A/N : De-De-De! That's Garden Of Glass song, if you don't know what I meant in previous chapter.

Thanks for review/comments/faves/follows!


Without any delay,

Kotori ran into the castle. Honoka and Umi followed her.

"What's wrong with that?" Honoka asked.

"T-That's not ordinary chocolate! It's a chocolate that helps people to be truer to themselves!" Kotori said.

"Uh… How dangerous that can be?" Honoka asked.

And suddenly, Umi grabs Honoka's neck.

"I'm going to kill you! Honoka!" she said angrily.

"W-w-wha-wah, U-Umi-chan?!" Honoka said confusedly, Kotori quickly stopped and tried to split the two,

"Umi-chan! Stop! !" Kotori said. Umi released her,

"You're safe…this time…"Umi said.

"U-Umi-chan….?" Honoka smirked.

"Umi-chan must've ate one…" Kotori said.

"Yes I did, it was a delicious chocolate… thank you Honoka" Umi said.

"Y-You're welcome…" Honoka said.

"N-now! Umi-chan! Please protect me if anything else happen!" Kotori said.

"Of course, Kotori, I'll protect you even if it will cost my life…" Umi said bravely.

"W-wow… th-that chocolate surely scary…." Honoka said in awe.

"It's all your faults, so don't smile…" Umi said.

"O-Okay…." Honoka replied.

They can hear a loud laughter from the dining table.

"That sounds bad, we should go…" Umi said bravely.

"Yeah…." Kotori sighed.

They continue to run again to find a few guards already fallen asleep on their duty.

Then as they arrived in the dining room, they can see the three ministers standing on the dining table, all the foods are gone, probably finished by everyone.

"Dancing-dancing-don't stop my dancing!" The Three Ministers, Tsubasa, Anju, and Erena singing and dancing on the table, everyone else are clapping their hands— some already fallen asleep, then there are two empty seats which probably be the queen and one other person.

"W-wow…what is this…." Honoka smirked,

"This is all you've done…Honoka, now you better clean up this mess…." Umi said.

"Oh no… Honoka-chan, how much people eat that chocolate?" Kotori asked.

"I...I wouldn't know! I just made the chocolate and didn't get to eat one because I will always have waits for leftovers before I actually eat something… but I believe it was enough for the whole castle…" Honoka said. Kotori began to worry as she heard it,

"Honoka! You're here!" Tsubasa said cheerfully as she noticed Honoka.

"Tsubasa-chan!" Honoka replied.

Tsubasa jumping from the table along with the other ministers,

"Yahoo! This is A-Rise the top Idols!" Tsubasa, Anjuu, and Erena said.

"A-Rise…?" Kotori tilts her head.

"Honoka-chan, the chocolate cupcakes are delicious! Those cheese and melted chocolate fillings, aaahhh… it's a powerful taste!" Anjuu said.

"Absolutely, Honoka-chan, I want more of those in the next dinner!" Erena said.

"Ditto! I love that one so much! It was too bad that The Queen and The West Queen took them and distribute them to everyone on the castle, they said, they wanted everyone to taste that marvellous creation!" Tsubasa said.

"W-what?!" Kotori began to panic.

"There, Princess Kotori! You shouldn't be panic, that chocolate gives courage to everyone to be more true to themselves, the relationship between east and west getting a lot better I tell you! They even signed a peace contract and barter! It's already sent by our legendary mail sender, Hoshizora Rin! She is invited specially to send the contract with south and west!" Tsubasa said.

"D-Did she eat the chocolate too?" Kotori asked,

"We give her one, yeah!" Anjuu said.

"Oh no!" Kotori grabs her head.

"We should find the queen and the west queen, where are they?" Umi asked bravely.

"Just look around the castle… we're going to finish some more work" Tsubasa said.

"You three better go back to your bedrooms, it's dangerous to be true to yourself while working on diplomatic contracts which could affect our castle life…" Umi said.

"You're so true, Sonoda Umi, wonder why you aren't a queen-to-be yet…. We don't mind to have double queens and do the princess audition later, really, Minami family is so kind but not brave enough to take risk, that chicken King only hides behind that dumb butler when making decision…pfft… " Tsubasa said.

