'I'm sorry, Kanami ....... I've been getting away with a lot: ......

　First, Rustyala makes the first move, apologizing.
　I know the confession is about to begin, but there was a tension in the air that resembled a duel.

　If you make even one wrong choice, you're doomed - and both of you are staring at each other with enough seriousness to make you think so.
　Then Christ made the next move.

'You mean you were running away from me and Mary and the others ......?
'Yeah, that too, but ....... When Kanami said she liked me, I faked it by saying I didn't like it ....... I don't want you to get the wrong idea, so I'll reiterate. I hated Kanami for abandoning Lady Tiara's story and I liked Kanami for saving my story - minus and minus, I like her a lot. I quite like it.

　A bright red-faced Rustyala repeats the word "love" as his eyes swim. To which Christ replies with a shake of his head.

'It's okay. That's what Sera told me, so don't worry about it.'
'Serah is ......?　I see. I'll have to thank Sera again.

　I think I'm going to throw up.
　You've been saying it unabashedly and unapologetically for a while now, but this is not a quiet place without other people's eyes, it's the 'eleventh crossroads' which is probably the loudest in Hoosiers.

　Nearly a hundred eyes line the perimeter and are surrounded by vapid curiosity.

　It shouldn't matter, but the mere fact that they are two knights makes me die of embarrassment.
　I'm sure they are aware of how I feel about this, and they continue to talk without regard to the knights.

But it's good to hear it from you. It's a relief to hear it loud and clear from you.
No, not yet. Kanami, don't get comfortable yet. For a long time, I've been doubting our love for each other. I've always suspected that Kanami's love for you and my love for you was all due to the existence of Lord Tiara a thousand years ago!　So let's find out!　Let's get this straight!　You two!

　The reason he rejected the confession of Christ two weeks ago was simple.
　It was because Rastiara couldn't believe the love that was there, because Rastiara couldn't believe it.
　Rastiara looked at Mr. Tiara's life and wondered if his feelings for Kanami were borrowed. Christ also thought that he was just looking at Ms. Tiara's face and not the one who really loved her.
　He is seriously trying to clear that doubt now.

'Lord Tiara disappeared to make us happy!　Then I feel bad for Lady Tiara if our love isn't real ......!

　He takes a step further forward.
　And finally, within this crowd, he throws a direct line of dialogue.

'Kanami!　You really like me!
'Oh, I love it!　I've been telling you all along!　You're my 'one and only'!

　Without a moment's pause, Christ says back.
　With bright red faces, they confessed to each other.

　I'm stunned to see that.
　Along with nausea, my embarrassed face, which had been turning red with embarrassment, is slowly turning pale.

　I don't know why.
　Even though I'm two knights, I feel like a guardian of the two of them, and I'm worried about how well they're doing.

　I probably feel more embarrassed than the two of them.
　Honestly, I'm almost in tears because I want to go home and leave.

'Really!　Let me tell you, I'm very messy!　I can really say I love you to the very end!
'Oh, I can tell you!　I'm confident that no matter what, I'll be able to say the last thing I need to say until the very end, and I think I'm 'the one and only'!

　I mean, I really started to cry a little bit.
　Finally, I'm half crying and interrupting their confession.

'Hey, hey ....... Do I really have to be listening to this ......?

　I feel like I'm getting a lot of stares and tongues from the audience around me telling me to get out of their way, but I insist as I slowly back away from them for the sake of my mental health.

'You don't need me anymore, do you ......?　There's no point in being here anymore, right: ......?　Hey ......, hey!　Don't use dimensional magic to bring it back the minute it moves!　You're scared!

　The minute I retreated, Christ brought it back with a dimensional magic 《Default》, so there was a bit of a horror phenomenon going on.
　When I look at Christ to see why he would do that, he asks me to do it with a very serious face.

'Please, Rainer. Please, Rainer, just stay here. I'm worried that you won't be here. ...... If you run away, I might shoot the magic in your back.
You're too desperate!

　I'm worried about confessing alone, so I want you to stay with me, or are you a petulant schoolgirl making your first confession at the academy!

　Or rather, it's not a request, it's an order.
　Even if I really wanted to run away, as long as the dimensional magic 《Default》 is there, I'm sure I wouldn't succeed.

