A brand new day had arrived at Crusch's manor.
Inside her office, the Duchess was hard at work, doing a lot of organizing due to recent events.
Several stacks of documents sat on her desk, each concerning a different problem left behind by the White Whale campaign.
Speaking of Crusch, her complexion had improved. Her skin had regained its colour, beneath her open clothes, a fewer amount of bandages were wrapped around her body.
The commanding look in her amber eye had returned. But within those same eyes was a degree of softness and something she couldn't describe.
Every now and then, her gaze would unconsciously turn towards the door, as if waiting for something... or someone.
Shaking the thought off, the Duchess finished her current stack of papers, only to begin with the next stack one.
Sighing, Crusch got busy again. Whilst doing that, her mind wandered off to the events of yesterday.
Looking back, it almost felt like a dream. After Xeno had offered his help, she was expecting complications. Who wouldn't?
His plan of using merchants with shady backgrounds to establish a stable platform for himself, through, with her help, she had made many alterations to that plan.
Despite the changes, the objective remained the same. Crusch initially prepared herself for several issues. After all, what they were trying to do wouldn't be easy.
Except... it was.
When Xeno had said his achievement as Ainavol was almost entirely luck, it was perhaps the first time she had doubted her own Divine Protection.
Later, she rationalized it as Xeno exaggerating his luck. But experiencing it firsthand...
Crusch could confidently say it was one of the most absurd things she had witnessed.
She watched in disbelief as all the roadblocks, potential problems she had prepared herself to face, had simply never happened. Even if they did, solving them was remarkably simple.
Before she knew it, a solid platform for Ainavol to conduct business had been established within a day. Something that should have been impossible.
Yet it did happen, all because the process had been so... straightforward.
If that wasn't enough, the problem of management had arrived. She was lacking men. She couldn't afford to send them there. But that problem had fixed itself.
It just so happened that one of Ainavol's executives, who was currently staying in the Capital to visit her family, happened to catch news of this.
The poor girl had nearly choked on her drink hearing what her boss was up to. Having to rush over to understand the situation. Taking over once things became clear.
Hence the problem solved itself.
The entire thing had been so disgustingly convenient. Crusch hadn't even needed to do much at all.
She genuinely had no idea how to even react.
...
Creak.
Crusch's attention was drawn towards the door as it opened. There being only one person who would enter her office without knocking.
Xeno: "Heya, Crusch. I brought you something to eat." He walked inside with a tray containing food. Xeno, like Crusch, was looking better that day.
Xeno approached with the food, with Crusch setting aside the documents to make space for the dish.
Crusch: "Hm? Xeno, what is this supposed to be?" She asked curiously at the strange dish placed before her.
Xeno: "This beauty here is mac and cheese. One of my favourite dishes." He said proud of his creation.
As a self-proclaimed "food junkie," not only did he like to consume food, but also watched numerous tutorials on how to prepare them as well.
It was a shame he hadn't properly learned how to cook, something he rectified by learning it here with Rem's help.
Xeno: 'Rem...' His mood deflated at the thought of her.
Crusch: "Xeno, are you alright?" She asked softly, holding his hand in a comforting manner.
Xeno shook his head. Now wasn't the time.
"I am now. Anyway, here, try some."
Crusch: "Alright, if you say so." She studied him for a second longer before using the fork to taste-test it.
Crusch's eyes widened. It was a little too spicy for her liking, but overall it tasted excellent. She turned to Xeno, who was staring at her.
Xeno: "Soooo, what do you think?" His expectant face looked at her intently.
Crusch: "It's wonderful, Xeno. I like it quite well."
She approved with a nod.
Her praise made Xeno visibly happier, which brought a tiny smile to Crusch's face.
Xeno: "Oh, right, Crusch, how you been? I hope the paperwork isn't too bad?" He regained his composure, turning his gaze towards the crowded desk.
Crusch took a bite out of the food before replying.
"It's tiring. There is much to be done, at this rate, I would have to work till dawn to finish half of it." She let out a tired sigh, eating another bite.
Xeno: "Oh... In that case, why don't you take a little break?" He suggested earnestly.
Crusch: "A break?"
Xeno: "Yeah, Crusch, you've been at it for what? Five hours now? After eating, why don't you take a small break?"
Crusch: "I understand what you're saying, but I have a lot of work to finish. I'll take one later."
Xeno: "But sitting in one spot for that long can't be good for you. Come on, Crusch, just 10 minutes, please?" He looked into her eye with a pleading expression.
Crusch: '...'
"Alright, only 10 minutes." She yielded.
Xeno: "Just 10 minutes." He nodded.
With that, Crusch went to finish her food. After that, she took Xeno's hand and got up from her chair.
She held her balance rather well, going to grab her clutch to the side. Turning back to Xeno once she did.
The man himself was suddenly lost in thought. His eyes gone blank.
Crusch: 'That look again.' She narrowed her eyes.
Something about Xeno had changed. While yes, he wasn't moping around anymore, instead, something else took its place.
Xeno would randomly be lost in thought, and sometimes when talking to her. It was strange, because Xeno never told her what he had in mind.
It made her worried about him.
Crusch tracked where Xeno was looking. They were staring at her missing left leg. His expression as if debating something.
Crusch: "Xeno?"
Xeno: "Huh? Oh, right, come on, let's go." He snapped out of it, and went back on track.
