"It's so good to see you, Kaiko!" Miku greeted as she gave her fellow Cinderella a hug, the two agreeing to meet in the academy garden shortly after Kaiko and her family settled into their rooms at the school, "I'm happy and relieved you and your family made it here safely."

Breaking the hug, Kaiko replied, "Not as happy as I am. We have not received threats or anything of the like since . . . the incident. It's quite odd, really. I suppose since things didn't go according to plan, the Thorns simply decided, 'Well, back to the drawing board,' and are figuring things out from there."

Miku frowned. "The Thorns?"

"Yes, didn't Kaito tell you about them? He's been investigating a Juliet rebellion since coming to this school."

When Miku frowned deeper, Kaiko covered her mouth with her hand. "Kaito didn't tell you anything at all, did he?"

"No, and I'm starting to wonder if he ever intended to."

"Oh, me and my big mouth. I'm so sorry, Miku! Please don't be too mad at him; I'm sure my thick-skulled cousin had his reasons for not telling you about this. Perhaps there was never an opportune moment, or perhaps he didn't want you worrying for his sake."

"Don't make excuses for him," Miku cut in, though she maintained her polite composure. "He and I shall discuss this secret of his later. For now, I want to stick to our original purpose of meeting. How has your family been keeping control of things since fleeing the Idun District?"

While Kaiko caught Miku up on all the details – major and trivial alike, Miku tried with little success to not think about what Kaiko had unintentionally revealed to her. Kaito was working undercover to stop a Juliet rebellion. She wasn't sure for how long, but Miku wouldn't have been surprised if it was for about as long as they had known each other. It would explain his sudden disappearances and unexcused cancelations.

"And that's why I won't pet another cat for as long as I live," Kaiko finished her story about some family friend's pet she offered to watch for an evening. Shaking her head, Kaiko took a sip of tea and set the cup back down. "They act as if they want attention, but then attack you when you try to give it to them? What a load of nonsense!"

Despite herself, Miku smiled. "I used to have a cat," and stories centering on said cat were what was supposed to exit Miku's mouth, but instead what she said was, "Do you know where Kaito is? I must speak with him as soon as possible."

"I see despite your best efforts, you can't put the matter to rest. Very well. I would feel the same if I was in your shoes." Kaiko's eyes scanned the garden, her small mouth pulled into a frown. "He's in a meeting. With whom, I am uncertain, but he should be out within the hour. If I know my cousin, he will go to his rooms first to change suits. Waiting for him there is your best chance of seeing him."

Miku nodded. "And do you know the location of his rooms? There was never an appropriate time for him to tell me."

"There never is an appropriate time when you're asking the person you're courting where his rooms are." Kaiko snorted. "You didn't hear it from me, but his suite is next to mine."

Before Miku could ask Kaiko where her rooms were, Kaiko stood from the garden table and said, "This sun is getting into my eyes. Mind if we continue our tea in my rooms?"

Keeping the grin from growing on her face, Miku said, "No, I don't mind at all."

"You wanted to see me?" Rin sat in the chair in front of Master Tonio's desk, her toes remembering to dig into the carpet lest she slide off the leather seat.

Across from her, Master Tonio folded his hands and, resting his elbows on his desk, pressed them against his lips. Then, "My wife knows something. I don't know what she knows, and maybe even she doesn't know what she knows, but she knows you're involved one way or another."

"Oh, really? I couldn't have guessed. I was wondering why she had me whipped so severely."

"I understand why you may be in a foul mood, but cut the sarcasm, Rin."

Rin crossed her arms, but that was it. If her back still didn't hurt, if moving around so much still didn't hurt, she would have thrown herself back into the chair. "Why did you summon me?"

"To tell you that I can no longer use your help," Master Tonio said, and nothing in his posture or voice hinted at what he might have thought about that fact. "From this point on, it isn't an outrageous guess that Prima will be monitoring you now."

"So you called me here, to your office?"