　I've been forced to stay here.
　It's too much of a nightmare ......!

'I like Kanami too ....... I'm just not sure .......
'Not sure?　Rastiara, what does that mean ......?

　They resumed their confession as if nothing had happened, and I didn't want to think about it anymore.
　Even if I wanted to run away, I couldn't, and if I had no choice but to endure their attacks, I would have to let go of these feelings.

　That's right. Remember Tiara's training.
　Think only of getting over it mindlessly, as you did when you were near-death all over again.
　There's nothing else I can do.

　Then, in front of me, who was about to pass out, their conversation continued.

'I don't think my likes are like normal likes: ....... It's not like it's different from what I know from books and plays, it's more like ...... its ...... different.
'Because it's different from the norm: ......?　Sorry, I still don't get it.
'Hmm ...... the reason why you like it or the part you like it is different from the norm?'
'The part you've grown to love about ......?　Then why don't you try it out and tell me what you like about me in Rustyala?

　After some thought.
　With a little look of expectation, Christ demands--

'Yeah, I can tell you that right away. ...... I, you know, I like Kanami looking annoyed with the other girls the best!　It's so much fun to watch!
...... Eh. ...... eh?　Is that what you liked about ......?　You know, it's just that I'm strong and dependable, and that's what you like about me.
I hope that's not the only thing!

　I got something different than what I was expecting, and Christ was shocked, "Nah, you don't have ......".
　No, what are you shocked about? Of course not.
　I'm a little rough around the edges, and I tweak it only in my mind.

'It's me!　Just the thought of Kanami and Dia exploring the labyrinth together makes me excited!　I couldn't wait to see how they would conquer the labyrinth and where they would fall short!　Just looking at Kanami cooking at home with Maria, a smirk on my face!　I couldn't wait to see how the two of them would get along in the future!　I also liked Kanami in the guild with Snow, fighting like a 'hero'!　I couldn't stop laughing at the unusual way he was struggling!　Anyway, I love Kanami for doing her best!　I love it!

　Then, with a big smile on his face, Rastiala reveals his overly bad taste in s*xuality.
　The unrelated audience hears this and lets out an amused "wow", but Christ and I, who are related, are about to let out a "wow" in the opposite sense.

　These things are fun to watch in unrelated places.
　But when it's a friend and acquaintance - my Lord - it's no longer a laughing matter.

'I love Kanami.' -- but hey, I don't have to be there (・・・・・) (・・・・・・・・・). I'm confident enough to say I love Kanami without being there. That's the part that makes me different from everyone else, the part that makes me feel less confident about ...... my feelings --

　It is clear from his expression that this is a blissfully serious concern for him.

　I knew it before, but Rastiara's 'love' is too versatile. Because of its special birth of being 'made to replace someone else', it has a wider range of tolerance than people. It was made too wide.

　Furthermore, through the education of Brother Hein and Palinkulon, he has been taught the wrong way to enjoy life, making even his own life a drama.

　The result - this.

''I wonder if this is really a 'love' thing!　Not too light compared to the love of Maria and her friends!　It seems offensive to even claim it's the same love!

　Rustyala exclaims, with conflicting emotions living together.
　She has a very nice smile, but she furrows her eyebrows to the limit and questions her s*xuality (saga).

''I can't even think that I want to keep my feelings secret and devote myself to him even after I die like Hein-san did!　There's nothing crazy about not wanting to let go as much as Deere!　I don't even have the passion to kill and take it away from you like Maria does!　I don't even feel as anxious as Snow, who wants to bug me all the time!　Nothing like Lady Tiara's years of accumulation, and not like your sister, who has been next to you since birth!

　He then compares Kanami to the people he knows and likes and tells them that he is the most undeserving. He finally says the real reason for this self-doubt.

'-- My love is light (・・・・・・)!　Too light for everyone's love, I don't think I can beat that fate!　No, I don't think we should win!　As long as I don't think I like Kanami more than anything else in the world, I can't help but feel that I should take a step back!

　I guess Rastiara doesn't have the strength to push someone else away and try to make herself happy.
　She is too well behaved and thinks that the love story should be won by the most loving person.
　She abides by the rules of the play.

