I run my quill in my room on the "Living Legend".

　Coincidentally, it was the same situation as a year ago.
　On the way to the 'mainland', I write the autobiography of Rustyala Hoozeyards at a leisurely pace, using paper and ink left over from the ship.
　I will write about the battle that took place in the Foozeyards over the "Rebirth" of Lord Tiara. And the wonderful ending (happy ending) that awaited me at the end.
　The synopsis is pretty much the same as a year ago, except for the ending that follows the kissing.

　After the kissing at the eleventh crossroads, Kanami and I were finally united.

　After exactly separating from Tiara-sama, Kanami chose me.
　I could hear from Tiara-sama's own mouth that there was no need to replace me.
　Now, I have no more 'regrets'.

　Furthermore, I inherited Tiara-sama's power in a form of celebration, and the ability aspect that I lacked was resolved. After going through the magic "Revive", my "qualities" increased as if I had obtained a guardian's magical stone. Including the evolution of skills such as 『Blood Technique』, even a light labyrinth date with Kanami gave me a glimpse of new power.

　With this, I would be able to stand next to Maria with confidence.
　At least I wouldn't lose the battle and regret 'I should have replaced Tiara-sama then'.

　Everything ended well.
　The story was supposed to have a happy ending, and all that was left was to spin a gentle epilogue--

"Kanami's sister, or ......

　Anxiety, like a thin film, stuck in the back of my brain.

　It was the 'suspicion' that had been going on for a year.
　Instead of the 'regret' being gone, the 'suspicion' had deepened.

　When Tiara-sama disappeared, I picked up fragments of memories from a thousand years ago under the influence of 'affinity'.
　A year ago, I could see Tiara-sama's memories even deeper than when Aide had cast a recovery spell on me - there was Kanami's sister for the first time.

"Her name is Aikawa Yotaki.
　A thousand years ago, Saint Tiara called Uzuraha her master, while she adored this Youtaki, calling her her sister. While developing 'spellcasting' with Uzunami, she was also taught many skills from Yotaki in parallel.
　Saint Tiara would learn how to fight and survive from the sick girl.
　That knowledge is the foundation of magic and leads to the reunion in the white garden in the year 0 of the new calendar--

　It was really a fragmentary scene, but it was enough to surprise me.

'Aikawa Hitaki-chan ....... The 'gentile' who was called before Kanami, the 'gentile' who kept going before Lady Tiara, the 'magic' user who kept going before her. In the truest sense of the word, the girl who was at the beginning of it all .......

　I'm going to say it like I'm laying out the information.
　And I think strongly.
　Kanami's sister is crazy.
　She was sick and yet she continued to outperform that Kanami and Lady Tiara ......?　
　If that were true, then all the titles such as 'The Founder' and 'The Saint' were as good as a farce.

　I just opened the book of autobiography I was writing and hurriedly rolled up the pages.
　I reread the section of 'Suspicion' that I felt when I kissed it in the labyrinth a year ago.
　The sentence "Kanami keeps getting adjusted by someone else" was clearly written there.

The discomfort I felt at the time was ......

　Honestly, I can only assume that the adjustments I've been feeling for Kanami all along have been made by his sister.
　On top of that, it's possible that Kanami's adjustment has yet to unravel.

　The membrane of anxiety is heaving.
　Even that happy ending could be a 'make-believe' that was all adjusted, a substitute that could be turned upside down at any moment, at some point.
　When my body is about to tremble at the possibility, I see a wavering red line.

"...... 'Threads,'

　The 'red thread of fate' that connected me and Kanami as an example was still wavering.
　Having inherited Tiara-sama's power, I already know that this was part of the power of the 'Prophecy'.

　However, I still didn't understand everything about the 'Blood Technique'.
　I only have a rough grasp that the bloodline of the Hoozeyards is a 'spell' that links them to the 'Gentile' Kanami. It was a little disappointing that it wasn't the 'red thread of fate' as it was in the romance novels, but I felt reassured by the remnants of Tiara-sama's lineage that remained.

　Tiara-sama is watching over me.
　Then, no matter how high a wall awaited me, I would be able to overcome it.

'I have everyone and your mother is with me ......!　Yeah, okay. And it could all be unfounded to begin with: ......!

　Believing that, I finished writing my memoir this time.
　Then I looked at the stack of papers that had accumulated quite a bit and sat up.

Alright. Now the fourth chapter is complete! Anyway, I'd like to get the binding done soon, can you do it ......?

