Looking through his many things in the wooden shelf, the young boy was grabbing a few important belongings of his before closing the leather bag. Though it may be the morning, he didint really mind this as this was for what he calls a "meeting" that his dear friends had made up. Of course though, it would be rude to not attend and so here he is now, hurrying out his room before stepping down the stairs as carefully as he could.

Once he did, he was immediately met with the scent of his mother's cooking. Smiling to himself a little, he went along towards the table while setting the leather bag back down before opening again. Noticing this, his mother had turned around to see his son.

"Ah, Soraru. Already going to meet up with your friends again?" She asked, placing down the plate before going ahead to pick up to what seems to be the young boy's little sister. He gave a nod, "I am, but I'll be sure to return as early as possible to spend at least some time with you and Kumori." Though the younger sibling couldn't really speak yet, she still grabbed onto his older brother's hand gently as the other simply smiled at the simple action.

Kissing the baby's forehead, the little one starting to giggle before Soraru had began grabbing his bag again. Though before he could walk over towards the doorway, his mother's voice had caught his attention once more.

"Here, here's a bag of coins in case if you're going to grab something for yourself and the rest of your friends." She said, handing him the bag before gently using her free hand to pat his son's head in a gentle manner. Her blackened colored hair may have been at medium length that was held up, but her sapphire colored eyes were the same as both siblings.

The young boy then gave another smile before giving a small wave, "I'll be back soon then! Thank you!" And with that, he left off before closing the door behind him softly.

Turning to the front again as he began walking, he felt the sun's rays hitting his skin as he continued on. Though he Didn't mind this since there was still a bit of cool breeze at this time. Everywhere he looked was still the same beautiful scenery. Because you see, Soraru's house was mostly away from other villages. But even so, the young boy was always used to walking through the dirt trail due to the fact that the plants and flowers were blooming at their best this year.

Making his way, he came across a few farmers ho had greeted him whenever he passed by. This time, he was given a few apples from the orchard that was not too far in the area. He was well known around these parts too since he does tend to leave his house during this time really. Sometimes, he would even decide to help out the farmers along with his mother. And to be honest, he never minded this. He enjoyed spending time with the home loves so dearly. Especially now since the birth of his younger sister Kumori.

Ever since the young child was born, he's been the most happiest boy in the world. Or at least that's what he claimed the first time after the conversation he and his dear mother had before. It was a joy to be taking care of his sister whenever it was just him and the child. Never once was Kumori ever the type of troublesome child as he perceived her to be. Instead, he had ended up wanting to protect her with all he could. He wanted her to grow up healthy. That's what he wanted.

So as of now, he could only be in a good mood, walking around until met a familiar face. It was a a young girl who was also carrying a little leather bag. Noticing his gaze, she turned around and waved over to him with a petite smile, "Hey Soraru! Over here!"

Hurriedly walking over to his friend, Lon had went ahead and already excitedly started to talk with him. "So? How has it been with Kumori and your mom?" She asked, awaiting a response as she began to walk with the young ravennette. Though on this, Soraru could really just face her with yet again, another smile, "It's been okay."

"So that technically means that you've had the time of your life with them."

"Mhm."

The blondes attention had then been directed towards the giant bridge in front of them, leading the two children to the other side. This was the mark of really what people declare the middle of the two pieces of land that was connected together.

Slowly stepping forward, the two friends then also looked around to seeing the large river that was below them. Though the drop from where they were and the ranging river that was below them was high, they still kept proceeding together since they've passed here many times already. But also because both Lon and Soraru already knew that the villagers had make this bridge to be sturdy enough, that way the bridge could hold on together for much longer as years pass.

Though once crossing the bridge, the petite girl had went ahead and dragged Soraru with her through the trail. Not minding though, the ravennette simply let himself basically get dragged along. And since he can't deny that he also saw Lon as a younger sister, he just went ahead and let the younger do whatever she pleased at the moment. Especially now since the blue-eyed girl was always excited whenever they were near the growing town near them.

The things there may have sometimes been gradually getting expensive over time, they still enjoyed the things the people had in store there. Like the bookshops that were held, or even the mysterious shops that the two were always interested in seeing. Though there was always rare occasions where a certain special family would appear as well. Or even sometimes just Lord Kazuki himself would appear instead.

