There's only one purpose. --I want to. "Adventure.

　That plea was the beginning of my 'adventure' with Kanami.

　That night, a cold night breeze was blowing behind the tavern in the Valt Country.
　Then, under the moonlight, a duel with the Celestial Knights was held, and the dark-haired, dark-eyed boy who seemed to melt into the darkness was victorious.

　The figure looks like he stepped out of a book and I well remember watching him fight on the ...... roof, admiring his fight.

　I'm not as confident in my memory as Kanami, but even I was confident in my memory. Even my skill 'reading' was decent. That's why I can at least recall and read the conversations that are going on vividly - I'll be able to do that.

Yeah. I'm always open to help out. If you'd rather have a party to see how it goes, you can go to .......
Yes, thank you!
But if you do anything crazy, I'll beat you right back. I'll have you pinned down and kicked out of the party.

　Thus began a chapter in my story.
　Seeing my innocent joy, Kanami, who couldn't hide her kindness, tried her best to make a stern face as much as possible and warned me.
　At this time, I missed the fact that Kanami still called me 'you' in a reserved manner.

''--While getting the thing called me, my practice partner will also follow me!　Kanami, this is a great buy!
'Huh. ....... Well, okay, .......
'Yes!　You just nodded!　I certainly nodded!　You can't say no later, you know!

　And I'm embarrassed.
　I had just been born then, and I was buoyed by the vibrant colors of the outside world.

'Oh. Finally, stop calling me Kanami. Here I call myself Christ Eurasia.
Mmm. All right, Christ. ...... By the way, what does that name mean, by the way?
It's the name of a famous teaching and continent in my world. People who know them will be very surprised to hear them.
'I see, so it's convenient for you to find someone from your hometown. Hmm, that's interesting, even if it's a coincidence. You're like me--

　Especially every time I find something in common with Kanami, "This is fate! And inwardly, I remember the fuss I made about it: .......

　It really was a 'dream' time, I think.
　Without a doubt, I was able to get inside the book I had been longing for, thanks to Kanami.

　However, I still don't consider myself a heroine of the story at this time.
　The reason for this is very simple: Kanami and I could not "continue to live happily ever after".

　I was destined to disappear in the near future.
　After all, this "dream" was just a memory-making device before I died.
　There's no way I'm worthy of being Kanami's partner.
　If I am worthy of being the partner of Kanami, it is - Maria. I really thought she was the right person for it.

　I was reminded of this just by sharing a bed with her for just one night.
　The "real thing" is so hot you can get burned just by touching it. Maria's secret thoughts were incomparably hotter than mine. I'm sure you'll find that the heat in your chest that the "fictional" one felt was not even the slightest bit of heat, so it was easy to give up on it.

　So I tried to take a supporting role in supporting them.
　I chose to play the role of the friend who pushes the frustrated boy and girl to the edge.

　Yes, I did.
　Indeed, I had chosen that role.
　And yet, my predetermined "destiny" adjusts (・・・・・・・).
　Everything was made to ensure that I would always arrive at a certain page, no matter what path I chose (・・・・・).

　Even if I made the mistake (...) of slipping out of the cathedral on the night of the day I met Kanami, in order to 《level up》, and the country's surveillance became stronger, in the end, Hein-san's "Yes, that's right. I fell in love with that boy, let's call it that," just as the plot that was about to deviate was forcibly corrected with a single word--

"-- you're going to be the 'hero' (hero) of my story?

　Invariably, I will come to that one word.
　And that is until Kanami responded to it with an affirmative (yes) in the crowded environment of the cathedral (・・・・・・・・), which I had already decided to do.

"-- Don't worry, the 'covenant' is not over!　If all of this stuff gets in the way of your dreams, then I'm going to destroy it all!　The price just has to come back to me!

　That's what the story was supposed to be from the beginning.
　If we were to make a synopsis of it, it would go like this.

