Kiroyuki's POV
I was humming along as I followed Shirayuki and Obi side by side, making me in the middle of the two. I kinda see Obi steal glances at Shirayuki though... Does he like Shirayuki too?

"Miss snow, so do you want to learn more about herbs?" I turned my head towards Obi and tilted my head a bit as we continued to walk. I was slightly confused since I had already made that clear, but I just shrugged it off.

"Yes- wait! Miss snow?" I had just realize that he had said miss snow instead of Kiroyuki... Wait but doesn't he also call Shirayuki, miss red? Shirayuki was holding my hand too so I accidentally squeezed her hand a bit which made her flinch. "Oh, sorry Shirayuki!"

"It's okay, I was just surprised, but Obi, what are you implying to?" I nodded my head in agreement as Obi just put his hands behind his head in a carefree manner.

"Well, you're gonna need someone to teach you, right?"

"... Like Shirayuki...?" I cocked my head to the side questioning if I was right.

"Nope!" Both me and Shirayuki had a confused expression wondering who he is implying to.

"... Wait Garak! She's the head chief so-"

"Nope~!" I just sighed and hung my head while Shirayuki just patted my head with her free hand.

"It's Ryu! Come one miss snow! You should of guessed this one!" My face immediately lifted up as I felt embarrassed as blood rises up to my cheeks.

'A-am I blushing?! It's just embarrassment, right?'

"Kiroyuki, are you alright? Is the heat getting to you? Your face is getting red..." I panicked and waved my free hand frantically in denial.

"N-no! I'm fine with the heat right now! It's just I feel a bit embarrassed for not answering Obi's question...." I heard some scribbling to my left and saw Obi with his weird notebook in his hands. He was smiling like a crazy creep again while scribbling light lightning! He sure loves to write....?

"Well miss snow, we're here." My eyes darted in front of me as I was in utter awe of the beautiful garden full of herbs that colored of the rainbow and more. Primary, secondary, and neutral colors all harmonious with each other to create one huge masterpiece of beauty. There were barely any words to describe how lovely the sight is in person, but one certain figure  caught my attention. I smiled in glee and ran down the steps making Ryu turn.

"Ryu! I'm back!" I stopped a couple of feet away from him as he seemed flustered with pink dusted on his cheeks. Well, he is shy. I waved to him as he seemed a bit shock while sitting down the path with a book in hand.

(Ahhh! My kawaii sweet muffin top!! >~< sorry.... Please continue....)

"H-hi K-Kiroyuki...."

Ryu's POV
'I feel completely surprised and... Happy that she wanted to see me. I'm glad her fever is cured now... Wait... Her hair... Wasn't it like snowy-blue when I last saw her. Why is it turquoise now?'

"Your hair... It's turquoise? W-wasn't it like snowy-blue?" She hummed in thought and nodded her head.

"Yeah, my hair color is snowy-blue but it's turquoise now. I don't know why but I guess... It's fine?" She chuckled sheepishly and scratched her cheek.

Shirayuki also came down too while Obi was writing in his weird and mysterious notebook. I just sighed in disbelief as shook my head while Kiroyuki was confused to my actions toward the two.

"Hello Ryu." I waved back to Shirayuki as Obi put away his notebook into his pocket while he wore a... smirk?

"So, um Obi has a question that kinda considers both of your consent..." I glanced at Kiroyuki but her head wasn't facing mines so I couldn't tell what she was thinking or feeling and finally turned to Obi.

"So I was wondering Ryu, since miss snow here wants to learn more about herbs, why don't you teach her as you work? After all, you two seem pretty close and are nearly the same age. You might as well take this time as an advantage..." I felt my cheeks burn a bit as I glanced at Kiroyuki as her cheeks glowed with a light pink and red combined together. I stared at the ground while trying to put together on what I would say.

"U-um... I don't mind...." I pulled up my collar of my sweater over my mouth to hide my embarrassment and blushing cheeks. Then I was engulfed in a warm embrace from besides me. I felt myself heat up even more as my hand that held on my sweater fell down letting the two adults see my flushed face.

"Thank you Ryu! I'll try my best! I hope to get along with you!"

"Sure..." She pulled back letting the warmth disappear but refilled that with a genuine smile that could light up the whole world. My mouth was agape with awe of her beautiful yet adorable form. Obi came next to me and crouch while patting my shoulder.

"You're staring while hanging your mouth there buddy." He whispered quietly only for me to hear as I felt more blood rise up to my face as I slapped my mouth shut from gaping. Kiroyuki and Shirayuki both giggled from us males. (They both have 'Yuki' in their names!)

"Ryu?" I nodded my head in response to Kiroyuki. "Can we be friends?" My eyes widened in surprise to hear this. A princess like her wants to be friends with me...? She's pretty, cute, determined, kind, and I still don't know much about her yet as she doesn't know me much either, but she wants to be friends... I feel like I'm dreaming right now...

I smiled warmly as I couldn't control it and replied. "Yeah, I would love to." She smiled brightly and embraced me in another hug which I returned. Behind the side from which Kiroyuki was hugging me were two adults with sparkles in their eyes. I just sweat dropped. (Them two be fangirling! Even Obi since he's a dude cat man.)

Kiroyuki's POV
'I'm glad to have a friend.... I can finally start a new path.... Those memories which pain me will only just grow stronger so I could protect my newly found ones that I care for... I promise Clarines.... Ryu... I will protect everyone.... I won't fail to do so anymore....