"W-w—wow… sh-she is…actually saying that…" Kotori whispered.

"I know that bastard, he killed my grandfather and ruined my family, then tricked my parents to work for him! It's a good thing that my mother made her own route as we slowly regaining our glory… thanks to me who gives all my wages as Elite Archer… I always want to tell Kotori that but scared that she will be hurt…"Umi said.

Kotori surprised to hear it, though that is not supposed to be her concern right now.

"You shouldn't blame the king, that butler probably tweaked the contracts with your family, he loves to do that, so that's why we're insisting to become ministers to get that under control, but I suppose we're too late to save your family…bzzt, fucking bastard making our king name bad…" Tsubasa said.

"Not only that, he also sold the market he bought cheap from Sonoda family to the outlaws, helping them to arm themselves, they're all planning to invade the north ruins but I bet they are all dead already. We sent mercenaries to slay them all…" Erena said.

"It's a dirty-dirty-dirty job, but who cares, we don't need traitors!" Anjuu said.

"yeah, absolutely…" Tsubasa said.

"B-by the way, I think we should start to search around, I get a really bad feeling about this!" Honoka said.

"You should, but I agree with you, Honoka, we should start to search…" Umi said.

"Alrighty I'll help you to search around!" Tsubasa said.

"Yeah, looking for the queens, right? We should get going…" Anjuu said before the three ministers left them.

"I…I didn't know all this…." Kotori said.

"Kotori… you're a strong girl, right, let's get going and keep moving on, no time to lose…" Umi said.

"Right, Umi-chan, let's go find them…"


They searched through the castle,

Though they couldn't find the queens but the guards who started to act crazy.

"This is bad! Everyone has gone insane!" Kotori said as she hid behind the wall, watching the guards who patrolled around the area aggressively and some are just fallen asleep.

"That's what happens if everyone is always true to themselves…" Umi said, she is standing next to Kotori.

"Why Nozomi-chan make something like that anyway?" Honoka asked.

Kotori bit her lips.

"I don't know, but either way she is up to no good with it! But you're the one who put all this craziness on everyone anyway!" Umi said.

"Let's stop blaming anyone, we need to find mother and The West Queen, but sheesh, why is the west queen here? I thought it supposed to be the minister…" Kotori said.

"I think it simply because they're working on diplomatic agreement, they must've send ministers but one of the royal must be present to watch how it goes… I suppose the king is too vengeful against our kingdom so the queen replaces him…" Umi said.

"I heard they are actually childhood friends?" Honoka said.

"Like… us?" Umi asked.

"Yeah, like us, except for me and Kotori, I'm in love with her ok? She is my first love…" Umi said.

"Wow… that's bold of you to say that…." Honoka said.

"Sh-she is always true to herself now so watch your mouth, Honoka-chan…" Kotori said.

"I…I got it…" Honoka said.

"Ah, speaking of that… I…wonder if we will find them in the bedroom?" Kotori asked.

"You think they're somehow in love with each other like us too?" Umi asked.

"N-No! Or…actually…it just possibility…. W-we should check it out!" Kotori said.

"What are they doing in the bedroom?" Honoka asked.

"Sex, probably?" Umi said.

"U-Umi-chan! Don't say that! It's disturbing!" Kotori said.

"W-wow…this Umi-chan….so bold…" Honoka said.

"This is all because of your stupid fault, don't complain!" Umi said clearly.

"J-just shut up Honoka-chan… we should get going to the bedroom and pass through all these aggressive guards! Sheesh, they're so into their job to guard…." Kotori said.

"Right… let's go…"


They managed to get through the guards,

Had to put some down, it was lucky that Umi knows how to make them faint temporary. They opened the bedroom door— which was half open when she gets there.

"Mother!" Kotori shouted.

No one around… it's a little messy on a few places though, it's like someone was there to take something.

"Sh-she isn't here…" Kotori said.

"Wonder where she go… Let's check around… see if anything changes…" Umi said.

"Problem is, I never went to my mother's room before…" Kotori said.

