Ship Tease / The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel

Warning: spoilers relating to events/reveals that happen during the first two games shall be left unmarked. Certain spoilers relating to the third and fourth game however shall remain tagged.

Rean x Alisa

But for now, let me stay like this for a while...

I've heard about your little group before, but you two are quite the cutesy pair, aren't you?

— Tio Plato

Although the games allow a player to choose between a selection of girls to act as Rean's love interest, him and Alisa are considered by fans as the "main pairing" of the Trails of Cold Steel games in a fashion similar to how their predecessors, Lloyd and Elie, were considered as such in Zero and Azure.

---

Trails of Cold Steel

• Prologue. Their first meeting in general. If pursued, her final bonding event in Cold Steel II even has Alisa refer to it as "the most picture perfect way" to meet Rean which is something that he agrees with.
• Chapter 1. After Alisa notes how Rean and Laura aren't getting along and notes that Rean also has his share of secrets, Elliot makes mention of the fact that she's rather observant of him which Alisa quickly denies out of embarrassment.
• Chapter 3. Rainy season has come, and after completing their respective study sessions for the midterms, Rean and Alisa eventually end up walking back to their dorm together. Alisa makes note of with a light blush that it's not something that happens often between them, whereas Rean on the other hand makes a comment about how he at least got something good out of the downpour, something that Alisa glares at him in annoyance due to the unambiguously flirty nature of it which Rean doesn't really try to deny.
• During their field study in the Nord Highlands it's revealed that Alisa had sent a letter to her grandfather Gwyn that mentions Rean. Going from Gwyn's words, it's apparent that Alisa thinks well of Rean to the point that her own grandfather mistakenly assumes that there could be something between them from just one letter alone.
  • Later that night Gaius' people hold a feast. Alisa ends up leaving early and Emma asks Rean to keep her company. When asking why Emma herself doesn't accompany her, she replies that she thinks Rean is the best man for the job. Showing that even Emma acknowledges the already close bond that both have with each other.
  • This then followed up by their night talk in Nord. An event that highlights how close both Rean and Alisa have become in the past three months since both became classmates, confiding to each other about their personal problems and issues with each noting that little by little they're able to move forward thanks to the support of one another and their friends.
• In the official manga one-shot Link of Hearts case:A.R., it's revealed that the gloves that both Rean and Alisa wear for the duration of the summer season (on their right and left hand respectively) is actually part of the same set that Alisa had brought. She decided to give one to Rean in order to commemorate their friendship with each other.
• Chapter 4. During Class VII's swimming lessons, Sara decides to tease both Rean and Alisa by asking them to perform a demonstration of CPR with each other. Alisa quickly objects out of embarrassment, but Rean asks "In front of everyone...?" Does that mean he's actually okay with doing it if it was just the two of them?
• Later on when Class VII finally have their first meeting with both Alfin and Olivert, the former decides to ask Rean out to be her dance partner during a garden party taking place during the Summer Festival. When Rean objects, feeling that she could go with someone better than himself, Alfin muses that Rean must already have someone he's interested in which Olivert is then quick to ask about. Barring Elise, Alisa is the first to react and does so regardless of Rean's bond level with her.
• Chapter 6. In a manner reminiscent of their night in Nord, Rean has another talk with Alisa during their field study in Roer. It eventually ends with Rean rubbing Alisa's head affectionately and praising her for her kindness towards others even when they annoy her, him most of all, and thanks her for it especially. Causing a very visible Luminescent Blush to appear on Alisa's face as she's taken aback Rean's sincere words.
  • She later expresses incredible annoyance at finding out that not long after their talk Rean quickly went out to meet with Claire alone (though Fie tags along with him), expressing clear jealousy over the matter as she berates Rean for it the following morning. She becomes even more annoyed when Fie states that Rean couldn't keep his eyes off Claire the entire time.
• Alisa's Dance Event. In it, she confides to Rean about her doubts regarding their future. But makes note that so long as the "two of them" are together, they can overcome it. Alisa eventually realizes her slip of tongue, and tries taking it back out of embarrassment until Rean decides to hold her hand and tells her that he wants that, that although they're both still looking for their respective places in the world, he believes that it might be right next to each other. This is in contrast to the other Dance Events which can be either taken as platonic or where Rean is mildly oblivious at best.
  • The manga adaptation ends up going with Alisa's event. It's also shown that during the school festival itself that Rean spent a ticket to visit Class II's Stella Garden with Alisa.

