Author's Note:

So...long time no see...huh?

I'm quite sorry for how long this has taken me!

Originally the ball was intended as a little special event for the five year anniversary of the story...Which has already passed 3 years ago still. Nevertheless, the three upcoming chapters are still meant to serve as a little "thank you" for everyone who has ever clicked on this story and gave it a read. This story still means a lot to me, but with how long it's already been since the original series' conclusion, I won't lie that there have been times in which I worried for the relevancy for this little project.

So, really, to everyone who still comes back to this (especially after the long way): I can not thank you enough!

I hope you'll enjoy this little three-chapter event, that I have planned for you (and don't worry...Part two is for the most part complete already. You won't have to wait another 3 more years for that!)

Please...enjoy!

Rumor has it that Alice Nakiri always held a fascination for all sorts of fairytales. She loved to indulge in stories that whisk the reader away into fantastical, enchanted places full of miracles and wonder.

Many suspect that this very love for all things out-of-this-world is what inspired Alice to establish the illustrious Midsummer Ball.

One special summer night, that carries you off into a realm of magic and mystery.

If rich folks attending the prestigious event already felt like entering a different world for one night, imagine what Kimiko Yukihira, an ordinary girl from a small diner in Tokyo, must have felt like. Just a few months ago she'd have let out a lengthy, loud laugh at the suggestion of attending some renowned ball where people wear gowns and jewerly that cost as much, if not more, as a house.

And yet, here she stood - right in front of the tall mirror in one of the many, many rooms in the upper part of the Nakiri mansion, which her cousins had escorted her to right after leaving the diner.

Upon their arrival, Kimiko had been able to tell from the stylists' expressions that they weren't too stoked at the girls' untimeliness even if none of them said any of it in the face of the Nakiris. Instead, they got right down to work and with quite the impressive speed they transformed Kimiko from the casual, denim-loving girl next door into a convincing high-society starlet.

It wasn't much, just as Mona had promised, so it admittedly stunned Kimiko just how much difference a little make up and a change of hairstyle alone could make: Instead of her signature, playful pigtails the hairdresser had resorted to a slightly more mature side-ponytail instead. Her lips were painted with a shimmering, peachy gloss while her eye make-up was kept in mostly natural colours save for faint touches of golden glitter. The dress, that her aunt Alice had apparently hand-picked for her, was orange. It didn't have any Swarovski-crystals woven into the fabric. It was neither too tight to breathe in nor did it have a puffy, extravagant skirt either. Instead, it was a light, fluttering kind-off skirt that was short in the front but became longer in the back.

Alice had a good eye, as Kimiko did indeed found herself quite fond of the dress. She could have imagined putting it on for someone else's wedding or so. The only thing she missed was the familiar, comfortable warmth of her beloved neckerchief around her neck, which, for this night only, got replaced with a necklace that had a tiny, yellow topaz hanging from it.

"Look at you! 'Sumiredori's Golden Girl'!" Lola chirped once Kimiko turned around to face her.

Lola's get-up was all that Kimiko needed for further confirmation that the stylists had indeed done an effort at keeping her own appearance toned down.

Her cousin wore an undoubtedly fancy, asymmetric gown. It almost looked like two separate dresses - a fluttering white one and a cheeky, short black one - had been cut up and sewed together into an eccentric, but brilliant ensemble. To strengthen the uneven look all the more, Lola wore just one singular earring, designed to look like two rhombuses stuck together, on the right. Around her neck she wore the usual yin-yang necklace, which, in it's simplicity, stood in contrast of the additional, very heavy-looking string of rubies that Lola had put on as well.

For her lipstick, Lola had settled on the bold choice of dark red, almost easy to mistake for black. It harmonised with the equally dark shadows around her eyes.

It was a lot. It was very Lola.

"Was this designed for you, or what?" Kimiko gave a smile, meaning the comment as a sweet, little compliment. However, her jaw was quick to drop when Lola plainly replied with. "Of course, it was." She chuckled. "It's my family's ball after all and one of the events of the year. Designers from all around the world have been bashing each other's heads in for the chance of getting their gowns shown off by me."

"She isn't wrong." Mona's dry voice suddenly found her way into the conversation. "For once."

In comparison to her twin sister's, Mona's dress looked a lot simpler yet still carried its own air of regality. It was pitch-black, Mona's favorite color to wear, and long enough to completely eclipse her feet. With the slightly imposing shoulder pads it made for a look reminiscent of some sort-off dark but powerful sorceress. Her blood-red lips, matching the single ruby on the black choker she was wearing, and her small onyx-earrings all added to that too.

But indeed no make-up in the world was seemingly able to cover Mona's trademark eye-shadows and just like Lola too, she was still wearing her familiar yin-yang necklace.

"The dress really suits you, Kimiko." Mona gave a short, but appreciative nod. "You look nice." "So, do you." Kimiko returned the compliment with an earnest grin.

"I hope you two are ready to be accountable for everyone's neck pain tomorrow." Lola puffed out her chest and smirked. "Seeing how they are all going to turn their heads after us."

Mona and Kimiko exchanged a not-all-too enthusiastic look at that notion, however, they both knew they weren't left with much time to discuss that anymore, seeing how down in the mansion faint music had already started playing during their exchange.

"I think we should be going downstairs now." Mona pointed out what they were all thinking in their own. "We are already late." "Ever heard of 'fashionably late'?" Lola countered without missing a beat. But surely enough, she set into motion. Letting out a thankful, faint sigh Mona followed as well. Kimiko however had a little more trouble. "I can not walk in these shoes." She complained, referring to her beige, high-heeled pumps. "Doesn't help that they hurt my toes as well!" As if on cue, as if the high-heels had gained a conscious of their own, Kimiko stumbled forwards.

"You'll get used to it over time." Mona tried to encourage. "No pain, no gain." Was Lola's, much more amused sounding, input. Kimiko threw both of them a light scowl. But nevertheless, she regained her posture.

She took another step ready to take on the stairs as well as the large social gathering that they lead down to.

—

The Twenty-Second Plate - Kimiko in Aunt Alice's Wonderland (Midsummer Ball I)

—

Entering the mansion's ballroom was an event unlike any other Kimiko has ever experienced before. So much pomp and opulence, all in one place, felt crushing to someone who was raised in humble simplicity. Kimiko feared that she might go blind from all the jewellery that was being flashed at her.

"We should be finding Mom and Dad first." Lola announced. And of course, she began walking right after the words had left her lips, not interested in hearing any alternative suggestions from her companions. But to be fair, neither Mona nor Kimiko had any other, better idea and so they chose to simply go along.

