"Because no matter how much I cried and screamed, it wouldn't change the situation, would it?
If I was the only one who could do it, then I had to face it head-on.
Even if it wasn't what I wanted, even if I had to put myself in harm's way, I would do what I could.
Running away was the worst possible choice. Until I had no choice but to run, I would dance as beautifully as I could."
...That really sounded like something Aoko would say.
Since there were spectators, she had to demand their applause.
But first, the one to offer that applause had to be herself, not someone else.
Before gaining the recognition of those around her, the girl herself had to walk forward with her head held high.
As long as she moved forward beautifully, worthy of everything she had lost, she had to keep going strong even if she was the only one left in the world.
Shirou finally understood why, despite having no romantic feelings for her, he had been unable to reject Aoko's confession.
The way the girl existed was simply too dazzling, just like the brilliant starry sky Shirou had seen the night before.
He didn't like her, but he had already been utterly captivated by her.
Afterward came Shirou and Aoko's strategy meeting.
To completely dispel the already-formed "Fae Domain," they had to fulfill two conditions.
The first was, naturally, to eliminate the core of the "Fae Domain"—the witch Arisu Kyōnoji, who was hiding within the dense fog.
Whether by defeating her or persuading her, they had to make her stop the magic's ongoing effects.
The second was to rebuild five anchor points within Misaki City and then use Misaki's ley line to restore the land.
That meant they