"--New Year 1013. Rastiara met Kanami for the first time in the labyrinth and wished for 'adventure', but her escape from the cathedral was not possible. In the days when she had no choice but to talk about Kanami with her guard, Sera, she gradually began to give up on the idea that it was all just a 'dream'. ...... It was overturned by Knight Hine. It's not just a matter of how much time you have left, but also how much time you have left. As a result, she gained temporary freedom and began her long-desired "adventure" with Kanami.
　Little by little, the wheels of "fate" were beginning to turn. Gradually, Rustyala became aware of her own life. Although she was born a "fiction", she gradually begins to yearn for the "real" thing.
　However, this means breaking the perfect coordination of the "Senate". Gradually, Rustyala's mind begins to crumble due to the insecurities he was never supposed to have. And when Kanami discovers the truth behind the Nativity, the 'Red Threads of Fate' are drawn strongly together. He vows to help Rastiara, even if his personal skills get in the way.
　Because, the two of them had made a 'contract'. That is, [Rastiara will help Kanami return to his original world. In return, Kanami will fulfill Rastiara's dream], a verbal agreement.
　Kanami heads to the cathedral.
　In order to undo all the ties that Rastiara was born with, she is prepared to turn all of 'the world' against her, and to break the ritual - Hine and Kanami's pieces are all together and move forward as one.

　In other words, all along we were being forced to play out a story on a prepared stage called the Confederacy.

　The only person who was aware of that 'thread' would be Palinclone Legacy.
　Only that man resisted trying to scratch the back of this crappy script ...... but in the end, I think even that resistance was part of the script.

　That's how extraordinary "A Book Made of Blood" was.
　It had enough nostalgia to accommodate every performer's improvisation.

"--With Kanami and Hine's intrusion, the 're-birth' ceremony of Saint Tiara's 're-birth' ended in failure.
　In the temple of the Cathedral, Rastiara decided to run away from the Hoozeyards, refusing to give his body to the dead. However, in the middle of his escape, Arti, the one who steals the reason for the fire, stands in the middle of his escape, along with Mary.
　In the end, only three of them, Rustyala Sera Dia, made it to their destination, Gliard, at the end of the Nativity.
　Then, with no time to spare with their clothes on, Rustyala and his group began to earn their escape funds in the labyrinth of Gliard. Along the way, they learn of the whereabouts of Kanami and the others through information from their friend Ragne, who was left behind in Huzzya's. The group hurriedly headed to the Lauravian country ...... where they found their friends waiting for them, deprived of their memories.
　Immediately, Rustyala and his friends seek out the location of their grudge enemy, Palinkron, and attempt to regain his memories. However, the villa where he was supposed to be staying was empty. In its place, they meet instead the Grim Reaper, the magic of the primordial magic of a thousand years ago.
　Her arrival means the start of the big event, the "Dance Tournament", involving Rowen, the "thief of the reason of the earth".
　The tournament was also attended by Snow, who had a new 'real' heat. Rastiara almost gets killed by the "real" fever, including Dea, but manages to win the tournament and regain the memories of her friends. At the top of the tournament, the Guardian of the Thirty Layers, Rowen, the one who steals the logic of the earth, disappears.
　Everyone in the audience on the theater ship cheered to see him off. To thunderous applause that proves that what they saw was not a fight to the death but the best play they had ever seen, the Kanamis leave the Lauravian country.
　Thus, Rastiara regained the friends he had lost and added new ones, and moved the stage from the 'frontier' to the 'mainland' -

　This is a chapter in my story.
　It's the story of how Kanami, as well as Dia Maria-chan and Snow all grew up little by little as they went through the trials of "The One Who Stole the Truth of Darkness", "The One Who Stole the Truth of Fire", and "The One Who Stole the Truth of Earth".

　And in the epilogue of that chapter, a very elegant boat ride begins.
　In The Living Legend, I had a little bit of free time on my hands.
　At times like this, reading is my way of passing the time as a hobby, but books are not expensive entertainment items on a hastily prepared ship.

　-- all I had in the room was a bunch of blank paper and a quill for writing the voyage log.

　Naturally, I reached for it.
　At first, it was just an idea. If I didn't have anything to read, I was going to try to write it ...... It was easier than I thought it would be and a lot of fun.

　Running my pen over a blank piece of paper and writing my story got me just as excited as 'reading'. I became so immersed in this new hobby that it seemed like it was 'fate' that there were no books on this ship, just a blank sheet of paper and a pen, and I became so immersed in this new hobby that I was able to get into it - and

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

　Kanami, who looks very tired on the way, comes up to my room.
　I think about it for a bit and then answer the question as if I were proud of it.

''--Hmmm. You listened to me well. This is my memoir. I plan to make it into a heroic tale someday when I get a decent amount of it...''