Lola hadn't been the least bit overestimating with her earlier comment. An incredibly wide array of heads turned after them when they walked the hall. From all sides, Kimiko could hear the revered whispers:

"The Nakiri-twins...There they are!"

"Quick, make way!"

"They truly never fail to deliver…!"

"Such a stunning, unique ensemble! As expected from Lola-sama!"

"Mona-sama makes even the simplest dresses look like the gown of a goddess!"

"...But who's that blonde girl that is with them?"

Once she felt the many pair of eyes diverting to her, Kimiko wished she could fade away. Never before in her life had she wanted to be invisible this badly. In normal circumstance, she was not one who particularly loathed to be the center of attention. However, here in this fancy ballroom, where she was completely out of her turf and out of her element, she did not exactly enjoy having her every move be observed as she clumsily shuffled forwards on her high heels.

"Ah, it is truly the highlight of the year to me!" Lola hummed without addressing anyone in particular. Mona therefore didn't comment on it and rather noted. "There's mom and dad."

Seeing a couple of familiar faces in the mass of overdressed strangers pushed an audible, relieved sigh out of Kimiko. Her aunt and uncle really weren't difficult to spot either, as all the other guests kept an evident distance to them. Alice, in her gold-white gown that was just as extravagant as her older daughter's, and Ryo, in a fine, classic black tuxedo, very much crystallised themselves out as the king and queen of this entire endeavour.

The polite, small smile that Alice was wearing instantly filled with life once her eyes found Lola, Mona and Kimiko. Now, with a joyous grin instead, she stepped forwards while spreading her arms in the process. "Ah, there you are!" She exclaimed once they were close enough to hear. "And oh, OH! Just look at you three!" Alice let out a reverent gasp. "Marvellous! Nothing short of stunning!"

Lola and Mona exchanged one glance, fully knowing what would come next and sure enough, they found themselves in one of Alice's infamous tight hugs right after. "My lovelies!" Alice gushed while alternating from one cheek to another in order to give both of them a little kiss. Lola grimaced, Mona remained as stoic as always.

After what felt like an eternity, to Lola, Alice finally let go off her children and turned to Kimiko instead, still smiling widely. "And Kimiko! How happy I am to have you here after all these years." She firmly hugged her too, before continuing. "I hope you like the dress I picked for you." Alice appreciatively eyed her niece up and down. "I find it looks wonderful on you, dearie."

Kimiko had always known her aunt to be a lot more well-off, albeit the full scope of it was only recently starting to dawn on her. Now, in that exuberant white gown adorned with golden patterns and with so many sparkling gems hanging from both Alice's neck and ears, it temporarily robbed Kimiko of anything to say.

Throughout all of her childhood it has always been Alice who has made her way into Kimiko's world and never the other way around. Now here, in Aunt Alice's world, where Alice was not only citizen but ruler, a compliment from her made the misplaced-feeling Kimiko sheepishly look to the ground. "Thank you, Aunt Alice." She smiled, with a faint, rare shyness in her voice. "It was a good pick. The dress is very pretty."

"I am happy to hear so, dearie!" Alice clapped her hands before turning her head towards her husband. "Don't you agree, Ryo?" "Alice is right." Ryo stepped forwards and for a brief moment one could see the usual straight line he had for a mouth twitch upwards when he let his gaze sweep over Lola, Mona and Kimiko.

"Thank you too, Uncle Ryo." Kimiko responded, while Mona gave a silent but appreciative nod.

"You're all talking like you expected anything less." Lola playfully huffed.

"You three have narrowly missed Hiraku, by the way." Alice brought up then. "He was with us just a few minutes ago, but has then decided to seek out his classmates."

"Ah, it's fine." Lola waved off with a side glance to Kimiko, who simply gave a nod. "I'm sure we'll meet him eventually still."

With a quick look-around, Kimiko hoped to catch the sight of at least one of her classmates too. But all she could spot were a couple of monocles (really, in this day and age?), powdered noses and many wrinkled foreheads - surely caused because of the sheer audacity of someone as insignificant as her to stand this close to the Nakiris.

She wondered how long it would take before the first one was going to work up the courage to politely inquire Alice about her - and just how much more ire she would inspire in the mean time judging by the looks already on her.

"I…", She absently turned her head back to her aunt. "I might go ahead and look for some of my dormmates too, Aunt Alice."

Despite the comment not being directed at her, both of Lola's cheeks swelled up like two balloons at that. "Already?"

Alice, too, pulled her lower lip upwards for just one brief moment, which was why Kimiko quickly added. "I will try to come back later…!"

"Ah." Alice, having gotten over the slight, initial disappointment quite fast, waved her off. "Who are me and Ryo to hold you back from your friends? Right, Ryo?" She made a head turn to her husband so fast that Ryo was not able to answer her question with even a nod. "Go on, dearie, have fun and feast to your heart's delight! That's what the ball is for, at the end of the day." Alice ended with a wink.

Then, she unexpectedly shifted her sight to her two daughters. "What about you two? Don't you want to join Kimiko?" Alice asked. "Isn't that better than hanging with your old Mama and Papa all night?"

Mona's pupils actually seemed to grow a little at the notion. Lola, however, made a face as if Alice had just suggested for her to eat an entire bucket full of squid drenched in peanut butter. And, as per usual, Lola was also the first one to speak.

"No, thanks." Lola quickly shook her head. "Mona and I already have other plans."

"Oh?" Alice tilted her head, while Ryo just raised one eyebrow. "What plan?"

"A lucrative one." Lola innocently fluttered her eyelashes, a small smirk present on her dark red lips. Mona could evidently be seen suppressing a sigh.

"Don't make anyone run back home." Alice said, in that one special tone of her's from which Kimiko always had trouble telling whether it was meant playfully or seriously. "Not before the fireworks have started!" With near perfect imitation of that exact tone, Lola simply replied. "Ah, but I'd never~"

"Well." Kimiko began, as she could already feel one particularly disdainful stare right up her neck. Any second now, one of the fancy pants was sure to walk up to them and tactfully ask for Kimiko's surname - so that the rest of the lot could finally decide on wether or not she was worthy of the company she was currently in. No wonder, her parents never made their way out of the diner into Aunt Alice's world before - it was one exhausting world! She'd never understand what on earth about it had bewitched Hiraku so utterly. "I'll go and be on the lookout then."

With one wave to her aunt's family as well as a quick "See you later", Kimiko then made a turn to escape the many questioning, judgemental glances.

—

All on her own, Kimiko searched her way through the unusually crowded Nakiri mansion. Gold-framed paintings on the left, shimmering champagne towers on the right. And in-between all those many people in their best tuxedos and breathtaking gowns. While she was not too knowledgeable about the Elite of the Culinary world, Kimiko was sure to spot a couple of faces that she recalled to have seen on the TV before - either in a movie, or the news. But not a single friend to be seen.

