Gel, Gelo, and their friends had a wonderful trip to Japan. It was a joyful opportunity to deepen their relationships with family and friends and to overcome each of their personal challenges. While they were there, they got to know Gel and Gelo's parents better and celebrated with the entire family over Gelo's success in his competition.
The timing of their visit was perfect—it was Sakura season, and the entire surroundings looked like a scene from a movie. In every corner of the parks and streets, the cherry blossom trees bloomed in a blend of white and pink, as if nature had taken its time to display its beauty. Every step they took on the streets felt meaningful, and the city's noise and rush seemed to fade away.
After Gelo's competition, Gel sweetly asked their parents if they could visit Kyoto to experience the full beauty of the cherry blossoms. Kitty, who had long dreamed of seeing them in person, joined the trip as well.
Because Gel's parents had a business conference to attend, they didn't go with them, but they booked a tour guide to help their daughter and her friends enjoy the trip. Gelo, visibly missing his mom, didn't hesitate to come along. Gel wasn't surprised—she knew her youngest brother could never stray far from their mother.
In the end, the trip felt like a double date. While Gel and Darius spent time together, Kitty and Lance decided to take some quiet moments to get to know each other better. They had known each other for a long time, but often disagreed on many things. Yet in recent weeks, they had both begun to realize that there was something more than friendship between them after finally confessing their feelings. So they agreed to start talking things through and make time for each other.
"Bro, let's meet up later instead. Take care," Darius reminded his cousin while adjusting his coat. He had a dinner date with Gel and wanted to make the evening special.
After dinner, they happily held hands, and Darius, finding the perfect moment, said, "I have a surprise for you."
Gel's eyes sparkled. "What is it?"
"You'll find out later. We're going somewhere," Darius replied as they walked under the cherry blossom trees.
As they walked, Gel noticed a bench by the park. Darius stopped and said, "Let's sit here, maybe you want a picture first?"
Gel smiled. "You know my weakness, love."
They enjoyed taking selfies and candid shots under the cherry blossoms. Afterward, Darius slowly took a small black box out of his jacket pocket. He opened it, revealing a ring with a small heart-shaped stone.
Gel's eyes widened. "Wait—what does this mean?!"
Darius laughed, though there was a serious note in his voice. "Relax, it's not what you're thinking. I know it's not yet time for that, so this is just a promise ring, okay?"
Gel let out a deep breath, but she couldn't help smiling. From the beginning, it was clear to both of them that Gel wanted to focus on finishing school before thinking about marriage. She wanted to graduate college before considering an engagement. But now, she had received a ring—a symbol of Darius's commitment to her.
As Darius placed the ring on her finger, he couldn't help but smile. He knew the ring symbolized their relationship and a promise that he wouldn't leave her. But for Darius, it meant more than love—it was also a declaration, especially to Clark, that Gel was his and his alone.
Why is it that sometimes, a man's actions are not only driven by love—but also by jealousy?
Meanwhile, Lance was busy preparing his little surprise for Kitty. After years of hiding the gifts he had collected, he finally found the courage to show them to her. These gifts, hidden in the highest part of his cabinet, carried stories of memories he had long treasured. He had secretly harbored feelings for Kitty, which he had only recently confessed. And now, he chose to bring the gifts on their Japan trip to make the moment even more meaningful.
When Kitty saw the presents laid out on Lance's bed, she immediately covered her mouth in surprise, eyes wide. "Lance, what does this mean? Why are there so many?" she asked, confused yet eager to understand.
Lance, feeling a mix of nervousness and joy, began to explain. "Each of these gifts has a story, Kitty. Each one has a special meaning, and I want you to know why I bought them for you. For every birthday, I saved a gift because I didn't have the courage to give them to you."
As Lance showed her each gift, Kitty was delighted by the thought behind them. One was a small plush animal, which Lance said he bought after their first meeting. Each gift had a story, like the bracelet he bought after learning that Kitty wanted a Pandora but refused to buy one for herself. "This one, Kitty—I bought it when I realized how much you meant to me. I just wanted you to feel that you were always in my heart. That's why it has both our initials."
Those words shifted the mood of the evening. Then came the final gift, a small box. When Kitty opened it, she saw a necklace with a small heart-shaped pendant. "Why this, Lance?" Kitty asked, slowly feeling the emotional weight of what she was hearing.
Lance couldn't speak for a moment, but once he recovered, he looked into Kitty's eyes and answered, "I bought this for your birthday back then, but obviously, I only got to give it to you now. I just want to show that I can't hide my feelings anymore. I love you, Kitty, and this is my way of showing my commitment to you."
Kitty couldn't hold back her emotions. She teared up as she accepted the final gift—a symbol of Lance's deep and sincere feelings. She had secretly denied her feelings for Lance, and she never expected this moment to come.