Trails of Cold Steel II

• Alisa's reunion with Rean in the second game. She quickly runs to hug him the moment she can, holding onto him for a good while she apologizes to Rean about what Class VII had put him through by forcing him to retreat from the battle of Trista. This happens regardless if a player imported a save with Alisa as the chosen dance partner, and their hug lasts for so long that Gwyn can't help but comment on his granddaughter's boldness for sharing a rather passionate embrace with Rean.
  • Speaking of importing a save with Alisa a chosen dance partner, or at least importing a save where she has a high bonding level with Rean, doing so results in bonus dialogue about her finally being able to keep her promise to him about "telling him everything that's in her heart" the moment they reunited. While she quickly backs out of it due to being mentally unprepared, it's very clear that Alisa meant to confess her feelings to Rean.
• As foreshadowed by Alisa's line of having been to Ymir once as a child in both the first game and in her first bonding event, it's revealed in Alisa's second bonding event that she and Rean once met each other as children when he had rescued her from being lost in the mountain woods. After finding out, Alisa quietly admits to herself that she's glad that it was Rean.
• The aftermath of Alisa's Roer Bonding Event. In it, she quickly decides to leave Rean alone and heads for her room. Should a player decide to visit her, Alisa can be found chastising herself for "letting the perfect opportunity slip through her fingers" and notes that she's being a coward. Considering her obvious feelings for Rean, it's very clear that she had meant to confess to him at that point.
• Alisa's Bareahard Bonding Event in its entirety. In it, Alisa expresses her concerns over Rean continuously risking his life when piloting Valimar with Class VII being unable to directly help him. Rean reassures her that it's alright so long as she and the others continue to support him regardless. Alisa promises to do so, and tells Rean the following:
  Alisa: Just don't go doing anything too reckless in here, okay? You're really important to all of us... but especially to me. So...
  Rean: (Clearly surprised) Alisa...
  • It's then made rather apparent that if Valimar hadn't interrupted the moment then something intimate likely would have happened between both. Even XSEED Games decided to get in on the shipping by actually voicing this event in the PC release in contrast to the others barring the final event.
• Up until Cold Steel IV, Alisa was also the only girl to ever receive a kiss on the lips from Rean in her final bonding events in both the second and third game. The ending cg of said game also features the two of them holding hands as they and Class VII, Towa, Angelica, and George all pose to take a picture.

