The weather continues becoming warmer.

The air is still dry, and the wind has started to pick up ever so slightly in the young hours of the morning. The rustles of the vibrant grass were pleasant to the ears, and the sounds of nature could be heard more than the chatters of people around the open field. It was early on a weekday, and Zen Park is having its quiet.

With a walking cane on her left hand, and a warm hand clasped on the fingers of her right hand, Rin has after a long time paid the park a visit.

Haku, who was wrapping on Gin's nape and shoulder had jumped off to examine the grass. Seeing that it was to his liking, the cat began rolling around the bed. Meanwhile, Rin had gave Gin a sign to let go of her hand.

"You sure?"

"Yeah."

Reluctantly, he slowly undid her fingers on Rin's hand and the girl was now on her own. If there was one place for her to fall over without getting hurt, it would be the bed of grass in Zen Park, to which she requested to come to. Examining the condition of her legs by lightly stomping on the dirt, she gave her cane a look and let out a gentle, deep breath.

The walking cane silently fell over, and rustles over the grass have started to become heard anew, this time, gradually getting faster.

On the moderately cloudy morning, Rin had thrown her jacket off, running on the field of grass, and basking under the early sun.

Coupled with a sudden leap that worried the man and the cat on the distance, Rin let out a shrill, as though telling the whole world of her victory.

Losing the strength in her body for an entirely different reason—in which of happiness—she let herself be guided by the gravity and laid down on the greens.

Almost two weeks have passed.

"Don't scare me like that, Rin…"

"Ehehe… I got a bit too excited, sorry."

"Hahh… I'm going to miss carrying you all around places."

"Who says you can't?"

"Fair point," his heart skipped a beat from the girl's assertion.

"It's feels good to be… baaaaaack!!!" with her newly found energy after getting back the freedom to move around, she let her body give out a huge stretch and felt the warmth on her face.

But before even getting to finally relax, Rin was grabbed through her underarms by the ashen-haired man, with great care to not touch anything else beside that, and lifted as though she was being held like a cat. The actual cat on the other hand laid out a mat under her and she was put back down.

"Wash your hands on the lavatory, alright?"

"Okaaaay."

Watching his significant other carry herself up and trod on her own, Gin could not help himself but involuntarily smile widely as he sat down on the mat.

"Man, I got a phone with a nice camera for cheap."

"Meow. (I saw you taking a photo earlier. Can I see?)"

"Where is it, where is it… Ah, here."

"Hmm…" knowing that Haku wouldn't be able to see the real image, he snatched the phone with his hands, instead of his paws.

Perfectly captured, he thought, as he stared intently on Rin's jumping silhouette in the air, coupled with a lively smile and with the sunlight enhancing the luster of the maiden's pure white hair.

"What was it that Shiro does again…? I think she could give the background a blur and it will be so much more beautiful than it already is."

"I can do that on my own, you know.

I'll be sure to print and frame it some time."

"I'm baaack. What are two talking about?"

"Nothing really. Just admiring how graceful you are again."

"Ahaha."

"So Aruji is keeping it a secret, huh."

Gin waited for the opportune moment. She let the lady rest for a few minutes as they both give out a thousand-mile stare. Finding themselves now comfortable on their place, he scooted ever so closer and gently laid his head on Rin's lap. She was somewhat surprised as the feeling of it had drifted from her mind, as she herself thinks as though she only had just grown back her lower body from being amputated. However, she by no means did not hate it.

"How is it, Gin?"

"No, how is it? Nothing hurts?"

"Absolutely none," she slapped his head.

"I can't believe you've fully recovered this fast. I'm so happy."

"You tell Dr. Snetr about it. The faces he makes are funny."

"Can we stay like this for a bit longer?"

"We earned it… don't you think?"

"Yeah."

"Uhhh, sorry to break your mutual immersion, but…" Haku butted in. "If there were a lot more people here, we would have stood out so much, now that I think about it."

"Huh, I guess."

With the thought passing by his mind, Gin, still lying down, turned towards Rin face, and raised his hand to give her hair a light touch. No words have been said, and she realized how they could stand out.