"I think I know about a few things, such as, her traveling robe is missing…" Honoka said as she pointed to a naked wooden figurine.

"How do you know about that?" Kotori asked.

"Probably from her delivering food daily…" Umi said.

"Yup, and… her sword also missing…" Honoka said as she pointed to the weapon rack.

"W-what?! Is that mean… she went out traveling? But why?" Kotori asked.

"I think your mother used to tell me this before, she wanted to travel around the nation like you with her friends, but she is always stuck with the queen's job…" Honoka said.

"Eeehh?! W-We have to find her!" Kotori said.

"Shouldn't really worry much, your mother was a great swordswoman herself. I knew that from the Elites…" Umi said.

"B-but! We still have to find her! What if she is lost or something?!" Kotori said,

"She beats the elites on her own so I wouldn't worry much, but you're right. We still have to find her… maybe we can have some clues about it…" Umi said as she began to explore the room on her own.

"I'm feeling really strange with Umi-chan talking like that…" Honoka whispered to Kotori.

"I know… just don't say anything else, Honoka-chan…" Kotori sighed.

"yeah… she is scary…" Honoka whispered.

Umi turned to them with angry face.

"Eeek!"

"Kotori, do you really want to revive your father? Because, I truly don't like him… Even if it wasn't actually his fault that this kingdom has bad reputation…" Umi said.

"Eh? Umi-chan?" Kotori tilts her head,

"I've been doing all these things for you, but not actually for him. Knowing his act which caused a lot of trouble to this nation… I prefer him dead while you or your mother takes over the throne." Umi said.

"Umi-chan… is that… your true thought?" Kotori asked.

"Yes, it is. I always want to tell you that, but you're very excited to do everything, you've worked hard as an alchemist too. Thanks to Nozomi who guides you to make this kingdom better although it causes a little trouble on the other kingdom— but we're still on progress to finish things anyway… we will be able to put the nation in balance again…" Umi said.

Kotori remained quiet.

"Umi-chan, that's not what you supposed to say to her, although it's true that the king caused trouble around the nation, he is still her father. Like him or not he has done something good for her and raise her until…. That day…" Honoka said.

"I know, but you truly think the same too, right? You have past about him too… about how he forced your family to close down your family's shop just because he wants your family to be the cook in the castle…" Umi said.

"U-Umi-chan! Don't!" Honoka said.

"It wasn't a direct command, but you know he tricked your family… he sabotaged your family, ruined your family reputation then pretending to be a hero who gives your family a helping hand…" Umi said.

Honoka remained quiet as she bit her lips. The room awfully become quiet for a while until….

"Umi-chan….Honoka-chan…." Kotori called them, her voice changing as she was about to cry.

They both turned around,

"Did I hurt you all that much from doing all these?" Kotori asked, her eyes began to get teary.

"It hurts, but I'm fine with it…. because I love you… I want you to choose your own way…" Umi said bravely.

Honoka still quiet…

"Honoka-chan…?" Kotori asked.

Honoka turned her eyes away instead,

Kotori bit her lips before she quickly turn around and running away from the room.

"Kotori!" Umi shouted as she began to chase her.

Honoka still remained quiet in the room, clenching her fist.


Kotori ran all the way back to her own workshop,

She closed the door tightly and went to her sofa, picking up the Umikoto who's been sleeping and hugged her gently. She began to sobs…

"Kotori….?" Umikoto said, she began to worry

"Miko-chan…" Kotori said as she strokes her softly.

"Kotori-kotori-kotori…?" Umikoto said.

Kotori sighed,

"I wish I understand you…." Kotori said as she hugged her tighter.

"Kotori…." Umikoto said as she tried to comfort Kotori.

Kotori smiled at her.

"Thanks…" Kotori said before she kissed her forehead, Umikoto blushed shyly and she keeps on comforting her until…

"Kotori!" Umi shouted from outside, she knocked on the door politely but very loudly.

"K-Kotori!" Umikoto slightly jumped and went all stiff before she faints.

"Ah…Miko-chan… don't die now…" Kotori said.

"Kotori! Open the door!" Umi said again along with the loud knock.