　The word "heroic tale" came out of my mouth naturally.
　A chapter was over and I had escaped the spell of Hoosiers, but it was proof that the 'dream' wasn't over yet.

　One day I would be a hero, that's my unchanging aspiration.
　I want to live out the story of how to become a hero who saves the world, just like the folklore of a thousand years ago.

　Furthermore, if I could, I would like someone to enjoy The Legend of Las Tierras Hoosiers from the bottom of my heart one day, just as I enjoyed The Legend of Tiara Hoosiers from the bottom of my heart a thousand years later.

　I answered that 'dream' as I grabbed my quill.
　Then, after I finished compiling my memoir, this also naturally (...), in the course of the conversation (・・・・・) I remembered and said the promise I made during the "Dancing Competition". As a reward for getting through a chapter, I make one suggestion.

''--Then (...), I'll ask you to give me a hug (hug)?''

　The night after a turbulent day. We were alone in a closed room in a rocking boat.
　Both Kanami and I were wearing thin clothes, and the only light was from a candle, and I seriously wanted an embrace (that).

'Ha, what?　Hugs (hugs) ......?
Yes, a hug. Hold her tightly. You know, like a heroine in a story.
What the hell?　Why cuddle?!
'Well, what can I say: ....... Because this is the kind of thing that heroic tales promise to do. I'd like to do it at least once so that I can use it as a reference when I write a heroic tale someday, you know?
'Oh, a heroic reference: ......'

　Kanami was more confused than I could have imagined, and her burned-out face blushed.
　Watching it face to face, I, too, feel a little bit of embarrassment creeping in, and my face starts to burn.

　An embrace should be a trivial scene that I've read about many times in books, but now that I'm doing it for the first time, I feel a strange sense of shame.

　I have the same knowledge as an adult woman, thanks to the 'technique' engraved in my blood: ...... In reality, I'm only a child of less than three years old.
　I try to retract my previous statement as I look down at my face, thinking that I may have failed due to my lack of life experience.

'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.

　But Kanami repeated loudly that it was okay, and my abrupt and embarrassing suggestion was not dismissed.

　Unable to pull back, we dutifully and cautiously approached each other. Towards each other, as if we were slowly tugging at the 'thread' -.

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

　First, Kanami reached out and pulled me closer to her.

　The difference in height between me and Kanami is not much. So, inevitably, the two flushed faces will be close together. We hurriedly used our high reflexes in a futile attempt to avoid staring at each other. I moved my head to the right, Kanami to the left, and we put our chins on each other's shoulders.

　It wasn't a fight, but I think it was a brilliant evasion for both me and Kanami.

　However, the next time we were in close contact, our body heat mixed with each other.
　When I suddenly averted my gaze to the side, I saw the tip of Kanami's black hair swaying slightly. I can see the tip of my blonde hair swaying slightly there as well.
　I don't know why, but it was more embarrassing to see our hair touching each other than physical contact.

　I'd read many times in books about men and women embracing each other, but it was quite new to see the tips of their hair touching each other.

　Then the sound of Kanami's heartbeat came through my skin. As the sound of my heart overlaps with the sound of my heart, the blood clearly increases as it rushes through my body.

　--a fever swells up.

　The heat of the 'make-believe' that I wasn't sure of was gradually getting closer to the 'real' thing. At the same time, I can feel the anxiety I've been feeling fading away.

　The future of "living happily ever after" was within reach.
　In the midst of this warm sense of security, I blurt out a few words.

I hope you won't miss ...... anymore.

　I now understand correctly the longing of Ms. Hein, who was a substitute parent.
　I guess this is what it means for a girl called me to escape the mission of taking the place of a saintly tiara and get my life.

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

　I said the story, thinking I had taken the first step in my new life.

　At the same time, I relaxed from my entire body and surrendered to this warmth. We stayed in our embrace for an immeasurable, ethereal moment.

　And the moment we let go of our bodies, we both came to ourselves at the same time.

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

　I was fine as long as we were in close contact, but not when we made eye contact. I realized that we were holding each other as if we were lovers.

'Yeah, no, um, what is it?　It's nice to see these things, but it's tough to do!
'Ah, ah. It's a story, the kind that does that a lot, but it's weird when it's over!　I knew it was a test.　A trial!
Yeah, it's a test!　Oh no, you're not going to try this out, this!
Oh!

　We breathed together and made excuse after excuse.
　But because we were on the same page, it was also the right time to break off the words at the same time.

