Author's Note: A huge apology for leaving you all hanging for so long! It's been a wild past few years (lots of life changes including an injury that stopped me from writing), but I hate to leave things unfinished. Thank you so much for continuing to read, follow, favorite, and review. And thank you to each of you who messaged me over the past few years to check in on me! I appreciate you.

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Chapter 20: More Than Enough

No. I'm busy and there's nothing for us to talk about. See you around.

Usagi's stomach had not settled since the moment she opened Seiya's message. No matter what she had to drink, the uncomfortable lump in her dry throat never went away. She clung to her phone as she lay in bed that night, obsessively unlocking the screen and checking for a message that never came.

What was she hoping for? An apology? She wasn't sure, but as the days went by, she was sure that her friendship with Seiya had slipped through her fingers. Her friendship with Mamoru felt nonexistent as well.

Waking up the morning after the "not a pizza party", Usagi begrudgingly left her warm and comfortable bed to find something to eat. She had gone to sleep without cleaning up the remnants of the previous night's festivities - she was way too exhausted - and now she was dreading the scrubbing, sweeping, and mopping she'd have to do.

She was surprised to step into a spotless kitchen. Instead of being covered in oil-stained pizza boxes and ringlets of sticky red wine, the countertop had been cleared and its glossy tiles shined in the morning sunlight. The glasses from the night before had been washed and were neatly nestled upside down on the drying rack.

"Mamo–" She stopped, her sluggish brain suddenly catching what she had missed on her way to the kitchen. She looked back to see a neat stack of luggage sitting beside the door.

"You're leaving?" She asked, panicked as he emerged from the bathroom.

"I think we both need our space," he said. Usagi noticed the way he averted his eyes away from hers.

"I have so much love in my heart for you and I know that one day we'll be friends," he continued. "But after last night, I know that I'm not ready to be around you. I'm not ready to be your friend right now."

"You're not ready to be my friend." She repeated his words flatly.

Great.

Chewing on the edge of an already damaged and jagged nail, she watched the man she thought she'd be with for the rest of her incredibly long life walk away from the apartment that he paid most of the rent for, instead, opting to sleep on a futon at the Furuhata's house.

She wanted to beg him to stay. But through tears, she thought of everything that her selfishness had put him through already and she resigned to give him the space that he asked for. It was the least she could do.

Alone, Usagi found the time passing by painfully slowly. The television couldn't hold her attention and she had no desire to go outside. Every notification made her heart jump, and then sink. When she couldn't wait for the singer's reply any longer, she called him, her hands trembling as she waited for the click of an answered call.

It never came.

At first, the phone rang when she called. But after several tries, she was devastated to hear it go straight to voicemail.

When she felt her lowest, she did what she used to do in these situations – she turned to her friends. Well, she turned to the friend who she hoped wouldn't say "I told you so".

Idk what to do Mina-chan… he wont talk to me :(

It didn't take long for Minako to send a reply.

GO SEE HIM! if he won't answer u will just have to make him talk in person!

I don't think that's a good idea... what if he just ignores me?

do u want him or not? if u want him ur going to have to try. feeling sry for urself wont change anything

She scowled at Minako's last message and set the phone down. What she was proposing sounded scary. She felt the anxiety build up as her brain raced through different scenarios - all beginning with her putting her heart on display and ending with rejection.

No, she decided. That's a stupid idea. Someone else must know what to do.

Oh, she thought. Maybe… no, that's selfish, she chided herself. She glanced at her bookshelf and locked eyes with a boy in a springtime family photograph smiling back at her. Before she knew it, the call had been made.

Some hours later, Usagi sat wrapped in a plush blanket on her sofa, looking across at the last person she would have reasonably expected to come to console her.

"I didn't know who else to talk to," Usagi she softly. "I just knew I needed someone who wasn't so invested, I guess. I feel selfish for calling, but I feel like you would understand."

She felt ashamed to say it out loud - that her brother wasn't quite her first choice, but maybe he was the right choice.

"I'm sorry, that sounds terrible," she added with a soft sigh. To her surprise, Shingo's lips formed a smile.

"We're not close, are we?"

"No," she whispered. "I'm sorry. I should have been a better sister to you."

Her brother left a brief pause, closing his eyes to reflect on what Usagi just said.