Kotori remained quiet as she stares into the fainted Umikoto.

"Kotori! I know you're here!" Umi said again.

Kotori sighed before she decides to place Umikoto to the end table with cushion on it— which probably designed for homunculus's bed. Then she opened the door slightly, peeking out to see Umi.

"Kotori…. Stop hiding… she isn't even answered you yet…" Umi said.

"Umi-chan…." Kotori said shyly.

"Let me in… I want to talk with you…" Umi said.


Kotori let her in,

Then the two sat on the sofa, Kotori wonder if it's really safe to be here with just her, knowing the effect of chocolate of truth can lead to somewhere specific. Not like she mind, but she just wonder if it's an ok time to spend for something else right now.

Kotori really wanted to find her mother, but it feels like if she go out tonight, she will have to ask either Umi and Honoka only, she doesn't want this news spread, but then again, she has been hurting them and she just realized it— and she will feel really bad if she ask them after all that. She wished that she realizes it sooner.

"So, what will you do now, Kotori?" Umi asked.

"I don't know, Umi-chan…" Kotori said.

"I'll suggest you to meet with Honoka again… she is quick at making decision." Umi said.

"No… it's not about that, it just that…. Why are you two helping me if I only hurt you and your family? or... no... not only you two... everyone else too.." Kotori said.

"I wish you never think it like that… and I wish I know how to talk to you about it. This is why I never want you to know about that… but it can't be helped, Eli was right about this might be important… I have to say this one day… but I guess I'm talking about it too fast, damned chocolate, I can't stop myself from doing whatever I want." Umi said.

Kotori remained quiet,

"I found a letter in your mother's room before, I read it, it was from your father, telling her that he is fine and heading to the north ruins, just like what we already know about… but I what I don't understand is, why is his statue set in front of our town's gate then why we couldn't find the others body? We already know the north-land is cruel, everything is a predator and it's a big mystery about how Eli can live there… I suspect that she is the one who placed the king statue there, but the reason why…. It's a big mystery too… so I want to know how it go…" Umi continued.

Kotori sighed weakly,

"It turns out to be good news for everyone else who got hurt by his action… right?" Kotori said.

"Perhaps, but you started your journey because of that too… and you also started to get to know me too… I'm glad I'm not invisible on your eyes anymore, reading over a hundred poems in the garden, wishing that I have enough courage to tell you my feeling, I began to think, perhaps they did it for me, but then, I don't even know Nozomi or Eli before. Who are they and why they did everything that happened? What benefit they get from that and why? Wow I'm talking nonstop… sheesh…this stupid chocolate…." Umi replied.

"So it was good for you too, right?" Kotori asked.

"I would say yes it was, but I would say it's good for you too. You started to get to know with the world around you, you began to be someone and not just a princess who loves to do tailoring… you know I don't want to say all that if it wasn't because of the stupid chocolate, I can't stop myself from saying it… either way though, let's call it as a misfortune that caused a good fortune in the same time, a good lesson for you, although you could've just started to do it before losing anything. People dies, we always have to be ready to stand on our own feet." Umi replied.

Kotori remained quiet, though she began to cry again.

"Kotori please don't cry, you know I never want to see you crying… I will hate myself for making you cry…" Umi said.

Kotori shook her head,

"Please don't hate yourself, you've done too much for me, Umi-chan…" Kotori said.

"I don't want to admit that because it was all just my expression to tell you that I love you… Oh dear god I need to stop talking, this chocolate is insanity!" Umi said.

Kotori smiled faintly before she grabs Umi and kissed her deeply.

"Kwotwoyiwyunwodwiswesdenjeusyighticanwswopmyswhep…" Umi said.

Kotori released her and giggled,

"I don't understand but it sounds cute, Umi-chan…" Kotori said.

Umi grabs her close,

"I'm sorry, I can't stop myself… please blame the chocolate…." Umi said.

"I'll pretend that we never did this tomorrow…" Kotori said.

They smiled to each other before they started to press their lips against each other, carefully playing their lips and tongue as they began to strip. It was somewhat exciting, heart racing but stable enough for Umi to handle, thanks for the chocolate to give her all the courage she need.