And her feet continued to hurt - packaged in those high-heeled, beige bear traps. "Tsk..", she let out a quiet hiss between clenched teeth. She threw her shoes a quick, frustrated scowl - as if that would somehow loosen the squeeze that her poor toes were being subjected to.

"Yukihira..!" Kimiko then suddenly heard a familiar voice behind her call out.

After turning around, she was met with the sight of a fancied-up Yasu Ibusaki: Polar Star's part-time lumberjack was wearing a brown, double-breasted suit and one of his typical green turtleneck-sweater underneath. The colours of his beloved forest - where he'd likely much rather be right now, instead.

"Ah, Ibusaki…hi!" Kimiko took a step towards him. "I was just on the look out for any familiar faces." "Hm…", Yasu gave an understanding, little smile back. "It's good to see you, Yukihira, and in such a pretty dress as well of course." "My aunt picked it." Kimiko lightly scratched her cheek before returning the compliment. "You look nice too."

The stoic, young man appreciatively nodded in response. However, before Kimiko could further inquire him about the whereabouts of the other Polar Stars, an adult woman with bright orange hair suddenly plopped up right next to Yasu. She wore a turquoise dress that went a little over her knees and was rather short, which Kimiko guessed was the reason why she didn't took note of her approaching at all.

"Now, now, you need to stop silently disappearing, Yasu." The woman chastised the younger but taller boy with a rather childish-looking pout on her lips. "Oh." Yasu shifted his head downwards. "Sorry, Aunt Yuki. It's just that I spotted a classmate of mine."

"Classmate?" The woman, who was apparently named Yuki, repeated before turning her head into Kimiko's direction. "Yes, uh…", Yasu also looked back to the blonde while simultaneously making an introducing hand gesture towards the woman beside him, "Yukihira, this is-" "Ah, I've heard about you!" Yuki gasped and just like that, she was right in front of Kimiko's face all of the sudden - so fast, that Kimiko could have sworn she just straight up teleported.

"You're Yukihira Kimiko, right? The newest addition to Polar Star?" Yuki beamed. Her eyes, whose radiant, teal colour looked rather familiar to Kimiko now that she saw it up-close, were as wide as dinner plates. "Chieko told me about you, already!"

At first, Kimiko could only respond with a couple of overwhelmed eye blinks before she stammered. "Well…uh, indeed, I am." She took a step back, so she could see the woman's face better. "Uhm, it's…a pleasure to meet you, Miss-?" "Ah, where are my manners!" Yuki playfully hit her head with her right hand before holding that very same hand out to Kimiko. She had one of the brightest, most friendliest grins, that Kimiko has ever seen, on her face. "I am Marui Yuki, Chieko's mother…", she subtly nodded into Yasu's direction. "And his godmother. Feel free to call me: 'Yuki'!"

"Ah, I see, Chieko-chan's mother..," Kimiko answered as she recalled a couple of the old photos from the album that Alice had showed her back then, "Nice to meet you, Mi- eh, I mean, Yuki-san."

Kimiko didn't think that it would be possible but somehow Yuki's smile grew even further at that. The grip which she had on Kimiko's hand was also a lot more stronger, than what Kimiko would have expected from Yuki's rather petite appearance - and she shook Kimiko's hand with much, much vigour. The blonde couldn't help but to worry for her arm to be potentially ripped off from it.

"Aunt Yuki…", Yasu now walked up to them too, shaking his head. "You can't just jump at people like that." He made a little turn to Kimiko. "Sorry, Yukihira. She's…quite the excitable woman."

"Ah.." Kimiko couldn't help but to let out a small sigh of relief when Yuki released her hand again. "Don't worry, it's fine." She then added and smiled at Yuki. "I like people who are so open with all their enthusiasm."

Yuki huffed, with her arms on her hips to appear 'strict' for a moment. "See, Yasu? It's no biggie!" Immediately the image got ruined as a giggle spilled out of her right after when she met Kimiko's eyes again. "I like you already."

Kimiko returned the smile, growing more and more fond of this woman's energy indeed. Yuki seemed like a lot of fun.

"I should introduce you to the others." Yuki then suddenly announced and before either Yasu could intervene, or Kimiko could ask for further details on who "others" were supposed to be, Yuki had already swung around and called through the ballroom. "Over here, guys!"

A few of the surrounding fine guests snobbishly scoffed at Yuki for the unprompted noise, but the woman did not seem to care at all - something that made Kimiko appreciate her all the more. Instead, Yuki's entire focus was set on a trio of adults who stood near an oversized vase and had all simultaneously looked up at Yuki's call.

The one who was the first to fully turn and make his way to them, was who Kimiko heavily suspected to be Mister Marui - Chieko's father. They shared way too many features for it to be coincidence: the most obvious ones being the rainy black hair and the oversized, round glasses that the man was sporting. He gelled his hair nowadays, but Kimiko still vaguely remembered one of the photos from Aunt Alice's album, showing him in his students days where the similarity to Kimiko's bookish dormmate was all the more glaring.

The pair that stood next to him meanwhile looked like two actors straight out of the red carpet section from a magazine, with the headline: "Dreamiest looking couple of the night" above them: The woman wore an elegant, smoky grey dress with sleeves but bared shoulders. She had burgundy hair so silky that probably not even a hurricane could possibly turn it into a mess. In heavy contrast, the man beside her had auburn hair that was all shaggy and unkempt- but in a way that somehow looked real good. His bangs fully eclipsed his eyes, making for a mysterious flair. He wore his black and white suit rather leisurely.

"Yuki, what-" The bespectacled man in his dark blue suit was the first to walk towards them, however, before he could finish his sentence Yuki had already darted forwards and got a hold of both of his hands, pulling him into her direction. "Zenji! Guess who I just met!"

Not even a second later, Zenji Marui stood in front of Kimiko - blinking twice, and adjusting his glasses. A sense of understanding seemed to wander over his face then but yet he still asked: "Eh…And whom do I have the pleasure of speaking to?" "Yukihira Kimiko, Sir." Kimiko answered, followed right by additional commentary of Yuki's: "The newest addition to Polar Star! Chieko mentioned her a couple of times."

"Ah…ah- Yes, I remember." He exclaimed and offered Kimiko a hand. "It's nice to meet you." When Kimiko shook said hand, pleasantly finding that Zenji's grasp was a lot looser than his wife's, Zenji added: "You may call me 'Zenji', by the way."

