After the trip to Bluebell, it was like a fresh start for the two of them. All the loose ends were finally tied after all this time. Time… so much time passed, but there was also so much still awaiting them. More memories to be made, more time to spend with her. All of it. It was precious to him, blooming to this very moment – bright, beautiful, and delicate like a flower. Kamil learned how to treat it with love and care.

Thinking of memories, reminiscing on the past, Kamil remembered today as he left his room to meet up with Annie… this was not the first time Kamil overheard Maurice's daughters talking to her by the main entrance of the inn.

"Annie, what about Kamil made you fall in love with him?"

Kamil almost fell down the stairs after hearing Melanie's question. He was shocked by her bold assumption. Sure, it was obvious to the girls that Kamil loved Annie, and Annie said before that she liked him a lot, too. However, Kamil and Annie never confirmed their feelings or made it "official"… what more asking about falling in love?

Typical nosy Melanie, playing Cupid again, Kamil mused, but couldn't hide the blush creeping on his face.

"His kindness," Annie answered simply, her voice gentle but loud enough to reach Kamil's reddened ears.

I love Annie. I love her way too much. He knew how much he pined for Annie, but he always brushed it aside and wanted to ensure Annie's feelings and happiness first. Although, this changed everything and his burning feelings for her resurfaced.

By answering Melanie's question, she's saying she fell in love with him then, isn't that right? And her answer made him so happy. Euphoric, even. It praised him for everything he's done so far and comforted him learning that his kindness was enough. His hand clapped over his mouth timidly as he tried not to make any noise while he stayed frozen halfway down the stairs. His face could glow through his hand if it were possible. He's had many moments where he felt like his heart was too fast to be normal, and this moment had to be the worst one so far. It didn't stop him from listening in, as the girls continued their chat. He tried to ignore his heartbeat pulsing in his ears.

"I mean, all fairy-tale princes are smart and handsome and really, really, kind!" Melanie added with a playful tone.

"Come to think about it, I always knew Kamil was a good guy, but he seems especially good to you, Annie," Lillie chimed in.

"Yeah! Anybody would want to take extra special care of the person they loved, and not only that, whenever I see him looking at you, it's always with a super-duper sweet look!"

Confess for me, why don't you, Melanie. Kamil resisted the urge to laugh, but he could hear Annie laughing for him. "Is that so?" she wondered out loud. "Kamil, a prince?"

"Someday, I wanna find a prince who'll love me and look at me like that." The girls kept giggling to themselves at the information that was exchanged and when Maurice's daughters were finally out of the room, Kamil decided it was time for him to enter. While this would be embarrassing for the both of them because of the sisters, he would definitely find a way to thank them still for the valuable information and opportunity…

Kamil's face grew redder by the second, however Annie's was the opposite and her face drained of colour after locking eyes with him. She choked out a greeting, "Oh my Goddess, Kamil, hi-"

"I didn't mean to eavesdrop, but er…" he tried his best to respond, too, "you three were loud enough I could clearly hear you upstairs."

There was an awkward pause. They were visibly uncomfortable, both keeping their hands occupied with whatever piece of clothing they could play with their fingers. They had said they liked each other before, but this felt different, especially after everything that happened between them… and that it was really that obvious to everyone else.

Kamil broke the silence with a dry chuckle, "I was a bit unsure on what you thought of me. I was waiting to hear you talk about my humour, really."

"Hush, you," Annie said with a pout, clearly equally, if not more, embarrassed.

The tension in the air began to clear. He replied, smiling tenderly, "Thanks, Annie. I'm really happy to hear it." He nervously played with his tie – that habit of his mostly triggered around her. "I, um… I really like how kind you are, too, and your smile, your laugh…" He forced another chuckle. "Wow, saying that out loud is… embarrassing!"

"How do you think I felt, then, saying it to the sisters?" she said, forcing out a laugh as well.

Kamil cleared his throat, brushing the topic aside. "Anyways, shall we go for that walk we had planned? Let's stop by the lake – I need some fresh air."

"Yeah, me too."

"Yeah. Great."

Conversation came naturally to them, as expected. They brought each other up to speed – they were both doing well, their routine the same, their crops growing, their businesses booming… the usual. Nothing to hide. Although, it was tough for Kamil to act as if the conversation in the inn didn't just happen. The thought continued to linger, almost making his head physically throb.

"I'm going again to Bluebell and Konohana to spectate their next Cooking Festival…" Annie told him, excitement in her eyes. "Reina's coming along, too so I'll be staying at her old place with her uncle, Mako in Konohana. Want to join us? It's next weekend."

Kamil's gaze was to the sky as he was deep in thought and tried to recall his schedule. "Sure," he said, "I'll see if I'm free that day. When did you plan this with Reina?"

"We hung out the other day! You know, I'm still shocked at how quickly Reina adjusted to Oak Tree Town… it's only been a few weeks since she moved."

Kamil chuckled, thinking of the sassy botanist, who recently took a big step and moved to Oak Tree Town as well. "Yes, she's definitely changed since the last time we saw her. Honestly, I'm not surprised, though… I remember Ash said a while ago that Reina showed interest in moving here, too."

"Still, who would've guessed in a few years you'd be floormates with someone from Konohana?" Annie also turned her gaze to the sky in thought.

"I don't think anyone could predict all the stuff that happened these past few seasons," Kamil replied.

"Wow. You, Nadi, and Reina. Must be quite the floor," she went on.

"It's actually great," Kamil said with a laugh, "I couldn't ask for better floormates and friends."