Ever since Lord Kazuki had gotten married to a kind beautiful woman, he had been seen smiling much more often. But this was something that others had described him to be. Some even said that he often takes his two sons with him whenever he left off somewhere from the castle sometimes.

Of course though, not many were able to say that this was true. But Soraru and Lon did know one thing.

Lord Kazuki does in fact love his son's very much, this has never changed. Despite one of them not being his, he still accepted him as his own.

"Say, should we get something for them?"

"For who?" Soraru asked, wondering on who exactly the younger was talking about at the moment. Though to this he did get a reply from his dear friend, "You know, Mafu, Luz, and Eve!"

The ravennette then turned to her before opening the bag of coins his mother had given him, "Here. You can have half of it."

"Ehh? But aren't they yours?"

Smiling, he gently took the other's bag before giving her the amount of the closest he could to his words. "It's fine, my mother gave it to me in case if anyone needed it. Besides, I also want you to at least get something for yourself as well." He explained, leading the blue-eyed girl to give a bright expression towards him.

"Wow, no wonder your mother is so proud of you. You're so kind~" She said, smiling along with a little laugh. He laughed along as well a little before the two had made their way towards a little shop. Specifically a shop specially made for sweets. Of course the two would go here, especially Lon.

Looking through the sweets that the shop had held, there were a few chocolates that caught the two's interests. There was a box that held different flavored fillings with the little drizzle of chocolate on the top. Completing the adorable look for the chocolates. Looking at each other, both children had already known which one they should get. And so the friends had decide to grab the box that they believe that their friends would love as well.

"Excuse me, miss?"

Turning to the small girl, the chocolate vender had kneeled down to her and Soraru. "Yes, did you need something little ones?" The women asked sweetly before Lon happily gave a nod, "Mhm! Can we have those box of chocolates miss?"

Smiling down at her, the vendor didint waste any time for completing the request from the blonde. Gently giving her the box of chocolates as the ravennette had opened his bag to hand the young woman the needed amount of coins. Though to their surprise, the vendor had then given the two candied apples. "Here, that way you the two of you can enjoy something else as well."

"Thank you~!"

"Of course, anytime. Enjoy your sweets you two!"

Happily giving a nod as she waved, Lon and Soraru then gave a little laugh as they began to eat the candied apples. Both smiling as they walked off, hoping to reach their destination to see their dear friends.

Though it took them a long while, they eventually did finish their candied apples and had found a disposal for it. But it felt a worth it for what stood before them was a large gate. But not just simply a gate, it was for a very special place. The castle.

Trying to look through, they eventually got greeted by a few guards before they began to enter after stating their reasons. They were welcomed here after visiting many times now after all. But even so, the gardens have never changed, no matter how many times they have seen it. It was always as luxurious looking as ever. But not only that, but it was still the favorite place for their new friends.

"Soraru-san! Lon-san!"

Seeing their attention go to a young petite boy, the blue-eyed girl immediately smiled, "Mafu-kun!" She said, going to hug the winged albino. "Lon-san! I missed you!" He exclaimed, hugging her back as his wings had flapped from excitement from seeing the girl. But behind the two was a familiar lavender-eyed boy who seemed to really be out of breath, probably from going after the young albino. This was something that not even Soraru was surprised at seeing.

"Mafu-kun, don't just leave me to run after you!" He said, gently hugging the young boy as well. Though this only made the ravennette to simply watch before setting down the chocolates.

"Soraru-san, why don't you join in the hug? There's more room after all!"

"No thanks. You guys can keep huging each other."

"Ehh?"

Pouting a little, the albino then went ahead and gave the ravennette a hug. "There! Now Soraru-san also gets a hug!" He said, smiling over before the young boy who he was hugging didint even move.

"Eh? So Soraru lets Mafu-kun hug him but not me?" Lon said, pouting as well. Though as much as wanting to deny this, not even the young boy couldn't bare to see her pout. Giving a sigh he then smiled at the two, "You have my permission to hug me." Happily doing so, the blonde went ahead and started to hug the older boy before even Luz went up to Soraru.

"Horray~ We can all hug you now!"

"Oi! I meant Lon, not you too!"

As much as he tried to find a way of escape, the ravennette had ended up being hugged by the three. But what cane he do? He's dealing with these three after all. Though not wanting to come across as mean, he then smiled as he patted them on the head. But while doing so, he could only hear bits of laughter coming from another boy.

