Author's notes: Back after—what, four? Five years..? I completely stopped visiting since the last time I ever posted or read anything here. Decided to look back tonight and here I am writing a sequel to a fanfic I almost forgot about.

I've no more beta-reader. I apologize if there are errors in structure and spelling.

~windowlight

Chapter 4—Spring

Konoe Konoka is simple. She thinks and does. She feels and expresses. She loves. She is simple and she thought perhaps being a princess, with everything laid out for her, made her so.

Or perhaps, she never thought, being happy made her so. Everything becomes simpler when you're happy. But she was not happy recently. She thinks and thinks of one thing but never does it. She feels so much but holds it back. And she loves but hurts.

So things weren't simple. And all she ever wanted was to get one person to just simply...

—

Konoe Konoka was glaring. In any case, that was never good. "Lair," she mumbled. Sakurazaki Setsuna stood across the wooden hall, receiving the full force of that glare. The feeling was one of the worst she's had.

"Oujo-sama," Setsuna called out before finding herself alone in the corridor.

—

"Sensei, you said that there is a possibility that keeping my vows could lead to more harm."

"Yes, there is."

"Then there should be a possibility that I get to keep my vows but also keep whatever harm it may cause away from her."

"Yes, there may be."

"Then… I guess I should go with that."

Motoko stood up from her meditation and prompted her anxious student to rise. She tapped Setsuna's training sword with hers and they went to begin their daily match. Then nothing but clashing wood, squeaking bare feet, and tired heavy breathing resounded in the dojo.

Setsuna fell to her back defeated and Motoko walked to her.

"Stop assuming that you can actually do everything. Even if it is for the princess."

—

A deep orange covered the trees and the temples. The thin doors did little to keep the colors of the sunset from gracing the rooms and corridors of the Kansai shrine and dojo.

A girl sat in the middle of her room, her eyes never leaving the checkered light passing through the door to the pond garden. She thought back to a few nights ago. She had removed her garments here in this room in front the person she loves. She had wanted to be touched and told words she painfully longed.

"Do you still love me?"

"Still."

She hadn't been given any more than that word. And she received it with a back turned to her.

—

"Konoka-chan, you seem weary these days. I'm sorry, is it because of the omiai? You must understand that it is only so that we won't seem rude to the other clans." Konoemon said as he sat beside the princess.

"Ojiichan, I'm fine. It's just… I can't figure out some things…" Konoka sighed. She was dressed in another top quality kimono again today. Ever since she finished school and has been staying at her grandfather's, a over-detailed garments are almost always what she's provided with to wear.

"Things like?"

Konoka fell silent.

"A hurdle regarding your friends? …Or romance, perhaps?"

"Jiichan…" she said and looked to her grandfather, "Set-chan is the only person I will ever want."

Konoemon looked at his heir. So beautiful. With eyes that look straight on, never showing fear in the future, revealing her single-minded aspirations.

"And I would never think twice about it."

—

Spring brought with it a nice breeze and a clear sky. Setsuna was walking at the garden, deeply preoccupied.

"Even if it is for the princess."

She closed her eyes and felt a light stream of wind. She inhaled the cool air, and the smell reminded her of days spent with Konoka playing in this garden. Back then, she remembered protecting her princess from a stray dog.

Even though they both knew such a thing happens and, somewhere in their hearts, they were afraid it could happen again …

They never stopped playing outside. And Setsuna was happy.

I can do everything. For her.

It's been so long since Setsuna felt like this.

—

Konoka sat on the wooden porch in the pond garden just outside her room. She held a cup of tea while another stood steaming beside her.

She heard slow and light footsteps from the far side of the garden. And she knew who it was.

"I love you, Kono-chan."

And Konoka was happy.

FIN.

Author's Notes: Final chapter. There's an epilogue though. Ah, I feel a tad bit younger again. Hope you enjoyed even though it's been sooo long since the last update. I probably won't write anymore about these two. I do hope to write about many other pairings when I find the right time.

—Epilogue

"Set-chan?"

"Hai?"

"You still owe me. Leaving for training when you promised to take me to the festival."

"O-oh, I'm so sorry, oujo-sama… What would you have me do to make up for it…?"

Konoka pondered and smiled.

"Undress me and don't turn your back this time."

Setsuna needed blood transfusion by the end of the day.