Crusch: "Xeno, are you sure you're alright?" Her voice carried concern.
Xeno: "Yeah... I've just been thinking about... stuff." He answered vaguely.
Crusch: "What kind of 'stuff'?"
Xeno: "I've been thinking about your leg... I think I can fix it, without having to buy a prosthetic." He deflected the topic.
Crusch: "You can do that?" Her eye widened in surprise.
Xeno: "Yeah... I think." He didn't sound too sure of himself.
Crusch: "What are the risks if you follow through with it?" She asked seriously.
Xeno: "At worst, it does nothing." He replied honestly.
Crusch: "... Are you sure?" She said, not wanting to doubt him.
Xeno: "Yeah, just give me some time and I'll do what I can. For now though, let's go out, Crusch."
Crusch: "... Alright."
...
It was long into the night.
The usually clear skies were now covered by thick clouds. Rain, not too strong or too weak, coming down for several hours at this point.
It was Xeno's favourite weather. Sure, it's dark and gloomy, but he thinks it had its charms.
Both Xeno and Crusch watched the rain quietly. Fresh juice in both of their glasses. There was a peaceful yet awkward atmosphere.
It was awkward for Xeno, at least. Because he once again found himself resting Crusch on his lap. Having no idea how this happened. It kinda just did.
While this wasn't the first time someone had sat on his lap, Mei–... Meili... she used to do this often. But she was a kid.
Crusch, on the other hand, was a beautiful woman. And this time, he wasn't trying to comfort her. The contrast was making his body respond differently.
He tried focusing on literally anything else that wasn't Crusch's body pressing against him. The last thing he wanted was an... "accident" happening.
And from the looks of things, she was very much aware of what was going on. If her lightly red cheeks were anything to go by.
Xeno: "Soo... How's everything progressing so far?" He awkwardly started a conversation.
Crusch, swirling her drink, thought about the question before answering.
"I've been carefully monitoring the situation. So far, no prominent issues have arisen. Beyond that it's a slow process. Before, all I could do was watch as things fell apart. But now, I have hope for a chance to recover."
Her eye turned towards Xeno with a hint of gratitude in it.
Xeno: "That's great..." he said, not knowing what else to say. While he wanted to help her more, this was the best he can do for now.
He didn't know how to do technical work. With him being an absent boss, his assistant and executives handled everything.
Ping.
A sound of a Discord notification rang caught both of them by surprise. Crusch straightened up on his lap, going on guard.
Crusch: "What was that noise?" She scanned the area, trying to located its origins.
Xeno: "Oh, uh, don't worry about that. Someone messaged me just now."
Crusch: "Someone... sent you a message?" She raised a brow at that.
Xeno: "Yeah, here, let's see who it was." Using Envy, he made a hand to pull out the phone from his pants pocket.
Crusch stared at the sleek black object, not knowing what it was. Nonetheless, she went to rest against Xeno's chest, watching with curiosity.
Xeno was also intrigued. In this fantasy world, he had set up a way for his alliance to contact him. A special phone whose only function was to message or call him if anything went wrong.
Not many people had access to his number.
Also i bet you're asking how in the heck does it even work? There's no service here. Even if the Envy phone had service built in, then how can Xeno's phone, which doesn't, still receive it?
Good question...
Moving on.
Xeno: "Hmmm, let's see.... Ugh." Displeasure spread across his face.
He handed his phone to Crusch for her to read. Her expression turned serious. The news of him trying to establish a new branch had reached his executives' ears. Informed by the one present over here.
Now he was being called over to Hanumas for a meeting. Apparently making an entire branch of an already booming alliance and not discussing it with anyone would do that.
Crusch: "Hmm, the news reached faster than I expected. So what do you plan to do?"
Xeno: "What else? I have to go there tomorrow. Sigh, I'm really not in the mood for this."
Going to a meeting while suffering from loss was a horrible thing. Crusch understood the feelings. But alas, what could be done?
Crusch: "When are you going tomorrow?" She said, unknowingly holding onto his shirt.
Xeno: "I don't know, somewhere in the morning? And judging from what my assistant wrote, she must have been getting restless. The situation must have been more difficult than I can imagine."
Crusch: "She? Your assistant is a woman?"
Out of everything he said, that was the one thing she caught first.
Xeno: "Yeah, why?" He looked at her, confused by her sudden question.
Crusch: "I see... Are the two of you close?" Her eye immediately sharpened.
Xeno felt like something was off about the intensity of Crusch's stare.
"I mean, I show up every now and then, present ideas and new items to sell, then go off, do my own thing for a couple of hours before returning to Roswaal's Mansion. She and my executives are the ones who actually run the alliance. In that time, our time together has been minimal, so no, we're not that close."
'Damn i yapped there i bit.'
Crusch's Divine Protection didn't react, so he was telling the truth. Her face softened hearing that.
'Good.'
Xeno: "Why the sudden interest, Crusch?"
Crusch: "I was just curious," she told him with a straight face.
The truth was, while the text was formal in appearance, if you read closely, it more read like a letter of a person missing the presence of someone they liked.
Crusch buried herself deeper into his embrace.
Xeno: "???"
What just happened?
...
The next day.
It was early morning. Crusch Karsten stood at the gate of her mansion, staring in disbelief at Xenophanes, no... At Ainavol standing before her.
