When Maru first joined Yumenosaki and introduced herself to Knights, she came across as surprisingly stubborn and assertive—traits that reminded everyone of Tsukasa. Both of them were juniors often seen as “still kids” by their senior members, which naturally led to them becoming close quickly.

After Leo returned to Knights, Maru often pointed out his habit of swearing and bad-mouthing, even toward her. While it annoyed her at times, she couldn’t help but admire his bluntness, which she saw as a kind of bravery. She also noticed the softer side beneath his rough words—a boy who was scared to come back, unsure if he deserved a place among his comrades after everything that had happened.

Maru found Leo both frustrating and admirable, a stubborn and strong-willed person who struggled to handle his emotions. One day, she asked him not to go easy on her just because she was a girl. Though Leo warned her, he respected her request and treated her just as she wanted—naturally and without holding back.

Over the years, Maru noticed that Leo’s attitude toward her had changed. He stopped swearing and bad-mouthing her, even though she never asked him to. It wasn’t a bad change, but it left her curious about why he had softened so much over time. Gathering her courage, she asked him about it one day.

Leo looked puzzled at first but then admitted it was a choice he had made.

“Well,” he said with a sheepish grin, “I just didn’t wanna hurt your feelings, I suppose. When you told me not to go easy on you, it kinda woke me up. You’re not some fragile kid or anything—you’re strong. Strong enough to call me out on my nonsense!”

He paused, then added, “I think I started to see you differently after that. Maybe it’s because I started getting fond of you, eh? Even though I still like teasing you now and then, I don’t wanna say anything that would really hurt you.”

Maru, half-joking, remarked that it felt like Leo was more guarded around her than with the rest of Knights. She said she missed the fiery banter that used to make her blood boil. Leo just laughed it off, though deep down, he was hiding the fact that he was falling in love with her.

“Yeah,” he admitted, “it’s easier to be upfront with the rest of Knights. We’ve been through so much together, so it’s second nature to just be myself, no filter. Wahaha…”

“But with you… I guess I’ve got a soft spot for ya~☆. Not because I think you’re fragile or anything—you’re seriously strong, Maru. But I don’t wanna accidentally say something that might hurt you. If I started teasing you like I do with the others, I’d be scared of crossing the line.”

“The last thing I’d want is for you to hate me.” He didn’t let this thought came out from his very lips.

“Y’know, I didn’t even like you at first. You were so pushy, always in my face, invading my comfort zone… and honestly, I thought you were a weird kid.” Then his tone softened. “But even back then, I thought you were cute—in your own quirky way, Maru. Even when I was snapping at you and we were arguing all the time.”

Leo’s voice grew quieter. “I’m glad you never gave up on me… even when I was being stubborn and trying my hardest to push you away. You just kept coming back, didn’t you?”

And with that, Maru couldn’t help but smile. Leo might have been a handful, but his honesty and warmth were part of why she had never given up on him.