Kimiko nodded in confirmation, though her attention was beginning to divert to the pair of models that was now also approaching behind Zenji. When the bespectacled man took note of it, he followed her gaze and then called out. "Ah, look who's there!" Letting go off Kimiko's hand, Zenji stepped aside and made a presenting hand gesture in his friend's direction: "Yukihira Kimiko, let me introduce you to Ibusaki Shun and Ryoko." "My parents.", Yasu additionally pointed out what had already been very much obvious to Kimiko.

At the mention of the name 'Yukihira', Ryoko's eyes widened slightly and she exchanged the shortest possible glance with her husband before the two of them ended up coming to a halt next to Zenji.

"I take that you are newest addition to Polar Star…?", Ryoko met Kimiko with a sweet, kind smile on her cherry-red lips. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Yukihira Kimiko." "Likewise." Shun added, with a single, firm nod.

"It's my honour", Kimiko answered with the same friendly tone that Ryoko had used.

"Unfortunately my son so rarely talks about school…", Ryoko sighed with a little, additional side glance into Yasu's direction. "He didn't mention just how polite the newcomer is."

"Oh..oh-" Kimiko could not help but to faintly blush at the praise from someone so lady-like and full of natural grace. She lowered her head for a brief moment. "Well… Nei…Neither did Ibusaki tell me much about you two." She put her grin back up. "But I suppose this presents a good opportunity to change that."

"Ah!" Ryoko clapped her hands. "Well, aren't you lovely?" She turned to Yuki, for further confirmation. "Isn't she?"

"Yes- Yes!" Yuki energetically nodded five times in return. A hint of slyness found its way into her grin, as she moved closer to the taller woman. Kimiko found they had something of sisters at that moment. "Isshiki-senpai must be through the roof with what this generation of Polar Star is shaping up to be." Yuki giggled, sounding just the slightest bit ominous.

Kimiko gave a small polite, yet non-understanding smile, before turning her head to Yasu. "Where…is Chieko-chan, by the way?"

An innocent, simple question one would think, but somehow a grimace found its way on Zenji's face at the sound of it. But not just him, Yasu also didn't look too happy as he answered. "She's currently going around…inspecting the mansion a little-", a rare, faint hint of snippiness found its way into his voice, "…with that Tanaka Yori-guy."

"Oh yeah!" Kimiko called out, recalling the last 'Polar Star Girl gathering' she attended in Chieko's room. The black-haired girl's gushes about ball and boy had very much dominated it. "How could I forget? He's her date for tonight, right?"

"She said they're going as friends…", Yasu answered in stretched manner.

"Oh please. Of course, it's a date!" Yuki rejoiced, bumping her husband's (who was still making a face as if it had just rained for a week straight) shoulder. "We had to give the two some alone time." She laughed, to which Zenji only huffed in return.

"It's not going to last much longer." Shun suddenly stated, earning wondrous looks from the remaining participants of the conversation. Zenji frowned. "Is this one of your half-hearted attempts to make me feel better?"

"No." Shun shook his head. "A simple fact." He then pointed his arm. "Look. Chieko's over there."

All their heads turned into the direction that Shun's hand was pointing in. Way ahead, coming around the corner that lead into the hall which they were currently in, Kimiko could make out a short lady all in blue, dragging a young boy with her while excitedly gesturing up to the crystal chandelier, likely enthralled in some excessive ramble.

Then, once the girl took note of their group, she hurried her steps and came closer, pulling her companion with her. Once Kimiko could make out her features more clearly, she noticed that it was indeed Chieko - however strange it was to see the girl without her trademark round glasses.

Chieko's dress looked like it had floated down from the heavens itself. White, little stars had rained down on the transparent sleeves, the waist and the large, dark blue skirt, befitting for a princess' gown. Left-over stars - tiny, silver ones - had found their way into her hairdo. Chieko's eye-shadow fit the gown - blue, with a faint, glittery shimmer. Her lips were painted cherry-red.

She wore a simple, black choker alongside a necklace that had more tiny celestials dangling from it. And it was all accessorised with Chieko's most beaming smile, and the radiant, little stars gleaming in her teal eyes.

It was a look like right out of a fairytale-book. For a moment, Kimiko found herself wondering if it was possible for Chieko to be wearing glass-shoes underneath that billowing, starry skirt.

"Chieko-chan…! Wo-Wow!" Kimiko gasped. "What a beautiful dress!"

"Kimiko-cchi!" Chieko greeted back, with a wide smile. "You look gorgeous! All those orange and golden hues- they fit you so well! You're practically shining!"

"Ahh, are you two done with your tour already?" Kimiko could hear Yuki ask behind her. At that, Chieko turned her head to the guy whose hand she was still holding on to. He had dark brown hair, grey eyes and wore a standard, black suit.

"Yes, we looked around a little." Chieko confirmed with a lively nod, pure joy dripping from her every word. By contrast, Yori gave only a half-lid smile. "Hm-mmhm…" "But there's so much more! We have seen nothing more than a quarter of the mansion!" Chieko excitedly continued, shifting her head back to the group. "Oh, all those paintings…! …The gardens! I've got a little glimpse of them through the window- and oh! The food! There's tables in every second hall, I think-"

"Have you seen any of the others yet, Chi-chan?" Yasu asked. A question that seemed to make a spark of interest gleam in Yori's eyes for some reason.

"Oh, no…Not yet!" Chieko said, and then suggested. "But…we could all look for them together? You all need to see a little more of this mansion too." She turned back to her date for the night. "Is that alright with you too, Tanaka-kun? I can introduce you to my friends- Oh! How impolite of me!" Chieko pretended to hit her own head as she interrupted herself and then made an introducing gesture towards Kimiko. "This, for instance, is Yukihira Kimiko. One of my dormmates."

"Yes, I know." Yori answered, before holding out his hand. "Hiraku-sama's little sister, right? I am Tanaka Yori."

Kimiko politely gulped down her disapproval of her perceived status as "Hiraku-sama's sister", and merely shook the hand. "Pleasure." With a playful, teasing grin she added. "I've heard quite plenty about you already, Tanaka-kun."

But as Chieko predictably flushed pink next to him, Yori merely gave an awkward-looking half smile, which made Kimiko's own grin waver a little in turn.

"So, do we search for the others then-" Yasu wanted to re-direct the topic, but couldn't finish the sentence as he was interrupted by a loud yell.

"Maruiiiiii…!"

Many of the surrounding guests looked to the group with either deep confusion or irritation. Zenji himself could only flinch and turn in horror, before the poor guy already found himself in the suffocating-looking headlock of none other than Daigo Aoki. Shoji Kawashima arrived next to him just a second later, loudly laughing and patting Daigo's shoulder. "Man, it's been ages since we last saw you four!" He let his grin sweep over the struggling Zenji, who was helplessly flaying his arms around, and then over to Yuki, Shun and Ryoko.