A young man with yellow hair, striking red pupils, white sclera, and a blood-red smear across his right eye.
He wore a yellow shirt, its cuffs rolled around the elbows, a faint red aura around his exposed arms. A black waistcoat, red tie alongside black pants and shoes.
Finishing off his appearance was a brown cloak he wore, which, despite there being no wind, was flapping dramatically.
Crusch: "..."
She knew what Ainavol looked like. From the reports, she, heck, everyone in the commercial world, knew what Ainavol looked like. But knowing Xeno was Ainavol changed that.
Many thoughts went through her head. The obvious ones being how he changed his eyes. They went from purple and black to red and white. Where did he get the clothes from? The red aura and—
Ainavol: "Lugunica to Crusch." He snapped her out of her thinking.
Crusch: "R-Right. Xeno, I came to say be careful, and don't get into trouble."
Ainavol: "Do I look like someone who gets into trouble?" He raised his yellow eyebrow.
Crusch: "Yes."
Ainavol: "T-That's not true!"
Crusch: "You're the great Ainavol, half of your reputation is you getting into trouble." She said deadpan.
Ainavol: "Arrgh." He really couldn't deny it.
He coughed, moving on from the conversation.
Ainavol: "A-anyway. Crusch, I got you a gift."
Crusch: "A gift?"
'Something just for me?'
Ainavol didn't say anything. Instead, he snapped his fingers.
For a moment, his pupils turned purple. Sharp pain shot through her left leg. Snapped her gaze towards it, what happened next shocked her deeply.
A strange dark purple substance oozed out of her left leg, moving like Jell-O. It crept down towards the ground, gradually taking shape.
Before long, it had molded into the shape of a leg, perfectly mirroring her right one in size and everything. Yet that wasn't the biggest surprise.
She could feel it. She could actually feel her left leg. The sensation was strange. It felt like a weird combination of normal flesh and bone, but also rubber.
Ainavol: "Surprise! How do you like it?" He said, pleased with himself.
Crusch: "Xeno... I... thank you." She quickly regained her composure.
'Once again. He helped me far beyond I could repay.'
Ainavol: "No problem. Now then, I better get going now." He turned around, hands in his pockets.
Crusch: "Xenophanes..." She quietly called out.
Ainavol: "Yeah?" He tilted his head towards her.
Crusch: "Come back safe and sound." She said, placing a hand over her heart. Her eye entirely soft.
Ainavol's eyes widened in surprise, but he let out a smile, turning, he started walking away giving her a thumbs-up, literally disappearing in front of her eyes.
She didn't react to that, her heart somewhere else.
Crusch: 'I'll be waiting for you. Xeno.'
...
An hour since departure, high in the sky, Ainavol was flying through the skies. Two bone wings protruded from his back, his cloak temporarily folded up.
Currently, Ainavol had an absurd amount of time to think. After all, it would take him around 10 hours to reach Hanumas this way. And it was way more efficient than using an earth dragon.
He thought back to what he had done, gripping and ungripping his hand. Point of Obsession had finally reached the same level of power it had in the previous loop.
That's why he was able to make Crusch a new leg. He had tested it before, but it simply wouldn't work. But now it worked just fine. That leg cost him around 50 points of Envy.
Expensive, but nothing his current supply couldn't handle.
Though that begs the question: how?
Return by Death works like the True Reset, meaning everything should have reverted back to how it was. Yet Point of Obsession didn't?
Sure, the power got reset, but the limiter or whatever he unleashed didn't, causing it to become stronger and stronger passively. Until now, when it stopped.
Furthermore, he could feel it. Even if it stopped growing passively, it could still develop further. In fact, he had the feeling he was about to reach the true power of Envy itself.
It was a weird feeling, but something he was sure of.
Ainavol: 'Sigh, this is taking too long.' You might thing this free time was good for him, but he had too much of it with nothing to do.
Sigh, why the place have to be so far away? Why didn't he just take a dragon carriage...? Oh right, to keep his identity secret. He was almost exposed because of that.
Ainavol: 'Better to be cautious.' Still that didn't relief the boredom.
'While I'm at it, why not look back?' Many interesting developments had happened.
It's been what, more than two weeks at this point? Two entire weeks since he lost everyone.
Two weeks, gone in the blink of an eye. Time goes by quick when you're not paying attention doesn't it? Thinking back at what he had done in these two weeks, he found almost nothing.
Actually before meeting Crusch, what had he actually done with all that time?
Nothing. Absolutely nothing.
He wasted it all away wallowing in guilt, trying to drown out his feelings and hide away in a room. Because he refused to accept reality.
To call all of that pathetic would be...
Completely wrong!
He deserved to grieve, didn't he? So what if it's pathetic? Who was the judge of that? So what if he couldn't find the courage to reset?
So what if he isn't some monster with an insane mental capacity who can just come back from all he suffered through?
So no, he isn't pathetic. If someone in his place can do it, good for them.
But he's not them.
...
That rant aside, he began to think carefully about his own actions lately. Something he had been doing since meeting Crusch.
She... No, this entire loop, he had seen two examples that mirror his own.
Carlos and Crusch.
Carlos, while he didn't know much about the guy, one thing he did understand was that he was a damn hypocrite. Saying stuff about "honor" and stuff, and when that "honor" was challenged...