Trails of Cold Steel III

• Much like in Cold Steel II, their reunion in Cold Steel III in a nutshell. The first thing that Alisa does after finally reuniting with Rean is to run and embrace him, where she admits that she wanted to say something special when she saw him again, but the moment she did everything in her mind went blank. Rean then returns the favor, and notes that Alisa has become much more beautiful to the point that he hardly recognized her. Alisa comments that the same goes for her as Rean became more handsome himself, but then adds the following:
  Alisa: But I knew from one glance it was you. You're someone special to me... to us after all!
  • Afterwards, Alisa congratulates Rean on his graduation from Thors and with him thanking her in response. As they do so, Tio and Rean's students can't help but note the highly intimate mood between them. Going from Tio's words, there are apparently even rumors about Rean and Alisa's close relationship with another. To the point that she already somewhat expected to see them hug the way they did, but was still taken aback by how intimate it was regardless^note Remember that Tio has Super-Senses. She probably was taken aback by how affectionate Rean and Alisa were.. Another thing to note is that the hug between Rean and Alisa itself lasts for so long that it takes Sharon's usual teasing for the two of them to actually separate.
  • Later on, while being questioned about his relationship with Alisa by Juna, Altina calls Rean out for putting on such a romantic scene in front of his students and accuses him of having indecent thoughts regarding Alisa. He also gets teased by Sharon about the matter, telling him it's only natural that he'd feel excited being hugged by someone as cute and beautiful as her. Rean initially tries to deny this, but he then eventually admits to it.
• As pictured above, Alisa's bonding event has her meeting up with Rean over at Leeves and wanting to see Einhell for herself. After doing so, with Sharon leaving early to give Rean and Alisa some alone time, Rean decides to take Alisa on a tour the school which eventually ends with them standing on the rooftop. As they both reminisce of their own school days at Thors, Alisa goes into a rant about her mother and the Reinford Group's recent actions and shows signs of being stressed by it. Without any prompting, Rean places his hand on her shoulder and pulls Alisa close, saying that he, more than anyone else, knows how hard Alisa works and believes that she can pull through and will support her if she needs it. Alisa notes that Rean is spoiling her, but smiles as she leans closer into Rean and asks to stay that way with him for a while longer, saying that she'll be able to do her best because of him with Rean obliging.
• In Chapter 4, after taking part in a meeting with Olivert, Victor, Gwyn and Alisa, the player can potentially talk to any one of them for additional dialogue. Talking with Alisa however results in Rean's students once again noting the very close bond between her and Rean, with Ash even wondering if the two of them did anything "special" last night when Class VII had their reunion. Alisa quickly catches on and denies it, but not quick enough as both Olivert and Victor both make comments about the matter themselves resulting in an exasperated Rean.
  • Doing the above even results in an additional character note for Alisa that comments upon her and Rean's rather intimate relationship with one another that the students tease them for.
• During Alfin's debut party, Rean ends up dancing with Alisa. While he does end up dancing with a few of other girls as well, Alisa is notable in that she's the only dance partner that Rean could potentially romance during the game itself.
• Gameplay Mechanic: In-game, Rean can buy different items for everyone in Class VII in Cold Steel III, from normal items to fancy ones like bracelets. Alisa was the only one who got a ring.
• During the Summer Festival one of the special bonding events that players can partake in is a tram tour of Heimdallr where both Rean and his chosen companion go on to enjoy the sights. Choosing to bring Alisa along however results in Rean uniquely flirting with her.
  Alisa: Heehee. It feels like forever since I've been on a nice, relaxing ride like this.
  Rean: Yeah, but you know...with you sitting in front of me, it's going to be hard to concentrate on the scenery.
  Alisa: R-Rean!
• Alisa's final bonding event. Much like in Cold Steel II, Alisa is the only one to receive a kiss from Rean in-game. What's noteworthy about this isn't the kiss itself, but rather when importing a save file into Cold Steel IV, Alisa's event is the only one that properly carries over as importing a romance with her ends up affecting several scenes between her and Rean. This is contrast to Laura and Emma, both of whom unfortunately receive little to no changes in their dialogues and events.
  • Alisa began to talk about how the Reinford Group will become busier as the Railway Cannon will start active use soon more than ten thousand weapons and tanks will be use for war feeling guilty that her family are responsible for it but Rean reassure Alisa that he won't let that happen as they're in on this together and she is not facing this alone and will be there for her to support her and Rean confessed his feelings to her and that she is someone irreplaceable to him. Alisa felt touched by his words and thanked Rean as the two embraced and Alisa feel that she overcome anything now and want to give Rean the same strength and the two shared a kiss.