From the same side the two knuckleheads had appeared from, Kimiko could also see Daisuke and Hideyoshi approaching. And just a little behind them, there were two women Kimiko had not met before: One wore magenta, had black hair and held her nose high up in the air. A stark contrast to the meek posture of the brunette in light green that was walking next to her. Kimiko already had a pretty good idea of who the two could be…

"Well, look who's there…!" Hideyoshi joyfully exclaimed while waving. "Seems like we're having one big Polar Star gathering!" He was wearing a dark purple suit, of which he had unbuttoned the jacket, and a black tie.

"Poor Zenji-san…." Daisuke, who was wearing a moss-green suit (properly buttoned) and a tie that was as yellow as a rubberduck, eyed the pale, bespectacled man who was still helplessly trying to free himself out of Daisuke's own father's grasp. Poor guy was starting to look much like a fish that was put out of water. A sight that worried not only Daisuke, but also the brunette woman who was now darting forward with her hands alertly raised up in the air. "Daigo…!"

That light, sugar-sweet voice was all it took for Daigo to give Zenji his deserved release. With a loud, relieved gasp, the man stumbled forwards and was only held back from falling head-first onto the marble floor by his wife grabbing him by the back at the last second.

"Gee- Aoki!" Yuki huffed. "I still need that guy alive!"

"Ah, sorry…sorry, Marui!" Daigo apologetically laughed, while Zenji was catching his breath.

"It's good to see at least that you two haven't lost any of your energy…" Ryoko half-smiled, before politely nodding at the whole group of new arrivals. "Good evening to you all." Yasu mirrored it, while Shun next to her silently raised an arm.

"Ah, good evening", the dark haired woman next to the brunette returned the greeting with a hint of theatrical undertone. "I am quite happy that I could make it." She elegantly brushed a hand through her hair before gifting the others a sugarsweet smile like right out of the TV. "Having landed in Japan just this morning after a week of work in Seoul, I have to admit that I am still quite tired - but you know how it is, when an event asks for your presence-" Mid-sentence, Shoji eyed her with a light frown. "Urara, when I suggested for you to skip and rest your threw all of your three pillows at me-" "Aheam." Urara loudly cleared her throat before Shoji could continue his tale. "What I mean to say is that I am happy to be here tonight. Same goes for Yua-chan, right Yua-chan?"

Urara had turned her head to the brunette woman with the round, green eyes - who, in turn, blinked a couple of times and then hastily nodded. "Ye…Yes."

"I mean how often do you get the chance to go to a whole damn ball like this?" Daigo grinned. Ryoko frowned at him. "Don't curse like that in-front of the children, Aoki." But her well-meaning comment was fated to be drowned out by Yuki's loud, jolly laughter either way. "Right? I think the last time we all got together in the Nakiri mansion was back at our graduation." With a wink, she turned to the younger generation. "You can all consider yourself lucky to make it into this place so soon."

"Ah, thats right!" Daigo exclaimed. "We haven't-" "We haven't even greeted the kiddos yet!" Shoji barged in, of course promptly followed by Daigo's barking. "Hey, don't go taking the words out of my mouth so shamelessly, you jerk!" And as the two began butting heads, Hideyoshi decided to rush forwards instead followed then closely by Daisuke.

"Well, would you all look at that! Even our forest ghost got all fancied up for the occasion!" Hideyoshi announced with a cheeky grin and a nod into Yasu's direction. "You all look amazing…!" Daisuke faintly praised behind him.

Yasu didn't respond, neither verbally nor through any change of an expression. Chieko shyly smiled. Yori didn't know who these two were. Kimiko grinned brightly. "Thank you, same goes to you two."

"Ah, Yukihira!" Hideyoshi exclaimed and snapped his fingers. With Kimiko being focused on him, she didn't notice how the mention of her surname made Urara and Yua raise both of their eyebrows way beyond their bangs. Then the two women both turned to each other to exchange that very same surprise.

"I need to introduce you to my mom!" Hideyoshi continued, unaware of the reactions he had sparked. He let his hand sweep into the direction of the two women, puffing his chest out with childish pride. "Yukihira, you're in the presence of Kawashima Urara. One of the greatest Shokugeki hostesses that Totsuki ever had! Her and my Auntie Yua, of course. Aoki Yua."

Kimiko politely nodded. "It's my pleasure to meet you two."

At first, Urara and Yua just stared back at her. Then, Urara returned the nod with a stiffened smile. "Likewise, Yukihira…?" She raised an eyebrow, urging Kimiko to continue the sentence. "Yukihira Kimiko." Kimiko answered.

"I take you are new to Polar Star…?", Yua asked soft and sweetly. The question unexpectedly made Shoji and Daigo briefly snap out of their banter. "Indeed!" Shoji confirmed. "Our old dorm has been thriving ever since we got out of school!" Daigo laughed. "It better!" Yuki then chimed in, giggling also. "Or else all our struggle to bring Polar Star to the forefront would have been in vain! They said that we stroke fear into the hearts of men, back then!" "You're literally the only person who has ever said this, Yuki." Shun dead-panned.

"Ah, here go the adults again, reminiscing about the ol' school days." Hideyoshi playfully rolled his eyes before fully turning back to his classmates. He then made a snap of his fingers at Yori. "But I've noticed there is a new face yet to meet for me too!" After first raising an incredulous eyebrow at a stern Yasu first, Hideoyshi asked. "You're Marui's date for tonight, right? Tanaka Yori, if I remember correctly"

"Kawashima, please…", Chieko mumbled, her cheeks glowing pink. "We're here as friends."

Yori only tilted his head a little. "…uh, Yes? I am Tanaka Yori." "Aha, well…well…" Hideyoshi rubbed his chin, inspecting the guy in front of him with the look of a judge in a casting show. "She probably told you about me already, I am…" Yori frowned sceptically at that. A look which Hideyoshi promptly mirrored and made him stop talking. Chieko confusedly blinked a couple times before she shifted her head upwards to look at Yori with her big, innocent eyes. "I did…that's Kawashima Hideyoshi." With sharper bite in her voice she turned her gaze to that very Hideyoshi and added. "The one who keeps making a mess out of my room!"

"Aha…yeah, now I remember." Yori said, not sounding very convincing.

Yasu's features darkened a little.

Daisuke bravely decided to break the quiet, weird moment that resided afterwards. "Eh- and I am his…his…eh- childhood…acquaintance- Aoki Daisuke, ni..nice to meet you, Tanaka-san." The weight of carrying and easing the conversation was noticeable, based on how awkward the smile that Daisuke was trying to put up looked. "I…I must say, you sure can call yourself lucky today." Daisuke turned to Chieko and Kimiko, now with a bit more genuineness brightening his features. "I know I said it already, but, Marui-chan…you really do look great! And so do you, Yukihira-san."