　We had no idea what to say or do now.
　We let our gaze wander around, as if seeking salvation - and that (...), I'm the only one who finds it.

　A strange red line, tangled in my little finger.
　And that 'thread' like thing is connected to Kanami's little finger in front of me.

　--Huh?

　The sheer directness of the scene startled me to the point of not being able to speak.
　I saw the red 'thread' fluttering through the air and penetrating Kanami's torso, and I knew immediately that it wasn't material. Out of habit in battle, I immediately checked to see if it was magic, but nothing that falls under my knowledge.

　--this was not real, nor was it magic.

　When I got that far, I thought of the large amount of love stories I'd read and heard from Mr. Hine in my head. At the same time, I remembered the conversation I had with Serah before I left the cathedral.
　It was "The story of being united with a high lord who was linked by a red 'thread' of fate. ...... I think it's wonderful," followed by "The young lady will one day (...) find a suitable high lord--" and then an idle chat. In conjunction with that, the story of the "Gentile" and the noble girl falling in love with the "Gentile" in Ragne-chan's hand also came to mind and--

What--what is this?　What is this?!

　The moment I realized that the kind of 'thread' I had just found was the goofy (often) 'red thread of fate' used in romance novels, I was in the biggest mess ever.

　Shaking Kanami's shoulders from side to side with all my might, I checked my own status.

　Oh, it can't be ......!
　The Red Thread of Fate is a hallucination--no, a delusion!　Clearly you've been reading too many books to have these fantasies!　I know somewhere in the back of my mind, I've longed for a love story!　I'm also aware that what I've been fooling around with the word 'hot' is 'love interest'!　But I can't believe I'm having this fantasy: ......!　You're like a kid who just had his first love: ......!　I can't believe it's "The Red Thread of Fate", no way, no way, no way, no way. ......!

　I understood both my original age and the fact that I had inherited Mr. Hein's theatrical tastes.
　Still, I was embarrassed by that delusion.

　Most of all, I bit my lower lip, feeling the inexplicable arrogance of being the only one connected to that 'red thread of fate'.

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

　Being mentally young, I'm most likely just admiring the romance novel itself, not Kanami herself.
　If I compare myself to everyone else, I can clearly see that.

　As I turn my face down, I remember the 'love interest' of my friends.
　I will never forget Maria's murderous, wet eyes as she stared at me in front of the burning house on that nativity day.
　After that, in my life as a fugitive, I was almost killed many times by Dia, who had become unstable with the skill "Over-capture Protection", using the "Flame Arrow".
　The battle with Snow in the ball competition was the most intense I can remember.

　Compared to those 'real' people, my 'love interest' is not enough......!
　Too warm (lukewarm) ......!
　So you can calmly analyze it yourself, even though: ......!

　--Hot (...).

　I'm supposed to be warm, but the words hot, hot, hot (・・・・・・・・・) hot, hot (・・・・・・) keep repeating in my head for as long as I can, and I can't think straight.

　I shake my head, trying to control those hot or warm feelings.
　But it was all ruined as Kanami, who was the one in charge, tried to look into my face.

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

　As soon as I could, I paid off Kanami's hand and pushed her away.
　Just in time, we're now within striking distance of each other's faces.

　Kanami is right in front of me, just as upset as I am, and even his ears are red.
　I'm even redder than he is in those dark eyes. And his mouth was definitely loose, even though he was slightly teary-eyed.
　The moment I see it, I hide my face with my hands.

'Ahhhh--, ah, ah, oh my god!

　After all the chaos, I ran away from Kanami as fast as I could.

　I run out to bounce and pass through the nearest window.
　Using the magical buoyancy of the wind, I climb up the side of the ship.
　When he reaches the deck, he immediately slaps himself hard on both cheeks.

'Aaaaaaahhhhhh--!　Ahhhh, oh my god, oh my god, oh my god!

　I slap them so hard it's hard to tell if they're flushed or swollen, then open my arms and let the cold nighttime sea breeze wash over me.
　I move to the bow of the boat where the wind is more likely to hit me and chill the words that come out of the pit of my stomach in sequence.

'...... No, it's not, it's supposed to be. Because I'm .......

　What comes to mind now are the faces of the friends I'm traveling with on the boat.
　When I think of Maria and everyone else, I feel the same passion for them as I do for Kanami.