The three of them of have hairs closer to, if not exactly white, than black. Haku's hair lightens up in contrast to his much grayer fur when he is a feline. Still, seeing having three people whose hair is not artificial is not exactly an ordinary thing in a country that almost unanimously have biologically dark hair.

"Whatever… Let's have breakfast later outside before we go home."

"I could go home on my own, Aruji. Why not go on a date?"

"Nah, it's Rin's first time actually out and about. We'll just do that later," he said while he inches closer to Rin's stomach.

"Oh my, you've certainly gained a lot of weight, Rin-san~"

"HEY."

"I'm joking, I'm joking.

Maybe we should go for runs since I haven't really been exercising myself. Or do you prefer it on a treadmill? Maybe we could go to a gym so it's cool in the summer."

"A gym sounds like a good idea."

Meanwhile… Haku for some reason had a slightly shocked look drawn on his face, looking at his human companion from his latest, perhaps unusual actions.

▪ ▪ ▪

Only a few days have passed since Rin's full recovery. With her being able to climb stairs, she had finally moved back to her bedroom, which she had not seen for several months, and the room that Gin has been using had returned to how it looked like with Yuna's remaining belongings once displaced on his house is now back to where they were originally at, as if they were not moved at all.

The two then pushed the mother of the household to have her time for herself now that the daughter is fine, and with their insistence, she took an overnight trip with her fellow housewives.

On the other hand, the couple visited friends after another on their own pace so as to not get Rin tired. Reina Nijisaki, most especially, had longed for the visit and almost immediately brightened up seeing the person she shared her existence is in front of her, alive and well.

Things have finally found each of their own resolutions, except for one. At the same day Sumi took off on her trip, the silver apple found each other on their own, as Rin's father had already left for work.

After a stretch and a groan, Gin separated himself from his computer and tablet. He rose from the dining table and joined Rin on the couch, reading, while the television is playing a livestream at a faint volume.

"Can I recharge?"

"Mhm."

With her affirmation, she once again found herself being lifted with her book uninterrupted. Rin then found herself sitting between Gin's legs on the couch with his arms wrapping on her waist, which she did not really mind.

"What are you reading?"

"A light novel."

"You said you got kinda tired of reading them. Giving it a second chance?"

"I guess I'm just realizing that I can't stand action or fantasy light novels now. But slice of life… I think that's the only genre that I can read now because it's so easy to draw an image in my head. This is probably the only thing I'll read now.

This one's romance. Have you read this one?"

Using her finger as a bookmark, she closed the book and showed Gin the cover.

"Maybe I'll borrow it from you once you're done. It's got seven volumes already, huh…"

Watching his lover silently read on his clutches, he savored the feeling—the feeling he missed and wanted to cherish more. His heart gradually began pounding with the happiness welling up inside his heart…

But it all came sinking back down in his realization, reflecting on his hubris before it gets worse. Instead of his heart calming down, it only got more agitated to the point that even Rin had felt it from her back.

Without a word, she was put back to where she was sitting at. She placed down the book and looked at Gin, whose face ever so slightly hardened.

"Rin… do you remember… when I promised that I will have to tell you something at some point… when you were still in the hospital?"

"…I do. I hadn't seen you in a while, and you came back hurt… your throat was also in bad condition."

'What happened?' was the question that Rin wanted to ask right then and there, but after getting another look at Gin's face, she held it in.

"Before I even say anything… I just want to tell you again… that I really love you, Rin, and after I almost lost you, it just made me not want to let go of you more."

After a long pause, Gin took a deep breath and his eyes dropped.

"I figured no one has told you up until now…

I'm sorry for being such a coward. There was a point where I did not know what I should do, until I just did not want to do anything. We're faced with a illness where we didn't know how to save you. I deliberately tried to avoid everyone, and then the reality. I was gone… for such a stupid reason.

Then… Horach escaped prison, and I was pulled into his plans because apparently he had a bone to pick with me."

Upon flinching and hearing the name, Rin immediately faced Gin and grabbed his hand with a firm grip.

She did not want to hear what is coming next, but she stayed and listened nonetheless.

"I fell to a trap when I shouldn't have if my head was straight. Apparently, he had some intel about me being 027 and an Exile. She even knew about you. The Underworld's connections are frightening.

