It's been six months since they escaped and this seclusion from city life has them falling deeper in love. The home that they're staying at is very quaint. Onoda's mentors set it up as a safe house for them. They grow their own food and have jobs that they do during the day. "Sangaku, how did you like the curry?" Onoda asks at the dinner table.

"It was…good."

Onoda picks up their plates. "The rice was too dry wasn't it?"

"A little bit, but the curry itself was great!" he compliments before getting up to help him with the dishes.

"No, you sit down or work on your painting. No offense, but the last time you helped wash the dishes I needed to buy a whole other table set."

"That was one time."

"It was three times," he fires back teasingly. When he was done with the dishes he notices a pigeon perched on their open window with a letter tied to its leg. No doubt it was a letter from Makishima.

Onoda sits down at their desk to respond to Makishima's latest letter. They've been corresponding throughout the whole ordeal and it was nice to know that Onoda's family was on his side.

"Are you responding to his letter?" Manami asks before he leans down and wraps his arms around a seated Onoda.

"Yes. He says that he's meeting with the Hakone council to see what lengths to take to end the cold war."

"They're just now doing that?"

"It's only been six months. He says that it'll take a while but once the tension is relieved a bit, then they'll probably use the truth about our disappearance to help end it but he also says that we could theoretically go home now."

"That's good I guess?" he sighs "I'm not a fan of them making our relationship into a political tool but I suppose it's for the better. Our time together makes me want to rule my kingdom one day. Working all day has really made me pine for palace life. When we become kings we can take turns living at each other's home!"

"I think we need to figure out how to end this incessant feud before we think about ruling our respective kingdoms," he says, fiddling with his locket. Silence stretches between them as it always does when they talk about Sohoku and Hakone.

"You know, I think we both know it's about time to go back home," Manami chokes out.

"What?!"

"Our countries need us. You need proper, extensive training. We both do."

"I don't want to leave you," Onoda whispers, grabbing his hand.

"We'll be together before you know it," he says as he rests their forehead on each other's "Let's make a promise. I want that locket I gave you back."

Onoda flinches and stutters out a "What?"

"I really like it and I want it back. So next time you see me, I want it back. It's a promise," he says.

"It's a pretty lousy promise."

"Well, you can't break it." He pulls him in for a tight hug. "We'll meet again soon."

"Okay," he whispers "I promise."