When it comes to stuff that people don't usually believe in, she immediately believed in those things. However there are also individuals who hold a belief in strange matters that she didn't see the significance in.

For example, the imprint that was still clearly in the palm of her hand. She heard many tales regarding the strange mark, tales of individuals who had this mark.

Each imprint had different colours.

She heard from others the meaning of each colour, but out of all those colours she noticed she had quite an unusual one. The nurses made a big deal out of it when they discovered that she and Mamoru had the same one.

But when she and Mamoru noticed it their reaction was quite casual. 'Oh it's the same.' The conversation ended like that.

He was not the type to focus on such things, neither was she. But perhaps there was a silent agreement between them, that even if they didn't have the same that it wouldn't have mattered.

People always tend to believe in matters that connect them to another individual. In the end isn't that because 'Humans crave for love and attention?'

It was one of the few things she learned from Mamoru in the past. How right that statement was.

"Sumire-chan! Please hurry, we're already late enough as it is. Ah Aika-chan will get mad.

Her thoughts broke off when she heard Asami's voice.

"Right, right. " Sumire said.

She rushed up the grey stone steps. Gee why on earth does the banquet have to be in a high location for. Truthfully speaking she wasn't exactly comfortable with heights. But she did not feel comfortable to disclose such information to Asami yet.

Alright, it should be okay if she doesn't look to the side at all. Just keep looking straight ahead and eventually they should arrive. Yet running in a dress isn't exactly ideal. Ah she wishes her dearest were here. Just like he suggested in the phone she would love it if he Princess carried her.

Either way right now Asami has it way easier than her, if she was only permitted to wear casual wear too then she would have chosen that over what she was wearing now.

She did ask about it but as expected the request was brushed off rather quickly. The elders aside, Soujiro would have probably said something along the lines of wanting to see her in a dress.

No not due to the formalities of a lady, it would most likely be the other reason.

Well even though it was quite bothersome at times. Sumire didn't mind it, after all it made the atmosphere in the main base much lighter.

All those people's gazes are dark and their smiles and laughter all gave her a bad feeling. She would rather get constantly sent on jobs rather than be stuck at paperwork duty in the main base. It's suffocating.

"Sumire-chan watch your step there is ---"

But unfortunately she had only heard half the warning and almost fell backwards. However after a few moments had passed she didn't hear the impact at all. She opened her eyes only to see up close the features of the man who caught her. Spiky silver hair, and odd eye colours.

"Ran!"

"Gee you clumsy girl. Why wear shoes you cant walk in?"

Actually she wore slightly flatter shoes originally but they were old and broke. She should have known better than to ask Asami-san for a replacement she ended up bringing her very high heels.

He let's her go and turned to Asami who just ran back down.

"Iwa-san thank goodness you caught her."

"There is a safer route then this passage."

"Eh there is?"

"At the brand new park. It's indeed quite a detour but it's the path that's being used a lot since it's safe. Did you not see the sign?"

As she watched the two interact, she couldn't help but smile. In a sense it seems like they're getting along better then they were before. Sumire thought Asami-san who fan girled about male idol groups would react that way towards Ran but it was the opposite reaction. For some reason she seemed hostile.

Ran was no good at interacting with members of the opposite sex. It was the same with her at the start too, so she did not think much about it.

It has been two and a half years, of course a lot has changed. Either way a sign....? She shuts her eyes, on the way here she saw something that resembled a sign.

But the fact that it was torn down and battered on the ground made her think that it was a mere scrap of paper. It was deliberately destroyed huh? Is something going to-- her thoughts broke off when Ran wrapped his cloak around her.

"Stupid girl, you will catch a cold.. Although it is June, the nights are still chilly."

Her eyes went wide at the action. It resembled something.

'Even if it's you. You'll still catch a cold in this weather. Please think about yourself more. When you get home. Hurry up and rest up okay? Though I don't dislike that recklessness of yours'

'Your reckless as always eh?'

Ah, really what was she doing? Only a short time has passed yet she already longs to see him. Life really isn't fair at all. Even though they've both gone through this already. Sumire wonders if he had the same thoughts. When they spoke on the phone earlier she could not tell what he was thinking.

Indeed it is difficult for her to understand another person's thoughts unless they are directly in front of her.

Sumire knew if she told these two then they won't tell a soul.

She knew they would both understand. However, saying it would definitely trouble them. Besides, Sumire still could not tell what Ran thought about Yuhi. On some days he is openly hostile and in some he isn't.

"Yeah, thank you." Sumire said with a weak smile. "I guess we should get going. Were going to be late otherwise."

She cannot tell them even if she knows they would understand. It is still frightening for her to open up to other people. She does not want to risk anything.

....

They barely got there on time, they just scraped it. Since the doors in the other side of the room opened. An elder looking gentleman wearing odd clothes that resembled a mage from ancient times appeared.

The elder merely sighed. "You're getting away with it for now. But please make sure this doesn't happen again.

The brown hair girl wasn't listening though, as she made her way over to the other side of the room to the crowd of people that just emerged through the double doors.

In the center she found the person she was looking for. A guy with hair up in a braid that started above his ears and met behind. Those ocean blue pool of eyes, wearing a black long sleeved collar shirt with white linings down the middle. A pale cream coat with pale brown linings that were held together with two royal emblem circles.

He really has changed a lot, indeed the teenage features that once dawned the guys face were no longer there. It has now been replaced by more grown up and adult features. Sumire managed to resist the urge to call him out informally. Sumire cleared her voice and called out to him.

"Prince Soujiro."

He stops talking with his guard when he heard her call his name. His ocean blue eyes met her her violet orbs. "Princess Sumire..."

She laughs lightly. "It has been awhile."

A while? After that time she did not meet with him. Sumire felt ashamed that she used him as a shield against Sano while Yuhi was in hospital. Even though he was the one who forcibly dragged her away after rescuing her. Why on earth did she stay with him afterwards?

It made no sense.

Using old fashioned sounding titles in this modern setting, surrounded by people with hidden motives.

'This whole thing is illogical to begin with.'