"It's okay, you know," he began. For a moment she thought that maybe he was pretending to make her feel better, but something about his tone felt sincere. "It didn't feel good, but I think I understand now. I can't imagine what you were dealing with or how you had time for a normal life at all. We're getting closer now, aren't we?"

For the first time in days, Usagi felt a genuine smile and a sense of relief.

"I think we are," she answered, her voice cracking from the dryness of her throat.

"Then don't feel so bad about it. You can't do anything about the past, so just try to do better moving forward."

Maybe it was pride in how wise her brother had become, but her smile grew even wider.

"Hey, you're right."

"I usually am. You'll find that out about me as you get to know me," he said with a playful smirk. Catching the roll of Usagi's blue eyes, he began to laugh.

"I see some things haven't changed," she groaned.

"So, are you going to tell me what's going on?"

With a huge sigh, Usagi began with, "Don't tell Mom and Dad yet, but…"

For the next fifteen minutes, she prattled on about Mamoru, the get-together the other night, and Seiya's unexpected visit.

Shingo leaned forward, eyes wide and hanging on every word of his sister's dramatic story.

"So, has Seiya said anything since?" He asked.

"No! I've texted him at least twenty times and he just ignores me. He's not even opening my messages anymore. I'm getting nothing from him."

"Is he the one?"

Usagi opened her mouth to answer, but nothing came out. She pressed her lips together and closed her eyes. "How would I even know for sure?"

Her brother shrugged. "I don't know. Aren't people just supposed to know?'

"Well, I guess, I just- I really don't know, but I know that I… I feel…"

"You love him right?"

"Yeah, I do."

"Does it feel the same as with Mamoru?"

"No, it… it feels… more? I don't really know how to explain it, I guess it's just that… my heart feels fuller. I'm at my happiest and I feel the most like me when I'm with him."

She looked as though she had something more to say. Shingo nodded, encouraging her to continue. With a pink blush creeping onto her nose, she added softly, "I know it sounds stupid, but this love feels more grown up somehow."

"And this isn't just a rebound?"

"No, of course not. I'm not okay with how everything ended with Mamo-chan," she paused, feeling the muscles in her throat tense at the sound of her ex-fiance's name. "But that doesn't change how I feel about Seiya. I could have handled it better, I know that, and I am going to try to be a good friend to him… but it would have ended no matter what."

"Then you're going to have to see Seiya in person and make him talk to you."

Usagi's loud sigh ended with a frustrated groan. Covering her face with her hands, she dropped onto the couch rather dramatically. "That's what Mina-chan said," she muttered, her voice muffled by her hands.

"Well, what answer were you expecting? You gave up your easy life with Mamoru so you two could be happy, right? So go be happy. It's not rocket science, Usagi," Shingo said.

The woman moved her hands away from her eyes to look at her brother, gasping "Oh!" and crossing her eyes when he pressed his index finger against the middle of her forehead.

"Use your brain for once, dummy."

"Hmph," she snorted, swatting his hand away and sitting up. "Well since you're so smart, why don't you tell me - how am I supposed to talk to him if he's not even opening my messages? He's been all over the country promoting his album these days. I wouldn't even know where to start."

"His driver probably knows where he is."

"What?"

"The guy who was always giving you rides everywhere? The one whose literal job is to take Seiya places? I bet he knows where he is."

Usagi's glare threw Shingo into a fit of laughter.

"So maybe you are as smart as you seem," she grumbled. A thought crossed her mind and suddenly her demeanor shifted. Her eyes lowered and her mouth turned into a soft frown.

"What will people say about me?" She asked quietly.

Her brother shrugged, "Probably that you're a scandalous woman who left her fiance for a celebrity."

The scowl she threw his way didn't have any effect.

"You have to be okay with the fact that you can't control what anyone says or thinks about you. You know what happened and that's all that really matters. And if it makes you feel any better, people probably think Mamoru was a creep for getting into a relationship with a 14-year-old when he was 18. You don't control the narrative."

"Mm," she agreed quietly. She didn't like it, but he was right. Truthfully, Shingo's summary was a cleaned-up version of what people would say if they knew the full story. Looking up, she asked, "Are you okay with this?"

"What do you mean?"

"Well, ever since you were a kid Mamoru has been a part of your life. This affects you too," she said gently.

