Maru had quietly accepted her love for Leo—never once thinking about asking him to return her feelings. She had considered confessing, but her past with someone in the past held her back. The fear of being a burden to others lingered in her heart, “Love is hurting”. Rather than suppressing her emotions just like what she did before, Maru decided to embrace them fully, believing it was the best way to move forward. In her eyes, her role was to support Leo and Knights, not to complicate things with her feelings.

On the other side, Leo had also come to terms with his love for Maru. Yet, it wasn’t a simple “I love you.” It carried a longing, a selfish desire for her to be his. This conflicted him, as it reminded him of his past mistakes. But it was Maru who once told him it was okay to be selfish sometimes, to acknowledge his own needs and appreciate himself more. So, in his heart, Leo knew he loves her, though keeping it hidden. He was afraid of ruining the relationship they had built—their friendship, their connection. Instead, he silently hoped she would stay by his side, without daring to put his feelings into words.

Leo had always been someone who gave love freely. He would loudly say “I love you!” to others and offer advice, yet he struggled to communicate his true feelings. Receiving love, however, was even harder for him. He was so used to giving that when someone loved him in return, he didn’t know how to respond. He felt unsure, almost lost, in the face of reciprocated feelings.

One winter evening, when the first snow of the season fell, Maru waited for Leo once again. She stayed in the cold, confident and stubborn as always, trusting that he would come. That sight shook Leo’s heart. Maru’s sincerity, her quiet devotion, moved him in a way he couldn’t ignore.

Leo had spent much of his life fearing selfishness, believing it only led to harm. Yet, through Knights and Maru’s supports, he had begun to understand that selfishness wasn’t always wrong. It was Maru who helped him see his own worth, who taught him that it was okay to take time for himself, to ask for help, to let go of relationships that no longer served him.

It’s okay to ask to be loved in return.

As Leo stood by the glass wall, watching the snow fall outside, he stopped denying what he felt. His heart was racing for Maru, and this time, he didn’t push the feeling away. He embraced it, knowing he had fallen deeply in love. He also knew, deep down, that Maru loved him too, even if she never said it aloud.

For a long time, Leo had told himself that it didn’t matter if his feelings went unspoken. As long as she stayed by his side, everything would be fine. He believed their closeness, built over years of friendship, was enough. He didn’t think about the possibility that Maru might one day leave—that her silent love might not be enough to keep her there.

Leo realized that even if their feelings were mutual, love was no guarantee. There was no certainty Maru would choose to stay with him. And yet, in that moment, as the snow gently fell outside, Leo decided that maybe, just maybe, he needed to take the risk of asking her to stay.