"Officially, you are still in bed recovering from your wounds."

"As I should be right now, only you summoned me."

"Again, enough with the sarcasm. Secondly, I feel it is no longer safe for you to remain within these walls. During our annual fundraiser in a month's time, you as well as a few other Juliets will be put on display to be sold to the highest bidder."

Rin's heart dropped. "You can't do that!" she exclaimed before she realized her mouth was open.

Maintaining his composure, Master Tonio replied, "Actually, I can. You are property of this academy, remember? And I'm one of the two people in charge of how this academy is run and what to do with its assets. We are low enough on funds that selling three or four of you girls should help us get through the rest of this semester, and your getting lumped in with others like you is a decent way to get you out from my wife's clutches."

"I won't agree to this," Rin growled, curling her fingers into fists.

"You don't have a choice," Master Tonio reminded her. "I'm not asking for you to accept this; I know you won't. I'm not asking you to cooperate; you don't have a choice. What I'm asking is for you to understand."

"Oh, and what is it I don't understand?"

Pinching the bridge of his nose, Master Tonio said, "Look, Rin, you need to stop arguing with me and realize that I'm only trying to protect you."

"Or you're trying to protect yourself," Rin replied.

"I don't want you to end up like Gumi!" Master Tonio snapped as he bolted to his feet, composure gone. He looked at Rin as if he was a man half wild. "I will not let another girl die in such a way, and that includes you. From now on, you are just another Juliet serving within these walls. When the fundraiser comes, you will behave yourself. I will do everything in my power to see to it that you are sold into a service that won't mistreat you. However, if that is to be the case, I need you to follow along. Can't you do that?"

Rin took a deep breath. "Isn't there any way I can help until then?"

"The best way to help is to back out altogether."

Knowing an argument would be futile, Rin said, "Then I shall do as you say. No more spying or investigating."

Rin kept the "for you" silent.

It wasn't long after Miku dismissed herself from Kaiko's rooms she hid out in Kaito's. Kaiko had a key, which she didn't give Miku herself but did "casually" state where she kept it. All Miku had to do to sneak into Kaito's rooms was take every opportunity Kaiko presented to her.

When Kaito walked in, he didn't notice Miku sitting on his bed, arms crossed. He muttered something uncoherent under his breath as he walked towards his closet. Miku cleared her throat to signal her presence, and Kaito jumped as he turned around.

"Miku, what are you doing in here?!" Kaito demanded, face turning a deep shade of scarlet. "How did you know where my suite is?"

Dodging Kaito's questions, Miku asked, "Who are the Thorns."

Kaito hesitated a beat too long. "I don't know what you're talking abou—"

"The Thorns, Kaito! The Juliet rebellion you're helping investigate. Does that ring any bells?"

"Ah, those Thorns," Kaito answered, unable to look Miku in the eye. "If it's of any comfort to you, the threat they pose isn't all that—"

"I don't care about the threat!" Miku stood from the bed and approached Kaito. Stopping a few feet away from him, Miku said, "I want to know why you didn't tell me any of this."

"What I want to know is how you found out."

"Don't try to avoid talking about this with me. How long have you been helping with this investigation?" No response. "Kaito . . ."

Kaito still couldn't look her in the eyes. "Since before coming to the academy."

"And you never once thought to tell me any of this?"

"I didn't want you to worry."

"Kaito, look at me." Miku had to repeat herself twice before Kaito finally gave in. "You need to tell me these things. What if something happened to you, and I didn't know what was going on? I wouldn't have had the first idea how to help."

Crossing his arms, Kaito again stared at everything but Miku. "This isn't something in which you need to involve yourself."

"I'm not trying to be involved," Miku said. "All I want is for you to talk to me. Can't you please do that?"

"I don't want you to worry," Kaito repeated.