Then as for Kotori, she don't know if it is the right thing to do or perhaps an ok thing to do, but she feels like she wanted to try it. She knows how it done or what will happen, despite all the books she reads were almost never about love between two girls, but she just know that it possible to happen.

She remember that this madness may have not gone only in her workshop, but it might be as well happen in the castle, where she left Honoka and the others, she hope that everything is just going fine tomorrow since she don't know what to do, if she ask for Nozomi's help, she doubt that she will forgive Honoka for what she did.

So she wanted to stay quiet about it and hope everyone will pretend that tonight never happened or at least, hoping that Honoka know how to solve the problem.

She keep going on with her act as she also began to try to find the lever to turn the sofa into bed. It was pretty hard as Umi's aggressive lips keep pressing against her, her strong arms too grabbing her pretty tightly. She doesn't know if she will be able to beat that, but either way it was good for her to feel the force that Umi gave to her. She likes it, no doubt.

As the bed set, Umi throw away all the clothing they took off, then she started to pin her princess, locking her lips with her until she started to feel that…their nipples touched each other and it was somewhat tickling,

They stopped for a moment,

"What was that…." Umi asked.

"Maybe this…?" Kotori adjusted their breast to press against each other.

Then she smiled before they continued to kiss each other, rubbing their hands against each other body, feeling all the sensation they could feel tonight. It's probably be a rare chance for them to have this, knowing that Umi's real personality might prevent it to happen frequently.

She knows they're nothing like the other couple, where they can parade their love to everyone around the nation easily or perhaps showing off what they can do as couple, Umi is too strict and too polite for such thing, she is also lacking of playfulness. Although she knows she could've been the one who do that and hoping that Umi will follow, but then, that also mean that Kotori didn't respect her will.

She wouldn't want Umi to be angry or uncomfortable since she doesn't have enough courage or wit to persuade her way like Nozomi. But then, she doesn't know what Nozomi and Eli have been through too in their first time. Do they have this kind of heartbeat— where it feels like it's going to explodes at some point?

Or perhaps, do they ever feel like being touched at some specific parts but don't know how to ask for it or what to do about it? Despite all the courage that Umi have right now, she is still too amateur to do things properly, but at least she knows well about how to touch her beloved princess. She touches her gently, feeling every inch of her soft skin.

Kotori moaned softly with her cute voice, feeling everything that she could feel in the very moment— the warmth, the sweet kisses, the gentle touches, the tempting scent, the sound of her guardian chuckling from the tickling sensation around their nipples which pressed against each other.

As they keep going on to fulfill their desire, they started to wonder, how long it will last and how they will end?


Meanwhile in another places,

To be specific, in the bedroom of the other workshop, the couple just finished their night fun and planning to get some nice sleep, though their attempt was disturbed by a sound of horses marching out.

"Ericchi…" Nozomi called as she woke up from her bed,

"Hmm?" Eli responded,

"Did you hear that? Horses marching out the town… many of them…" Nozomi said.

"Yeah, they are probably going to do a patrol or something?" Eli said.

"No, they never did any patrol at night… not with horses…" Nozomi said.

"Maybe they just finally learn that outlaws aren't all retard who doesn't use horses to raid the town…" Eli said.

"They're not retards too, Ericchi, they have Elite Archers and Watchtowers, remember?" Nozomi replied. Eli sighed and woke up from the bed,

"Alright, I get it, let's check it out, Honey…" Eli said.

"We better be, something bad might be happening…" Nozomi said.

The two quickly gets their clothes on before they could hear someone knock their door.

"Visitor at night?" Eli asked, she seems to be a little uncomfortable by that.

"I never have one except…. Those students… Honoka usually, because she forgot to report..." Nozomi said.

"I hold your words, if it is someone else than them, I'll slit their neck without questioning…" Eli said.

"I'll never cheat on you, silly…" Nozomi said.

"Hmmph… better tell the truth…" Eli said.

"Sheesh, how long you've been with me, it's like you always scared to lose me to anyone else… it will never happen, ok?" Nozomi sighed.

"I know, but I always have to make sure, honey..." Eli said teasingly.