Annie and Kamil were just exiting the town towards the lake area when they saw Raeger and Fritz pass by. They waved at the two with a smile, and when Raeger gave Kamil a knowing look, Kamil felt colour rush to his face. This was going to be another conversation starter the next time he got lunch at Raeger's restaurant, for sure.

Really, just how obvious were they?

When they finally reached the lake, Kamil breathed a small sigh of relief. There was something comforting about the weather today. The sun wasn't too harsh. It was warm but with a slight breeze, making the flowers around them dance. The lake was calm today, too. Annie and him were alone and away from the others who could possibly remind him of…

"Hey, you think I can clear up the whole Melanie question?" Annie suddenly said under her breath, her voice being carried by the wind.

Of that.

Their eyes met and there was mutual determination and encouragement. This was probably the best time for it, they concluded wordlessly.

"Why not? Now's the perfect time," Kamil said, taking this chance and rolling with it.

"Alright." She nodded and clenched her fists together, as if to prepare herself. "I've said it countless times before," she continued. "We've gone through so much together, good and bad. I'm… I'm almost glad I crashed my cart that day-"

"Hey, that's not funny." Kamil had to interject.

"Just listen to what I have to say, Kamil, as bad I as I am at doing it," Annie chortled, nudging him. "I mean, you're patient and you understand me. You gave me the opportunity to learn how to love myself. I'm happy, and I'm the happiest when I'm with you. So, I want you to know that I was telling the truth when I said I love you for your kindness." She tilted her head to the side and spoke again before Kamil could reply, "I would like to ask you, though, why is it that you're so kind to me?"

Words had never flowed out smoother from his mouth before and he didn't break eye contact. She needed to know.

"Annie, I'm in love you," he answered, his voice with the same, loving, and gentle tone he used only around her. He said it! He had never been so ready to tell her something. Still, he found himself saying, "Sorry. That probably came as a shock, springing out of the blue like that, but I've wanted to say it for a while." So typical of him. But was it really a shock for her?

He carefully watched her reaction, waiting for her response. Annie's starry eyes widened with excitement. She answered with a smile that made Kamil's heart swell. "I love you, too." She swiftly took his hand and squeezed tightly, as if to make sure they were both not dreaming. "I have been for a while, too, if you didn't notice."

Perhaps not all the loose ends were tied, at least, until now.

"I..."

When Annie released his hands, he found them moving to cup her face right after. He held her face gently, as if she would crumble at his touch. He couldn't help himself as he inched closer to her and he could feel her warm breath on his lips. In response, Annie held his wrists to keep his hands on her, closed her eyes and lifted her chin slightly, as if waiting for him to initiate something. Kamil's eyes lingered on her forehead – the part of her face she was so conscious about and hid often. Yet there it was, vulnerable and exposed to him. He softly placed his lips on her forehead for a few moments, before his lips travelled to her cheek, and he pressed harder this time. Her cheekbones rose when he kissed her there, revealing to him the big smile she wore. He noticed how small she was to him and how he wanted to kiss her more – her face wasn't enough.

"I'll take good care of you, I promise," he told her, his voice almost a whisper, and his breath tickled her ears. Kamil pulled away, his face flushed from the stunt he just pulled on her, but it looked like they both enjoyed it. They faced each other, still within arms length.

"As if you haven't been doing that already," she rolled her eyes, but Kamil was more focused on how high the corner of her lips were and how they trembled when she tried to suppress her smile. "I'll do the same… If you think about it, not much of our dynamic is going to change, honestly."

Kamil laughed softly, "Yeah, you might be right about that…"

He thought for a moment about how the others will react once their relationship became public. Oh, he could imagine the teasing looks from both his friends in Oak Tree Town and back at the two towns. Although, at the same time, he was excited to tell them. He returned to the present when an idea popped in his head.

"Oh, I know. Since this is a big event for both of us, how about we give each other like, nicknames? To commemorate it?"

Suddenly in this context, Kamil had trouble making eye contact with her. Was Annie always this stunning by the glistening water, the vibrant nature around them? His world had never been more colourful, it was almost too much for him to look at for too long. Her violet eyes were as bright as ever, not hiding behind her hair that was pinned back today, revealing her whole face. He loved her so much, it pained him at how much he wanted her – all of her. It made him flustered.

"I mean…" he trailed off, starting to second guess his offer.

"No, this is fine. You're so cute," she giggled and reassured him with a light touch on the shoulder, gaining Kamil's confidence back. It made them draw closer to each other once more. He was expecting a sappy name. Honey, sweetie, babe?

"Okay, then you can call me whatever you'd like. I don't mind. What would you like me to call you?" he asked, excited for the start of this new chapter with her.

Kamil recalled how memories can be more vivid and lasting when there are emotional cues. The emotions swelling inside him because of her - happiness, comfort, warmth, and love - all told him he wouldn't ever forget this precious moment.

"Oh Cam," There was so much fondness in her tone when his nickname formed seamlessly in her mouth. How perfect and nostalgic, but also refreshing to hear these names once more in her voice. "You know, you can call me Lillian."

The End.

a/n: is it really a romance if i left it until the last chapter? lol! i believe this is my last fanfic before i sign off from this website! i'm glad it could be this one - i really enjoyed writing it (even though i was so bad at keeping a schedule). thank you for your encouraging reviews and for reading and i hope you enjoyed it. i hope you don't forget that like lillian and cam, you aren't struggling alone and you are loved! i will post an epilogue soon and then that's that! take care :)