"Stop acting as if I'm too fragile to handle any of this!" Miku exclaimed, her voice almost rising to a scream. Taking a deep breath, Miku said, "I'll be going to my rooms. When you're ready to talk, message me. We can meet in the library or the gardens or wherever, but I need you to tell me what's been going on. We're supposed to be courting, but with this massive secret between us, I'm starting to wonder if I even know you at all."

"I . . . I understand." Kaito's arms were still crossed, and he still wouldn't look at her.

With a sigh, Miku let herself out of the room. Kaiko stood in the halls, her eyes asking her unspoken question. Miku shook her head, and Kaiko deflated as well. The two Cinderellas didn't speak as they went their separate ways.

Miku walked into her rooms and began untying her hair. It was as she was about to order a chocolate cake brought to her that she saw something on her vanity. Stepping closer, she realized it was a note.

Written on the torn sheet of paper was a room number and the message, Meet me on the roof half past curfew. Go through the window of this room. It's not a difficult climb, but still wear slippers that can grip.

Even without the note being signed or seeing the handwriting before a day in her life, Miku instantly knew who this mysterious author was.

Rin.

Sitting on the roof with her knees tucked into her chest, Rin stared up at the three moons and the stars dotting the night sky. It was risky leaving Miku a note asking her to meet Rin there, but she had to try. If Miku didn't show . . . well, Rin tried. At least it was a beautiful night, albeit a bit cold.

It was the sound of mild profanity that alerted Rin to Miku's presence.

"I never heard you use such language before," Rin said, smiling as Miku crawled up the roof to join Rin.

"Trust me, I can be a lot worse," Miku replied, settling herself next to Rin. It didn't escape Rin's noticing how tight the midsection of Miku's gown had become. The Cinderella must have binged before coming here. Huffing, Miku asked, "Was this meeting really necessary?"

Rin got straight to the point. "Master Tonio intends to sell me during the upcoming fundraiser."

"He what?!"

"I'm going to be auctioned off," Rin answered.

Miku shook her head. "No, he can't do that!"

"Actually, he can."

"Is it because—"

"No," Rin interrupted, believing it wasn't a lie but still not wanting to explain the situation. Miku didn't need to be involved. Not when Rin couldn't promise when would be the last time they saw each other.

Frowning, Miku looked at the night sky. "This is the last opportunity we'll have to talk, isn't it?"

Somehow, Miku's awareness caused a lump to form in Rin's throat. "Possibly."

"Is there anything I can do?"

"Please don't involve yourself in this," Rin said. "You already have a target on your back as it is."

"I really wish everyone would stop trying to protect me," Miku replied after a moment, her words a low growl.

Rin's brows pinched together. There was a reason Miku binged. "Did something happen today?"

"Yes . . . , but I don't think it's really worth talking about." Surprising Rin, Miku threw herself to the side so that her head was resting on Rin's shoulder. "I don't want to lose you."

"I don't want to lose you either." Working up the courage, Rin found Miku's hand and laced her fingers through the Cinderella's. In return, Miku squeezed Rin's hand and held on tightly.

Rin's heart nearly exploded in her chest. If only we could have more moments such as this. Opening her mouth, Rin had the words "I love you" ready to pour out.

She bit them back before so much as a sound could be uttered.

Having feelings is not the same as being in love, Rin reasoned with herself. I can't be so foolish and selfish. Miku's courting Lord Shion; nobody in their right mind would end a relationship with a lord for a Juliet. Besides, even if there was a slim chance she could ever return my feelings, that doesn't change how Fate plans to pull us apart. I can't force that weight onto her shoulders. It will remain mine to bear alone.

With that decided, Rin followed Miku's example of staring at the night sky. Soon enough both girls would need to return to their rooms before anyone discovered they were missing. After they parted ways, they might never see each other again. If Rin's plan succeeded, they never would. It was why she took such a big risk asking Miku to meet her.

So, for those final minutes, the Juliet and the Cinderella stared at the night sky. The silence between them wrapped around the moment like a protective blanket. When the time to part ways arrived, it had come far too soon.