Nozomi rolled her eyes.

The door knocked again, a little louder. The two hurry up to neat up themselves.


Eli opened the door,

Already with a knife on her hand as Nozomi watch from inside, biting her lip as she is scared if it was just an innocent person who knows nothing and just stumbled into the workshop, she knows Eli have no mercy towards anyone and stubborn enough to listen,

"Eli-chan!" Honoka said.

Nozomi relieved to see her face in the front door.

"Honoka, did you forgot to report?" Eli asked.

Honoka look around for a while,

"Can we talk inside?" Honoka asked.

"Hm? Something wrong?" Eli asked.

"Yes, but it's better be talked privately…" Honoka said.

"I see, then come in…." Eli said as she invited her in.


They let Honoka sit on the sofa,

Nozomi sat on the chair while Eli stood up near the door, they listened to Honoka's whole story about the incident she caused.

"So after we done with the queen's room, we had… a little trouble… Kotori-chan left with Umi-chan... I don't know where they are now, but I decided to use your sleeping gas bomb to put everyone in the castle to sleep, ate or not, I don't want to take another risk of anyone panic and spreading the news to towns people…" Honoka said.

"I see… that's a good move, did you lock the castle gate?" Nozomi asked.

"I told the guard about it, they agreed to keep it secret, though I suppose we couldn't stop Queen Minami and Queen Nishikino to take their adventure out… they really insist it…" Honoka said.

"Hmm… that's very troublesome, but I suppose they will return here by this morning, except they decided to take more adventure instead… even after the effect wore off." Nozomi replied.

"Then what about the others? I doubt they will forget about tonight…" Honoka said.

"We might have a solution to that, but I want to tell you this first, next time, always listen to my rule, rebelling isn't an option…" Nozomi said.

"I know… I'm sorry…. That's why I want to tell you two that I'm going quit from all these…" Honoka said. Her face doesn't seem to be joking about it.

Nozomi and Eli look into each other, then back to her…

"I'm not going to allow that. You shouldn't stop just because you keep messing up with your tasks…" Nozomi said.

"I agree… if you want though, you can just take a break from the tasks and reflect over your mistake…" Eli added.

"Yup, we understand it is hard for you to move on right away, so it's a better for you to do so and come back later when you're ready…" Nozomi said.

Honoka sighed weakly,

"Is it really?" She asked.

"Yup, besides, you've collected a lot of tokens yourself, right? You're very close to get your homunculus…or perhaps you can transfer to be Ericchi's students and get your homunculus…" Nozomi said.

"Actually Nozomi, why not transfer her to Niko? I believe she will want to have her very first alchemy student…. Honoka seems to fit there…" Eli said.

"Ah, true… she just told us she wants to help in our project for this nation…. hmm... but anyway, you won't get your homunculus as early as being Ericchi's student, but it is still earlier than me…" Nozomi said.

"Uh, question, can I transfer to Eli-chan's student then transfer to other teacher?" Honoka asked.

"No, we will only allow transfer once…" Nozomi said.

"Yup, so if you transfer to me, you'll be stuck with me…"Eli said.

"O-kay, then… I wonder why your homunculus is more expensive than others?" Honoka asked.

"That's because my homunculus will be equipped with an ability to do gathering, researching and alchemy while Ericchi's homunculus only equipped with gathering ability, then we will equip Nikochi's homunculus with ability to research, but not alchemy…" Nozomi explained.

"You will really need them to help you researching, they will actually help with your task later… and also to prevent this kind of thing to happen again…"Eli said.

"I understand… then I'll take a break for a moment until I'm actually ready to work on tasks…." Honoka said.

"Harasho…" Eli smiled at her.

"Anything else you want to talk about?" Nozomi asked.

"Yes… this is pretty hard for me to decide… but… it's about the King… do you think it was worth it for Kotori to revive him…?" Honoka asked,

"If you want our opinion, no, beside, he actually can't be revived, he will still be dead from his condition… but as you can see, I'm trying to direct Kotori to another track which is reviving this nation, it's more important, isn't it?" Nozomi said.

