Utena would have laughed at the question, were it not for the fear that her mirth might be mistaken for derision; they were real, the both of them. The only thing Utena was sure of, anymore, was that; after all, they had pierced the veil of illusion, if only for a moment. And, they could do it again.

"I'm real... I swear," was her response; what else could she say?

A hand was raised to Anthy's head, as Utena ran her fingers quietly through Anthy's hair. They must have looked ridiculous, tenderly embracing there, in the hallway of a mental institution; yet, as always, Utena simply did not care.