　To that peculiar thought, Christ immediately responds.
　Unlike me, he didn't throw it out of trouble, but took it seriously.

'It's because it's so light!　There are plenty of kids out there with feelings like yours in the world!　There are even men and women who have somehow become married ...... and are still happy with it!　I mean, Mr. Hein and Maria and the others are too heavy!
'Oh, yeah, ......!　No, even if it is: ......!　My love for Kanami is probably the most impure of all of us, that's for sure!

　Rustyala shakes his head at Christ's righteousness and demeans himself.

'I like Kanami, but I like the story around him even more!　I don't look at the people themselves at all, I'm more attracted to their romantic situations!　It sucks, to say the least!　I don't care about the inside, I don't care about the outside, I don't even care about the outside, I just like the stories about Kanami!　I'm just amused by its birth, its destiny, its stories!　A hobby that sounds like a collection of just the bad parts of Palinkron and Mr. Hein!　I think to myself that it's too corny, too disgusting!
'No!　I knew it from the moment I saw you!　You're beyond weird, you're a thrill junkie, you're scary, and you're down to earth!　You really are a worthless piece of shit!　But that's the kind of guy I've grown to love!
'What?　That's the part!　I thought Kanami was attracted to my face!
Not only that!

　The same argument as before takes place in the opposite direction. Rastiala is like, "What, no! I was shocked.

　Apparently, they had misplaced each other's liking for each other.
　Rastiara seemed to think that Christ liked him because he had a beautiful face similar to Ms. Tiara's.

　...... But Christ is still in bad taste.

　You can't like the contents of that thing, or even the ghetto taste. Just like Serra. I honestly don't think I'll ever understand it. While I was thinking rudely, the confession continued.

'I want you like that!　Because of you, it's so easy for me to be next to you, to have fun, to laugh in this other world!　And how grateful I am for that!
"My God, I am such a--?　This is really good for Kanami!
"Who has all the advantages of being a good person?　I thought you were going to acknowledge the good and the bad, and then you're going to love it!　Love is not a time or a weight!　It's more important that I can say I love you with all my heart!　There's nothing I don't like about you that makes me like you!　I love it, so I can love the parts I don't like!

　Oh, it's tough .......
　I'm just sitting in the same room with you, why are you so embarrassed ......!
　At least it would be a bit better if there weren't even an audience around: .......

　It doesn't matter--it shouldn't matter to me, but I'm so embarrassed!
　But I can't go home!　If you try to leave now, he'll shoot you in the back!
　Those two have been so unrelenting to me lately, they could really do it!　

Oh, really?　You won't regret it!　I'm all about the story!　So, I'm sure Kanami will demand high ideals from you!　If I'm in a bad way, I might just laugh and leave it alone or something!　I think I'd do a pretty terrible imitation!
I don't care!　I'm used to it!　And I know you're a nice guy who can't leave someone who's going through a really hard time alone!
'Also, I hate it when everyone is not happy!　Honestly, I like Dear and Maria as much as Kanami does!　Snow, the Reapers, and Serah all like it!　So we'll only accept happy endings that are perfect, perfect, beautiful, and end with a laugh, all together!　Otherwise, I hate it!　--I'm just like this, but I'm okay with Kanami!

　While I'm suffering, the confession game continues.

　Honestly, if I let it go, the two of us will endlessly confirm our feelings for each other. There's enough heat in the air to convince me of that. If you look closely at their faces, both of them have a level of soaring, unfocused pupils in their eyes. I feel like I'm going to roll my eyes in circles and fall over right now, and it's alarming to watch.

　Probably - my hunch is that the end of this confession battle will require the consent of a sober third party.

　I'm sure this is why I was left here.
　It's really frustrating, but I'm trying to mimic the matchmaker, stepping forward before Christ can answer.

　I whip my body, which is damaged in many ways, and interrupt him where I least want to interrupt him in the world.

'-- You're an idiot, Rustyala. Do I like it?　Of course it's good. If you're going to get that bright red and spill your heart out here and then say no, most of the citizens of Hoosier's are not going to be able to fall in love with you. You've checked with Christ about all of your concerns exactly.　What more do you need to wonder about?　What should we hesitate to do?　Just get it over with.