He went violent, going to an extreme length of trying to kill him and Rem, just to defend it. As much as he hated to admit it, he understood that bastard more than he wanted.
A hypocrite through and through. But he isn't evil: far from it, he is a knight who does care about others. He's just completely absorbed by his own ideals.
But isn't that what he is too?
So absorbed in his ideals of being the one to "sacrifice," he goes through the extreme just to uphold it?
Despite his numerous claims of being scared shitless of dying, which he still is, what does he do when crisis strikes? Throw himself at it, even if it kills him.
Wasn't he, in a way... a hypocrite as well?
Then there's Crusch. Her actions mirror him so much he doesn't even have to think about it.
Responsibility.
She felt responsible for everyone's death. Blaming herself for everything, so easily she took responsibility for everyone's death, and what did she do because of it?
Push herself to the point of collapsing, only called him when she couldn't handle it anymore.
Didn't he do almost the exact same way? Push himself to the point of collapse, which inadvertently caused everyone to die in this loop. Which led to him blaming himself for everything?
He took responsibility for everything so easily, he literally tore himself down. Again, inadvertently leading to this loop.
But unlike him, Crusch chose to do something about it, unlike him, who closed himself in grief.
Hypocrisy in actions, maintaining it to the extreme, being compelled to do so.
Accepting responsibilities to the point of self-destruction.
Those were his examples. That represented his recent actions.
He checked the watch on his hand. This entire discussion in his mind took only half an hour.
Ainavol: "..."
'I guess... I just have to keep thinking, that's all I can do for now.'
...
In the following days, much had transpired. Some good and some... Great.
Due to Crusch and Xeno's efforts, things were finally looking bright.
As to how such a development happened, it was because of the meeting he went to. His executives were obviously upset, he didn't tell them anything about this.
That displeasure only lasted for a moment, before they seriously considered the benefits of expansion. This thought was already on their mind.
Business was more than booming, to the point most of them agreed on the idea. In fact they were discussing it lately only for Ainavol to show up and decide for them.
Causing some of their displeased but ultimately decided to support his decision, since it was already under development.
Besides they had The Ainavol with them. Who in their right mind would willingly create a conflict with him? The only ones who could seriously threaten him were the likes of Anastasia Hoshin.
But even she couldn't carelessly mess with him. It was just not worth it in most cases. So the expansion went without issue.
The only complaint they had was his "trade" with Crusch Karsten, apparently having something so "valuable" that Ainavol risked conducting business with her.
Nobody understands why Ainavol insists on "Buying" things from her.
They were shaky on that. Not wanting to take unnecessary risk, but, Ainavol was their boss so they followed his order, keeping a cautious eye out.
The executives obviously tried their best to bury this information as much as possible.
That Ainavol himself was conducting serious "trades" with Crusch. Would cause hostile attention of them. It would be the perfect opportunity to damage thier reputation.
Getting back on topic, because of this, Crusch's camp went from collapsing to stabilizing itself.
Sure, they were still poor, but this was more than what the Duchess could ask for.
Speaking of Crusch, her new leg is doing wonders for her. Testing it out she noticed some interesting details about it.
Unlike her original leg, this one was more durable and flexible. Its nerve response, were all on point. All sensations present.
The only downside was, well, the colour. It was purely dark purple. Also it felt combination of flesh and rubber made her fell discomfort.
But it would only take her a few days to fully get used to it. Though that wasn't the only thing that changed.
These past few days, Xeno and Crusch's relationship had developed even further. They had done things that would make most of us incredibly jealous.
A certain witch definitely was. They grew closer than ever, now, they might as well be a couple. But I'm getting ahead of myself.
The main point is, their future is bright and is only getting brighter.
...
Which brings us to now. It was the evening, and Crusch, tired from all the work today. Finally had a moment to herself, she decided to freshen up.
That meant she went straight to the bath.
She rested inside the warm water, against a corner of the pool-sized bath, having fully relaxed, the stress melting away.
Yep, a bath scene. What could possibly go wrong?
Crusch sank deeper into the waters, her thoughts drifting. The burden on her had lifted significantly, meaning she had a few hours to herself.
Crusch: 'Right, Xeno had asked me a favour. He wanted to learn how to do technical work. I could do something about that?'
He had approached her on the matter, reasoning that now that he's actually engaging in politics and economic work, actually learning his responsibilities would avoid making his Ainavol persona look incompetent.
But Crusch knew the truth. While what he said was true, it wasn't the full truth. She suspected Xeno wanted to lessen her burden.
With how he had been behaving since the start, that possibility was very likely. She was comforted by the thought.
But that didn't mean she agreed to it. He, be it as himself or Ainavol, had done so much for her. She couldn't accept it any longer, he had done enough.
Instead, now she was determined to repay everything he had done for her. Not as a debt, he wouldn't like that. But as something she personally wanted to do.
"Yaaaawn, damn, I feel numb."
The door to the bath creaked open, alongside the tired voice of Xeno.
Crusch completely stiffened, slowly turning back. Her breath hitched upon seeing him.
He stood there rubbing his hair, eyes closed, with nothing but a towel hiding his private parts, the rest of his deceptively lean and muscular body laid bare.
Closing the door, he opened his eyes with a yawn. The first thing he saw was Crusch inside.
Xeno: "..."
Crusch: "..."