"Why, thank you, Aoki. I can only return the compliment." Kimiko laughed, while Chieko's gleamed faintly pink again before she also mumbled a 'thanks'.

"….'Childhood acquaintance'?" Hideyoshi turned to Daisuke, with a raised eyebrow. Daisuke only huffed. "What? I can hardly describe you as my fri-…" "Ah, there you two go again." Kimiko playfully rolled her eyes. "Forever hopeless." Yasu quietly said, while shaking his head. Chieko sternly nodded in agreement, before turning back to Yori who was making a face as if he just encountered aliens.

"So, uhm, yes those are my dormmates, Tanaka-kun." She faintly smiled. "Or well, most of them. We're not wholly complete yet."

"Yeah, right!" Hideyoshi snapped out of his glaring contest with Daisuke. "We still gotta find Tadokoro and Aldini!" He turned his head into the direction of the adults and his vibrant, loud voice was quick to gain their attention. "Me and the others are going to have a look around."

"Wait- you're going to look for the Aldinis, right?" Yuki inquired. She glanced into the direction of Ryoko and Shun first, and then to Zenji, Daigo, Shoji, Urara and Yua. "Last time we've seen Nikumi-cchi was when Isshiki-senpai hosted that 'Polar Star Farm Festival' two years ago." She grinned. "Why don't we go along?" "I agree." Ryoko nodded, already taking her husband's hand as she did. "It's rare to get this good of a chance to catch up with our old school pals."

"That's true." Zenji chimed in and turned his head over to the two knuckleheads and the two journalists. "Are you coming too?"

"Heck yeah!" Daigo pumped up his fist into the air. Urara's smile, meanwhile, had notably worn thinner ever since the first mention of Ikumi's name. Shoji playfully cuffed her arm. "Come on, babe." On Urara's other side, Yua softly agreed too. "Ye..Yes, I think it will be nice…."

"But of course." Urara gave in, with three very polite flutterings of her eyelashes.

With the decision made, the large group ended up departing westwards venturing further into the gilded, palatial maze that was the Nakiri Mansion.

But as the younger generation walked ahead, Urara was quick to grab the chance of getting some good, old gossiping done. "So." She began and moved a bit closer to Yuki and Ryoko. "What is this about?" Urara asked, while vaguely gesturing towards the blonde girl in orange walking somewhere in front of them.

"What do you mean?" Ryoko tilted her head a little to the right. Urara performed a short-lived giggle at that, as if reacting to a joke, before her tone became more serious again. "Oh please! I must have uttered the name 'Yukihira' into a microphone about a trillion of times back in the day. That surname is in my database for all of eternity." She flipped her hair before continuing. "So, what's the matter? Did the two resurface from the dead at last?"

"We don't know either." Yuki shrugged. "This girl just appeared on Totsuki a few months ago or so. Chieko told me over the phone. But I haven't heard anything beyond that." "I mean" Ryoko added. "The two of them haven't made any advances to step back into the public either, right?"

"Why…why don't we ask her? The…the little Yukihira, I mean." Yua suggested, first eyeing the other women and then eyeing her husband. "We can't do that!" Daigo dramatically waved his hands in a motion that seemed to resemble a cross. His little performance was quick to attract some questioning, surrounding eyes, making Daigo flinch and continue in a quieter voice. "We all made a promise."

"A promise?" Urara repeated, to which Shoji vigorously nodded. "Yep! A promise."

This only made more intrigue wander into both Urara's and Yua's eyes. The two women exchanged one look and once the rest of their former classmates took note, they intuitively stopped in their tracks all together.

"Way, way back….right after graduation, Nakiri Alice made us promise to evade all questions about them…and to not bring them up to anyone." Yuki explained in a hushed voice as she waved the two hostesses closer. Yua's eyes grew wide at that and she shifted her head to Ryoko, who promptly nodded for confirmation. Urara leaned in closer. "And you all did?"

Everyone, but Yua, nodded at that. Urara looked like she was about to say something more, seeing how she opened her mouth - but she was cut off by her own son.

"What are you all standing over there for?" Hideyoshi called over. The rest of the teenagers had turned too, confused to see the adults huddling together like penguins.

With an exchange of brief glances between one another, the 92nd Generation silently came to the decision to leave that conversation for sometime later.

—

"Mr. and Ms. Aldini, ah- how glad I am to catch the two of you." In the mansion's ballroom, a woman in her forties, who dressed in a velvety, purple dress, and held a champagne glass in her hand, successfully ambushed Takumi and Ikumi Aldini from behind. "Did you have the chance to go to Kimura's newest establishment in Osaka? I've heard it had some glowing reviews."

"That's Marianne Taylor, the producer of a popular cooking show in the states. Her daughter is currently seeing Kimura's son I think." Mika subtly leaned over to Hiroshi. The two of them were standing a little beside. And in the one hour that they've been here, Hiroshi had gained all the more understanding for why his parents usually kept away from these types of parties. His ears were ringing from all the gossip he's already been subjected to.

Hiroshi was wearing a blue-grey tweed suit jacket, a light blue pullover as an extra layer between jacket and button-up shirt and a dark tie with white dots. He had additionally decorated his suit pocket with little white flowers.

Mika was dressed in a long, red, wrinkled dress. A similarly-colored belt with a golden sun in the middle of it laid around her waist. A fellow pair of suns hung from her ears, placed in a circle from which a few tassels dangled. The occasion has made her wear her blonde hair open and curled into voluminous waves. She had additionally adorned those with a couple of bold, red roses on the right side of her head. Her arms were bare, with one heavy-looking, golden bracelet on her right arm. Around her neck, she spotted a string of burgundy gems. Mika's eyelids too were painted with dark red shadows. And of course, her lips were crimson tonight as well.

Needless to say, in all of her vermillion and gilded glory, Mika had been made a near countless amount of offers for a dance already.

Hiroshi had heard his cousin be called many names throughout the evening, both up-front and behind her back after she had passed by: 'hottie', 'pretty', 'beauty', 'princess', 'queen', 'goddess'…..

But, of course, they all had left Mika generally unimpressed as usual. And, much to Takumi's barely supressed approval, Mika had turned each young, and bold enough, fella down.

"Oh, how I wish our busy schedules had allowed us to do that already." Ikumi was answering Marianne's question in the meantime, making sure to put a lot of sharp emphasis on the word 'busy'. Takumi lightly laughed next to her, adding. "Unfortunately, my wife and I haven't had the chance to be in Osaka lately, Ms. Taylor. But we will keep your recommendation in mind."