　I get between Christ and Rastiala.
　Then they both look back at each other with very happy faces. For some reason, both of them looked as if they had asked the guardian of their relationship for permission to go out with them and were finally given permission to do so.

　I don't know why they have that look on their faces.
　I don't know why I have such a role to play.

　I gulped down the urge to complain and continued to speak.

As Tiara-san said, it's okay. It's okay," he said. There's nothing to tie you up anymore. You can really mean it. Now go on--

　So, get it over with.
　Hoping so, I push Rustyala back.

　And then this too sterile confession comes to an end.
　The clash of too distant thoughts becomes the most straightforward words.

''I am ......, I am a--!

　Rustyala runs out.
　Even though he's right in front of Christ, even that little distance is annoying and close.

"I love Kanami--!　
　I love you, Kanami!　I love--！！！！

　I confess like a child.

　The cry of that confession echoed. Due to Rastiara's too high cardiopulmonary capacity, the cry hit everyone's eardrums like a roar.

　It seemed as if it could have filled not just the 'Eleventh Crossroads' but the entire Hoosiers'.
　It wasn't just the voices that were loud. His words were loaded with emotion.

　A scream with more than enough emotion on it drove away all of the noise in the world.
　And then, Shin - suddenly, the '11th Crossroads' became quiet and a silent world spread out.

　Every single person in the surroundings paused the commotion and paid attention to the confession.
　Everyone held their breath and watched the confession with bated breath.

　I'm the same way.

　Christ was getting a little teary-eyed under those countless stares.
　I've known him for a long time, so I can tell that the Lord is now speechless with emotion.

　It's obvious that Rustyala likes Christ, and yet the Lord must have been anxious until this moment. He was on the verge of war even in this sweet confessional mood because of his repeated failures and his habit of keeping his guard up at all times. He was on the lookout for a surprise reversal from someone.

　Somewhere in the back of his mind, he must have been remembering the scene of his defeat.

　But now we finally came to a convincing victory.
　I made my first confession in the cathedral two weeks ago. Back then, I was too unprepared and spontaneous.

　But today was different. With Tiara's arrangement and my all-out follow-up. Plus, I'm making the best of the situation by lining up the best and sweetest audience in the perfect spot to confess.

　It's an unqualified confession, an unqualified favor.

'Well, what's that ...... reply?'

　Anxiously, Rustyala murmurs, coyly.
　To us it was a short time, but to Rustiala it must have been a seemingly infinite length of time. He looked at Christ, who didn't answer, and shrank back in real anxiety.

　To which Christ would answer.
　He replies as a matter of course that there is no need to worry--.

Yeah, I love you too.
　--I love Rastiara with all my heart.

　He turned his eyes straight up to Rustyala's face and returned it without a single extra decoration, but puffed up larger than the other's words.

　It was a moment that proved that they were both in love with each other.
　At the same time, it was a moment when the mutual love Rustyala desired for each other was proven to be genuine.

　Over the course of a year, Rastiala had arrived here.
　From there, it was a moment.

　Rastiara takes a step forward.
　The distance between them, which was even closer than it was, becomes even closer.
　And then he calls the other person's name with a single word--

Kanamich: ......!
-Oh!

　--the mouth of the thoughtful man, with his mouth.

　Christ's eyes widened in surprise at this, but he did not resist. He immediately calms down, closes his eyes, and accepts the kiss.

　Immediately, there is an 'oh' from the much quieter surroundings, and a delayed burst of applause. A loud ovation fills the 'eleventh crossroads'.

　More cheers followed. Congratulations on the success of their confession went up one by one. Congratulations" and "Well done," as if they had just finished watching a play.

　Of course, there was a small scream from the supposed fans, but it was quickly replaced by cheers of congratulations. You could tell that they were trying to be more tactful as fans than the flow of people around them. They were in a really good place, in a good crowd, confessing to a good crowd.

　Surrounded by congratulations, the two men in the middle of the whirlwind are frozen in a kissing position with bright red faces.
　They remain in the same position, not moving in the slightest.
　The only thing that moves is the tears on both sides of their eyes.

　That was probably .......
　I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about this in the future.