　I am strangely moved by the fact that my love of books has finally led me to make a book.
　When I finished this book, I looked around my room, hoping to offer it to the grave of a fellow book lover who has now passed away. As far as I could tell, however, I couldn't find anything as far as I could from a year ago.
　I had no choice but to rely on Kanami's "belongings" and my friend Lagune-chan's personal belongings to get out of my room.

　Then, as I was walking down the corridor at night, swaying in the waves - I felt that gaze (...) from behind me.
　Quickly, I turn around.

'............'

　But there was no one in sight.
　It was just a dim darkness, as if ink had been dripped onto the painting called the hallway.
　There was nothing more to it than that.
　Not even a person, or even a trace of magic.

'...... Is it my imagination?'

　I muttered and turned my body forward.
　I walked down the dark corridor of the ship with the journal I had finished writing at my side.
　The last piece of that stack of paper is a blank piece of paper labeled as the final chapter.

　-- It is this final chapter that I will learn the true meaning of the gaze (...).

　After leaving the Confederacy, we took a ship back to the 'mainland' and headed to the world's largest city, the Great Sacred City of Hooziyaz.
　There, we met up with our last companions, Maria and the others, in the underground city.

　Then, using this place as a base, with the help of Apostle Diprakra, a wise man from a thousand years ago, we will reach the 'deepest' of the labyrinth and try to wake up your sister. ...... The Great Holy City is home to Nosfi, the one who steals the reason for light, and the one who steals the reason for blood. Two guardians (guardians) named Fafner were waiting for me.

　However, that was not a good thing.
　Whether it was good or bad, I am convinced that their appearance was a good one. If you've ever interacted with the other Stealers of Reason, you'll soon understand. The reason-stealers are dangerous, but they are not the enemy.

　Kanami knew that as well.
　After Nosufi put a wound on Lagune-chan's cheek that will not heal, and after being driven by necessity to look to the past, she finally admitted that there is no enemy in the Great Sacred City, and in order to fulfill Nosufi's "passion" for the "thing that steals the logic of light", she decided to attack Foozier's Castle. The only thing is that Kanami and I will be left alone before the mission is carried out.

　However, before deciding on that plan, Kanami and I are left alone with each other.
　On the balcony of the pavilion in the underground city of the Great Sacred City, Kanami confides the flaws in his own dimensional magic - a rule I think I heard once somewhere.

"--Rastiara, 'future vision (...)' is not an absolute (・・・・・・・). Basically, every power depends on the person using it.

　Although he claimed to his companions as a must-win for the operation with his 'futuristic vision', he doesn't feel safe only in the battle with Nosfy.
　Kanami goes ahead and talks about what will happen if he fails to persuade her.

Maybe I will fail to persuade Nosfy. But I still want to keep apologizing. I won't fight Nosfi, even if he kills me.

　I was glad that he didn't hide that worst-case future, but only told me.

"When I die, I want to continue 'talking' with my family.
Even in death, kaa: ......

　But I reacted like a 'lover' and responded in a dissatisfied way.
　I want to continue to live happily ever after, I hope. Therefore, the words "even if you die" is not something I could ever accept - it should have been - but I already had the solution inside me.

'Rastiara, please. Otherwise, I would never be able to reach Nosfi. And if that what-if time comes, Rustyala will join forces with everyone else--
Okay.

　I nodded confidently at my 'love interest'.
　He goes on to explain the solution to the problem.

'But if that happens, I think I'll go after Kanami too (・・・・・). I don't want to fight Nosfy, either. If that's okay with you, fine.
............!

　She softly described it as a "chase", but that meant to be mindful.
　Kanami gasped when she realized exactly what that meant.

'Since the day your mother entrusted me with everything, I've decided that I'm going to be with Kanami, no matter what time of day it is. ...... so no matter how it ends, I will never let go of Kanami again.

　My 'ideal' is to live happily ever after, but I don't have a concrete plan for that future. Rather, in any future I would be with Kanami, any of them are already fine with me.

　I was confident that I would be happy with Kanami, whether it was the end of Mr. Hein's favorite boy-girl heroic tale, the end of Sera's favorite romance novel, the weird book that Palinkron brought in, or the tragic love book that Ragne had picked up, I was confident that I would be happy with Kanami.

'--I'd still love Kanami even if she were dead.

　Finally, I was able to say that I have a "love interest" that is as strong as everyone else's.

　It's the confidence I have because I was able to overcome in the underground city of the Great Sacred City by clashing with Dia and the others whose 'love interest' was amplified by magic with all my might.
　Thinking about it, I have to thank Nosfi for that time. I glared at Kanami, saying that I would definitely follow my persuasion, but it was easily answered.

...... I don't either. I won't let you go. Even if you die.

