"Fou!"
As Rozen drew closer, the Fou on his shoulder cried out happily and leapt toward Mash.
Mash extended her hands naturally to catch Fou, stroking its unbelievably soft fur while gazing at Rozen with a tenderness rarely seen in her eyes.
Bearing Mash's gentle gaze, Rozen walked to her side, and the two exchanged a smile.
Then, as if by tacit agreement, they said nothing more, instead looking out together at the beautiful blue sky.
The two stood side by side upon the snow beneath the vast sky—a scene more picturesque than any painting.
The silence between them did not turn heavy or awkward, but instead grew warmer, filled with affection.
In that moment, silence spoke louder than words.
And yet, there were some words that still needed to be spoken aloud to fully express what lay within the heart.
At least—that was how Mash felt right now.
And so…
"I'm truly glad that I was able to meet you, Senpai."
Mash whispered almost as though to herself.
Her tone made it clear these were words from the depths of her heart.
"If not for you, Senpai, I would never have had the chance to one day leave Chaldea… nor would I ever have had the chance to see the blue sky."
That was what Mash believed.
But Rozen shook his head.
"It was my brother who brought you out of the sterile room. I didn't do anything at all."
Indeed.
If it hadn't been for Roman, with Rozen's power and status back then, there was no way he could have saved Mash, nor would they have walked this far together.
"At that time, I rejected everything about Chaldea. I loathed those Magi who toyed so wantonly with my life and the lives of others. If my brother hadn't brought you before me and told me to look after you, then perhaps—even knowing your situation—I would have chosen to ignore it, continuing to live embittered and alienated from everyone."
Rozen kept his eyes on the sky as he spoke.
"That's why it should be me saying this—it was truly wonderful to have met you."
If not for Mash's constant companionship and tireless care, Rozen would never have made it this far.
"You're the one who gave me comrades."
"You're the one who showed me that warmth still exists in this world."
"Your kindness has pulled me back from the wrong path more times than I can count."
"Without you, I can't even imagine what kind of person I would be right now."
That was why Rozen was sincerely grateful to Mash.
If Roman had taught Rozen the meaning of family, then Mash had taught him the meaning of friends—and of lovers.
Without Mash, Rozen would have surely become someone who refused to trust anyone, someone unwilling to approach or accept anyone outside of Roman.
Thinking of that, meeting Mash was without doubt the greatest blessing of Rozen's life.
Of course…
"Senpai, it's the same for me." Mash confessed softly. "Without you, I can't imagine how unbearably lonely… how hopelessly alone I would have been."
Had she never met Rozen, Mash wouldn't even have had the will to go on living.
In other words…
"We're the same, aren't we?"
"Yes."
Rozen and Mash exchanged another smile, everything understood without needing words.
In that instant, even without an Absolute Contract, even without merging souls, both could clearly feel the other's heart and the other's feelings.
"From now on, we'll still have a very long time together."
Rozen said with all his heart.
"Perhaps in this world."
"Perhaps in other worlds."
"Perhaps while traveling."
"Or perhaps while fighting."
"There are countless things waiting for us to do together."
One could say, it was from this moment onward that their lives truly began.
"From now on, we'll no longer be Master and Servant of Chaldea. Instead, we'll live as ourselves, choosing the life we want to live."
Rozen looked at Mash.
"Will you still be willing to recognize me as Senpai, to recognize me as your Master, and as Servant and familiar, continue to stay by my side?"
Mash gave her answer almost without hesitation.
"Of course."
That was what Mash said.
"From that day, in that sea of flames, I decided—I would dedicate my entire life to Senpai, to remain as your Servant and overcome every hardship by your side."
That resolve had never once wavered, even now.
"I may still be immature… but please, let me continue to follow you, Senpai."
As she spoke, Mash smiled.
It was the most beautiful, joyful, shy, and resolute smile she had ever shown.
Rozen smiled too, reaching out to draw Mash into his embrace.
Mash did not resist in the slightest, but leaned gently into his arms, holding him close.
The boy and the girl embraced one another, gazing at the sky as though envisioning the future, their eyes filled with light.
And as Rozen looked at Mash like this, his heart finally found complete peace.
The crisis of Human Order Incineration had passed.
The ultimate foe had been defeated.
But even so, there were still many, many things Rozen wished to do.
For instance, he wanted to return to the Akabane household, to see Hinowa, and even more so to see Charl and Frey.
For instance, he wanted to return to the Kirigaya household, to see Kirito, to see Suguha, and also Silica, Lis, Sinon, Yui, Klein, Agil, Sachi, as well as Saichou and Hanachou.
He even wanted to go to the Moon once more, to see the giant Altera, and bring her out of that stone chamber.
In every world Rozen had once experienced—the very worlds that had fostered his growth—he wanted to revisit them all.
Not to mention, in some of those worlds, there was a lover waiting for him, bearing his child.
At last, Rozen could return freely, to reunite with his lover and his friends, to live together and to travel together.
The future truly filled him with anticipation.
And then…
"By the way, Senpai, you still haven't told me—what was that about the child you mentioned earlier?"
Mash suddenly grew serious, locking her gaze on Rozen.
And it wasn't only Mash.
"""""We want to know as well!"""""
At the gates of Chaldea, one by one, the girls who were Servants and familiars appeared—some with unfriendly faces, some with cold expressions, others with smiling-but-not-smiling looks. All of them fixed their eyes on Rozen, the killing intent in their gaze practically tangible.
"Ha… haha... ha…"
Rozen's mouth twitched as he gave a dry laugh, as though he had just glimpsed his own impending death.
It seemed that the future awaiting him would not be only beautiful, but also filled with terrifying trials he would have to overcome.
[ THE END ]