　To me, Kanami and everyone else are equal.
　This is another reason why I don't seem to have enough heat.

　My biggest wish right now is to travel 'together' on this ship, including Kanami.
　Unlike everyone else, I don't have the enthusiasm to just stick to just one person.

'Yes, that's right ....... Unlike everyone else, I'm fine with 'everyone together'. I think that's enough for me ....... I don't want to be tied to Kanami, I just want to have an 'adventure' .......

　I hit the wind and my true wishes are reaffirmed.
　When I looked at my little finger, the 'red thread of fate' was already completely gone.

'Oh ....... I knew it was a delusion .......

　The embrace (hug) made me very confused, but now I can give you a calm answer.

　--the one just now is different (...).

　Above all, unlike during the "Nativity" and "Dancing Competition", I have plenty of time to think now.
　Even after dealing with the enemy at hand, the Palinkron one, it's still enough time to come up with an answer. At the very least, it's too early to make any decisions in this state today.

　Having decided that, I tapped the bow of the nearby ship with my palm thirty times with a peck on it for now. I then nodded twenty times to say it's all right, it's all right, and took ten deep breaths before moving slowly.

　I walked into the room where Kanami was waiting and tried to talk calmly about the rest of what I just said.

'Well, um, well, Kanami: ......'

　When it came time to get in front of Kanami, I couldn't speak well, but I managed to squeeze the rest out of my throat.

''--That was just a surprise earlier, so don't get me wrong!
Ah, yes ......

　I saw Kanami nodded in surprise and continued to fold up.

'I was trying to do something a bit heroic, and I got caught up in a situation!　Absentmindedness: ......!　That was not fair, that was not fair!　So no!　None!

　I know I sounded like a child, but this was the most important thing I could say.

'I know ....... I was just about to do without too .......

　Kanami agreed with that opinion.
　Judging from his expression, he seems to regret his earlier embrace (hug) as much as I do. Furthermore, it looks like we have come to the same conclusion that we still have time to think about it.

　So, with our mutual approval, we go back to being us as usual.

'Yeah, none!　Well, I'm sure it was a heroic reference: ....... But that's not something to do lightly. I've reflected on it.
I hope it added a little something to your life. ......
'I knew it was a bad idea to trick Kanami, who has no memory, into demanding ....... I have a great deal of regret: ......
If you think that's the case, then I suggest you refrain from doing so in the future: ......
Yeah, I won't. That's it. That's it, that's it, that's it--

　--and thus we choose the harsher path.

　If we had just lightly discussed going out with each other here, being drawn by the "red thread of fate", the book would have been much thinner.

　But that didn't happen.
　I chose to let the pages of the book pile up even more.

　And two days later.
　No matter what path we choose, we will not be allowed to escape the red thread of fate, and we will be reeled in again.

　The power of the red thread of fate is most effective in the labyrinth.
　As if to say that if it is an underground space, nothing else will get in its way, the accident happens suddenly.

　While exploring the 34 layers of the flooded labyrinth, I suggested that we defeat the labyrinth's boss with a light heart.
　Kanami reluctantly agreed to that, and stepped into the area where Galfrad Jerry was, and coincidence led to coincidence.
　It was definitely a predetermined page.

"-- By getting past the two of them, the 'Nativity' and the 'Ball Competition', the boys and girls finally realized how they felt about each other. But the hated Palinclone and the skill '??' The two decide to keep their faint love for each other a secret in the face of the wall of "I'm in love with you," but they can't take that chance.
　However, they cannot afford to take such a leap of faith.
　By attracting the Red Thread of Fate, Kanami and her friends come across the aquatic boss, Garfuddled Jelly, who is known as the "passing army". As its two names suggest, this monster is a difficult foe in the aquatic world, with the power to fill the gap between levels. Above all, the most terrifying skill was the 'Great Flood'.
　With the power of Gull Flood Jerry, the labyrinth's corridor was instantly filled with water.
　Kanami and the others were forced to fight an underwater battle. However, 'The One and Only Fated One' Rustyala Hoozeyers was unfortunate, heck (...) - how unfortunate it was that he couldn't swim. Despite having infinite knowledge and experience imprinted in his blood, he had not mastered swimming alone. Kanami hurriedly approached her, who was about to drown to death, and held her close to save her. Then, after the two of them communicated eye to eye, they slowly put their lips together--