"Oi! Shut up!"

Shaking his head as he simply let out more more laugh, the emerald eyed boy could only smile, "Wow... So even the soon to be old man is loved this much by these three."

"Eh? What's going on here?"

Looking over to see who spoke, Mafu had immediately smiled, "Eve!"

The boy could simply go up to him and give him a pat on the head as he smiled. "I guess you're all hugging Soraru-san now huh?" He said as he tilted his head slightly. Though before he could even say anything else, he was attacked by hugs from the three. But to be honest, Soraru could only regain some breath again after feeling as if he was getting killed off from the three other children.

Though before anything, Mafu then let go of the younger boy before getting the rest for the children's attention, "We should go meet up with Sakatan!"

"You're right! Let's go!" The lavender-eyed boy said, starting to follow the young boy. Though much to the brunette's complaint, Soraru could only slightly snicker. Of course though, the blonde had brought along the chocolates that she and the ravennette had bought for their friends.

But even so after trying to hurriedly make it, it was Eve who had to inform the guards about where they were headed off to. That way no one would be worried about them. In which both Luz and Mafu were thankful for since they had forgotten to inform then earlier before completely heading off. Or else they'd surely get scolded back home with their parents.

"Uratan!"

"Oi! Don't just hug me out of nowhere!"

Behind the two were simply Shima and Senra laughing at the two. The fact that the young brunette still didint accept the red-head's hugs was still enjoyable to watch. Since normally it would be the emerald-eyed boy who would be sometimes teasing others like Soraru. But even so, in the end, Urata would always end up hugging the other back.

"So Urata-san does have a soft spot for Sakatan."

Looking over towards the mushroom haired boy, the shorter could only slightly glare at him. Though the other could only smiled normally with an innocent calm expression.

"Sou-kun!"

Turning to see where, Eve could also smile as he gave a wave.

"Hello~ I'm finally back from class." He said as he was holding a few books in hand before sitting down. Though as curious as she was, Lon then pointed at the books, "What're those for?"

"For you know, healing! And they even teach a bit on how to use ice magic and stuff!" He said, trying his best to describe things before the rest could only carefully listen.

"Wow~ I bet Sou-kun will be the strongest healer ever!" Mafu said, truly fascinated from what the blue-eyed boy had explained. The others could only agree before Sou had began asking a question, one that everyone either had trouble deciding, or one that they had already known.

"What will you guys want to be when you grow up?"

The first to anwser was the blonde himself, Senra. "I want to become a painter! That way I can create the most beautiful paintings in the world~"

Shima had thought about it before he smiled, "Hm... I want to be a knight and fight off enemies to protect you guys!"

"And I wanna be a priest!" Sakata exclaimed, smiling as brightly as ever.

Lon on the other hand was thinking about it, whether or not if this was what she wanted, "I want to be a leader of something~ Like, I want to protect people and lead them to safety!"

She then turned to the boy next to her, "What about you Soraru? What do you want to be?"

"I want to be a strong swordsman. That way no one will mess with me and others like you guys."

"I'm sure Soraru will be the strongest swordsman one day then!" Lon said, completely supporting her best friend. This was like this until Eve had decided to speak of his own dreams as well.

"I want to be an actor..."

Sou then smiled, showing the brightest smile he could towards him, "I'm sure you can do it then!"

Mafu then gave a nod, "If Eve wants to be an actor, then I want to make music for him to sing and act along with!"

The lavender-eyed boy patted the albino's head before talking in a gentle tone, "I'm sure you'll both reach your dreams then."

As for Luz, he couldn't really anwser on what he wanted to be. He didint really have an option really. Luz was the heir to the throne after all, he had to pass down his family's legacy. So he could only have a tiny frown before he felt the young angel hug him. Of course Mafu had known this as well, this was the reason why he was hugging him into the first place after all. He didint to see the lavender-eyed boy sad.

Then, Lon had thought about something. She looked at them before smiling, "Do you think Luz will get married someday to someone once he takes the throne?"

"I don't want to marry anyone though..."

"Then what about you Mafu-kun? Will you get married to someone after Luz becomes Lord?"

To this question, the younger was about to say something until Luz had only hugged the albino as he shook his head, "I won't let anyone marry him! Not my little brother!" He exclaimed as he proceeded to hug the angel.

