73. Our muses are destined to fall for each other in an art gallery. Five long years had passed since the tragedy that brought Misao, Dimitri and many other students together. They were a proud student body of twenty five students. All of them had hopes, dreams, family. And a lot of those hopes and dreams were snuffed out in three short months. After the tragedy, Dimitri would send letters to Misao. He always loved the girl since they met, but Misao kept thinking he was a kid. He looked so young, after all. For a 16 year old boy, Dimitri looked at least 12. And Misao was older, wiser and honestly, so beautiful. It was no wonder the other boys tried to ask her out during that tragedy. But Dimitri would defend Misao from those he felt were dangerous. If people got too close to her, Misao could end up dead, right? She was a smart girl, but the aviator was so scared for her. It was odd how coincidences could just sneak up on you. Dimitri honestly never thought he would see Misao again. She sometimes responded to his emails, but she seemed to have troubles all of her own. There were a lot of things they needed to fix in this scary world, which had been damaged with thanks to those who trapped them at Hope’s Peak. Still, he seemed to be doing well with his grandfather. That’s right! The man was in his 90’s and he was still going strong. What a man: Grandfather Averin was still chugging beers like a young fella and working the farm. Misao didn’t change much, appearance wise. She may have become a bit taller and bustier, but she always seemed busty. More importantly, she was always gorgeous and graceful. At least, she was to Dimitri. And the silly farmboy himself? Well, Dimitri stood at a good 6’2” now. His hair was cut and shaped like some boy straight out of a 1920’s flick. It made him look rather suave as he walked up to and grinned at the familiar girl, who was analyzing a painting of a blue haired man in a scruffy jacket."I wonder if you can remember me, Princess Misao…" That was his pet name for the girl, once they became more familiar. During their time at the hellhole replacing Hope’s Peak, Dimitri would occassionally call her a princess, telling the pink haired girl about how radiant she was. He remembered how she’d giggle and tell him that it wasn’t funny playing that sort of game. That such a compliment was too much and how he was so silly. At first, he was dejected by the comment, but it grew on him. If they had any sort of chemistry then, if that were possible, Dimitri would have been too close to her, he felt. And of course, there would be the chance of losing her. If that happened, he would surely regret everything. After all, Misao Fujino was one of the few he felt essential to helping fix this world. And so far, she had. Even if she didn’t believe when he’d tell her this, back then, she succeeded in helping to fix so much. Misao, his princess, the world’s hero."Dimitri? Is that you?" Misao looked so surprised when she looked the aviator up and down. Although his speech was similar, the boy looked so different. He was taller and…well, he’d grown so much. Misao never expected the boy she knew to grow up so. "Yes, Misao. I’m here. And I’m never going to leave you again, I promise." Yup, that was Dimitri Averin, cheesy line aficionado. Misao simply giggled as she touched his face, her cheeks flushed with embarassment. Dimtri was such a nerd. …As he leaned down to kiss her on the lips, Misao didn’t hesitate to kiss him back.