He used it for threatening to kill me. I could have easily defended myself if not for my fever. Thanks to G and Kuroko getting in contact with the spies, it bought us time. It was just empty words… but when he said that he sent people at Mykes…

I… I laughed… then I hurt all of his men to the point of incapacity. Then I brought a building down. Fortunately… the orphanage was entirely a different thing, though."

"A-Are they still alive…?"

Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

"They are.

Detective Artecus told me that they are being held in an asylum. Most of them apparently can't walk anymore. They are all traumatized… and some have selective amnesia.

As for Horach… the spies told me that he apparently killed himself.

I didn't want to hide everything from you. But if I were to tell you that when you were still bedridden, who knew what could have happened to you. I figured that this would be the right time-"

Gin's words were cut short. The grip on his hand was lost, and suddenly his face was held by Rin's hands. Before he could even process what was happening, Rin pulled his head closer, and her lips met with Gin's.

Short yet sweet, the kiss was. Right as they came apart, Rin then tightly wrapped her hands on Gin's trembling back.

"It's probably going to be difficult for you… but let's just make that a thing of the past. What matters… is that both of us survived. We're alive; we're together again. That's all that matters to me right now.

You've apologized, and that's enough for me. If you need to cry… I'm here… I'm here… I…"

All of a sudden, Gin could feel Rin's hands shaking and clenching tightly on the back of his shirt.

"I… Gin… I was… so scared. I thought for sure I was going to die… Why…

Why… Why weren't you there… when I needed you the most…?! I'm so scared that I will die just like that… without you there…!!"

"I'm sorry… I'm sorry… I'm sorry…

I'll never let go of you again… I'll always be there… I don't you to get hurt anymore… I promise… I will cherish you forever… I will protect you… so that this never happens again…"

Under the clear blue skies and the bright rays of the sun, it was somehow raining a downpour… but this storm has finally passed.

~ ~ ~

The entire house was suddenly engulfed in silence… aside from the occasional sniffling.

There was somewhat of an awkwardness in the air. The two of them stayed sat silently without knowing if they are thinking the same things—them wondering how a kiss suddenly escalated to such an intense and melancholic situation.

Now that Rin has calmed down, she reflected on how her emotions exploded. She was already given the answer, and yet she still lashed out on her lover.

Meanwhile, Gin has felt so much relief with the guilt finally off his chest. If anything, he was happy with the way they resolved things, as realistically, it could have ended up in a way worse scenario.

"We… haven't cried this much since before we started dating…"

"That's… six years ago…"

"Can you believe it, Rin…? We've been together that long?"

"What, were you scared that I'll suddenly break up with you after I vented out my frustrations at you earlier?"

"A little."

"That's so like you."

"But anyway… I mean everything that I said. When I came back, to actually take care of you, I just thought… when we get through all those challenges, I suddenly had the urge to be with you more. It felt like I fell in love all over again.

And at this point, I feel like the only thing that could separate us is if death pulled us apart.

Ah, don't think I'm proposing to you yet, okay? I'm jobless so I can't really do anything about that, and not like I'm already planning about it."

"H-Huh… you're suddenly so upfront about this with me. You always mention it the roundabout way because you can't say it to me directly."

"I'm almost 24. I can't be getting embarrassed about it every single time. You'll just have to know that marrying you is not just a fleeting thought."

"Waahh… What is this… More than lovers, but less than betrothed?"

"Let's not jump that far.

Ahh, man. Let's just have delivery for lunch since I don't feel like cooking… Do you need ice to cool your eyes, Rin?"

"Just a cold towel please."

"Alright."

With an ice pack balancing on the bridge of Gin's nose, he placed a basin of ice water on the coffee table and wrung the towel for Rin.

"Okay, hands off. Just a heads up this is going to be cold."

"Uwa-!"

"I told you."

He sat back down with the ice pack back on his eyes, but from his peripheral vision, he could see Rin playing with the towel assuming that it was too cold for her. Thus, he put the pack back down again and grabbed Rin's wrist.

"Maybe this will make it a bit warm."

Perhaps a sly move as Rin's eyes are covered with a towel, but without a second thought, Gin returned the earlier kiss to her.

"…!"

"So? Did it get warmer?"

The maiden was petrified and the towel flopped down a little revealing a somewhat irritated look from her still swollen eye, she slapped the man's shoulder that only responded with a chuckle.