　...... Okay, here's your chance.

　I had a feeling that both Christ and Rustyala wanted me to help, but I turned my back with a sigh and looked up at the sky.
　You can't use any magic to stop me in that state.

''Haha ......, this time it's over.

　It's over.
　It is over in every sense of the word.

　Perhaps the events of today will become the narrative of the Allies.
　It's safe to say that another legend has been born.

　It's been a long day, really.
　A lot has happened.
　And there's a lot of finishing touches to be done.

　First I have to get to the bottom of this with Feydert and Emily lying there, and then I have to get them somewhere safe. In addition, we also need to retrieve Ragnet-san, who is being held at the cathedral, and cover up the fact that there was a 're-birth' ceremony.
　I'll have to write the report first before someone else submits it.

　I'd like to have the two of them in the back with their apple-like faces attached to each other, if possible, but ...... they look happy, so I'll leave them alone.

　--I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it work.

　I'm sure you'll be able to find a great deal more to say about it.
　I'm going to take care of the messy aftermath.

Okay.

　Deciding what I need to do, I slap myself on the cheek with my hands and try to walk away.
　Then, with one last glance, I observe this - which will be more famous tomorrow than ever before as a date spot for couples - the Eleventh Crossroads.

　The citizens of Hoosiers are boiling with joy.
　Behind them, the couple's stone statue can be seen broken. Across from it, the couch on which they sat a week ago is also broken.
　I will never again be able to eat here as I did a week ago.

　No - there would never be another sweet time like this again.

　There was enough in my heart now to make me think that.
　I start to walk away. A few people in the audience look at me, but they quickly return their attention to the main stage. There is no one to stop me from leaving quietly, having finished my role as a matchmaker.

　I walk out of the crowd of audience members surrounding the two main guys.
　The layers are thicker than I expected, and it's hard to get out of the crowd.

　Then I manage to get out of the 'eleventh crossroads' without disturbing the atmosphere of the place, and I mutter to myself as I walk down the streets of Hoosier's.

　As if in response to what's in that chest--

'I know, Miss Tiara. This is where the real battle begins, right?

　If it's as she thought, even if we later 'look past' this 'Huskyard Nation', we won't get to the 'truth' of today, even if we 'look past' this 'Huskyard Nation'.
　Not to the world, not to the apostles, not to Christ, not to 'her', not to anyone--

　I shiver at the chill of the upcoming battle.
　Even with all that happy ending, my "evil feeling" skill hasn't stopped. In fact, its effects are only increasing.

　There is still a long way to go.
　As if to prove that, the road continues in front of us.
　I continue on the road to the cathedral in Hoozeyer's, where Tiara was.

　Leaving Christ and Rastiara alone (...) --

　Today, there is no doubt that I have reached a point of closure in my life.
　Whether it was a debt that I felt for my brother or a debt that I felt for Christ and the others - I can't put it into words, but I can tell you that my important 'mission' is over.

　The boy and girl that Brother Hein loved are now happy.
　Seeing those two happy was one of my goals in life.
　I crossed that goal today.

　It's been a long road, I think.
　This goal gives me a certain amount of satisfaction.

　I'll never forget the looks on their faces until the day I die. The 'ritual' ended the way everyone wanted it to. I think I have reached the place where my brother couldn't reach a year ago, but I think I've reached the place where my brother has reached instead.

　I'm glad to see that the trump card people in my soul - everyone else - are also happy.

　However, they don't seem to have time to get drunk on that sense of satisfaction.
　Of course, this isn't the end of everything.
　I have a new "mission".

　What awaited me after I crossed the finish line was another long road.

　The next road is much longer.
　The next wall is even higher.
　And the next one will be tougher.

　But I'm not in a gloomy mood at all.
　I'm feeling really good.
　This is why life is not boring, and I can afford to enjoy it, and even think that it is unbearable.

　It would be an unthinkable feeling when my brother was dead and I was trying to kill Christ and Rustyala.
　I've really changed, I admire myself a bit, and walk down the road.

　His steps are light.
　As I walk, I look up at the sky and see a clear sky.

'Oh ....... It's a really nice day--

　It's a beautiful day--
　At that moment, it seemed to me for no reason that my life had now really begun.