"Hmm," Shingo looked up through long, blonde eyelashes as he thought about his sister's words. "You're right, it's going to be weird not having him around, but… Usagi, you guys never really spent time with us. He's been part of the family, but I don't really know him." He reached over and gave his sister's hand a gentle pat. "As long as you're okay, I'm okay."

Once her brother had left, Usagi leaned against the door and scrolled through her text messages until she found the one she was looking for. There was a number that she had never saved, but a few messages were exchanged detailing estimated times of arrival and addresses.

"Arashi-san, it's Usagi. I need a favor."

"Usagi-san? Oh. What can I do for you?"

"I need you to tell me where Seiya is. I really need to talk to him."

"Usagi-san, I wish I could, but I can't do that. I could lose my job."

"Please Arashi-san, I won't tell him it was you. I just… I need…" She sighed sadly. "I just really need to tell him something but he won't answer my calls or my texts. He's really upset but it's a big misunderstanding. I just want to clear everything up. I know he's hurting and I just want the chance to fix it."

Arashi paused for so long that she thought the call had dropped, but then she heard a loud heavy sigh. "He's doing some press in Osaka, but I'm scheduled to pick him up from the airport in about an hour and drive him to a television station for a performance."

"What television station?"

###

Usagi stood on the concrete sidewalk, surveying the crowd beyond wide sunglasses. Young girls and some older women stood on the outside of a metal gate, some standing around and chatting and others grasping onto the bars, desperately trying to get a peek of a celebrity on the other side. The signs they carried and the shirts they wore had various messages.

Marry me Seiya!

I love you Seiya!

Seiya's biggest fan

Usagi couldn't help the soft chuckle. She bet Seiya was just eating this up.

She squared back her shoulders and approached the gate with all the authority and confidence she could muster.

"Excuse me!" She called out to the security guard. As he approached she realized she didn't really have a plan. She was used to just walking into places with Seiya beside her or a pass on her wrist. How was she supposed to get in without him? All the assertiveness she felt just a moment ago was leaking out of her like air from a balloon.

"Hi there um, I really need to get in there," she squeaked, wishing she had thought this through a little better.

"Uh huh. Where's your pass?"

"My pass? Look sir, I… see, it's the funniest thing, I-"

"No pass, no entry," he said in a gruff voice before turning away.

"Hey! Wait!" She called out.

"Yeah, nice try, but he's not budging," a girl quipped behind her.

Usagi rolled her eyes behind dark lenses, took another big breath, and then wailed, "SIR!"

"Hey, I know you," a smooth voice said beside her. Usagi turned to find a slightly familiar-looking woman with cropped white-blonde hair and a black beanie. What Usagi noticed right away was the bulky camera hung from a strap around her neck. Hanging just underneath that was a neon-green laminated pass that boasted PRESS.

"Uhh,"

"It's been a while. I photographed you at Seiya-san's return show. Out on the patio?"

"Oh, yes! Hi!"

"Usagi-san, right?" She asked with a smile.

"Right. And you're…"

"Ophelia," she answered without judgment. "So uh, why are you stuck out here?"

"I forgot my pass," she said quickly. Immediately she felt bad for lying. "Okay, no, I didn't get one, but I really need to talk to Seiya. I haven't been able to get in touch with him so I hoped I could run into him here."

Ophelia looked her over with serious brown eyes.

"Are you a stalker?" She asked.

Usagi - who was incredibly offended by that remark - gasped and brought a hand to her chest. "Oh my goodness no, of course not! Is that what I look like? I am just in a weird argument with my friend that started over a misunderstanding and I just want to–hey, what are you doing?"

Ophelia had pulled a second pass from her back pocket and draped it over Usagi's neck.

"W-what? I'm not press! I'm not a photographer," she babbled.

"Shhh! You're right, you're not. You're a photographer's assistant," she said, quickly dropping her backpack from her shoulder and then pushing it into Usagi's arms.

"Hey, we need to get through," she called out, holding up her own pass.

"You, yes. Not her," the security guard said, pointing directly at Usagi.

"Yes, her. She's with me." Ophelia said quickly, tapping an acrylic nail against her companion's matching pass.

The security leaned in with a stiff frown, looking at the large bold words on the badge before looking back at Usagi. Without another word, he unlatched the gate and held it open just long enough for the girls to edge themselves through.