He stared at Crusch, her naked body clearly visible in the water. Her face was a dangerous shade of red. Then he looked at himself.
Crusch: "..."
Xeno: "...Eh?"
Aaaaaaaaaaaaahhhh!!!!
The high-pitched scream of an incredibly embarrassed Xeno echoed out of the room. He snapped around, covering his eyes, while Crusch sank deeper into the waters, hiding herself.
Crusch: "W-WHY ARE YOU HERE!?" She screamed, dying from embarrassment.
Xeno: "Sorry, Crusch. I didn't know you were in here. I thought it was empty." He frantically apologised.
Crusch: "HOW DID YOU NOT NOTICE THAT!?"
Xeno: "I WAS TIRED AND DIDN'T CHECK, OKAY!?" He defended himself, with his main priority being to escape.
"I-I'm sorry, Crusch, and uhh, I, ummm, uh, GOOD BYE!" He yelled, reaching for the doorknob.
Crusch: "W-Wait!" She commanded.
Xeno froze at that.
Oh boy, is he screwed. No matter how much Crusch loves him, this is something she can't overlook.
Xeno: "Y-Yeah?" He slowly turned his head around.
Crusch: "W-Would... Would you like to join me?"
She mustered all her courage to say that.
Xeno: "..."
...
Damn... I guess I stand corrected.
Xeno: "You... You mean to join you? And bathe together?" He pointed to himself, his face heating up further.
Crusch: "Yes... I want to spend some time with you... alone." She looked away while saying that.
Xeno: "..."
He was too shocked to even respond. His pupils did, however. They distorted until they couldn't maintain a fixed shape.
Xeno was dense when it came to romance, we all can agree on that. But even he knows when a girl, especially one like Crusch, offers you something like this...
You take the damn deal.
Xeno: "A-Alright, I'll join you." He almost couldn't believe his own situation.
He was about to bathe with Crusch.
...
The current atmosphere in the bath can only be described as mortifying. As both Xeno and Crusch bathe together.
The two of them were currently against each other's backs. Flustered beyond compare, the only saving grace was the fact Xeno had created some clothing for both of them.
Xeno had trunks on, while Crusch was wearing a bikini. Neither of them spoke, letting the awkwardness drag on.
Crusch realized Xeno wouldn't be starting a conversation, so she decided to do it herself. Hesitantly asking the first question on her mind.
"D-Did you see them?"
Xeno: "Gulp... S-See what e-exactly?" His voice creaked.
Crusch: "...My chest... Did you see it?" She clarified for him.
Xeno: "..."
How was he supposed to answer that, when he literally saw everything she had to offer? He couldn't even lie to get out of this situation.
Xeno: "Uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh... Yes?" He confirmed. Unable to think of an excuse.
Crusch: "I see..." Her gaze turned towards the water. She wasn't angry, at least that's a good sign.
"...Did you like them?"
The question made him choke on his spit.
Xeno: 'How the hell am I supposed to respond to that!!!?' He screamed mentally. This was getting out of hand.
"Uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh...Yes?"
Crusch: "Good." She responded pleased with his answer. Leaning against him more.
Xeno: "..."
'...I'll never understand women.'
Xeno: "So... Um, so Crusch, how's your day going? Pretty well, if you're out here relaxing." He tried to drift the conversation somewhere else.
Crusch: "Yes, lately I've been allowing myself to rest more often, now that my camp is no longer in danger."
Xeno: "Sweet, so what's the agenda now? Are you going to start rebuilding your forces now?"
Crusch: "No. I'm first focusing on improving my reputation before doing that."
Xeno: 'Right... because who wants to work for some 'incompetent' idealist in that case.'
"Makes sense, so what do you need me to do? Clearing your rep is going to take serious work."
Crusch: '...'
'Once again he wants to help me.' Since he's already here, why not do what she promised.
Crusch: "Xeno, tell me... Are you feeling lately?"
Xeno was surprised by the sudden question. But answered anyway.
"Uhh, good, why? Did something happen?"
Crusch: "If you're truly doing good, then I have a request. Something I want you to do."
Xeno: "Go ahead, I'm all ears."
Crusch: "Xeno... I want you to rest, take a break."
Xeno: "Huh, a break? Why?" He asked, completely confused as to why she thinks he needs a break.
He has been taking good care of himself, hasn't he?
Crusch: "Xeno... ever since you arrived here, you have been doing one thing without stopping. Do you know what that is?"
Xeno: "...Heeelping you?" He answered, confused.
Crusch: "Precisely. You have been stressing over how to help me, make me feel better, fix my leg, and restore my camp, all because you care about me."
Xeno: "Yeah, I guess, but where are you going with this?"
Crusch: "Xeno, while I appreciate your wanting to help me further, I'm afraid I can't accept your help any longer."
Xeno: "What! Why? Wait.... Don't tell me, you feel indebted to me?"
Crusch: "Yes I feel gratitude towards you, but that's not why I'm doing this. This is something I personally want. I think it's time for you to stop, Xeno. I'm not helpless. I can handle things from here, okay?"
Xeno: "B-But—"
Crusch: "Xeno, it's okay. I'm not telling you to not help me at all. But you have more important things to focus on." She reassured him softly.
Xeno: "Something I need to focus on? What exactly?"
Crusch: "You, Xeno... You need to focus more on yourself."
Xeno: "..."
