Ascot ran through the corridor hastily, his face flushed with excitement. He had just heard the news from that poor Primera that Lantis and Hikaru together in a way that left him speechless. Bursting through the door of the recreation room, he found Umi standing by the window with a pair of binoculars. "UMI!"
"Asc—" Before Umi could finish her sentence, Ascot barrelled into her, enveloping her in a tight embrace. "ASCOT!" Umi pushed him away in front of everyone. "What are you doing?!"
"What am I doing?" Ascot stammered, suddenly at a loss for words. This was so embarrassing. "Nothing..."
"Hah... You're making me worried. But for now, don't bother me."
"What's that in your hand?" Ascot asked, noticing the binoculars Umi was holding. "What are you spying on?"
"Shh!" Umi hushed him, gesturing toward the castle grounds outside the window. Ascot peered out and saw...
"Ferio and Fuu?!" Ascot's eyes widened in disbelief. "They're just sitting there, staring at flowers. What a peaceful and serene relationship... You're spying on them..."
"I was trying to read their lips," Umi said with a mischievous laugh. "I just wanted to see how far they've come... Ascot?" She looked at him, puzzled by his silence. "Ascot?"
"I—I don't know what to say. This is great news."
Umi gave Ascot a cheerful pat on the back. "You're right!"
"After Lantis and Hikaru... now them..." Ascot murmured.
"We should celebrate this!" Umi exclaimed.
"Wh-what about us?" Ascot asked hesitantly.
Umi laughed louder. "Why are you asking? Isn't it obvious?" She smiled warmly, a blush rising on Ascot's cheeks.
"We should celebrate this..." Ascot smiled back, feeling elated. Yes! He was overjoyed. Umi always knew how to reassure him.
"Ascot..." Umi put her hands on her hips. "So, what was it you wanted to tell me earlier… Hikaru and Lantis?"
But Ascot shook his head. He realized he shouldn't rush to ask Umi, "Will you marry me?" For now, he wanted to savour their moments together. He knew, Umi won't abandon him.
Umi Ryuuzaki dashed through the castle corridors, leaping down the stairs with barely a pause. She peeked into every room with urgency, as if a monster were chasing her. To everyone she encountered, she frantically asked, "Where is Hikaru? Have you seen her? Tell me!"
What was happening today was completely unexpected. Umi had always known that Fuu and Ferio were in love, but she never imagined their relationship would progress so quickly. Fuu and Ferio decided to bond?! They were going to get married?! So, that was what they had been discussing in the garden! It was a great news.
"Oh my God! How could you decide this without me?" Umi demanded. Her face turned sour as she shook Fuu.
Fuu's face turned red. Of course, this was a personal matter... "I don't know what to say. But... you support us, don't you?" Meanwhile, Ferio looked away in embarrassment and walked off, leaving Fuu to explain herself.
"How about your family in Tokyo? Don't tell me you plan to live in Cephiro..."
"After graduation, Umi." Umi stared in shock. So soon? "Living in two worlds eventually made me feel I had to choose. I chose to be with the person I love. I've prepared myself."
"But this... It can't be that easy. I'm happy for you, but this... Arghhh!" Umi started to pull at her hair. "You're only 17... You're still so young. Our future... Our world..."
"I understand what you mean," Fuu said. "We might have to part ways."
"Part ways? How could you say that so easily? Are you saying you're giving up your dreams? You even got a scholarship."
"I won't regret it..." she said, glancing at Ferio in the distance. "We do have to sacrifice something to gain something else. Ending the old to begin the new..."
Ending the old to begin the new?! Love really is blind! Umi shouted internally. Umi understood it very well. Fuu and Ferio relationship was undeniable. It was only a matter of time before this happened!
Umi ran across the castle grounds, searching for Hikaru elsewhere. "Hikaru, where are you? What should we do?" she asked herself.
"She's under the large tree by the lake," a voice suddenly answered. "She's with the townspeople." Umi looked up and saw Lantis lounging on one of the tree's branches, his eyes closed as he tried to nap.
"Lantis!" Umi exclaimed in surprise.
"You're looking for her, aren't you?" Lantis asked, opening his eyes and sitting up.
"By the lake? With the townspeople?" Umi asked, puzzled. "Why was she there?"
You will believe, as you always hope,
The future will bloom with sincerity.
You will see smiles, as you wish to see,
The beauty of the land in serenity.
A new day awaits to be awakened,
By brave souls with visions pure and bright,
A world where love and kindness thrive,
Together strong, forevermore.