"Yeah, my entire face is."

"Ahahaha, we rarely do this, huh. But tell me next time if you're not fine with it, okay?"

"N-No, I liked it."

"That's good to hear, then."

Later that night, the couple finally found the time to share the kitchen together, and the father enjoyed the dinner without knowing what has transpired in the house in the morning aside from noticing the closeness between the two, which he dismissed as something normal between them.

▪ ▪ ▪

"Oh, wow… It actually looks amazing seeing it in person…"

As Gin wraps a cloth around Rin's neck, Shiina, who just casually entered Gin's house abruptly stopped at the entrance with a dumbfounded look seen from the half wall.

"It's been a while, Nee-san! Kei went out for a bit but he'll be back soon."

With the arrival of his soon to be sister-in-law, he turned on the living room's air conditioning and proceeded to the kitchen.

"A-Ah, sure. Can I have water, please?"

Kei's fiancee then dropped her bag and sat on the couch to catch her breath. Soon enough, Gin had put down a slightly cold glass of lemon water on a coaster.

"Thank you.

I hardly see you when I visit but you still remember how I prefer it," she gave a soft smile.

"I got you. By the way, how are preparations coming?"

"We've got our eyes on a venue, but we're also considering the one you recommended us for the reception, but we still think it's out of our budget."

"Don't sweat it. It was just a passing suggestion anyway. Oh, I'm going to have to prepare the silver brooches for him and mine."

"Don't forget that you're the Best Man, alright. Also, Ringo!" she called out to the girl on her phone, "You're also invited, okay?"

"Got it. We're also going to be sisters soon anyway!"

"Oh, you heard that, Gin?"

"Don't mind her ramblings, Nee-san. We'll get there eventually."

"You're not even denying it," Shiina then chuckled.

"Why should I at this point? It's such a waste to let go of such a beauty."

"Ahaha… You sound way more assertive than reserved now.

Anyway, how do you want your hair done, Ringo?"

"I'd like it to be just like how it was. Just enough that it touches my shoulders."

Promptly, Shiina then walked to where Rin is sat on and proceeded to comb her hair.

"I know you got this from a disease… but your hair actually… looks beautiful."

"See, I told you," Gin butted in.

He was ignored, so he proceeded to sort out his pantry and fridge, while he begins to hear snips as he steals glances. It was not that he had the intention of moving back, but it is still his own house, so he ought to check if his brother, and sometimes his sister, too, are indeed taking care of it while he is living next door.

Before he was even close to being done in the kitchen, he found the trim was already done as he heard the whirring of the vacuum from the living space.

"I guess I'll take a shower… Gin, I'll be out with Shiro in a bit so please tell Mom I'll be eating out."

"Got it. Have a good one then."

Upon, Shiina's request of another glass of water, Gin was asked with a sudden question.

"Are you sure you guys aren't actually engaged too?"

"H-Huh… Where did you get the idea…"

"I mean, I haven't seen you two for months and suddenly you're much closer than ever. Like, really close."

"So that's how we really looked like?"

"Yup."

"…

Well… her illness quite nearly took her away from us, and I just felt like I haven't done enough for her when she was well. I guess I'm seizing the time that I almost lost. I've been pretty much taking care of her 24/7 until just recently so I haven't considered how others would see us quite frankly.

Maybe I should tone it down when we're with others."

"Try to save it when you two are alone, alright? I admire how close you two are, though. I know you're taking jabs about being a married couple, but you almost look the part."

"I'll keep that in mind.

Nee-san, though, have you two ever been called more than lover but less than engaged?"

"What'd that even supposed to mean… hahaha."

"A-Ask Rin…"

"What, was that some kind of a hypothetical, or are you actually planning to propose?"

"Not this question again…

I joke about it, but not like I can anyway. She hasn't even graduated yet and I'm susp- I'm on sabbatical leave right now… well, unpaid."

"I see, but just remember that I'm rooting for you, alright? By that time, I'll already be a Sakato!"

"Yeah. I look forward to having you in the family."

~ ~ ~

It was still inevitable.