　Kanami repeated lightly, as if to say "of course".
　I was a little unhappy, as if she was still being called light (...), but I was honestly pleased.

'Good. ....... Then it's a relief. Let's both of us go pull Nosfy's hand together.
'Thank you, Rustyala. Now I can reach out to Nosfi for all I've got.

　The private conversation before the operation was over quickly.
　Only to realize that they had been exchanging embarrassing dialogue, and both of their faces were slowly turning red. However, they were not as confused as before, nor did they feel any strange irritation or anxiety. It was simply a swelling of joy.

　And so, with a very calm time, the date changes - the day of destiny arrives.
　That fateful day is 'the day Kanami is killed' and 'the day Kanami comes back to life'.

　The invasion of Foozier's Castle is set to take place.
　We raided Fouzeyards Castle and paved the way to Nosfy, who was waiting for us on the upper floor. The two of us, hand in hand, Kanami and I, were the ones to push forward on that path.
　As per the "Future Vision", the mission went very smoothly, and we successfully reached the forty-fifth floor of Fuzzyards Castle.

　Kanami and I tried to persuade him to join us, but Nosfi chose to be resented, and so...

'--Hmmm, hmmm, hmmm ....... Hmph--hmmm, hmmm, hmmm!　Haha, hahahaha--!

　In the middle of the 'discussion', the worst weapon, 'Helmina's Heart' was wielded.
　However, fortunately, it was me, not Kanami, who was stabbed.
　Nosfi, who stabbed me, began to hate me as if he was squeezing me out.

''--I was actually planning to use this Helmina-sama's [Stolen Ri] on Uzuraha-sama, but this isn't too bad ......!　It's clear!　Yeah, that clears it up!

　Heat lit up in my abdomen, as if I had lava in my abdomen, and I collapsed.
　I put my hand on the wound, trying to control the bleeding, but I didn't feel like I could hold it for long.
　In my gradual distant consciousness, I make sure that this is the worst but within the planned range of development.

　Kanami makes me lie down on the floor with my fatal wound and faces Nosphy.

'--Nosphy. Maybe you'll be the only one who survives here ....... If that happens, I'm really sorry .......
I, only ......?　What do you mean--

　I told him that even if he died, I would not give up trying to convince Nosfi to do so.
　I want to continue to watch that Kanami from my special seat. But I was so dazed that it was difficult for me to even continue picking up the conversation. An uncommon pain coursed through my entire body, and every spare moment was lost.
　Even though everything had gone according to plan so far, the pain was the only thing that was beyond the worst.

''Ugh, ugh, ......!

　A little strange.
　Even with this, my sturdiness is the best on the continent, and I have a good tolerance for pain.
　In the past, when I fought against Kanami in the "Dance Competition", I was severely injured similar to this, but I was able to use magic without any problems.

　And yet now I was in a state where I couldn't even remember my five senses, let alone knead my magic power.
　Not only were my hands and feet numb and unable to move, but I had lost all sensation as if my blood had stopped.
　His vision was distorted as if he were underwater, and the loud ringing in his ears continued to echo.
　Little by little, my five senses faded away--

　I feel the gaze (...) again.
　Somehow I look up and look around at my distorted vision.

　Something like a rift in the empty space hovered close by.

　And I was familiar with it.
　It was a year ago, when Aide had cast a recovery spell on me.
　There was this same 'slit' in Tiara-sama's memory. I'm sure you'll find that you'll be able to find a lot of people who will be able to help you.

　I also make eye contact with the slit.
　And I will know what this gaze has been looking for all along. No, to be precise, I pick up from Tiara-sama's memories of the past.

"--While being chased by the 'break', Tiara Fuzzyaz realizes the true nature of the 'curse' of the 'stealer of dimensional reason' Kanami.
　What is being taken from the 'world' as 'the price' now is my life. I've also come to understand the detailed conditions. What is required is the 'death' of Kanami's 'one and only destined person' -

　Once I began to recall the memories, they continued to spring up like a fountain.
　In the special situation of being just before death, all of the magic on my body is released, just as it was when I received Aide's recovery magic.

"--That's why I made it.
　A 'new me' that will die in place of this Tiara Hoozeyers.
　Her name is 'Rath Tiara (・・・・) Foozeyers'.
　The 'I' that was supposed to die in place of 'Sister Yotaki'.
　The one who will die in place of that 'I' is this 'Rustyala Foozeyers'.
　Master's 'curse' will be paid in a thousand years, so don't worry.
　Absolutely, positively, whatever it takes to make it so.
　Sister Yotaki and I will work together to guide you--

　I learned the meaning of my birth.
　And the true role of the 'Red Thread of Fate'.
　How did the "One Who Steals the Reason of the Tree" Aide's recovery magic give me a glimpse of Tiara-sama's memories?
　Why did Tiara-sama's 'affinity' override that memory?
　And the identity of the gaze (...) that I've been feeling from behind ever since Kanami and I became compatible with each other.