Crusch: "Tell me, what do you want to do after this?"
Xeno: "...Help you?"
Crusch: "What else? What do you plan to do that doesn't involve me? In fact, what plans do you have that don't involve helping anyone else?"
Xeno opened his mouth to answer, but no words came out. He thought about his schedule for the week and... all he could remember was helping her in some way.
Xeno: "..."
Crusch: "I thought so, Xeno. Please listen to me." She turned around, Xeno was bewildered when her hands wrapped around his head.
She pressed him against her breasts, gently holding onto his head.
Xeno: "C-Crusch, what are you doing?" A mad blush spread across his face.
Crusch: "I cannot express what you have done for me these past few days. But it's because of that, it hurts my heart when you keep pushing yourself to help others."
"I don't want you to spend your life taking care of me. I want you to live. To have a life of your own. One you can be proud of."
"I'm not telling you to not grieve for the loss of your camp, nor am I telling you to stop helping others. You have the right to do both and much more. But I don't want your life to become only this. I'm telling you to stop and think about what you want."
Crusch: "Please tell me, Xeno... What kind of life do you want to live? One you want to live, not for others."
Xeno: "..."
'What I want?'
Crusch: "Take as much time as you need, Xeno. No one will rush you. But I want you to remember one last thing."
"For your sake, Xeno, stop... You have done enough."
Xeno: 'I have done enough.' The same words he once said to Crusch are now being repeated back to him.
This was super sudden for him. Weren't these types of scenes supposed to be ecchi comedy? Where did all this come from?
Still, he proceeded to take her words seriously. And it made him think again.
'What kind of life do I want to live?'
Xeno: "..."
He thought and thought for what a few minutes, only to suddenly stop as if hit by an epiphany. He knew the answer to this exact question. He had known since the start. He just needed to find it.
Xeno's desires, in his mind, were always straightforward. He always knew what kind of life he wanted, and now was the time to think about the answer.
Xeno: "Heh, I really am a hypocrite, aren't I?" He whispered, amused.
Crusch silently looked at the small smile on his face, letting out one of her own. She could feel it. He was on the right track.
Xeno: "Welp, Crusch... Looks like I have a lot of thinking to do."
Crusch: "That's alright. Take as much time as you need."
Xeno: "Nah, I think I got it."
Crusch: "You... do?" She asked, surprised.
Xeno: "Yep, I always have. So do me a favor, Crusch... and meet me at my room during the night."
Crusch: "T-The night?" Her eyes widened at the invitation specifically at that hour.
'Could it be? Does he want to?'
Xeno: "Yeah, come by. I have something important to tell you."
Crusch: "Oh... You wish to discuss something?"
Xeno: "...Why do you sound disappointed?"
Crusch: "You must've been imagining it."
Xeno: "But I—"
Crusch: "You were imagining it. I'll meet you in your room, Xeno." She said blankly.
Xeno: "...Okay."
The two then shared this intimate moment for a while longer before finishing their bath.
After all, they still had work to do.
...
Late into the night.
It was around the time everyone in the mansion was asleep, except for two souls, of course. Crusch made her way to the room Xeno was currently staying in.
Curiosity had plagued her, dying to know what the important discussion Xeno wanted to have.
Well, the question was about to be answered, so there was no point trying to overthink it now.
In front of his door, she gently knocked, the noise reverberating throughout the silent corridor.
"The door is open, Crusch," Xeno said from the other side of the door.
Nodding, she went in, closing the door behind her as she entered. Inside, the room was neatly kept, but that wasn't important. What was important was the person inside.
Xenophanes stood there, staring out the window, both hands in his pockets. His posture was completely relaxed.
Even from this distance, she could feel it. Something about him had changed. It wasn't strange, far from it. It felt... familiar. Just what had been realized from such a change?
Xeno: "Glad you could make it, Crusch. I really appreciate it." He started the conversation with a casual tone, still not facing her.
Crusch: "What was it that you wanted to tell me, Xeno?"
Xeno: "First off, let me thank you. You really did help me a ton here. Believe it or not, but I was already doing lots of self-reflection lately. And your words were the key to the puzzle. So, thanks for that."
Crusch: "And what conclusion did you reach, Xeno?" She asked curiously.
Xeno: "Thinking back, you were right. I really have been living for others' sake. In fact, my recent actions are so strange, I can barely recognize them as mine."
"I was supposed to be a lazy pervert that wanted to live a carefree life with my friends. But ever since coming to the Capital, I had to deal with so much shit. The Royal Selection, what a fuckfest. Then almost being killed by shitty knights, having to stay at your manor, which was very boring... No offense, Crusch."
Crusch: "I don't mind, I know you mean well."
Xeno: "Phew. Anyway, my life derailed from my carefree lifestyle so much it gives me a headache. Man, I missed when my biggest concern was whether I wanted to work or not. But now? I had to fight the damn White Whale to save Rem and a couple of strangers, then a fricking cult. I gave it my all, but look where that got me!"
He rubbed the bridge of his nose in frustration.
Crusch: 'Something feels off.' While he was telling the truth, some things didn't add up, though she didn't question him on it.
"Honestly, Crusch, I still blame myself for messing up so baldy. Everyone died. If only I played my cards better... Then everyone would be—" His voice fell off.
Crusch: "Xeno, that wasn't your fault. Don't blame yourself for things out of your control."