With Takumi's chic, white Tuxedo and Ikumi's tight, orange dress that left a generous slit for her leg they made for quite the sight to to behold.

"Oh." Marianne exclaimed, blinking a couple of times as she searched her head for a new strategy. "Well, you know Osaka is marvellous in autumn."

"How annoying." Mika muttered into Hiroshi's direction, demonstratively rolling her eyes too. "Itoko-chan!" Hiroshi whispered back with a warning edge, worrying Marianne could hear. But all Mika did was shrug indifferently. "What? Mama already made the situation clear enough."

Sighing, Hiroshi lightly shook his head. But as the motion of it redirected his gaze, he unintentionally caught a sight that managed to rob him off his breath for a moment.

Right ahead, Kimiko Yukihira stepped into the scene: all dressed in warm, orange hues, making her look like a dreamy sunset. It was a decidedly simpler dress than any of the other attendees had, accessorised with just a few small topazes and her bright smile, and still Hiroshi caught himself thinking that she outshone them all.

The rest of Hiroshi's dormmates followed right behind her. Before Hiroshi could get their attention, however, Mika next to him caught sight of the group too. Efficiently, she pointed straight ahead and called, seemingly on reflex. "Yukihira!"

"Oh- …!" Kimiko flinched before swirling around, her face lightening up even more as she pointed right back. "Look guys, there they are!"

Immediately the others' faces turned one by one. "Finally! I got thirsty walking around for so long!" Hideyoshi groaned.

But before any of the current first years could reach Hiroshi or Mika, an orange bolt of lightening suddenly darted past them. With a shrill screech of "Nikumi-cchiiiii", Yuki Marui suddenly landed in Ikumi's arms. "It's been so long!"

"Yu…Yuki-chan…!" Ikumi responded, as she stumbled back in surprise. She was too startled even to get mad at the sound of her old nickname.

"Ah! Look who's there, mi amore!" Takumi happily looked on.

"Aldini", Shoji yelled. "Nikumi-chan", Daigo loudly laughed. Both of them were energetically waving. Comparatively, the way how Urara raised her hand for a quick greeting was a lot less enthusiastic, while Yua's faint "He…Hello" could barely be even heard.

"Good evening." Zenji nodded to the blonde couple.

"It's been so long since we have last the two of you." Ryoko warmly smiled, while Shun just raised a hand next to her.

"Bella Notte, friends! It has indeed been quite a while.." Takumi called with a beaming grin. Then his blue eyes wandered to the students of the 115th Generation. "Well, not for all of us- Good to see you again, kids!"

"I…I am happy to see you too, Yuki-chan…!" Ikumi meanwhile gently shook the ginger-haired woman's shoulders, trying to get Yuki from clinging onto her with the fierce she did. "But I want to greet the others too."

Yuki did let go off her, albeit with a pout on her lips. "You could come around to the Polar Star events Isshiki-senpai hosts sometimes more often, you know." "Yuki!" Ryoko put her hands on her hips and gave her best friend a scolding look. "You know how busy the two of them are."

"Haha, but Yoshino-san is making a valid complaint." Takumi humorously waved off. "We really should be making ourselves more time for the simpler pleasantries."

Marianne Taylor, who had been awkwardly scratching her champagne glass ever since the other group arrived, made a displeased grimace at that statement. Not that the Aldinis noticed, since they were now too busy with their classmates for now anyway.

While the adults proceeded to greet one another after such a long time, and fell into the usual chit-chat of what everyone's been up to lately, the new generation of the Polar Star dormitory (plus Yori Tanaka) gathered themselves too.

"Good evening! You two look great!" Kimiko greeted the two cousins, before shifting her head more so into Hiroshi's direction. "How are you feeling, Hiroshi-kun? Ready for later?" The bright smile that Hiroshi had worn when Kimiko greeted him faltered a little at that. "I think so…" Was what he said, but the way he fumbled with his hands told a slightly different story. It wasn't lost on Kimiko and made her frown a little, but she felt it wasn't the right time to press further either.

"You look marvellous, Mika-cchi! I love the roses in your hair, and how you curled it too!….It's such a pretty look!"" Chieko beamed as she walked up to the blonde who was quick to warmly smile at the shorter girl too. "Thank you, Chieko-chan. You look beautiful yourself. Like a princess!"

Again, the comment made Chieko sheepishly look down to the marble floor for a moment before her focus went back to Yori. "Uhm, this is who I told you about before, by the way. My plus one for toni-" Before she could finish, Yori was suddenly holding out his hand to Mika with the widest smile that the rest of Polar Star had seen on him yet. "It's me, Tanaka Yori!" He exclaimed. "We collaborated in a class before, Aldini. It's nice to see you again."

Chieko looked up at him with surprise. Mika raised an eyebrow. "We did?" Despite not looking all too convinced, she shook Yori's hand still. "Well, then, I suppose it's good that you came here with my good friend Chieko-chan." "Wha..What a coincidence, indeed!" Chieko faintly added.

Something sparked in Yori's eyes as he stared down on Mika's hand intertwined with his. However, before he could say anything more, Mika was already letting go off him and rather made an introducing gesture towards Hiroshi. "This is my cousin Hiroshi Aldini-Tadokoro." The addressed nodded his head. "Nice to meet you, Tanaka-san. I hope you and Marui-san are going to enjoy the ball tonight." Hiroshi's friendly smile grew a little, once he fully focused on Chieko. "Your dress is very pretty, Marui-san. It suits you." He waited for Chieko's "thank you" first, before shifting his gaze to Kimiko. And while the compliment for Chieko had come easy, he suddenly felt a big, nervous lump rise and burn in his throat now that he looked at the blonde again.

"You….You too….., Kimiko-san, you look…." Hiroshi gulped, averting his eyes from Kimiko's expectant, golden ones. Was he supposed to say 'beautiful', next? It would be nothing but truth, yet at the same time, Hiroshi suddenly didn't seem to know how to pronounce the word. "You look… really nice as well…" When that didn't sound too good to Hiroshi either, his head shot back up and he hectically added. "Mo…More than nice, even!"

He felt like an idiot. Why was he being so ridiculous?

Despite the awkwardness that had overcome Hiroshi, Kimiko only happily grinned. "Thank you, Hiroshi-kun!" Her eyes shone like two small suns. "I like your suit too."

Heat gleamed in Hiroshi's cheeks and again, he looked back to the floor.

"So, what about my suit?" Hideyoshi suddenly asked and swept his hand along his jacket in demonstrative manner. Daisuke rolled his eyes while Yasu could be heard sighing. Hideyoshi crossed his arms defensively. "What? Nothing but dished out compliments just now- and yet none of you can say anything about this…" He paused and gestured to his suit again. "This shade of purple?"

