"You really like spending time near that apple tree huh, Karius-san."

Karius-the white-haired figure in question laughed at the pleasantries. She picked up the watering can near her feet and watered the apples.

"Of course. This is my brother's last legacy," she said. "After all, this is a symbol of our forgiveness towards humanity."

"I see. We should also be grateful for Knives' generosity."

Karius smiled at that answer. But the sound of a truck stopping in front of the building distracted them. Karius immediately put down the watering can in her hand to enter the house. She went straight to the room where Vash was being treated so far to pack her things. The man was asleep in his bed when Karius came in and immediately woke up after hearing the sound of a bag zipper being pulled.

"Did I wake you?" asked Karius, slinging her backpack. Her hand ruffled Vash's hair as the man shook his head slowly. "I was awake when your truck arrived."

Karius smiled. "Oh, I see."

"Are you leaving now?"

"Yeah, I have to go. There are a few things I need to do, it might take a few weeks if we add up the duration of the trip."

"A few weeks? That's enough time for him to recuperate before you can actually take him home," Carlito's father added, standing in the doorway.

"Of course. I calculated everything before contacting the people at home," Karius continued for a moment before turning to Vash. Satisfied with wiping his black hair, she leaned in to land a kiss on his forehead. "Take good care of yourself. I'll be right back to pick you up."

"Okay." Vash smiled broadly. When he tried to get out of bed, Karius immediately helped him and prepared a pillow to lean on. "Don't forget. Stay safe, big sis."

"Sure. I'm leaving now. See you next month, dear."

Karius left with her backpack and big chest. Leaving Vash still waving limply for her. Carlito's father caught up with her later to watch her leave. Vash leaned back against the pillows, still looking at the doorway where Karius' figure sauntered away moments ago. He touched his own forehead carefully. The softness of Karius's lips when she kissed him was still felt. In his one and a half century of life, Vash had never thought that there was someone who loved him the way he was besides Rem.

Karius gave him all the attention and affection these past few months. Something he and Knives hadn't felt since the Big Fall. He wouldn't forget the moment when she in tears hugging Knives after hit his head and scolding him so much. She might be angry with Knives' behavior, but she couldn't hate him. She loved her little brothers more than herself.

The sound of the truck's engine being started could be heard all the way to Vash's room. He could hear Karius getting into her truck and closing the door. Also her little talk with Carlito's father before the truck moved away. While she was here, Karius helped ensure that the food supply was under control. It was a form of gratitude towards Carlito and his father for being willing to help Vash even with the price on his head.

"I really didn't know that even someone like Vash The Stampede had a super nice big sister such as Karius-san," said Carlito's father. He was preparing dinner at the time while Vash and Carlito sat waiting at the dining table.

Vash laughed while scratching the back of his head that didn't itch. "Ah, I didn't know either until we met a few months ago."

"Huh? It seems like your introduction was quite brief for siblings who just met after dozens of decades." Carlito's father flipped the omelet on the pan with one swing. "Plus, if we learn how Knives has treated you, she's actually treated you very well. It seems that the statement that she loves the both of you very much is not just empty words."

Vash smiled at those words. "We may have just met, but she seems to have prepared everything all along."

"Including the 'home' she built for you. She really did everything for her younger siblings. And the city of March, I thought it was just a fairy tale. There cannot be a city more prosperous than July on this planet."

Everyone fell silent. Only the sound of Carlito munching on an apple Vash had slices as a snack. The atmosphere of the house became quieter because there was one less person. Usually if it wasn't Karius who was preparing the food, then she would teach Carlito some basic lessons for kids his age. Seeing that, Vash thought that Karius' existence itself was a miracle. Frankly he felt very grateful to be met with her. She was like the angel Rem had sent to mediate his dispute with Knives.

At least that's according to Vash. He had received too much pain and suffering over a hundred years for that to be more than enough for him. Contrary to what Karius was thinking right now. The woman was deep in thought next to her driver. For her, all of this was not enough. She failed to achieve her goal completely.

"It's not enough," she muttered. Edward, who was driving beside her, was surprised to hear his master suddenly speak after a long silence.

"N-not enough?" asked the young man worried. "What's not enough, My Lord?"

"I can't save Knives. And Vash's hair is now completely black," Karius answered flatly. "I failed to save them, Edward."

Edward thought for a moment. "But you managed to make Knives-sama enjoy the rest of his life even though it was quite short, My Lord. And Vash-sama, you always have a chance to make him happy for the rest of his life."

Karius didn't answer again. She just stared blankly out the window. Yet the sprinkling of stars in the sky tonight is so beautiful. But Karius looked at it with tears streaming down her face. Edward had no choice but to silence her. With the situation she was in now, there was nothing he could do to fix things.

"I should have chased them earlier. If only God would give me a second chance. I will give everything to get it."

"I will take both of them home with me even though I will be the one who will die soon."