All donned with a cap and a pair of non-prescription glasses, Rin's hair was still turning a few heads under the midday's sunlight as she made her way to the place where she will meet with Shiro. As she could not bear the stares, she picked up the pace and walked faster until she reached a restaurant and immediately asked to where the reservation is at.

"You really shouldn't have reserved a private room, Shiro…"

"It's fine~ It's my treat anyway so consider this a celebratory meal for your recovery."

"I really, really appreciate it…"

After taking a deep and somewhat distressed breath, Rin removed her cap with her hair tied on a ponytail waving on the air with such finesse. Needless to say, Shiro was in awe.

"Goodness, Ringo, you look so pretty."

"Huh?"

"Ah… That wasn't supposed to slip out… but I mean it."

"Thanks… I guess?"

"Hahaha. You look different now, but you're still the same. Ah, their menu is on a tablet. I've already ordered the main dish but if there's anything you want to add, just tap away. The food is going to take a bit, though."

"I'll get some tea while we're waiting, then."

The small order as expected arrived at their room quite quickly while the two started catching up on each of their matters, as they couldn't while in the atmosphere of the hospital, although Shiro quite frequently visited. As though the time just went by with their chats, their meals arrived, while there came a growing concern at the back of Rin's mind while they ate.

After the impressive meal, a waiter then served them a non-alcoholic cocktail and a tall glass of beer.

"I am probably never going to get used to you drinking, Shiro."

"Come on, I know it's midday but I'm heading straight home anyway."

"Uncle Junpei has mellowed down somewhat, huh."

"How about you?"

"I'm fine with drinking and Gin's not really against it but he probably won't like if I get too much. I say that all, but I've never drank at all.

Maybe I will, occasionally. But not at this time of the day. I just got out of hospital anyway so that may not be a good idea."

"I can handle a single glass just fine~"

Upon the sound of a clink slightly reverberating in the room, Rin brought up some of her thoughts.

"Actually… I feel like Gin has been very assertive lately."

"Are you trying to gloat?"

"I'm not, you dummy. It just suddenly started so it took me by a bit of surprise?"

"Hmm, you mean skinship?"

"That's one of them, I guess."

"Woah, seriously? Look at how that child has grown up.

Well, I wanted to say that that's just normal, but we're talking about Gin here, who's not really that emotive even with you, even romantically. At least that's what I know. I guess he's actually a late bloomer, Haha."

"He would probably cry if he heard that…"

"Aren't you glad, though? Well, it still depends on how you feel about it, but isn't it nice that he's finally making some moves with you?

Not to say much, but it's just normal to have moments like that. When Nagi and I are equally just as tired, we lean on each other quite a lot."

"I guess we were just taking our time slowly… I don't mind it at all but for him to suddenly act like that, I'll have to get used to it. Maybe that's just how it is since he was away for quite a while."

"…Girl, I think he was just lovesick."

"Eh?"

"Look here, I don't want to casually bring this up, but you nearly died, and I'm guessing he was feeling hopeless about it most of the time. I heard about how he didn't want to show himself at all to you, but knowing his childish tendencies, it sounds like he was lonely and just wanted things to magically turn back to normal.

Weren't you also like this when we're in first year in senior high?"

"Not really… since we basically saw each other everyday."

"I see. All is well now, but… Ah, maybe I shouldn't say it…"

"If it's about him going out of control, he told me about it."

"Hahh… at least he's cleared that up now. I forgot what I was going to say but bottom line, don't worry about it if you're fine with it. It's nice to hear that's he finally taking more steps in your relationship, so I'm happy for you two.

But if I were to say something, it's actually kinda surprising how you guys managed to have a really healthy relationship in six years with your progress."

"Ahaha… I guess that's just how we are."

As the conversation began to wind down, Shiro spun her glass and downed the remaining beer. With the bottom of the glass slamming audibly to the table, her eyes suddenly focused on something, even if it was for a second.

"You know… you got them back to their original size, huh?"

"Where do you suppose you're looking at, Shiro-san?"

"Well… you sure got back the weight you lost, I guess. Maybe you even gained more?"

"Can you not, hahaha.

But I've somehow actually been eating a lot more since I recovered. We don't know if it's from the cure, but I think I could keep up a little with Gin now, as much as I don't like to say it.

I'm already full though, so thanks for the treat again."