Ophelia took Usagi's hand and led her away from the crowd of shouting teenage girls and toward the large, grey building.

"Why are you helping me?" Usagi asked quietly once they were far away from the guard.

"I'm not sure," the photographer said with a sigh. "And this better not bite me in the ass later. I saw the way you two looked at each other and whatever is going on between you, I hope it gets resolved."

Usagi smiled gently. "Thank you."

"Of course. But, I do need that pass for my actual assistant when she gets here," she said. She smiled and held out her hand expectantly.

"Oh! Yes," Usagi pulled it off, careful not to let it pull on her buns, and handed it back to the photographer.

"Here," she said. She picked up a headset that lay abandoned on a metal chair and handed it to Usagi. "And take this too," she said, stepping away as soon as the girl took the clipboard into her hesitant grasp.

"Where are you… wait, what am I supposed to do with this?" She asked, raising an eyebrow. She clutched the metal clipboard with some kind of paperwork. A table with times and names that Usagi's brain couldn't make sense of.

"Just look like you know where you're going and you don't have time to talk."

"Won't someone notice that I don't work here?" Usagi asked in a hushed voice.

Ophelia shrugged. "There are tons of people running around here. If anyone asks, just tell them you're new."

"Okay." Usagi took a deep breath, and then with a strained smile said, "Thank you."

"Just don't get me in trouble if this doesn't work out," Ophelia replied with a wink.

Usagi did her best to do what the photographer suggested. With her shoulders back and head held high, she walked toward the studio, doing her best not to let her eyes scan too much or to look like she was wandering.

How do I find you… Usagi wondered, turning down a hallway lined with doors. She stopped suddenly, realizing that she had just stumbled upon what looked like a young employee being publicly berated by a supervisor.

"Y-yes, b-but–," the boy stuttered, unable to get his words out.

The man - squat, with short arms that seemed too muscular for his little body - groaned and pinched his nose. "Look, I'm on my sixth cup of coffee and I don't have the patience for this. Go find something else to do. You, come here!" He said, wagging a finger at Usagi.

"Oi, me?"

"Did I stutter? What's your name?"

"Uhh," the blonde looked to the left and then the right, then back at the little angry man.

"My name is… Hino Rei."

"Great. Here's the rider, Hino-san. Everything's been delivered, I just need you to get it from the kitchen and take it to Kou-san's dressing room. In and out, don't bother him. Do you understand?"

Usagi added the paper to her clipboard and gave it a quick skim. She quickly recognized it as his list of preferred snacks and amenities for his dressing room.

"Oh… um… should I be doing that?" She asked carefully. This was too easy.

"Is there a reason you shouldn't?"

"No! No no, not at all. Gomen, sometimes I get so nervous," she said with an awkward chuckle. "Just leave it to me, Boss!" She said, waving quickly before turning to walk down the hallway. Before taking a step, she looked back over her shoulder and asked with a bright smile and rosy cheeks, "Where is the kitchen again?"

The man simply pointed. Once Usagi began her way in the right direction, the man shook his head and moved toward the coffee station, muttering about clueless interns and whiny popstars.

Usagi was barely through the door of the kitchen before someone else was telling her what to do. She held in a sigh and instead, obediently took the rolling cart that was handed to her and pushed it into a pantry.

"All these snacks and no time to eat," she grumbled, pulling a bag of chips from the shelf. Once she crossed everything off of her list, she took a quick look behind her to make sure no one could see her and then shoved a package of candy she had been eyeing into her pocket.

After awkwardly asking for directions to "Kou-san's" room, she turned the corner just to see a familiar long black ponytail bouncing off in the opposite direction.

"Seiya!" She called. Her voice must have been drowned out by the people walking beside him. He didn't turn around.

An older, stern-faced woman came up quickly beside her, hushing her as she opened the door to the dressing room. "Don't talk to the talent," she scolded.

"I'd really like to talk to him," Usagi confessed. She wasn't sure why. This woman looked meaner than Ms. Haruna.

"I'm sure. We'd all like to talk to him, wouldn't we? Come on, start putting those in a bowl." The woman said, picking up throw pillows from the couch and giving them an aggressive slap to fluff them.

As Usagi dumped potato chips into a large bowl, she could feel the familiar thump of a kick drum through the wall. She also felt a sick feeling in her stomach. What if she never got a chance to see him? What if this was all for nothing?