　All of this was to pay for the "break" that I can see now with my very own "price".

'Oh, ah, ......, I see. ......'

　My "suspicions" were cleared.
　At the same time, a voice from somewhere in my mind said, "Oh, I knew it was a good idea. I had been faintly aware of this since the time the id had cast a recovery spell on me.
　In the midst of the gurgling, bone-chilling ringing in my ears, I could hear only my own voice clearly.

'So ......, the 'world (you)' will decide ......?'

　I called 'you' to the 'slice' in an appreciative, gentle, friendly way.

　At that moment, I felt even more bewildered by the 'world'.
　Is it hard to believe that I am thanking them for the person who is now trying to take my life?

　But it was no surprise to me.
　After all, the anxiety I have been carrying since I was born is now disappearing.

　Frankly speaking, Kanami and I were not born and raised in such a way that we could be relieved just by confessing at the eleventh crossroads.
　Adjusted as 'make-believe', Kanami and I couldn't get rid of our fears of when our happy ending would be upset.

　So, all along we wanted someone to assure us that this love was 'real'.
　We wanted to somehow prove that the love we had risked our lives to obtain was not a figment.

　And now, this world itself is trying to decide who Kanami's "Only One Destiny" is. In order to make it work as a "substitute", it seems to keep an eye on the two people who love each other from now on. While we are alive and even after we die.

　As an immutable truth, it proves that we are 'real'.
　Rather, I thought this was my 'ideal' - and

'-- Oh (...), stinking (・・・・)'

　Ragne Kaikwola, the girl knight Ragne Kaikwola had known since childhood, swore like a blood curse.
　Lagne's voice was the only one that sounded crystal clear, even at a time when only her own voice rang out.

'If you're going to die, you're going to die (・・・・・・). You human scum (・・・・・・・・)--'

　The reason for this was understood by me, the party involved in the 'curse'.
　Right now, this Lagne-chan had led to the undoing of the 'price' of Kanami, the 'one who steals the reason for the dimension'. The 'death' that had been tormenting me was moving away and I was being freed from the separation of the world.

　My disordered breathing regulates and the paralysis in my limbs eases.
　The distorted vision and murderous tinnitus fades away.

　And a gentle light turns on in my abdomen, the source of all the pain. When I realized it was a recovery spell, not just the wounds, but all of my body's ailments disappeared like a fog.

　I regained consciousness.
　I open my eyelids, pass my core through my swaying limbs, and slowly stand up.
　Instantly, Nosfi jumped into my chest, crying loudly.

'Rustyala! ......!　Ah, Lastiara, thank goodness ......!

　Accompanied by a voice of concern for me from the bottom of his heart and a recovery magic, Nosfi was sobbing. The dignity of the 'one who steals the reason for light' from not long ago is completely absent there.
　It's just an older sister who worries about her sister.

　Seeing Nosfi's wariness fizzling out, I swallowed the situation.
　I guess I've succeeded in convincing her. So I'm able to 'discuss' with Nosfi as a family member rather than as an enemy.
　However, Kanami, who would have fulfilled that--.

　I look around.
　The beautifully appointed halls of the forty-fifth floor of Hoosiers Castle have been destroyed by light attack magic.
　And amidst the scattered pieces of furniture and debris, I find a large pool of blood. On top of that red pond, a pair of familiar human limbs lie on top of each other.

'Rastiara ....... Your father is ......, already .......

　Before my sister could shakily explain, I knew that it was Kanami's severed limb.
　Furthermore, the owner of the 'curse' died ahead of time before the 'price' of Rustyala Fuzzyaz's death was fulfilled.
　That's why I'm alive now.

　-- Kanami is dead.

　However, my heart was surprisingly calm.

　There are three reasons.
　The 'red thread of fate' extending from my fingers.
　The 'break' floating behind me.
　Something like a flow (...) swirling around in the room we were in.

　Thanks to my near-death experience, my senses are unusually keen now.
　I could feel that each of the three was watching our movements with its own will.
　And this situation gives truth to the fragment of memory I picked up earlier.

"Absolutely, positively, whatever it takes to make it so.
　Sister Yangtaki and I will work together (・・・・・・・・・・) and guide you (・・・・・・・)--

　It was well past time to decide that nothing was done yet.