[ At those words, the look on her face warms and softens into something gentle and sweet. They've both been saying them over and over since last night, an overflowing of words neither of them have ever been able to say out loud - they're both liars, after all. That's its own kind of curse before mages and magic ever so much as enter the picture.

But when they're together, none of it matters. Maybe this will be the only kind of truth they'll ever be able to speak... but if they can speak it, then isn't everything else secondary?

If Ai knows that her love is the real thing, hasn't her wish already been granted? ]

Mm. I love you too. [ Then with a laugh, breathless and giddy; ] I still can't believe I'm allowed to really say it. That I can say it... and I know it's the real thing.

[ She chases the kiss with another of her own. They should really get up and at least get something to eat but... she doesn't want him to let go of her just yet. ]