"Be sure to finish before he comes back," she said curtly before leaving the room.

Tossing the empty chip bag into the trash, she decided to neglect the rest of her task. She passed by the cart full of snacks still waiting to be unpacked onto the table, and instead, followed the music down the corridor.

The difference in scenery was jarring. On the left, metal bleachers, camera equipment, and crew dressed head to toe in black stood directly across from the stage. Soft purple and blue lights danced on the white walls behind Seiya who stood center stage, his eyes closed as he listened to the sound of his bass guitarist strum behind him. He looked peaceful, she thought, though a little sad, his long black lashes casting a dark shadow on the pale skin beneath his eyes. Beside the music stage was a set that looked like a living room out of an interior design magazine, but had no ceiling. Just black beams and bright white lights. She hadn't watched this show, but she guessed that this is where he would be interviewed.

She bit her lip, looking past him now, trying to determine where he would exit. Her glance moved over Ophelia and then… wait. She looked back to Ophelia. The petite platinum-blonde was looking at her with focused eyes, tilting her head toward the left side of the stage.

She stood near the back as her new friend snapped a few photos of Seiya with the hosts of the TV show. The hosts, with professional smiles on their faces, gave Seiya a quick bow and then turned toward the corridor where Seiya's dressing room had been.

The pop star stood beside his manager now, head looking down at a video on her phone.

"After this, he won't be available until after the recording. It's now or never," Ophelia said in a rushed whisper as she walked past, her assistant following closely with a second camera in hand.

"Seiya," Usagi called loudly, her voice cracking.

For the first time in days, Usagi felt a familiar rush of warmth in her chest.

For the first time in days, Seiya acknowledged her.

Those eyes that made her think of a dark, stormy ocean, looked up with curiosity that quickly turned into confusion.

"Is that–" Emika - Seiya's manager - began, glancing at Usagi from the top of her thick-rimmed glasses.

"Usagi-chan?" Though it felt so soothing to hear his voice, the exasperated tone set her on edge. "What are you doing here?"

"You can't be here, Usagi-san," the woman said bluntly. Her eyes began to scan the room, most likely looking for a nearby security guard.

Seiya turned to Emika and said quickly, "It's okay, just give us a minute."

"This way," he said, his feet moving toward a door beside the audience seating. She could see from the bright light beneath the door that it led outside.

He's kicking me out, she thought, her stomach dropping. With a sigh, she walked slowly through the door that he held open for her. She was relieved to see that no one was outside to watch her walk of shame.

"What are you doing here?"

"I need to talk to you," she said quietly, again losing the confidence she had been building since she entered the studio. She snuck into a television taping and pretended to be part of the crew, but now faced with the person who she came to see, she felt terrified. She felt silly now, standing there wearing a borrowed headset that she didn't know how to work.

"This isn't a good time, Usagi. I have a performance today and honestly, this is just… this is too much."

Clenching her hands, she thought back to what Minako and her brother had said.

I have to try.

"I know you're hurting Seiya, and I am so sorry for that, but please, just listen to me."

"Why? You didn't have to come all this way to let me down. I'm not stupid, Usagi. I get it."

"No, you don't! This is all a misunderstanding, I didn't come to–"

"Just stop, okay? I don't need you to explain why Mamoru was there," he interrupted. "It's his home and it's not any of my business. I know that you have a special history and I just can't compete with that." Usagi had expected him to become angrier as he spoke, but instead, his voice grew weak and deflated. It hurt her heart.

"Seiya-kun, I don't want–"

"You don't want to hurt Mamoru and I get that."

Usagi began to feel the frustration bubble within her. Scowling, she pursed her lips together tightly and waited to claim the next pause.

"Seiya, I'm trying to tell you that I-"

"I know you have a duty as the queen and that you're just trying to do what's right…"

With a loud huff, Usagi closed her eyes and tightened her hands into fists. "Oh my God, Seiya, will you just shut up for two seconds?"

His dark eyes widened with shock.

"You don't know what you're talking about! I'm trying to tell you that I freaking love you and you won't let me get a damn word in," she said indignantly.

Seiya's perfectly groomed eyebrows rose quickly.

"Huh?"

Somehow the anger brought her confidence back, and Usagi's small hand reached for his. She took a step closer, looking up at him with desperate eyes.