"Shut up, Kawashima!" Mika barked, to which Hideyoshi just maturely sticked his tongue out. Hiroshi quickly interjected. "I think it fits you very well." "THANK YOU, Tadokoro!" After rolling his eyes, Hideyoshi threw his arms in the air in relief. Before he could say much more, however, Hiroshi already continued with a small but sweet smile. "You two look great too, Ibusaki and Aoki."

Hideyoshi pouted about how short lived the attention on his suit had been for exactly 20 whole more seconds, then he puffed his chest out and asked. "So. What's the plan now? Want us to check one of the banquets together?"

The others exchanged looks, before Kimiko was the first one to speak up. "I think Hiroshi-kun and I might want to go and look for Mimasaka-senpai first." She had recalled Hiroshi's earlier uncertainty when she asked him how he was feeling. "To check things with her one final time, or what do you say, Hiroshi-kun?" At first, the addressed looked at her a little surprised but then he gave a timid nod. "That…would be reasonable, I think!"

"Understandable." Hideyoshi commented and in a rare instance, Daisuke actually felt inclined to agree. "It's a big task after all."

Again, Hiroshi's head fell downwards to eye his feet but luckily for him, Hideyoshi already shifted his attention to his cousin. "What about you?"

"I'd prefer to stay in the ballroom for now." Mika answered. She put one hand on her hip and nodded into the direction of the spot in which three lonesome couples were circling around to faint, classic music. "Right now everyone's taking things slow, still. But there's bound to be more action soon."

Chieko's eyes lightened up at that. "That sounds exciting." With big, hopeful, teal eyes she turned her head upwards to Yori. "How about we head up to the library first? We can come back after that." The anticipation she laid into the words "after that" was more than obvious.

"Library?" Yori repeated and was barely able to hide the confusion in his voice. Chieko gave three firm nods. "Yes, yes! This may be my one and only chance for a visit in the Nakiri mansion- I have got to find out what books they have here."

"Su…Sure…" Yori mumbled, not before casting another, almost plaintive gaze to Mika, who in turn only raised his eyebrow at him. Then, Yori was already pulled along to the most nearby exit with Chieko only exclaiming. "See you all later!"

"There the wallflower goes, all grown." Hideyoshi commented as he watched Chieko and Yori take their leave, though not before Chieko had conversed with her parents one last time. Daisuke elbowed his side, to which Hideyoshi snapped. "What?!" After the usual exchange of glares, Hideyoshi turned his head to Yasu. "That leaves you all alone for once, eh Ibusaki? How does that make you feel?" He grinned. "Well, you can still accompany your most charming, best friend to one of the banquets. Me and…well, that other guy." Hideyoshi side-eyed Daisuke, whose eyes narrowed in turn.

Yasu sighed. "Chi-chan is my best friend, Kawashima." He ignored Hideyoshi's dramatic, insulted gasp and shifted his head to Mika. "It would be unfair to leave Aldini all alone, so I'm gonna stay here as well."

"Alright then, Prince Charming." Hideyoshi demonstratively rolled his eyes before grabbing onto Daisuke's arm. "It's just me and the bore then, I see." "Hey, hey! I never said I wanted to come along." Daisuke protested but was already pulled towards the nearby stairs.

"Well then, shall we take our leave too then?" Kimiko looked back to Hiroshi. "Finding one person in this gigantic mansion will probably take some time, especially when it's as packed as today."

"Oh yes…! Su…Sure.." Hiroshi agreed.

As the two of them began to walk, Kimiko and Hiroshi passed the group of still happily chatting adults too. For a moment, Hiroshi then stopped in his tracks and called out to them.

"Uh…Aunt Ikumi, Uncle Takumi?" Immediately both the addressed couple, as well as the rest, looked up at the sound of it. "Kimiko-san and I are going to look for someone, alright?"

"Sure, sure." Ikumi answered, to which Takumi happily added. "Have fun!"

Hiroshi nodded one last time, but just as he wanted to resume in his tracks- he halted once again as his gaze swept away from the two Aldinis and to Urara and Yua. "Oh- Urara-san…! Yua-san!" He called out, before making a quick bow. "Oh, I am sorry, I didn't greet you two properly enough earlier." When he registered the former Polar Stars being there too, he bowed again. "And…all of you too, of course. I am so sorry."

"Don't worry about it", Ryoko warmly smiled while making a little hand wave. "It's very nice to see you again, Hiroshi-kun." "Chieko told me that you have a big night today." Yuki barged in. With a grin and a wink, she presented Hiroshi with a thumbs up. "Good luck for that!" The others gave encouraging nods to it too.

"Tha…Thank you." Hiroshi stammered. "You know…" Then, his gaze swept back to Urara. "…these past few weeks, I watched every episode of the show you hosted whenever I needed a break from cooking. The show about the people being set up for blind dates in a restaurant in Seoul!" Kimiko eyed him curiously. "You did?" Urara sounded surprised too. "It aired at 3 am. With subtitles."

But Hiroshi simply nodded in return. He had not gotten much sleep these past few weeks. "I think your commentary made it quite fun." It distracted him enough from anxieties for 30 minutes.

Urara blinked a couple of times before a confident smile found her way on her lips and she flipped her hair. "Well, thank you. Of course, I always make sure to get the best out of the experience." "You tell 'em!" Loudly laughing, Shoji put his arm around his wife whose vain smirk dared to twitch into a more fond smile under the weight of the blush that spread on her cheeks.

"It's…it's very kind of you to share your thoughts." Yua said to Hiroshi meanwhile, a hint of gratitude gleaming in her eyes.

"But of course." Hiroshi answered. "Whenever we can, all of us at Polar Star love to watch the shows you two do!" If airing at a reasonable time, Hideyoshi would make certain for the group to not miss anything. "Tell me when is the next one coming up?"

Urara loudly breathed in as she opened her mouth, however, before she could say anything Yua was already talking. "Right now, there's nothing coming up for either of us." Her look turned a bit downcast at that and as she lowered her head, she missed the sharp glare that Urara threw her.

"Oh, I see…" Hiroshi replied. "Well, I hope that this changes soon." He added with a small, encouraging smile which Yua answered with a sweet. "Thank you." Daigo gave her a loving nudge too before grinning. "A lovely lady like you are can't possibly be kept waiting for too long." When Yua flushed a crimson red and Shoji rolled his eyes while saying "Never took you for such a charmer", to which of course Daigo provocatively raised his fist at him, Kimiko chose to tug at Hiroshi's suit jacket.

"We still need to look for Mimasaka-senpai."

Hiroshi agreed and so, after a couple more goodbyes to Takumi, Ikumi and the other former Polar Stars, the two went on their ways.