"It's alright, you can keep him, I'm pretty sure no one would even want him to be their husband anyways." Soraru said as he smiled.

"I would wanna marry Uratan then!"

To this, even the young brunette could only turn red before turning away, "Me marrying you? Gross."

"Ehh?"

Senra had went ahead and patted the red head before shaking his head, "Don't worry Sakata, you don't need a short angry Tanuki like him."

"Oi!"

"You're right! I'll just marry Soraru-san then!" He said, pouting before going to hug the ravennette. Though this only made the brunette lightly smack him on the head, "Fine, fine. I'll let you marry me, but not the old man!"

At this moment, Urata could've sworn he saw a puppy who was smiling at him. So instead he tried to turn away before letting out a huff. Though for the others, they could only snicker at their interactions. If anything, those two were very close. Sakata was always able to make the shorter boy crack a smile, even when he wasn't having a good day.

To this, the brunette could only sigh, accepting the red head in any way. That is until the children had decided to talk about what other interests they had, or for what future they wanted. Sometimes, they would even tease each other. But if anything, a game of tag was fine. Anything with each other made them smile, for every game they played, they laughed.

"Fufu~ No one can find us fufufu~"

"Mhm-!"

"Why are you talking to yourselves-" This only wanted to make both Eve and Mafu screech from the fact that the ravennette was behind them the entire time without them noticing.

Feeling slightly pleased with their reactions, Soraru then playfully tapped them with a smile, "Found you-!"

"Aww~ No fair! Soraru-san is too good at this!" The albino said, wanting to pout but even so, he congratulated the boy before putting on his usual smile.

Sou then happily waved at the others, "Let's play again~! I wanna be seeker this time though!"

The mushroom haired child gave a nod before standing up from his previous spot, "Y-Yeah! Let's play again!"

Of course, neither of the other children were complaining with this. Especially Senra and Shima, for those two had also wanted another game. They've been wanting to win the game as hiders after all. Though they were also competing with both the certain redhead and a certain Tanuki. Both were good, but every time, Soraru would find them. But this time, they were sure that they would win. Or at least they thought that they would.

Minutes, many minutes had passed. And they still couldn't find one person. Sou had ended up being better than they thought, but now he was having trouble on finding one certain person. This was to the point of even making the other children help him find a certain mushroom haired boy.

Luz and Mafu had certainly looked over almost every inch outside the little cave they were in meanwhile Shima and Senra had been searching from the inside. Yet on everywhere else, nothing. They found aboslutely nothing. That is until the blue-eyed boy had found a familiar green sweater peaking from the rock behind a little corner. Smiling to himself, he then waved towards his dear friends, "I found him~!"

"Ehh? Where was he?" Luz asked, wanting to where exactly their friend had been hiding. When the rest saw as well, they looked at each other before laughing a little. Accepting the winner of the hide-and-seek game, was indeed a sleeping Eve.

"Should we wake him up?" Sakata asked, looking over to his friends before seeing the lavender-eyed boy shake his head, "I don't think we should. He's already sleeping..."

"I'll stay with him!"

"Eh? Are you sure Sou-kun?" Shima asked, wanting the other to be sure that he knew what he was doing. But the other could simply smile

"You can always count on me after all~"

"Hey Eve-san?"

Turning to look at the male who was next him, he tilted his head before wondering what the other male had to say. Though despite the fact that he was wearing a mask, Sou was still able to tell that the other was always listening.

"You remind me of someone..."

The masked male could really only stare at the cotton candy that he was holding before looking back at the younger male. "Is that so?"

"Mhm... Except- Ah, n-nevermind."

"Forget about it."

Of course, the other could only give a nod. But he then decided to speak out a few words, "You can always talk to me Sou-kun... Because isn't that what you always told me?"

The blue-eyed male looked at him before smiling softly, "Yeah... I guess you're right."

There it is again. That same feeling that makes his heart flutter. How much that Sou could only smile for being near the other male. Slowly wanting to grab his hand and never let it go.

But perhaps he'll have to wait for that moment to come.

And here it is~ This was, well... A pretty long chapter to be honest www

But hopefully it was at least okay! Might've not been the best but hopefully it was something that was at least enjoyable and bearable to read. But aside from that~ Thank you everyone for reading this far!

Stay safe and have good weekend~