Xeno: "Using my own lessons against me now, eh? Or maybe that's the leader in you speaking. Who knows." He was amused, pulling one hand out to shrug.
"Then again, maybe you're right. Who knows? I might learn to forgive myself. But let's get back on topic. Now my life only went downhill from there. That was until I met you, Crusch. You were hurt and I had to help you, because that's who I am, isn't that right?"
Crusch: "I disagree, and from the looks of things, you do as well."
Xeno: "Bingo! You're right. This is something I just noticed. This problem of mine goes way back, further than I realized. All the way back to when I got crippled. The way I acted and accepted responsibility for things I shouldn't have made me realize something was wrong with me."
"I inadvertently became an extremely altruistic person."
"There is nothing wrong with being altruistic, not at all, but I've become excessive in it and I still don't understand why. Maybe trauma or something, I don't know." He waved it off.
"But what I do know is that I'm not that kind of person, nor do I want to be. I don't want responsibility. I'd rather slack off, begrudgingly socialize with people, joke around and, most importantly of all, make sure I get dotted on to the extreme." He declared proudly.
Crusch: "..."
"But look at what I became. I used to be a absent boss now i go to business meetings, all because my dumbass decided to expand my business without telling anyone. Ugh, they are so boring, and because of my short attention span, I don't even remember half of it."
"In fact, my whole Ainavol shtick is tiring, so mentally exhausting. I still regret ever making him. Man, what a pain. I'd rather slouch around and have Rem or Emilia feed me fruits. It wouldn't be the first time."
Crusch stayed silent. Even though he was whining like a child, she felt proud. He was complaining about his own life.
Xeno: "So, Crusch, you wanted to know what I wanted, right? So here it is."
"I want a cozy and stress-free life. All this selfless stuff is exhausting. So I want to relax. That's what I want. How about it?"
Crusch: "I believe that's a wonderful thing. But is that all you want, Xeno?"
Xeno: "Yeah, I do. And I think I've been doing that, unknowingly. I know it sounds strange, but looking back, I have been doing a lot more than just trying to help you."
"I liked waking up and making food. I loved it when you praised me. I smiled knowing how lively Felt and Reinhard were from their letters. I'm grateful when you taught me how to throw a proper punch. Heck, even though my meetings were boring as hell, I had fun being Ainavol, being praised as a legend and kicking criminal ass was awesome. I realized it just hours ago, but..."
"Here... I can finally stop. I can just be myself, my true self, and rest. And... Crusch, I loved every moment we spent together. So thank you. For once, I feel like I can live a happy life here... Together with you. Because—"
He turned around with a genuine smile on his face.
"I actually enjoy my life here. This is what I want most: a peaceful and beautiful life like this."
Crusch: "Oh Xeno." It brought her tremendous joy that he wanted to with her. More then that she liked that he wanted out of his own choice.
Xeno: "But there is something else I want that's equally important to me." His smile dropped. Instead, he looked at Crusch.
Crusch: "What would that be, Xeno?"
Xeno: "Tell me, Crusch... Do you wish that you could save everyone from dying?" He spoke seriously.
Crusch: "...Xeno, I know you blame yourself for your camp's death. But they're already gone." She said softly.
Xeno: "Are they, though?" He grinned.
Crusch: "What?" She asked, confused and surprised.
Xeno: "Let's just say, history isn't as permanent as you think."
Crusch's eyes widened in surprise, her mind quickly catching on to what he was implying.
Crusch: "Wait, are you saying..." She couldn't believe it.
Xeno: 'Let's hope this works.' His shoulders tensed.
"That history can be overwritten? Oh, Crusch, reality isn't as rigid as you think."
Her eyes widened at the declaration, while Xeno relaxed when nothing happened.
'Thought so. Satella didn't react.'
Xeno: "I love it here, but I won't deny I miss my old life as well. That's why I want to save Emilia, Rem, Ram, Betty, Meili, Wilhelm, Felix, and everyone else that died that day. This is what I want."
"I want to save everyone."
Crusch: "..."
...
She had no words for what she heard, several thoughts going through her mind. First, Xeno's statements themselves.
Her Divine Protection detected that he mixed truth and falsehood in his words. She didn't know why, but he would never lie about something like this.
So that means... Xeno can truly save everyone. He can fix everything. Even though she was moving on from her guilt, that didn't mean she didn't miss them.
Yet that begs the question... If he could do this, why wait until now?
Crusch: "If you could really do this, then what is it going to cost? What price do you want to pay for that, Xeno?" She said, completely serious.
Xeno's expression turned solemn. He let out a heavy sigh.
Xeno: "Th-This life. To save everyone, I have to erase this life. Everything we've done... Gone forever."
Crusch: "..."
She knew it. There had to be a price, but this? Losing her love for Xeno, to erase everything they've done. Her heart tightened at the thought.
Crusch: "Truly everything, Xeno?"
Xeno: "Yes." He spoke with a heavy tone.
"The right choice would be to save them? A world where none of us lost the people important to us? Right?"
"But at the same time, I want to live this life with you, Crusch. I don't want to say goodbye." Hesitation was clear in his voice.
Crusch: "You want to leave me?" Her body trembled with emotions. She could feel how much he was struggling.