Trails of Cold Steel IV

• In Cold Steel IV, the first thing that Alisa does upon finally getting a chance to be alone with Rean after his rescue from the Black Workshop? Embrace him from behind, with the look on her face showing that she clearly wanted to do so for a while. Their following conversation also has a somewhat flirtatious tone to it as Alisa makes note of Rean's permanent white hair and red eyes as a result of the Curse of Erebonia. Rean thinks she doesn't like it, but she assures him otherwise and that regardless he's still Class VII's most important person, for her most especially. If importing a romance with her from Cold Steel III, Rean responds by turning to face Alisa as if to hug or kiss her, but stops when he notices the troubled look on her face and thus cutting the moment short.
• In contrast to their victory link animations in the past where both simply high five each other, Rean and Alisa's victory link animation in Cold Steel IV has them holding hands in an intimate manner as Rean thanks her for always being there for him with Alisa saying she'd do anything for him.
• Alisa's first bonding event. In it, she decides to abstain from pursuing her love for Rean due to feelings of insecurity brought about by her family's recent actions that resulted in even Rean getting hurt by them. Much like the hug scene above, the dialogue will alter if a player imports a romance with her from Cold Steel III. Regardless of which version the player goes through, Rean is quite visibly distraught by what happens but obliges Alisa out of consideration for her feelings. It even results in their victory link animation going from them holding hands to them acting awkward around each other.
  • Her second bonding event acts as a follow up to this where, after matters with Irina and Sharon are settled, Rean seeks to rekindle their relationship once more. Holding out his hand towards Alisa, he says the following:
    Rean: So I can have my hopes at least, right? Because I can see the light our relationship has. Warm and welcoming and waiting for us to take a chance.
    Alisa: Rean... (places her hand in his) Yeah... I feel exactly the same way. As long as we believe... we'll never lose sight of that light.
    • Talking to Alisa right after this event has Rean musing about his relationship with her and is unsure about how it will change after their talk, but decides to hope for the best. Alisa then catches him while thinking which causes Rean to act in an embarrassed fashion.
• During the prologue it's revealed by Elie that Alisa spoke well of Rean to her, enough that (together with Juna's mentions of him in her letters) she doubts that he's a bad person. She brings this up again during the conference aboard the Pantagruel when she finally meets Rean herself much to Alisa's embarrassment.
• As with Cold Steel III, Rean has the ability to buy gifts for the members of Class VII and other friends of Rean. With Alisa, he buys her a stylish rosary. She notes that Rean must have gone out of his way to buy said gift because of how gorgeous it looks, but Rean says it was all worth it regardless because he got see her beautiful smile. Alisa simply smiles and blushes in response as she calls him a sap.
• In the normal ending of Cold Steel IV, barring both Altina and Elise, who's the one with the strongest reaction to Rean dying among his love interests? Alisa. The True Ending also has her be the most desperate in encouraging Rean to overcome Ishmelga's corruption. This happens regardless on whether or not she was chosen as Rean's main love interest. The true ending cg slides also feature Alisa as being the first to approach Rean by offering him a drink, and has her stand next to him in the final group picture.

Jusis x Millium

Jusis and Millium in Falcom’s official New Years picture of 2019.

”Tonight you are by my side and I'm by yours, I can hear your voice and you can hear mine. What more could we possibly wish for?''

— Jusis to Millium, in the japanese version of the Overture portion of Cold Steel IV

• Other than Claire and Rean, Jusis is among those Millium likes to give hugs. It's also made rather apparent that other than his friendship with Rean and rivalry with Machias, Jusis' closest relationship in Class VII is with Millium which is notable given his distrust of her when they initially meet. Which makes it all the more tragic in the finale of Cold Steel III when she later dies thanks to being fatally wounded by the Divine Beast, with Jusis screaming her name in anguish.

Trails of Cold Steel IV

• Cold Steel IV would later reveal that Millium survived within the Sword of Demise as a spirit. Everyone is relieved and happy at this, but none more than Jusis himself.
• It’s highly implied that Jusis wanted to confess to Millium in the normal ending, when she was sacrificing herself along with Rean and Crow.
  Jusis: Millium, I...!
• Also in Cold Steel IV; should Rean choose to not attend any particular girl's final bonding event, it results in a scene where he decides to hangout with Crow and Machias. During this, the scene shifts between the cast as they all enjoy the night with their loved ones. One standout moment in particular is with Jusis and Millium where both are seen watching the lanterns together – an activity that is for couples. They're also seated at the bench where Rean and his chosen girl would have been at if the player chose a girl for the fireworks scene. And talking about couples, we have this dialogue between them before it:
  Millium: Let’s go somewhere else! I want to see lots and we should leave this place to other couples too!
  Jusis: No objections here- who are you calling a couple though huh?
• Before that, we had a scene when Rean could see Jusis and Millium together, and he literally asks if he was interrupting something. Said something was:
  Millium: Be more honest with your feelings and say that you are happy to be with me here~
  Jusis: Of course I’m happy.
  Millium: Eh...?
• A gameplay example but the only way to use Millium's Brave Order is to have Jusis in the party on the final day of the game.
• Finally, when Millium starts fading, Rean gives the sword to Jusis so he can hold it before Millium is completely gone. The same happens in the scene after the ending. Jusis and Altina are the ones more worried about Millium's soul being transferred to another body, afraid of something going wrong. And the two of them are the first to hug her once she is awake.
• Many parts of the fourth game are designed with tease between them, if the player pays attention to how the scenes are written and how the characters are presented in them. For instance: Once Millium comes back for the second time, after the boss battle between Rean and Crow, the first people to notice her voice are Altina (her sister) and Jusis. The other characters notice her as well, but the camera has high focus on the first two. Once Millium comes back and everyone can see her, everyone reacts. And again, the camera and narrative give more focus to Rean (the protagonist, that suffered a lot with her death), Altina (Her sister)... and Jusis. Rise and repeat, everytime Millium has an important scene, the ones that have more focus talking about her are Altina and Jusis.
  • In the last dungeon, most part of the important scenes are as cutscenes. One of them is Jusis and Millium talking, and Rean with a monologue about how Millium has a time limit on her and they need to spend their time together as much as they want because they don't know the outcome of the last battle. Rean doesn't have this type of monologue with any other character Millium interacts with, besides Jusis.
• The ending video of the fourth game or, more specifically, of the True Ending. At the wedding of Olivier and Schera, the one that gets the bouquet is Millium, while in the same picture as Jusis that was apparently used as a human ladder for her to get it. Other characters are in the picture, but those two are the focus, and the others are Claire looking fondly at them from a distance, and Lechter giving orders to soldiers. It's good to remember that Erebonia is following the traditions of brides and their bouquets, and the ones that get it is the next woman to get married. Thus, it's implied that the next woman to get married will be Millium. And who is always with Millium, with interlocked arms, except for the boys-only picture? It's Jusis.