Lantis escorted Umi to where Hikaru was. Umi heard a melody from afar. She and Lantis walked side by side toward the source of that song. Soon, they saw that large magical tree. Under its shade, Hikaru sat surrounded by many children and a few adults. All of them were singing.
"What is she doing?" Umi asked. "When did this start?"
"Since last year," Lantis answered with a smile. "Do you know she quite often comes to Cephiro alone?"
"What?" Umi looked at Lantis in disbelief. "She did that?"
"And she spends most of her time here or visiting villages and meeting with the children."
"Why does she do all that?"
"She just wants to share many beautiful things with the people. That's what she says. She dreams of a better Cephiro. She can't stop working for it."
Umi was stunned by this.
Umi eventually forgot her intention of meeting Hikaru. She sat across the garden with Lantis, watching Hikaru from a distance. Umi noticed Lantis watching Hikaru with such a gentle and loving gaze. Umi realized the depth of Lantis's love for Hikaru. Something was also happening between them, just like with Fuu and Ferio, as Ascot had said. But Hikaru had never mentioned anything.
"I never knew this. She always thinks about the people of Cephiro even though she's no longer a Pillar." Umi groaned, frustrated with herself. For her, once her duty as a Magic Knight was over, there was nothing more to be done. "Why was I so selfish," she lamented.
"I understand your feelings, but that's not the issue. What she's doing... it all comes from her heart, her own desire to create a better future."
"A better future? Is there anything better than this?" She looked at Lantis, whose expression suddenly changed upon hearing her question.
Lantis was silent. His mind drifted to what had happened yesterday, when a secret report from Autozam revealed that Albatross Vision, one of Autozam's great military generals, had been secretly increasing his forces. The purpose was unclear, but he seemed to be leveraging knowledge gained from studying the Pillar System. Increasing mental energy to build strength for Autozam? What could such power be for? He couldn't be suspecting anything other than a potential new war. Lantis's thoughts shifted to Eagle, whose condition, though improved, was still not fully conscious. What would he do if he learned that his cousin was involved in such actions?
"Lord Lantis!" Suddenly, a young knight called out to Lantis. "Lord LaFarga wants to see you immediately."
"LaFarga?" Lantis stood up immediately. "Okay."
"What's going on?" Umi asked, standing up as well.
"Nothing important," Lantis replied as he followed the young knight.
Nothing important? How strange... Umi thought. LaFarga was the general who led all of Cephiro's military forces, while Lantis was the leader of the castle's security forces. She watched Lantis leave with a furrowed brow. Something was being kept hidden here.
Hikaru and Umi walked across the green hill of the castle. Umi walked ahead, trying to hide her scowling face. Hikaru followed quietly behind her, feeling a bit awkward because Umi was usually not like this. Suddenly, Umi turned around.
"Gezz! I can't take it anymore. Why does everyone keep hiding things from me? Fuu, and now you..." she complained, shaking her head. "Hikaru, I never knew you went to Cephiro alone so many times to visit the people. Why didn't you ask Fuu and me to join you?" Umi asked angrily. "We could have helped you!"
"Umi..." Hikaru smiled apologetically. "I didn't want to trouble you and Fuu." Hikaru tried to calm Umi. "I only did what I thought would be beneficial for the people of Cephiro while I'm still here..."
"Alright then! You're the Pillar of Cephiro." Umi pouted and walked quickly, leaving Hikaru behind. "I won't talk to you again."
"Umi," Hikaru called, running to catch up with her. "Please don't say that. There are no longer a Pillar in Cephiro, and I didn't mean to hide it from you..." Hikaru paused, and Umi turned back to her. "We can't stay in Cephiro forever. I just want to do the best I can while I still have the chance. You all have your own lives, and I will feel guilty if I burden you with my own desire..."
While there's still a chance? Umi's expression softened as she saw the sadness in Hikaru's face and the tears welling up in her eyes. "True..." Umi approached Hikaru and hugged her tightly. "For the first time in three years together, I feel like we're going to part ways."
"Umi..."
"We're growing up. We'll each choose our own paths in life." Umi released her embrace.
That's not what I meant, Hikaru thought to herself. Actually... But Hikaru couldn't bring herself to say it. "Umi... I'm sorry."
"There's no need to feel sorry. I can't stay mad at you, you know? Let's go back to the castle and join the others! We will have a special dinner. I have cooked a lot today!" Umi said, pulling Hikaru's hand. "Come on!"
