・Epilogue

—The catalyst?

Eh? You're asking that now!?

After all this time!?

You're asking me that to my face? Is that how it is!?

Ah—............

......Ugh.

............Well, we've been friends ever since I entered the academy.

Look... I don't have many, okay? Friends.

So, it just happened naturally. Or like, circumstances.

You're saying Junna is the same—no, no, no. That's different.

She's important too, but.

............It's just different. Anyway. With you.

It's different. Got it?

......Good.

............Hey.

What about 'You'?

Are you glad it was me?

I mean—like those two.

Or the Student Council girls.

There are so many other, really, interesting and cute girls. Lots of them.

I wonder if it was really okay that the one going with you is me.

I'm just a country girl from the north, after all...?

Well, I'm at least aware of that... yeah.

But you know.

The time we spent together, I won't lose to anyone else.

I showed you a lot of my uncool sides.

I did things like burn down the school.

And even this time, I was asleep until the very end.

I think we even had a fistfight once. Ahaha.

......Not that all's well that ends well, but.

Including all of that, it's all my "precious things."

That's why. I'm happy I can go 'Outside' with you.

It's strange. I'm not scared at all.

Even if there are monsters that make the Jabberwock look like a child,

Or villains that make that golden money-grubber look cute.

Or beauties that might make your eyes wander...?

But no matter what comes out, I'll say it with pride.

"I chose this without running away."

—Ah.

It's almost time.

Outside of Delos... I don't know what's outside the world... I don't know anything. But, just this.

Just this, let me say it.

Because that's what it means to 'not run away.'

You see————Guest.

"—I love you."