Meta Examples

• For White Day 2019, Falcom released several pieces of artwork depicting the men of Class VII and Olivert bearing gifts. Jusis' gift stands out in that it's as stuffed rabbit toy. Considering that Millium loves stuffed animals and is associated with rabbits, it's quite clearly a gift meant for her.
• When the results of the official popularity poll◊ for "Favorite Pairing" came out, Jusis and Millium came in second place compared to the massively popular pairing with Rean and Crow. Clearly the fans really did like Jusis' interactions with Millium.

Trails into Reverie

• This did not stop in Reverie where Jusis and Millium's linked victory quote has Millium leaning her back on Jusis and giving him high fives with Jusis reciprocating.
  • Also in Reverie when the player has control of C's team fighting against Rean's team, Rean and Crow are linked up while Jusis and Millium are linked up. Also known as the first and second place couples linked together.
• Reverie just keeps bringing more scenes with them to the point they might be considered half-canon at worst case. One of the scenes in the True Reverie Corridor has Nadia asking for help to both Tita and Millium, with the line "It must be nice, to be with the person your heart has decided on", in the sense that she wants help because she is confirmed to be in love with Swin but he sees Nadia as a little sister. While Tita shyly says she and Agate are not like that, Millium cheerfully says she and Jusis have been in this phase before and she understands how Nadia must be tired of it. If you control Rean and talks to Millium, she will ask herself if she and Jusis have been "lovey dovey" since the beginning and that she must now give good advice to the other two because she has more experience. Millium is not the type to be in denial and Rean's response is a chuckle as he asks her to not annoy Jusis later.
  • Before that, when Rean's party meets Jusis and Millium for the first time in Reverie, Ash teases them asking if they were on a date (they were eating ice cream). Jusis says it's not a date.
  • Not to mention some scenes with Rufus being interested on the relationship between Jusis and Millium after seeing their banter.
  • In the character episode that happens before the story of the game, for Millium, Alisa, Altina, Rean and Jusis:
  Jusis: (I'm still immature myself...)
  Jusis: (But Millium... you've grown up so well. Truly.)
  Jusis: (Maybe the time's come for me to stop acting like you're still a child...)
  Millium: Nishishi, what's wrong Jusis? Am I that fun to stare at? Ah! After all these days we've been apart, you've finally realized my allure, have you?
  Jusis: I... It's always this same bit with you isn't it.
  Millium: Huh? What bit?
  Jusis: Pay no mind.

