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They say that a promise made under a sakura tree would bind two people together for all eternity. If that's true, then what better place to find the most beautiful cherry blossoms than in Sakura Park. Nothing says "I love you" more than a promise made under one of Sakura Park's cherry blossom trees. One of Rasetsu's famous tourist destination spots, Sakura Park offers beautiful, romantic, and truly unforgettable sights, reminiscent of traditional Japanese culture, making this park popular among couples, normal or supernatural alike.

[came from Safe Haven]

Zero and Nyuu waited patiently for their caller to arrive. It was a weird request, calling both of them out at a time like this? Though I have to admit, it was pretty romantic. Almost no people around, no one to see them if they were going to do something strange, and plus, all of the stores were still open even in this time of night.

"Hey Nyuu..."

"Yes?"

"Do you think that I'm a jerk?"

"Don't take Ren-san's comments to heart, Zero-sama. You were just trying to help. But I have to admit, that note you wrote was kind of insensitive."

"So...I am a jerk..."

Nyuu just stayed silent and gave out a little snicker. Suddenly, a voice from behind them started giggling as well, and when the two of them looked back, they saw something that made their eyes grow big.

"Heya Zero-niichan, Nyuu-neechan. I see you're starting the fun without me."

"My, my, how bold, Zero. I never expected you to do such a thing."

It was Rina and Rione, standing in the middle of the park, observing the two people in front of them. Rina was wearing black and white lolita maid clothes, complete with silk stockings, while Rione went for the casual bubblegum teenie look, complete with beret, tank top, fitted jeans, and sneakers.

"Niichan, your choice of clothes needs a lot of work. Look at you, you're the only one who looks like a person that's been to hell and back!" Rina commented while examining Zero's garb. Torn trench coat, coagulated blood, ripped pants, muddy shoes, the smell of sulfur, everything.

Rione smirked. "Someone definitely needs a total makeover!" She said slyly and began rubbing her chin, proud of her suggestion. As expected, Rina began jumping about, excited at her neechan's suggestion. Immediately, Rina-chan smiled and gestured over to a Pontiac Solstice, parked near a spot in Sakura Park, and smiled slyly.

"Wow..."

"That's our car. Go on and get in, we have the whole night ahead of us!"

"I'll be driving so everyone can just rest easy."

Zero scratched his head.

"Oh, I know this isn't gonna end well..."

[exits to somewhere]

[enters from somewhere]

Zero breathed a sigh of relief as he wandered through the beautiful surroundings that Sakura Park offered, alone and undisturbed.

"Whew, when those guys said party, they really meant 'party'! I need a breather..." He said as he negan walking aimlessly, adoring the moonlit cherry blossoms, the moon's reflection in the pond, and the fireflies that flew through the night air near the long, arched bridge that crossed the pond. It was beauty at its finest. Suddenly, since he was utterly lost in the beauty of the surroundings, he accidentally bumped into a figure who was also in the park.

"Oh, excuse me. I'm so-" But before he can get another word out, he saw a familiar face in front of him which made his eyes grew big out of shock.

"Ren-san..." He muttered under his breath and looked away from the girl, ashamed.

"I'm sorry, I'll leave right away..." He said as he began to slowly turn around.

Zero turned around as soon as he felt Ren-san grab hold of his wrist. He gave a melancholic smile as he gently parted the young girl's hair, revealing her eyes that sparkled in the moonlight.

"You don't have to say anything, Ren-san. Everything was my fault. You were right, it would've been better if we haven't met each other. All I've given you was more pain and suffering."

Zero was touched at Ren-san's words. Did she really consider such an insensitive, arrogant, jerk such as him as family? It was hard to believe.

"Family huh?" Zero muttered as he sat on the ledge of the wooden bridge on the pond. He bobbed his head down in such a way that his hair covered his eyes as he began speaking in a sad tone of voice.

"I've never had a family before. Scratch that, I don't remember of having a family before. The closest thing I have to a family is Nyuu-san and the others, yourself included. You know, I somewhere deep inside me always felt jeaolus when I saw everybody else with their families during the Cherry Blossom Festival. Once, just once, I would like to experience how it is to be hugged, to be needed, to be loved. That is the reason why I'm always trying my best to become the center of attention, always trying to become someone that everyone likes, because I want to be loved by everyone and make everyone happy. I'm doing all of this because I'm afraid of being alone..."

"Ren-san..." Zero murmured as he saw the girl immediately hug him, squeezing tighter and tighter. The red-haired boy could feel an immense joy flowing deep inside him as the girl continued her embrace.

Slowly, Zero raised his arms as he hugged Ren-san back under the moonlight in the middle of a Japanese bridge, fireflies dancing all around the two. But this wasn't the normal "Zero" hug, no, not quite. This hug was a sincere hug that he'd only given to Nyuu, Rina, and Rione, and now, he had given it to Ren-san, signifying how much the girl meant to the red-haired mage-in-training.

"Neechan...?" Zero muttered under his breath as he bobbed his head down and started to cry.

"Thank you, oneechan..."

[Aww, how sweet. 3nodding If you called Falconer-sensei dad, I'll call Ren-san oneechan. whee ]

Zero gazed at the ring that Ren-san had put in his hand. Even though he had it fro several months now, it felt like Ren-san was giving it for the first time once again. He clenched his fist tightly, holding the star-shaped key ring, and smiled.

"It feels like Christmas all over again, Ren-san. Thank you."

"Zero-sama! Zero-sama!" A familiar voice exclaimed from beyond the darkness that enveloped Sakura Park. It sounded like Nyuu, searching for her master's whereabouts. It was to be expected, Zero just left the three of them without so much as saying goodbye.

"Oh, I think they're calling for me." Zero said and smiled as he turned back at Ren-san.

"Thanks for the gift, Ren-san, I'll take care of it." And with that, Zero leaned in and gave the young nature mage a small peck on the cheek before quickly turning away while the girl was still surprised by what the boy had done to her.

Before he continued towards the direction of the voice, he turned back to the bridge and smiled. "I'll see you around, oneechan". He said and continued to where the voice was coming from.

"Zero-sama, I've found you! Where did you go?"

"Oh nowhere special."

"You had us worried, you know. C'mon, let's head back to the bar. They've been worried sick about you. What's that in your hand? Is that a ring?"

"Yeah, my oneechan gave it to me?"

"Oneechan?"

"Hey, let's go!"

"W-wait up! Hey, Zero-sama!"

[exits to somewhere]

Skidding to a stop, Boyd turned and faced Ren eagerly.

"Alright then! Gimmie your best shot!" he called, hands in pockets and a large grin forming on his face.

"Don't go easy on me now"