"Everything you said after Minako-chan's party was right. I was so mad because I wasn't ready to hear it, but I needed to. You told me that I had to change the things I can so that I can accept the things I can't."

Her heart fluttered in her chest as she spoke the next words, "I'm ready to do that now." She could feel a nervous heat rise in her body.

"What do you mean?"

"I don't know what the future is going to look like anymore, but I know that you were right. I know you can love me and make me happy. And I know that I love you, Seiya-kun. I'm so in love with you it hurts sometimes. I couldn't tell you because I was scared. You are enough, you always were," the nerves made the words come out quicker. She did her best not to trip over the words that poured from her suddenly dry mouth. "You are so much more than enough."

"Wait, what?"

Usagi took in his confused expression and pouted, releasing his hands. "This isn't going like I hoped," she admitted. The feelings rumbling throughout her body began to make her feel sick.

"If you're in love with me, why is Mamoru home? Why were you guys partying and acting like everything was okay?"

"I told him, Seiya-kun. I told him everything. I told him that I'm in love with you and he came to talk about it. We broke up. We're over. That wasn't a party, that was us breaking the news to everyone. And yes, we were laughing and okay maybe it did kind of turn into a little bit of a party, but that was only because everyone was trying so hard to be positive and make us feel better."

"Over?" He asked, his voice sounding hopeful.

"Yes. I'll be honest, the way it happened sucks and I think it's going to be a long time before he forgives me, but we're done. He wasn't the one, Seiya-kun. You are."

Without asking another question, Seiya took Usagi's face with both hands and planted a kiss on her lips. She melted into it without a second thought, closing her eyes and relishing in the softness of his mouth. Joy took over - filling Usagi's body and gently quieting the turbulent feelings that had been raging within her.

"I think I'm caught up now, so go back and say what you said before," he murmured, lips brushing hers as he talked.

"I'm changing the things I can change?"

"No," he breathed, capturing her with another kiss. "After that."

With her nerves settled and Seiya so close to her, she felt the familiar feeling of desire teasing her body. "I," she paused to giggle, and then when settled she finished, "I said that I love you, Seiya-kun. And that you're more than enough. You always have been."

The door opened abruptly and Emika's body emerged from the other side. "Oh!" She gasped, looking at the two with curious eyes. "We're all okay then?" She asked.

"We're great, we just need a few more minutes," he answered, the tone of his voice bringing a blush to Usagi's face. His gaze fixed on her eyes, making her feel incredibly seen and vulnerable. The lust was obvious.

"Fantastic! That's what I like to hear. As much as I'd love to leave you to it and give you your alone time, you're needed inside, Seiya. Now."

"I'm sorry, I should go. I know you have work to do," Usagi whispered, her small hands clinging to his hips. She didn't want to leave.

"No, stay," he said, brushing a thumb against her cheek. "Sit in the audience so I can sing to you."

###

Moments after Emika ushered Seiya away with a polite recommendation that he take a cold shower before heading to hair and makeup, she came back with an official VIP pass for Usagi to wear.

"I'll trade you," The talent manager said with an amused smile, taking the black headset into her hands.

After expressing her gratitude to Emika, Usagi made her way to the audience seating. She smiled freely at the sight of the familiar older man in pressed black slacks sitting alone.

"Ah, I didn't expect to run into you here," Arashi joked with a smile as Usagi sat down beside him. "I trust you found him."

She nodded quickly and bowed gently in her seat. "Yes, I did, thanks to you."

"If he's happy then I'm glad to help. If he's upset, then it wasn't me and I don't know anything."

She laughed and looked at the stage. Seiya had been watching her, and the moment their eyes connected a cheerful grin took over his face.

"I think he's happy," she said.

"I think so too," Arashi agreed.

It took some time for the audience to sit, for the crew to signal that they were ready, and for the music to begin.

As she watched from her seat in the audience, she couldn't fight her own beaming smile. She didn't know if she'd have a daughter with pink hair or be the queen of a city made from crystal, but she knew she'd be loved for who she was. She knew that they would have fun together, laugh and cry together, grow together, and do the best they could to be there for each other.

As someone who knew exactly what her future looked like since she was 14, she thought a blank slate would be scary.

But as she watched Seiya sing, she decided that she was ready for the unknown.

##

An epilogue is coming soon!