Others

Rean x Laura

• During Laura's bonding event in Chapter 5 of Cold Steel I, after Rean helps her and Monica, Laura says she hopes that she and Rean can continue to support each other, while sporting a Luminescent Blush.
• Similarly, Laura's bonding event in Chapter 6 has her learning how to cook and Rean taste-testing for her. She has a very prominent blush when Rean says he would be happy to taste-test for her again.
• If Rean invites Laura to the Stella Garten, she tells him she feels nervous being there with him while blushing, and then after he compliments her, she tells him he's going to cause a misunderstanding saying things like that and it's good he invited her instead of another girl. When Rean doesn't get it, she says she likes that about him. He still doesn't get it.
• Laura's Dance Event. She's the only girl who asks him to dance first, but is happy when he said he planned on asking her. And afterwards, she says she's truly grateful to have made friends like Rean and Fie as they made her see the world and herself in ways she never considered. Rean says he feels the same way, telling her he is glad to have met her and their other friends, and grateful that he and Laura keep pushing themselves beyond their limits. Laura's response?
  Laura: "As am I. And I suppose that's enough for now."
• Cold Steel III:
  • The first thing that Laura does when finally reuniting with Rean is to give him a rather long and intimate hug (which he immediately reciprocates) and comments on how he's changed and how he's more handsome now. Rean returns the favor and does the same, saying that Laura herself is even more "dazzlingly beautiful" compared to before (prompting a rather hilarious reaction from his new Class VII students). What makes this event notable in that this is the first time that Laura has shown such familiarity with Rean outside of him directly romancing her in the second game.
  • Her bonding event after Chapter 1 has her and Rean go training at Einhel Keep together to sharpen their skills, followed by her requesting a tour of the Thors Branch Academy. While relaxing at the pool, she admits to Rean her insecurities that she won't be able to live up to her father's reputation and accomplishments and that her weaknesses always come out when she's around Rean. At this point, Rean immediately grabs her hand and tells her she never has to worry about being weak around him, and that being aware of one's weakness is a strength. She thanks him for his encouraging words and promises that he'll always have her aid when he needs it.
  • If she is selected as a partner to bond with at the Summer Festival event in Heimdallr in Chapter 4, as they are preparing to say their farewells to each other, Laura suddenly asks him to stop a moment before leaving. Then she suddenly executes a mock attack on him using a chi wave in order to "cut through the shadow lingering over your heart," which surprises Rean that she was able to read him so well. She then admits that she's been watching him for a long time and that she feels his presence when she trains alone. If the player then chooses Rean's response to be the romantic option ("... I feel the same way."), he will then take her hand and tell her he also thinks of her every morning when he trains, and then showers even more compliments on her that seeing her in person makes him realize how much stronger and "so much more beautiful" she is, leading to another Luminescent Blush where she says she wasn't expecting such a strong counterattack and wonders when he got so good at smooth-talking... at which point Rean demonstrates he's not so Oblivious to Love when he says he saw an opening and went right for it, at which point they embrace again.
  • When Laura makes a comment about Rean being Alfin's chosen partner for her debut party near the end of Chapter 4, Fie is quick to point out that she sounds jealous.
• Laura's bonding events in Cold Steel IV ramp up the extent of the ship-tease very quickly, with her first bonding event having her kiss Rean after pinning him to a wall to snap him out of his suicidal tendencies. In the original Japanese version, she also confesses to being a bit jealous of the other Class VII girls and even goes so far as to admit that she wanted "tie you down for myself even if I have to use my sword." A later bonding event has her admit she's been in love with him for a long time too. This is all part of her normal bonding events, prior to the player deciding whether or not to pursue a romantic relationship with her.
• Her bonding events in Cold Steel IV have her share two kisses with Rean, which is more than any other girl in all 4 games except for Alisa. Possibly even Rean's first kiss if players started a new game without the Old Save Bonus from the previous game or if players didn't romance Alisa.