Xeno: "No! I want this life... But I want Emilia and everyone else as well. I miss them. I want them to live. But... I.... Please, tell me, Crusch—"
The ultimate choice. Xeno had said it once, and he'd say it again: Making a choice is the hardest thing in life.
And before him lay two options.
One, he stays, and the other, he loops.
If he loops, he can save Emilia, Rem, Ram, Beatrice, Meili, Arlam, and even Crusch's camp. He can give hundreds the chance to live their lives again.
Yet...
The cost is erasing everything he built here. He knows he can be happy here with Crusch. He can actually have a joyous and fulfilling life here. They can build a new life here. He knows it, she knows it.
They would have a happy ending together.
But...
That would mean accepting Emilia and everyone else's death.
The morally correct decision would be to save everyone. But a major part of him wants to stay here with Crusch.
So...
Xeno: "Is it selfish of me to want this life?"
Crusch: "..."
She didn't have an answer.
...
Silence reigned supreme, both lost in their own minds. Neither of them wanted to make a choice; that would mean sacrificing something dear to them.
Nobody wants to lose what is precious to them. Specifically, not something like love. And Crusch wasn't an exception.
She understood something important. The reason why he told her any of this was because he cared enough to tell her he doesn't want to lose her.
She would be lying if she said she didn't want Xeno to leave. Crusch didn't want to let go. So the possibility that he could stay with her was tempting, really tempting.
She knows he would be happy as well, and Xeno really wants it as well. But that would mean letting him accept his camp's death.
Something that would eat away at him, even if he did stay. But the same problem can be said the other way around. So that begs the question.
Crusch: 'Is it selfish of me to want him to stay?' She arrived at the same question as Xeno.
Crusch walked forward and grabbed his hands, wrapping them around hers. She spoke with a somber tone.
Crusch: "Xeno, I'm very happy you told me this. You could have simply left and i wouldn't have known. But you love so much that you couldn't accept that."
Xeno: "..."
Crusch: "I don't know either if it's selfish for you to stay here with me. I want you too, Xeno. I want you by my side, I want to see the future you planned with me."
Xeno: "Does... That mean... You?" He said with a little bit of hope in his voice.
Crusch: "I want you by my side. I don't want to dream of a life without you."
Xeno: "You want me to stay, huh? Talk about clingy." The corner of his mouth curled up.
Crusch: "Yes, I want you to be as happy as you can, Xeno. I want you to live a life you cherish. For that reason, I... choose to let you go."
Xeno: "Huh!!!!!?"
Crusch: "It breaks my heart to say this, but Xeno, I want you to be selfles one more time." Tears built up in her eyes.
"Thank you for everything, Xeno. I know how much this life means to you. And it does to me as well. I want you, Xeno. So this is my sincere wish... Please."
"Go save everyone." Uncontrollable tears fell down her eyes.
Xeno: "Crusch..." His eyes disappeared at the choice she made.
A beautiful smile etched itself on her crying face. She gave it up just for him, and hoped that maybe, just maybe, the other her could love him one day as well.
Xeno: "Is this really what you want, Crusch?"
Crusch: "....Yes."
Xeno: "..."
"Alright."
...
The decision was set, and there was no going back.
Still, a part of him wanted her to tell him to stay.
Sigh, too late for that now. Xeno knew how much this hurt her, so the least he could do was respect her wishes.
Meanwhile, Crusch was going through her own struggles.
Crusch: "Xeno... When are you leaving?"
Xeno: "It's... Better if I leave tomorrow."
She knew it. The faster he left, the better for both of them. But still, she didn't want their goodbye to be gloomy, so an idea came to her.
Crusch: 'Since... I'll be gone, in that case, why not...' She mustered all her courage.
Crusch: "Xeno." She called out softly, her cheeks burning up.
Xeno looked at her blushing face, confused.
"Yeah, what i–"
Crusch: "Xeno... I love you."
His words were cut off as, the instant she said that, Crusch pulled his arms towards her, and before he knew it—
Crusch kissed him.
The kiss was awkward yet sincere. She pulled away a few seconds later.
Xeno: "..."
Xeno.exe has stopped working.
His pupils wildly twisted, turning into sharp spirals spinning inward like turbines.
Xeno: "Ahhhekkkkkkkkk." He made childish and honestly pathetic noises.
He had never even had a girlfriend, and here he was getting kissed by someone beautiful. He swayed as if emotionally processing the romantic gesture.
Crusch, meanwhile, giggled at Xeno's behavior. Now understanding why Rem found Xeno's childishness so endearing.
Xeno violently shook his head, slapping himself to get a hold of himself.
Xeno: "I, uummmmmm,,, eheheehehhhhhhh. What... the heck?" He finally managed to speak.
Crusch: "That was a little gift for you to remember me by, Xeno." She continued to giggle.
Xeno: "Ohhhhhh."
'Something to remember me by, huh?' A new idea popped into his mind. If she was doing that... then he should as well.
Crusch: "Ekk!?"
She squealed when Xeno suddenly pulled her into a hug, burying his head in her chest.
Crusch: "X-Xeno, wh–"
Xeno: "Crusch... You'd like to sleep with me? I want to spend our last moments together." He requested.
Crusch was surprised by this. Sleeping with him? He was offering her something that intimate?
Her answer was obvious.
And so, The Final Decision ended on a positive note. Both Xeno and Crusch slept together, holding each other close.
They spent their last night in each other's embrace.