"I thought so…. Thanks a lot, Nozomi-chan… Eli-chan…" Honoka said.

"You're very welcome…" Eli replied.

"Anything else?" Nozomi asked.

"Hmm… no, maybe just about how we will deal with tomorrow…?" Honoka said.

"Just leave that for now, we will solve that…."

"I see. Then I'll see you tomorrow, Nozomi-chan, Eli-chan…" Honoka said as she smiled faintly and stood up from her seat.

"Yup, take a good rest, ok?" Eli said.

"Thanks…" Honoka said before she went out and left.

After the door closed and a few minute of silences,

Nozomi snorted,

"I didn't expect things to turn out like this… Honoka-chan never fails to surprise me." Nozomi said.

Eli giggled,

"I know, right? It just feels like she is giving us a shortcut, I think we can arrange something out…" Eli said.

Nozomi giggled,

"Sure, darling, let's make that out…"


Morning time in the castle's workshop,

"Ko…Kotori….?" Umikoto tried to wake up Kotori. Kotori slowly open her eyes,

"Uhm… morning…." She said as she woke up.

She looks to her side, Umi still asleep and she looks very peaceful there.

"Kotori…kotori…kotori Umi?" Umikoto said.

"Yes yes, that's me and that's Umi-chan…" Kotori said.

"Kotori! Kotori-kotori-kotori-ri!" Umikoto said as she pointed to their clothes on the floor in panic.

Kotori remember what she promised last night, she will have to pretend that it never happened.

"Ah! Right!" Kotori said before she jumped off the bed and quickly wear her clothes. Then she quickly tried to grab all the other clothes pieces on the floor.

When she was about to make Umi wear her clothes, Umi woke up carefully— it's too late to pretend that it never happened now…

Umi rub her eyes, then looking at Kotori with a smile,

"Morning… Kotori…"Umi said.

"Ah..morning… Umi-chan…" Kotori said a little nervously.

Umi's eyes focused on what Kotori is carrying— her underwear is totally on her hand. Then she turned down to see herself naked, only covered with the blanket… then she remember— she remember it very clearly that last night… she and her were having an intimacy, although it was just some amateur attempt, it's still something for her….

To imagine— or perhaps, to remember everything she did last night… it made her heart beating so fast…. Then to hear Kotori ask…

"Uh….uhm…Umi-chan… are you…ok?" Kotori asked.

It made her heart beating faster.

"Kotori…. Did I… actually…..?" Umi paused,

"N-no-no! We did nothing! Ahahahaha…." Kotori said nervously as she blushes.

And as she saw her blushing face, it made her heart beating even faster because her image of last night becomes clearer. Her body began to be all stiff,

"U-Umi-chan….?" Kotori tried to call her,

Umi didn't respond. Kotori tried to approach her closer.

"Umi….?" Umikoto said before she tried to poke Umi— and she fall stiffly to the bed again.

"Aaahhh! Umi-chan! Why are you still dead?!" Kotori yelled.

"Umi! Umi! Kotori-Kotori-Kotori!" Umikoto said as she tried to shake Umi.


After everything in the workshop sorted out,

Umi is able to stay awake, though she still blushed madly. She tried her best to not remember last night, but it was too clear and too real for her.

"Uuhh! Umi-chan! Let's think of something else, ok? Like… uhhm….. what do you want for breakfast?" Kotori said.

"W-whatever you want is fine for me…" Umi replied shyly.

"T-then, let's go to the kitchen! See if they can…." Kotori paused.

She remembers she have something to do if she is going to the Kitchen….

"Can what?" Umi asked politely.

"Uhm… actually… can we just eat outside…?" Kotori said.

"Kotori….." Umi concerned.

"I… I don't think I can face Honoka right now…. She might did a mistake but…. I hurt her more than what she did last night…" Kotori said.

Umi smiled at her,

"I would disagree if you're blaming yourself, but….If that what you want… then we should…" Umi said.

"Thanks, Umi-chan…" Kotori replied with a sweet smile.


As they got out from the workshop,

They could see a few people already started to work again, but it feels somewhat strange. They're all looks very busy right now… but what made them wonder is… why is it all so sudden? Is it still because of last night?