Rean x Emma

• In Emma's 2nd bonding event in Cold Steel I, She and Rean are reviewing some questions on the exam, when Emma wants to correct Rean, due to him making a mistake, bumps into his shoulder with her chest. This makes Rean ponder that Emma is more filled out than any other girl in their class. This is the first time he actually showed any sexual attraction to anyone.
• At the school festival, when all the students who have family coming leave, only five students are left, those being Rean, Emma, Fie, Millium and Crow. Rean and Emma tell the others to have fun, and Rean even tells Crow not to gamble, and the three others walk out in a row, in a scene that is strangely similar to a dad and mom telling their kids to have fun.
• Emma's reunion scene in Cold Steel II has her holding hands with Rean.
• In Emma's bonding event in Bareahard (in Trails of Cold steel II), Rean joins Emma at a bench in the noble district, and promptly falls asleep. Emma's solution is to let Rean sleep on her lap. Rean even notes that it was the best nap he's had in a long time, before yelling that she shouldn't change the subject. Emma said that she wanted to support Rean in whatever way possible, which causes Rean to give one of his trademark sappy speeches.
• Emma transporting him across Erebonia as a "test" in her bonding event in 3, before finally admitting that she just wanted to talk to him.
• Just like with Laura, the Ship Tease really intensifies in the 4th game. Not only is she naked in both her bonding events, she was also willing to die for him in the first bonding event, and even if she would survive, used forbidden magic. The only reason she was able to do this in the first place was because she told Rean that she would be in no danger. Rean pulled her back, disregarding his own safety. She also gives him a rather tender hug (while both are naked) in her second bonding event

Rean x Fie

• Fie's bonding event in Chapter 6 of Cold Steel I. Together with Rean, the two of them go around handing flowers (that Fie grew) to people who supported her such as Sara, Laura, and Beatrix. Fie also gives Rean flowers at the end as well, all with a light blush on her cheeks.
• When reuniting with Fie in Cold Steel II, the first thing she does is to tackle him to the ground. Whether she truly did it on accident or not is not really stated.
• When describing her relationship with the boys in Class VII, Fie admits that she considers all of them to be like older brothers to her. However, when it comes to Rean, she admits that he's something more special than that.
• Due to circumstance, Rean's reunion with Fie in Cold Steel III ends up happening during the aftermath of an assault by Ouroboros. After Rean thanks her for her, Laura, and Elliot's assistance, Fie shyly admits that she wanted give him a hug like Laura did when they finally met.
• Near the end of Fie's bonding event in Cold Steel III, Rean makes a move to pat her head affectionately. When he does, Fie points out how weird it is for him to continue doing that when she's nearly an adult already, but then admits that she likes it regardless with a light blush on her face and lets him continue on.
  • Later on during her final bonding event in III she asks for another one as form of motivational support. Rean obliges, and after confirming his support for her, jokingly notes that he's prepared to take a punch from Rutger for becoming a family with Fie without his permission.

Rean x Sara

• In Cold Steel III, after Sara tells Rean about the story of how she became a Jaeger and of her first love, she decides to give Rean a kiss on the cheek. Saying that while she does prefer older men, she's willing to make an exception for a certain someone. If one views this event after Claire's, she also expresses mild annoyance that Claire got a leg up on her first.

Rean x Towa

• Throughout the games, these two have a "rivalry of kindness" going on, in that both do so much for others (and each other) that it seems like they're fighting to see who is the least selfless.
• In chapter 5, her bonding event has her collecting books for the trade conference in Crossbell. If you help her out, she still tries to reach books to high for her, and ends up falling. Rean catches her bridal style.
• Rean finds Towa sleeping, and takes off his jacket and puts it over her, so she won't catch a cold.
• Towa shows the recording from her festival show to Rean, in an attempt to help him get ideas for the school festival. Even though her costume doesn't leave much to the imagination, she doesn't turn it off, unitl after the performance is over.
• Upon seeing Rean again in Cold steel 2, Towa just straight up tackles him in a hug. Not even Laura or Emma did that.
• During the Epilogue of II, Towa is the one who notices that Rean's been holding it in all this time. After calling him out, Rean ends up breaking down in front of her for failing to save Crow with Towa hugging him so he can let it all out.
• Her bonding event in chapter one in cold steel 3 is a bit of a call-back to the one in chapter 5 of cold steel 1, mentioned above. This time, Rean uses his own body to shield Towa from the falling books. It's all for nothing anyways, as Millium jumps in, and they all get buried under books anyway.
• In chapter 2 of Cold Steel 3, Musse starts a talk about the romantic capabilities of the guys at the branch campus. This leads to Towa being asked about her relationship with Rean. She turns into a blushing stuttering mess.
• Her chapter 4 bonding event has them repairing the telescope she got from her grandfather. Afer it is fixed, she starts crying tears of joy. Later, the two of them are waiting for the students (for a lesson about the stars) and they start talking. As the students walk in, they note that they should come back later, as the two of them are clearly busy with more important stuff.
• In chapter 4, we finally meet Towa's family. Upon having dinner at their house, Towa's uncle and aunt start talking about her with Rean. After Rean notes how he will support her in every way he can as a colleague and as a friend, her aunt literally tells him that she would be a great wife, despite her childlike looks, and asks Rean to marry her, so she can stop working and be a housewife. Once again, Towa turns into a stuttering mess.

