Nagazora City wasn't far from St. Freya Academy, and the group soon entered the academy's airspace.
Yae Sakura, realizing they were almost there, was completely flustered. Theresa had been dragging her around all day, and she hadn't had a moment to prepare for seeing Kallen.
"Kallen, it's been so long." "No, no, that's not right..." "Do you remember me, Kallen?" "Ahhh! I'm so worried..."
Yae Sakura kept practicing her opening lines to Kallen in the mirror on the airship, completely oblivious to the fact that it had already landed.
Seeing Yae Sakura still muttering to herself, Ryn asked Theresa to stay with her while he went to fetch Kallen and give them both a surprise.
When he arrived at Himeko's place, Kallen was still holding Bronya, who was clutching a Homu doll. The two were sitting on the sofa, watching TV.
Ryn crept up behind them and covered their eyes. "Guess who?"
"Idiot Ryn, Bronya saw you in the reflection on the TV a long time ago."
"Boring," Ryn said, releasing Kallen and Bronya.
Kallen turned around and looked at Ryn, who was empty-handed. "Where's the surprise? Don't tell me the surprise is just you."
"No way, the surprise is outside. Come on, close your eyes." Ryn pulled out a black silk bag, blindfolded Kallen, and began pushing her toward the helipad.
"So what surprise have you prepared for me? And why did I have to come out wearing a blindfold?" Kallen asked Ryn, who was pushing her from behind.
"You'll see when we get there."
As Kallen was being led out, Yae Sakura, who was already on the helipad, sniffed the air, stopped her self-talk, and pointed in the direction Ryn had gone. "Kallen's coming, right?" she asked Theresa.
"Huh? I don't know. But Ryn did go to get Kallen. Did you see them?" Theresa tiptoed, straining to see in the direction Yae Sakura was pointing, but saw nothing.
"No, I can smell Kallen's scent!" Yae Sakura closed her eyes, continuing to savor Kallen's distant fragrance.
"Are you a dog?"
"No, I'm a fox."
Yae Sakura scooped up Theresa and sprinted toward Ryn and Kallen.
"Put me down! I can walk myself!!" Theresa shouted, struggling to escape Yae Sakura's embrace. As the Principal of the Academy, she would be mortified if other students saw her being carried like this.
Yae Sakura wanted to say, "Theresa, your legs are too short, you walk too slowly," but her good bringing prevented her from being so blunt.
"I want to see Kallen soon. If I carry you, we'll get there faster."
"Well... alright..." Theresa didn't argue further. She understood the longing of two people separated by distance. She buried her head in Yae Sakura's chest, hoping to avoid being recognized by passersby.
After a while, Yae Sakura suddenly stopped, standing rooted to the spot. Not far ahead, Ryn was leading Kallen by the hand, walking slowly toward them.
"Why is it so far? How much longer? I'm hungry again," Kallen said, patting her small stomach. It had been half an hour since she'd last eaten something delicious.
"Eat, eat, eat! All you ever think about is food! Look at the Kallen from history, then look at you now. What a difference!"
"What am I supposed to do? I'm stuck at the Academy all day, I don't need to fight anymore, and there are so many delicious foods in this era! What's wrong with eating a little more?" Kallen retorted indignantly.
"Huh? What are you two doing here?" Ryn stopped when he saw Yae Sakura and Theresa in the distance.
"Who is it? Oh!"
Kallen, blindfolded, hadn't noticed Ryn and bumped right into him, then stumbled backward. Disoriented by the darkness, she panicked for a moment, but someone instantly appeared behind her to catch her.
"Are you... alright?" Yae Sakura asked gently, cradling Kallen in her arms.
Hearing that voice she had longed for in her memories, Kallen ripped off the black silk blindfold and looked at the person embracing her.
"Is it you? Sakura!" Kallen's voice trembled as she reached out a shaky hand to caress Yae Sakura's cheek.
Yae Sakura grasped the hand on her face, gazing tenderly at Kallen. "It's me... It's been so long, Kallen."
"Sakura~"
"Kallen~"
The two women gazed at each other with deep affection, all the longing in their hearts dissolving into silent love that filled the space between them.
"I'm sorry, Sakura... Actually..." Kallen hesitated, her fingers tracing her beloved's face. She didn't know if she should tell Yae Sakura that she wasn't the person she had been longing for...
"You don't need to say anything. I understand... I'm sorry, it's all my fault. Forgive me, Kallen. I love you..." Tears streaming down her face, Yae Sakura cupped Kallen's face, closed her eyes slightly, and kissed her.
Feeling the warmth on her lips, Kallen's eyes widened in surprise. But when Sakura's tears fell on her face, Kallen finally understood her own heart.
I love you too, Sakura...
Slowly, Kallen closed her eyes, fully embracing Yae Sakura's love.
Ryn silently covered Theresa's eyes, thinking children shouldn't witness such things. As for why Theresa was in Ryn's arms... Yae Sakura had rushed to catch Kallen and simply shoved Theresa into Ryn's embrace. Yae Sakura's speed was so swift that neither Ryn nor Theresa had time to react.
Theresa struggled to pry Ryn's fingers apart, then joined him in watching Kallen and Yae Sakura's passionate kiss.
Witnessing their loving embrace, Theresa couldn't help but lament that kissing was the most genuine expression of affection. Unfortunately, Cecilia refused to kiss her.
It was all that damn Siegfried's fault! He had stolen Cecilia away, not only taking the woman she loved but also forcing a kiss on her right in front of her! Cecilia hadn't even resisted, cowed by Siegfried's lecherous dominance...
Waaah~ My Cecilia...
Ryn watched Theresa's sudden tears and couldn't help but think, Theresa is such a sensitive soul. Did she really cry over Kallen and Yae Sakura's love?
"By the way, did you tell Yae Sakura about Kallen's true condition?"
Ryn suddenly remembered that Kallen had been about to reveal she was a virtual personality copy, with the real Kallen already dead. But since Yae Sakura had apologized first and accepted her, he let it slide.
"Huh? What are you talking about?" Theresa blinked her large eyes and shook her head. Then she realized what Ryn was asking. "I haven't told her yet. I thought you would."
Watching the two women still locked in a tearful embrace, their hearts intertwined, Ryn smiled and patted Theresa's head.
"If you haven't told her, then don't worry about it. This is good enough. Let Kallen handle it herself later!"