My youth story, a crossover anime, turns out, is FGO!

When a handsome, noble, and gentle person, who seems to embody all the glory in the world, extends his hand to you, even if you know that the other person has no ulterior motives, can you refuse?

At least Kasumigaoka Utaha can answer you: she can't refuse.

Especially the envious and longing looks from those around you, enough to make you feel lightheaded, as if your bones have become lighter.

Even though Kasumigaoka Utaha has always been the "other people's child," attracting a lot of envy for her looks and talent, this time there was a different feeling.

Obediently placing her gloved hand into Charlemagne's palm, she followed that gentle movement to the center of the dance floor. People around her unconsciously made way for the perfect couple. Another couple to receive this treatment was King Arthur and Eriri.

Wearing a crown and dressed in silver armor, with white fur trim on the collar of his cloak, King Arthur looked even more awe-inspiring and unapproachable, noble and dignified, with an ethereal sense of holiness.

Even the overly proud Eriri couldn't last a single round against him. She could only mutter something she couldn't even hear herself, like, "Since you invited me, I'll reluctantly agree," before decisively placing her hand in the king's palm.

Such masquerade balls are usually quite chaotic. Originally, there was a host to embellish the event, but when two couples entered, even the host was at a loss for words.

The previously noisy and chaotic scene suddenly became orderly, and everyone tacitly retreated to the sides, leaving only these two couples in the center of the dance floor.

This is probably the kind of prestige that comes with B-level leadership plus an EX-level Paladin Emperor.

As the melodious music began to play, the four people in the center of the dance floor started to move.

Eriri is alright, but Kasumigaoka Utaha has never actually learned ballroom dancing, but that's okay, her dance partner isn't exactly a conventional person either.

Charlemagne can perfectly coordinate with any movement of his body to the music, showing no signs of clumsiness or awkwardness, as if they were one.

In the end, even Kasumigaoka Utaha, who had a somewhat gloomy and somber personality, let loose. Her face was filled with a carefree and joyful smile that she had never seen before. Her limbs were flexible and graceful, and she moved easily on the dance floor.

She doesn't seem like herself at all like this.

Kasumigaoka Utaha felt as if she had been split into two people: one indulging in relaxation and enjoying the moment, and the other coldly scrutinizing the scene, soberly telling herself that none of this belonged to her.

What exactly is that dull feeling in my chest?

Kasumigaoka Utaha knew that she was truly moved.

She wasn't moved when she learned Charlemagne's identity, nor was she moved when she saw his handsome face and extraordinary temperament. But at this moment, her heart couldn't help but pound.

Because Kasumigaoka Utaha had never felt this way before, that she was being pampered and embraced, that no matter what she wanted to do, the man in front of her would be her strongest support, clearing obstacles for her and being omnipotent. This kind of natural strength and favoritism, this kind of unreserved and all-encompassing support, this kind of all-encompassing security, is what makes Kasumigaoka Utaha unable to stop her heart from fluttering.

Another version of myself is someone who is so favored.

There really is someone who would choose to be this dark, dull, and repulsive version of themselves.

"You seem quite skilled at this," Kasumigaoka Utaha couldn't help but strike up a conversation with Charlemagne. "Have you practiced many times?" After all, he was so considerate; no matter what the girl made, Charlemagne could always respond.

"No, but Heroic Spirits' five senses and body control are far beyond those of ordinary people."

“And Kasumigaoka-san and Utaha do have some similar mannerisms.” Charlemagne’s eyes were clear, without any other thoughts. “After all, she’s Utaha from a parallel world.”

“But even if it looks very similar, you didn’t mistake it for someone else.” Kasumigaoka Utaha said, her heart tightening.

“Because Shiyu is Shiyu, and you are you!” Charlemagne replied matter-of-factly. “How could I mistake you? That would be so uncool!”

"You are simply yourselves, unique individuals."

Kasumigaoka Utaha's eyes trembled, and the words that followed stuck in her throat.

On the other side, Eriri and King Arthur were also dancing gracefully on the dance floor. Compared to Kasumigaoka Utaha, Eriri, as the daughter of a diplomat, was indeed more familiar with the ball and danced quite well.

However, she couldn't suppress the nervousness in her heart.

After all, the other party is King Arthur! Anyone would be a little at a loss. Compared to Kasumigaoka Utaha's unfamiliarity with Charlemagne, Eriri, even though she is a Japanese person in Japanese clothing, is still familiar with the legend of King Arthur.

"Please don't worry." The blond, blue-eyed knight king's gaze was gentle and tolerant, but there was a hint of playfulness in his words. "I won't eat people."

"Huh?" Eriri felt that this sentence was out of place.

The blond youth in front of him simply smiled, his eyes seemingly shimmering with turquoise light.

"Uh, of course I know that! Okay, I admit it, I'm just a little nervous!" Eriri said, giving up entirely. "Does that make me look a little silly?"

King Arthur slowly shook his head: "No."

"You're fine like this."

These incredibly sincere and gentle words would probably have been met with disdain by Eriri if spoken by anyone else, but you know that they come from the Knight King before you.

He didn't lie.

Eriri's heart skipped a beat. That instinctive urge to escape made her unwilling to explore her own heart like Kasumigaoka Utaha, and naturally she would never discover her true feelings.

She just blurted out a question instinctively: "Do you say these sweet words to her too?"

shit!

The moment the words left her mouth, Eriri regretted them. What was she thinking? Why did she have to say such strange things? She wasn't anyone among them.

Eriri felt incredibly embarrassed as her toes dug into the ground.

"Sweet words... perhaps." King Arthur didn't mind Eriri's somewhat inappropriate choice of words. He seemed to never get angry, or perhaps he wouldn't hold a grudge against a little girl like Eriri.

