Disclaimer: I do not own the game or anime adaptation of Princess Connect! Re: Dive.

I recently watched Princess Connect! Re: Dive and I knew two things instantly:

I kinda ship Yuuki/Kokoro and Pecorine/Karyl. (However, this fic is not super shippy.)

This anime is so, so good and I'm shocked that it doesn't have MORE attention than it already does.

Please note the following before reading:

This fic takes place post-Season 1 of the anime and will not take into account the events of Season 2 since it doesn't air until January 2022.

I'll be using the spelling "Karyl" and not "Kyaru" because Karyl was what was used in the English-subbed version of the anime.

I hope all of you enjoy reading this fic!

Warning: Takes place post Season-1 finale and will contain major spoilers, some Pecorine/Karyl if you squint (though not a huge amount)

The Truth Sets You Free

Summary: Takes place post-Season 1 finale. After finding out that Pecorine was the true Princess Eustiana, Karyl decides to come clean to her about previously working for the woman who took Pecorine's past identity.

Karyl knew she had to tell Pecorine the truth.

It was only fair, after all. Pecorine was already apologizing half the time over not telling the entire rest of the Gourmet Guild that she was the real Princess Eustiana as well as the entire mess with Mana involved.

And Karyl….Karyl let it all out at once.

That she'd worked for Mana, that she was supposed to kill Pecorine on her behalf at some point to secure Mana's current position, and…

Pecorine said she needed time to think about it.

It had been three hours since dinner. The sun was already down and Karyl sat outside. Yuki and Kokoro both tried to get her to come inside their house and get some sleep, but Karyl couldn't get her legs to move. Her heart and head, heavy with guilt, wouldn't let them.

What if she asks me to leave and never come back?

As much as Karyl didn't want that to happen, she wouldn't be surprised if she did. She looked out towards the setting sun in the horizon. The birds tweeted a few soft songs as they flew by, heading to their nests to prepare for the cold night ahead, but Karyl couldn't get herself to move.

How could anyone forgive her for being a spy? A traitor?

"Karyl?"

She looked up to see Pecorine to her right, sitting down beside her. Her eyes, usually optimistic and so brave, looked worried. "You okay? Yuuki and Kokoro told me you hadn't come in yet, and it's getting colder."

"'m fine." Karyl shook her head quickly. "I just…wanted to give you time to think and stuff. After everything I told you and the others."

"Oh."

Both of them sat together in silence, watching the sun continue descending from the sky.

"Oh!" Karyl turned her head to see Pecorine's eyes widen. "Right. I wanted to tell you something."

"What is it?" Was it another request to come indoors? To eat frogs or bugs? Karyl tried her best not to grimace at thinking of that. "I really hope it's not you asking me to eat a bug again."

"It's not that!" The true Princess Eustiana shook her head, and the face she made looked adorable. "It's just – I forgive you."

The way she said it so plainly as she looked Karyl in the eye – what?

"WHAT!?" Karyl found herself standing, staring at the other. "How can you…? How…why?"

Pecorine stared up at her, tilting her head to the side. "Why what?"

"Why would you forgive me!?" Karyl found herself blurting out. If Pecorine wanted to talk, Karyl still found herself talking anyway. "I could've killed you and the others at any time! I was working for Mana, the same person who took your kingdom and your parents away from you! Shouldn't you be angry!?"

As took a deep breath, she heard her own voice echoing through the air around her. It was so quiet outside now, Karyl realized, and the skies were getting darker.

But Pecorine didn't flinch. She stared up at Karyl, before smiling.

"I was shocked at first." She admitted, and Karyl found herself sitting down beside her, intent on hearing more. "I mean, I guess it explained a lot of what you did in the past, especially when we first met. And to be fair," She made eye contact with her again, "You didn't actually kill me or the others."

Karyl sighed. She wasn't exactly good at assassination as is, anyway. Mana definitely picked the wrong person for that assignment, looking back on all her attempts.

"And you always helped us, too." Pecorine still had a smile on her face. "And…" That was when the smile faded. "It wouldn't be fair to judge you when I've lied to you and the others, too. We both made mistakes." She pushed a lock of her orange hair out of her face, closing her eyes briefly. "At the end of the day, we're both part of the same guild. We have to all be accountable for our mistakes and learn to do better."

Karyl let that sink in. Be accountable. She could do that? Be better?

She wasn't sure if she could do that, but…for Pecorine, and the others, she'd try. Tears pricked at the corners of her eyes as she offered her a smile.

"Thanks," She finally managed, "For this." No pretending not to care about Pecorine and the others' words, no more faking what she really felt. She could work on that. For herself, and for them.

"You're welcome." Pecorine smiled wide, and despite the sunlight being gone by now, the world felt a bit brighter. "Want to head inside now?"

Karyl took her hand in hers, and nodded once.

"Yeah. Let's go."