During the Judgment performance, after all of Leo’s schemes and provocations to disband Knights, the team managed to convince him to give them another chance—or rather, to give himself a chance. Even then, Leo wasn’t ready to stand on stage again as part of the five, with Maru by their side, supporting them.

After that fateful day, Maru decided to create something meaningful—a hairclip with orange and red colors for a "the two kings who fought that duel” metaphor. She used resin art to craft it from a Chess flyer Leo had given her, one she had kept all this time. For Maru, the hairclip wasn’t just a shape of admiration; it was like a hope to stay by Knights’ side and pursue her newfound dream. She wore it often, using it as a source of motivation.

Leo, however, remained torn. He still longed to be an idol, but fear and uncertainty held him back. He worried there might no longer be a place for him in Knights, leaving him unsure whether to hold onto his dream or let it go. His hesitation often manifested in sharp, provocative words, a defense mechanism that masked his vulnerability.

Maru, determined to understand him, found herself both frustrated and fascinated by the contradictions in Leo’s personality.

When you're on the battlefield, you think you can just turn to your enemy and say, "Excuse me, I'm very tired. Can we please take a break?"

You think you can look a spray of bullets in the face and ask 'em to kindly wait a sec...? Is this a joke to you?

“I can’t understand that guy at all,” she admitted to herself. “But I want to. He’s the very leader of Knights—the one I wanted to meet in person, the one who showed me the light and pushed me into this new chapter. I want to help him, just like he helped me, even if he doesn’t realize it.”

Leo’s blunt honesty often caught Maru off guard. One day, his words struck her deeply, though not in the way he likely intended. “When you’re on the battlefield, do you think you can just tell your enemy, ‘Excuse me, I’m very tired. Can we take a break?’ You think you can look bullets in the face and ask them to kindly wait? Is this a joke to you?”

The harshness of his tone might have offended some, but Maru saw through it. Beneath the provocations, Leo’s intent was clear, he wanted to push others to grow, even if it meant being misunderstood or disliked in the process. His duality—soft and caring deep down but assertive and unrelenting on the surface—only deepened Maru’s admiration for him.

To Maru, Leo was like the wind—free, untamed, and unpredictable. He could be gentle, like a breeze stirring leaves, or powerful, like a storm that ignites flames into a fierce blaze. Sometimes, he brought refreshing rain; other times, he carried suffocating dust. His presence could comfort or challenge, but it was always dynamic, always moving.

It took time, but Knights eventually softened Leo’s heart. They assured him that no matter how far he traveled, they would always welcome him back. With their reassurance, Leo began to see the world not as a small, confining place, but as a vast realm of possibilities waiting to be explored.

Leo often wondered why Maru had gone to such lengths—transferring schools and stepping into the uncertainty of Knights’ future. Yet, he could see that her belief in them had reignited their fire. She had chosen to believe in him, even waiting for his return without knowing when or if it would happen.

When Maru first transferred to Yumenosaki and introduced herself to Knights, her assertive and somewhat stubborn personality surprised them. She had a stubborn streak that reminded others of Tsukasa, another junior member of Knights. Being seen as “just a kid” by their seniors naturally brought the two closer.

After Leo’s return, Maru frequently remarked on his habit of bad-mouthing and swear to others—even her. Though it annoyed her, she couldn’t help but admire his boldness, which she saw as a form of bravery. She also saw through his tough exterior, recognizing a boy who felt unworthy of his comrades’ kindness and too afraid to ask for a place among them.

One day, Maru told Leo not to go easy on her just because she was a girl. Although he warned her of the consequences, he respected her request and treated her the same as anyone else. His honesty, no matter how sharp, was something she valued deeply.

One evening, after another stretch of absences, Leo accidentally met Maru on a quiet beach. Under the stars, Maru shared her story—how she had met him and Izumi in the past, why she had come to Yumenosaki, and the new dreams she had found alongside Knights. Her words struck a chord in Leo, shaking his heart in ways he couldn’t ignore.

For the first time in a long while, Leo opened up, sharing a bit parts of his perspective. Though he hesitated to reveal his deepest feelings about Knights, his words encouraged Maru to continue chasing her dreams and supporting his comrades. Maru, however, saw through his words. She stubbornly called him out, insisting that he sounded like he was planning to leave again.

You’re not fooling me, Leo-kun.

Let your heart tell me that… you just need someone to remind you—Knights are your home. And you can see with your own eyes, right? We still survived even when you left, to keep the home together that was once your own dream. And we're happy to be here, with you.

That conversation stirred something deep within them both, not just words exchanged that night—it was a connection that began to heal old wounds and ignite new hopes for them.

Also, a strange spark in their heart.