"However, this statement is not a lie."

"No matter which girl it is, no matter how similar they are, they all have their own unique beauty."

"You and Eriri are both like that."

The blond king's blue eyes were like the clear blue sky after rain, captivating all who beheld him.

"..."

The blonde girl opened her mouth, but a thousand words choked in her throat.

"Honestly, I'm a little envious."

If it were you, it would be perfectly natural for another version of yourself to fall in love with them.

Just like the aching and bitter feeling in her chest right now, she may never forget it for the rest of her life.

Sayuri Sawamura, who was watching, sighed deeply.

"Darling, will our daughter be able to find a suitable partner in the future?" Sawamura Sayuri was aware of Eriri's feelings for Aki Tomoya, and they had even tried to help the two of them. However, now Sawamura Sayuri was worried about whether Eriri would be able to find someone else in the future.

“Honey, I feel helpless when you say that…” Leonard Spencer said, indicating his inability to do anything about it.

Children are a debt.

A pair of parents expressed their feelings.

No matter how hard you try to hold on, time is like fine sand, slipping through your fingers. A dance can be very long, yet it is also very short.

As the dance ended, Charlemagne bowed slightly to Kasumigaoka Utaha in a gentlemanly manner, and then released her hand.

Then, the warmth from her fingertips faded away, and Kasumigaoka Utaha instinctively reached out, only to quickly withdraw her hand.

On the other side, King Arthur also parted ways with Eriri.

This brief period may be unforgettable for a lifetime.

With the arrival of another version of himself, the dreamlike king finally returned to the side of the one he protected. The harmonious atmosphere, the aura that seemed to be separated from the outside world, was a scene belonging to another world.

It is the radiance of dreams that belongs to their daily lives and can never touch.

"It's like a dream..." the girl with long, straight black hair couldn't help but say.

“Yes,” the blonde girl with pigtails chimed in.

But it was also a very beautiful dream.

……

"You're finally back. How was your journey in the parallel world?" Aoki Makoto asked curiously as he saw the four figures appear in the magic circle.

"Hehe, the location and transfer to the other world were also successfully completed. I am truly worthy of my reputation!" Taigong Wang boasted without any restraint.

"Oh dear, did you manage to pick up any pretty girls? With King Arthur's personality, he's probably going to end up with a lot of romantic entanglements." Merlin, always eager for a good laugh, chimed in. "After all, this His Majesty might have some kind of hidden talent for attracting women!"

Of course, the result was that they were relegated to a corner by Shi Hua Yi Shao.

"Hahaha, Merlin and all that, he really is the worst kind of scoundrel." The orange-haired, blue-eyed young man in a white lab coat chuckled sarcastically.

"Well said, Dr. Roman!" Makoto Aoki gave a thumbs up.

"You two are quite in sync in this regard, huh?" Merlin said quietly, rubbing his cheek.

Incidentally, the man named Romani Archman was one of the products of the deal between Makoto Aoki and the world consciousness at that time. Solomon of the Type-Moon world has been returned to the heavens and is close to the state of "nothingness". Solomon's legend and achievements will disappear forever on earth.

However, this world doesn't have that! This gives Makoto Aoki room to maneuver.

However, due to insufficient energy, Dr. Roman is currently just an empty shell and needs Makoto Aoki to continue working in other worlds to stabilize his position.

To ensure that Dr. Roman was the one who survived, he even went with Fujimaru Ritsuka to break into the collapsed Temple of Time and retrieve the ten rings. The process was incredibly arduous.

This makes the world's consciousness wonder, Makoto Aoki, is it really not Dr. Roman who you like, but Fujimaru Ritsuka? You're being way too enthusiastic.

Makoto Aoki felt wronged. Any FGO player who had a way to help Dr. Roman would have done everything in their power! Besides, this would have earned him a lot of points with Fujimaru Ritsuka!

"Overall, it was a very interesting experience!" Charlemagne answered Aoki Makoto's question with great enthusiasm. "Shiha thinks so too, right?"

Seeing the sparkling eyes of her own Servant, Kasumigaoka Utaha chuckled: "Of course."

Compared to her other self, she was unfortunate, yet fortunate; but at least she liked her life now.

The black-haired girl with the white headband thought.

"Anyway, we're back safe and sound, so nothing else matters." Eriri linked arms with her Servant. "Right, Arthur?"

"Hmm." King Arthur smiled gently.

Dr. Roman wore a look of utter satisfaction at being fed dog food (a Chinese slang term for witnessing public displays of affection), then reassured himself, "I still have Magical Girl☆Merry!"

"This is the most desperate thing ever!" Makoto Aoki couldn't help but complain.

"What are you saying, Aoki-kun?" Dr. Roman's eyes were clear yet foolish. "Merry is not at fault; the only one at fault is her manager."

Actually, you don't understand very well! Aoki Makoto was speechless. This is called self-deception.

Of course, Makoto Aoki decided it was best not to expose him, after all, what if Dr. Roman chose to self-destruct again because he had lost hope for the future (especially Magical Girl☆Merry), and they had finally managed to save him?

After everyone else had left, leaving only Makoto Aoki, a light voice broke in.

"Haven't you decided when to set off yet?" The World Consciousness, which had been absent for some time, suddenly reappeared. However, according to it, Fufu's body had been returned to its original owner, so it could only temporarily reside on the nearby dolls—how pitiful, a dignified World Consciousness reduced to such a state.

"I guess I'll stay here comfortably for a while longer."

Makoto Aoki stretched and gazed at the distant blue sky.

"After that, it's a story for the future."

(End of the book)