"Anytime~

We should probably get going… Do you want to hit the arcade or karaoke?"

"Both. But I'll pay for my own this time."

~ ~ ~

Opening the door of their house, he suddenly found Gin comfortably lying down on the floor just by the couch. She thought to herself what would be the point of the furniture if it won't be used, but she simply ignored the sight.

"I'm back, Potatooooo."

"Oh, dear me… She's finally calling me that again; I'm so happy…"

"Welcome back."

"Hm? Is Mom not around? Isn't the fridge full already?"

"She's out shopping for plants. If she's not back in an hour I'll start dinner."

"I'll just make it later then actually. I'm not really tired, but I'll appreciate it if you'll help."

"Always will."

Upon washing her hands and walking back to the living room, Rin saw the computer on the table with an unfinished illustration flashed on the screen. She assumed that it is an illustration for his personal account. Carefully treading between the coffee table and Gin, she landed on the couch and her eyes stopped on another live stream playing on the television.

"You've been procrastinating again, aren't you."

"Not really," Gin said, as he turned with an unusually bright smile.

"Uwaa- I don't always see you smile like that so it's kinda weird…"

"Hey, that's mean. I just received some good news~"

"You're back in Giotto's?"

"Nahh. Instead of a secret, it's something that I can't tell you yet. I think you'll be surprised, though."

"Oh, okay."

Pressing no more, she found herself noticing how comfortable the voice of the streamer is and she unconsciously laid down on the couch. But before she even realized it, she saw herself watching the man next to her instead of the stream.

"What's up?"

"Nothing," she said, as she continued to stare at him.

"…

I don't think I can really call them advances, but are you sure you're actually fine with how I act sometimes?"

"Why wouldn't I be? I wouldn't have responded to them if I was, would I?"

"I guess that's true…"

As though in a trance, Gin suddenly lifted his hand and started touching the white hair anew, seemingly out of habit.

"There you go playing with my hair again."

"I just really like them a lot… I don't know if I've said this, but somehow it makes you… more beautiful? It's like you appear gentler.

Whatever people might think about it, I really love how you look now."

"Then… would you be against it if I were to dye it black?"

"I wouldn't be, but I guess I'll be sad. I'll definitely miss it."

"I'm actually… planning to. Well, not right now. But after going out with this for the first time on my own, I kind of worry, like, what if I get hit on or something because of this?"

"Ah… you make a valid point."

"We still don't know if it's going to grow back to black, but I appreciate that you like it a lot. It makes me more confident about it.

On the other hand… I like how you are now, so don't mind how I feel about it too much."

As payback for playing with her hair, Rin pinched his nose.

"Glad to hear that."

…

"Are you telling me about your hair because you plan on going back to CCI?"

"I don't know if I can go back right at the start of the new school year since I'll have to study on my own but I honestly just want to be done with it and graduate."

"I'll help with whatever I can so you can pass the exam."

"Thanks as always.”

“…

Say, what do you think about going back to Japan? For a vacation, that is?”

“When?”

“Maybe before you go back to CCI. We could go to Tokyo, maybe Hokkaido so it's colder, or just take it easy in Kyoto.”

“That sounds nice, but wouldn't we be low on budget as things stands?”

“I think we'll be fine. I'm most likely going to pay for the entire trip anyway, and I'll still have some reserves. It's not like I'm actually on a a bad situation, so don't worry too much about it.”

“If you say so…

…

But anyway, how about you? Do you have plans on going back to your house soon?"

"I still haven't really thought about it. I guess I grew very fond of this house, but… maybe before the year ends, or next year. Maybe I should bring the kotatsu here in winter."

"Mom and Dad will definitely like it."

"It's scary how much I've actually assimilated here…"

"I'll just leave that to future me. I just want to enjoy what we have right now."

Rather than words, Gin was just met with a warm smile from the face of her lover. The sight of her visage under her messy hair reflecting the light of the room left him in awe and his heart pounded.

He thought to himself—his past self, perhaps even just two or so years ago, would be so confused seeing how his current self acts now.

But one thing he was certain about was that the versions of him in the span of six years would not want anything more than what he already has, as this is the vision they all had wished upon serendipitously meeting his beloved Ringo Akanami.