"I wonder if this is still because of last night… everyone seems to be working so hard this morning…" Kotori said.

"I… I don't know…. Maybe?" Umi said.

"Ah! Kotori-chan! There you are-nya!" Rin shouted from distance.

"Rin-chan…?" Kotori called her confusedly.

Rin run to them,

"What are you doing here, you should hurry up and prepare for the ceremony-nya…!" Rin said.

"C-Ceremony?!" Umi and Kotori surprised to hear it.

"Yup, I was here to deliver a mail for the Ministers… I don't really understand what's happening but they told me to find you and tell you to go prepare for the ceremony, it's going to happen this afternoon-nya!" Rin said.

Kotori and Umi still confused,

"Hurry up-nya!" Rin said again before she drags the two into the castle.


They still doesn't understand what's actually happening until the time of ceremony,

Though they both are dragged to the courtyard— where the coronation ceremony usually held, it was strange for them to see such thing happening. There are so many guests coming and the town folk seem to be coming as well along with a few nobles from every corner of the nation.

This ceremony is so sudden— it feels magical that a lot of people managed to come here at afternoon.

There also royal representatives from West and South Kingdom in the special guest seats, they are Maki and Hanayo, then not to forget Niko and Rin who apparently important guest seats next to a few random nobles. Kotori is sitting on the family seats as Umi need to stand near her as her personal guardian.

They can see the ministers went up to the stage near a pair of empty thrones. Tsubasa coughed a bit before she took a letter from Erena's hand. The crowds remain silence to hear her out,

"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the East Kingdom…." Tsubasa started the speech.

Kotori and Umi could see the royal carriage is coming and stopped near the red carpet that leads to the throne. It really feels like an official coronation ceremony… but…

"Kotori… this really feels like the official ceremony, do you think you have an idea?" Umi whispered

"No… I just woke up this morning and… everything is just suddenly turning out like this…" Kotori said.

"Are you sure you don't miss anything?" Umi asked.

"I don't think so… it feels like a magic to have things like this goes on successfully in less than a day preparation too…" Kotori said.

"…and with it, we are very sorry to announce that… our previous king officially passed away…" Tsubasa said.

Kotori and Umi surprised to hear it. Kotori swear she wants to shout that she hasn't given up yet from that, but Umi hold her back.

"Then our Queen Minami, leave us a letter, telling that she is leaving the throne to travel around the nation, seeking for something she has been wanting to seek long ago, alongside with the best elites and her best friend— Queen Nishikino from the West Kingdom. But fret not, it doesn't mean that she is abandoning her people, she was also telling us that she want to give the throne to someone who she saw as a worthy ruler to replace her…." Tsubasa continued,

Kotori and Umi remained quiet, they are very sure that if it was Kotori, she should be not sitting in the royal seat right now. She should be in the royal carriage… who is in the royal carriage?

"This worthy ruler she has chosen is a person who created a lot of technologies and miracle around us, one that know the way around nation very well and one who has made over a million histories. Please welcome our new queen…" Tsubasa said as they could see a lady in an elegant black long dress, decorated with raven feathers and beautiful frills, dark purple fancy heels and gloves stepping down from the carriage. Every guest began to stand up,

"The Legendary Alchemist…"

The door of the carriage closed, they can see turquoise eyes and violet hair which beautifully braided. Kotori stood up from her seat, she can't believe her eyes,

"Toujou Nozomi…."

Nozomi gestured politely as she give out a mischievous smile.

"W-what's…the meaning of this…?" Kotori said.

Kotori and Umi caught another sight as they watch Nozomi walks proudly on the red carpet, Honoka is in one of the important guest seat, biting her lip as she waits her turn to bow down to honor the new queen— which they didn't expect.

"N-Nozomi…." Umi grumbled as she clenched her fist.

Their eyes keep focusing at Nozomi who arrogantly sit on the Queen's throne, then she let out a taunting chuckle as she glanced at them,

"Harasho…" she said along with a teasing wink to them.


A/N : Yup, there... going to skip one year on next chapter. Don't worry though, I'll always explain everything~