"You're kidding. It's been how long since that fight?"
"I know, I can't believe it myself."
"Actually, that reminds me... while you were taking your sweet time getting ready in there, one of the royal carriers dropped this letter off. Looks to be from those guys."
"Well, don't keep me in suspense now! What does it say?"
"Hold your horses alright? I was waiting for you to put on your makeup and all before I actually opened it so we could read together. Aren't I so considerate?"
There was a pause. The kind of pause that spawned from sudden embarrassment.
"L-look! Between you and me, making sure this yukata was put on correctly is tough... e-especially for someone that's not even from this region! The shame would be too much if I wore this wrong in public, you see. And we can't have that." the young man holding a bin of tomatoes and cucumbers spoke matter-of-factly while his companion, the one who invited him in the first place, rolled his eyes.
"Yeah okay, your highness." the less formal of the two answered teasingly before breaking the seal on the envelope and holding out its contents, a single piece of paper, in front of them both.
"Hey guys, it's been a long time hasn't it? A lot's happened that's kept us busy. Our job's never quite done, but it might not be just the two of us handling the bulk of things.
"We've actually been training the new guy—the one who bailed you out when we couldn't, to follow our footsteps. And he's showing a lotta promise.
While I could have asked Ragna, and maybe even Hazama to tag in, well...
Let's just tagging has been almost exclusively what they've been doing since last you guys saw 'em. Not by choice, either. I think they've also been fighting over the same girl...? It's complicated.
Speaking of girls, Zen's moved in with his girlfriend and while he's always ready and willing to help us... I figure he should enjoy the life he can make with her over at Dentech City. Minato agrees.
Also I think we passed through that other guy's 'Stage' a couple times... it was never for more than a day at a time but true to his word, he's become quite the popular Sage.
Well anyway, we should definitely meet up again soon when the world as we all know it isn't at stake. It'll be great to see your kingdoms at peace. Take care of each other, your bond's as unbreakable as me and my partner's after all.
- Yu Narukami.
"Bonds, huh? I suppose he's onto something, Prince Takumi."
"Don't get all mushy on me Leo! Save that for Kamui when the fireworks go off later. I don't wanna hear later how you messed it up thinking of me."
"Best not flatter yourself too much now..." he'd wag a finger before standing up and beckoning him to follow. "Shall we go find her at the meeting place now? I want to see as much as we can together at this festival."
"Sounds like a plan." Takumi would gingerly fold the letter back into his envelope and tuck it within the inner pocket of his yukata, before the two took off to enjoy themselves on this summer evening.
