala's chest is pressed against mine. Rustyala's breath hits my ears and I can't help but picture her beautiful lips in my mind.

　My heartbeat grows louder and louder as the blood circulating through my body begins to heat up.
　Gradually, gradually, the heaving of my chest swells--

　--This is not good any more (...).

　I tried to hold her in my arms, but I'm at my limit.
　In my embarrassment, I tried to push Rastiara away and--

Now, I hope you won't miss me anymore .......

　The voice was as calm as a calm.
　Rastiara was as relieved as if she had survived a storm. The tone of her voice, which I had never heard before, stopped me from pushing away.

　And I know that Rustyala has been pushing himself harder than I thought he would be.
　Even though I laugh and tell her not to worry about it, there's no doubt that she had a hard time after she left me at the Hoosier's.

　I squeezed Rustyala back into a hug, hoping that this was enough to make her feel safe.
　Rustyala lets out a slight voice, then slowly murmurs.

''Ah, finally ....... I guess this is a happy ending to a chapter in my story .......

　The stiffness disappears from Rustyala's body.
　And then it all falls to me. I take all of that weight in my arms.

　That was the moment when her turbulent battle was finally over. Seeing the severity of that battle, I decide to stay like this until Rustyala is satisfied.

　She vowed not to let anything get in the way, and while wearing out all her nerves, she kept the skill '??' away.

　And while they embrace each other, time is carved out.
　The immeasurable, ethereal time passed peacefully.

　I'm not going to be able to get the same thing done.
　The body that had been so close to me pulls away, and the sound of a regrettable heartbeat fades away.

　We are now just a distance away from each other, our faces right in front of each other's eyes and noses.

　We see each other by sight, not by heartbeat, and then - we come to ourselves (・・・・).

'............!'
............!

　In truth, they were only going to try it out as an extension of a silly oral agreement. And yet, they both realize that they were holding each other as if they were lovers.

　Rustyala's eyes widen and her ears turn red.
　Maybe I'm in the same boat.

Yeah, no, I mean, what is it?　It's nice to see these things, but it's tough to do!

　Rustyala begins to deny what he just did, as if to make excuses.

'Ah, ah. It's a story, the kind that does that a lot, but when it's over, it's weird!　I knew it was a test.　A trial!

　I cooperate and make excuse after excuse.

'Yeah, and it's a test!　Oh no, you're not going to try this out, this!
Oh!

　With those words, we are silent for the last time.
　By the way, our ears are red and we are holding each other's shoulders.

　If I move, I feel like I'm going to explode, and I can't move even slightly.
　I have no idea what to say or do from now on. Probably the same is true for Rastiara.

　An unmeasured awkward time passes, in a different way than the unmeasured and mysterious time I just had.

　A long time passes and the candles on the table in the room flicker.
　You can see that the candle is about to run out, and finally Rustyala can't hold back and shouts out.

''--what is this!　What is this?!

　Her face turns as red as an apple and she shakes my shoulder.
　I want to scream as much as Rustyala does. But I can't.

　I'm not going to be able to get it right. I'm not going to be able to get my hands on it.
　I'm not sure I'm going to be able to get away with it. I'm sure that the "? I can't move.

　I can't move.
　In order to protect the sparks of emotions that are finally being regained, I couldn't just activate it here.

　I'm so busy controlling my raging emotions that I can't move a single step or say a single word.
　In the meantime, Rastiara swings my body around to the fullest and turns her face down.

'No (...) ......, this is different (・・・・・) ......!　This won't work (・・・・・・) ......!

　I shake my head.
　I deny everything as I spit out from my stomach.

　I can't look at Rustyala as she continues to run out of control, and I try to touch her with the awkwardness of a rusty machine.

'Look, don't look!　Kanami, don't look at me!

　But Rustyala brushed my hand away and refused to be touched.

　I was pushed away, leaving a distance between us.
　Just enough distance for us to see each other's faces.

　Rustyala's face was twisted.
　The expression on her face, which cannot be taken as a smile or a crying face, confuses me.

''Aaaaaaahhhh, aaaaahhh, already!

　Rustyala hides her face in her hands and runs with her back to the room.
　As it is, he jumps out of the window of the room. Then he dexterously runs up the side of the ship and runs away.

　I had been chasing after it with 'Dimension' until halfway through, but I quickly break the spell, taking in Rastiara's escaping intentions.

　At the same time, the candles in the room go out in a huff.
　I'm left alone in Rustiala's room.

　My feelings and Rustiala's feelings.
　I confirm our feelings.
　Our original goal has been accomplished.

　There is no better way to achieve this. But it was also an overachievement that was too good to be true.

　I'm still stuck.
　If you move your emotions even a little bit now, the skill "? triggers the ?

　I'm going to have to stand there with my hand outstretched.