Rean x Alfin

"Still, you're one busy guy, you know that? One minute you're down in the dumps, the next you've got one of the cutest girls in the country cheerin' you up."

— Crow Armbrust

• It's made very clear from the onset that Alfin has an interest in Rean after having heard so much about him from Elise. Come Cold Steel II and it has formed into a genuine feelings. During the Intermission sequence she's also the one who helps Rean finally come to the realization that he doesn't need to put his sister's needs before his own as though he was worthless. This ends up becoming the catalyst to allow Rean to start mastering his ogre power and move forward with it.
• There's also the Great Escape sequence where Rean breaks Alfin out of the Pantagruel just like a Knight in Shining Armor and when Rean finally gets his ogre powers under control, he gives Alfin a Bridal Carry all the way to Valimar.

Rean x Claire

• During Rean's field study in Roer, he ends up receiving a call from Claire to meet up with her in a bar near the Reinford Group building. Once he does, it's revealed that Claire went from wearing her uniform to wearing a cocktail dress for that evening. One could only wonder why she dressed up like that other than to somehow impress Rean.
  • To add to this, Rean himself is completely floored by how beautiful Claire looks that Fie ends up accusing him of being unable to keep his eyes off her the entire time. Something he doesn't really deny either.
• One of her bonding events in Cold Steel II has Claire give Rean a rather tender embrace after he thanks her for the support that she's given to him and Class VII. No reason is given for the embrace other than Claire calling it a meaningless gesture on her part, but it's made rather clear by the epilogue of the game that she has an interest in Rean much like the other girls. With Alfin even describing her as a formidable enemy and Toval lampshading Rean's luck with women when they see them talk to each other.
• Cold Steel III was at the height of the ship where Claire tells Rean about her past and that she reminds him of her departed little brother, then tells him that she's going to stop treating him as such and ends with Claire kissing Rean on the cheek.
• In Cold Steel IV, even on opposing sides, Rean can potentially meet up with Claire right outside Mishelam. Though Claire outright tries to tell Rean to hate her for all the things she's done, going as far as pointing a gun at him, Rean's response is to unsheathe his tachi and drop it on the floor. Telling her that he and the rest can't really bring themselves to hate her. She breaks down and finally faces Rean. Rean goes as far as to praise her new clothes which are very form fitting.
• Reverie continues the trend where Claire and Rean have a heart to heart talk at the Ymir hot springs where they wonder if they can actually find their true happiness after what they have experienced in Cold Steel IV (Claire participating Operation Jormungandr and Rean unleashing the Twilight to the world). This private talk they have ends up forming Rean's personal arc in Reverie. Even his core harem, save Juna at the end of Rean's 1st chapter, don't have this genuine heart to heart talk in Reverie.

Crow x Towa

• From what little is shown within the games, it's quite apparent that out of all Crow's friends that Towa is the one that cares about him the most outside of Rean, seeing him in a better light than just the slacker that he presents himself as, and often worries about him as well. Crow for his part reciprocates this to a degree as best shown during the Field Study in Roer where at night he asks George to check in on Towa for him, and again during the Academy Festival where he goes out of his way to try and get her to take a break from her work as Student Council President despite her protests. When Crow dies in Cold Steel II, she takes it very hard.
• In Cold Steel IV, Towa nearly cries out of joy upon seeing Crow again and back to normal. Later in the game when she and the rest of her friends go out drinking at Mishelam, a drunk Towa tells Crow that he should go back to school so that he could graduate, telling him he could study at Thors Branch Campus in order to do so. Crow admits he doesn't want to because it would mean becoming Rean's student, but makes an exception for Towa.
• Outside of the games, some official artwork tend to tease the pairing as well. For example, a new years artwork for Tokyo Xanadu shows Towa Kokonoe holding an ema with Crow on it.