"I'll be leaving now." Koutei said to his team. He was standing at the airport, about to board the plane.

He flashed a sad smile towards them. He needed to leave for studies in Singapore but without his team. He was intrigued by the university there since only the top class Vanguard players end up there. It has always been his dream to go but he has always been held back for reasons he was unclear of. After his fight with Gouki, he managed to get rid of most of his doubts. There is still one thing which caused him to hesitate about leaving: Yuri.

"You take care over there. I'll see you when you get back." Gai said to Koutei. They gave each other a high five and Gai indicated that Koutei needed to have a talk with Yuri, standing beside them, looking down at the floor.

"Sis, I'll be waiting outside." Gai said as he left the 2 alone.

"Are you alright?" Koutei asked Yuri. He used his hand to lift her chin up and saw tears flowing down her face.

"Hey, please stop crying…" He pleaded.

He used his thumbs to wipe away the tears on her face. This was the first time he witnessed her crying. She is known as the Empress and she is tough as nails. She has never been the one who cries. Not in front of anyone anyway. He felt speechless, unsure what he should say to comfort her.

"I miss you already…" She said.

"I won't allow you to miss me." He said. She looked at him with her hazel eyes, shocked at his words.

"What does that mean?" She asked.

"I don't want you to miss me if it means you will be sad. I want you to be the Yuri I know, the one who could take care of herself."

"But I wouldn't be able to see you…"

"I'll come back. I promise you. I give you my word as an Emperor." He held her by the hand. He brought it up to his lips and gently kissed the back of her hand.

"Emperors always keep their promises, right?" She asked.

"Of course. But you have to promise me something as well." He said, looking into her eyes with his blue ones.

"What is it?"

"That you will wait for my return." He said with his usual smile.

He leaned in really close, pushing her up against the wall a little. He knew that she wouldn't agree to these actions in public but he didn't care. He kissed her soft lips, savoring them on his own. To his surprise, she didn't struggle or push him away. Instead, she wrapped both her arms around his neck, pulling him closer to her.

*DING*

"This is the final boarding call for flight 223, Japan to Singapore."

The airport announcement made them hesitantly break apart from their passionate kiss. They were both out of breath but he was glad he stole a kiss from her before he had to leave. She gave him a smile to reassure him that she is alright. It made his heart feel lighter and body more relaxed. He is now able to leave without a doubt.

"Remember what you promised me, My Queen." He whispered into her ear just before he kissed her cheek.

"I will wait for you forever, My King."

With that, they bid each other goodbye…

The End