Dear Miss Lia Belmonte,

We have finished reviewing your application to join the district one protective warriors and we unfortunately cannot offer you a position at this time.

As we reviewed your application, it's clear that you have just graduated which makes it clear that you have no prior experience. We recommend that you continue with your training to find out what kind of gifts you have. We encourage you to apply again once you're ready.

Best regards,

District one recruitment committee

Lia's heart sank deep into soul as it came crumbling down within her as she starred back at her first rejection letter. What made it even more difficult is how she would tell Kazuki and Himeko about getting rejected from district one. The place where she has finally been able to call home after four long years. She hid her face in the letter, hoping to bury her shame. All the time spent at school have gone to waste. None of it even matters anymore.

Just as Lia was thinking of ways to hide the letter from everyone, Himeko was right behind her.

"Are those your results?"

Lia starred back at her lost for words.

"I take it you didn't get in."

Lia starred down at the floor and Himeko took the letter from her hands.

"This really isn't something to get upset about Lia," Himeko's tone was slightly comforting but with a hint of sternness. "I bet in your final year, everyone was talking about which district they're going to get into to once they graduate. But, the harsh truth is that it can take another twenty years after graduating with the right training before you will even be considered."

"Twenty years!" Lia jaw dropped. How can it take that long just to become a simple officer in the district?

Himeko nodded. "That's the amount of time it takes for the average person. As aliens, our life spans are more than five times as long as a  human's. Your friend Akito also got rejected too."

Lia gave Himeko a small smile of relief. "I see, he also tried to join district one."

Himeko nodded. "Yeah, but for someone like him being born into district twenty. He may never make it into our district and yet, I know he's someone who wouldn't give up that easily. That boy would do anything to serve under Kazuki."

"Really," Lia replied. "Why Kazuki?"

"That I don't know. But I do know he was there to save you with Kazuki when you were dying from Cancer."

Lia's memories flashed back to that very last night in the hospital and how she supposedly died in Monte's arms. Then waking up here with Kazuki looking after her.

"Really!" I wonder how everyone back home is doing now.

"Yes, but first I must ask you." Himeko starred into Lia eyes with authoritative power in them. "Do you want to become strong enough to enter our district or do you just want to protect yourself from danger?"

Lia could feel Himeko's strength within her eyes. This was the first time Lia saw Himeko as someone who was very powerful.

"I want to become stronger. I'm tired of not being able to do anything and also being protected!"

"Do you have pure intentions of being apart of our district where you'll have to serve Kazuki as a master one day. Are you willing to be his subordinate in war and during times of peace?"

This time, Lia bowed before Himeko. "Yes. I will do what it takes to be apart of your district."

Himeko smiled. "Good. I just have one condition. Become my student and train under me for the next year and I can guarantee that not only will you be strong enough but, you'll find your true power in one year's time."

"I understand." Lia bowed again before her. "Thank you very much."

Himeko smiled and the bubbly personality she always had returned. "Now, I have the perfect yukata for you. We have to pack a picnic and view the cherry blossoms today!"

*

The three sat under the pink trees in full bloom, eating their sandwiches. A cool breeze made it's way through the trees, making the branches lightly sway with wind. Kaito came to greet Himeko.

"I'm going to for a walk," Kazuki said in response to Kaito being here. "It's the best way to see hanami before it's all gone." He got up and started to walk off.

"You should go with him," Himeko said.

Lia pointed to herself.

"She's right," Kaito added. "Normally he would stay and enjoy some Sake with me under the sakura trees."

"Kaito," Lia exclaimed. "You shouldn't be drinking in the middle of the day."

"Lighten up Lia," he responded. "This is a tradition even Kazuki himself participates in. Besides, nothing beats drinking sake under the trees in full bloom." He poured Himeko some sake.

"He's right." Himeko took a sip of her sake. "Nothing beats this."

"Then, I'll be off." Lia ran off and caught up to Kazuki. She ran out of breath when she reached him. He turned around and gave her a gentle smile. "I want to enjoy the trees in full bloom with you."

"Sure."

Lia followed behind Kazuki. He had a royal purple yukata in which Lia was admiring him in with his long loss black hair that moved with the wind. She didn't get to see him very often without looking like a warrior all the time. She enjoyed seeing him like this.

"Even though you've been here for four years now," Kazuki began. "This is the first time we've been able to view the cherry blossoms together."

Lia smiled. "It really is. After you put me in school, all I focused on was getting stronger so I could get really good grades. I missed out on a lot of time here haven't I?"

"I can't say it was time wasted though. I wanted you to become strong enough so you could defend yourself if a space monster were to attack you where me or Himeko weren't there to protect you."

"Yeah. That's something I can actually do now."

"Ah," Kazuki pointed to an ice cream stand. "You haven't tried sakura flavour ice cream yet, have you?"

"No, but it's something I've always wanted to try."

"Come then."

Kazuki went over and bought an ice cream cone for Lia. They sat down by the river and Lia tried a bit of her ice cream.

"Whoa! It's so good. I can't believe you didn't get one."

"It's very good. I get one every year. But..." Kazuki leaned in closer to Lia, there eyes met and he took a bite out of her ice cream. "I'm not ready to break that tradition yet so it's something we'll just have to share this time."

Lia's cheeks began to turn a rosy colour. It was the first time she's seen Kazuki's face up that close.

"It's very good." Kazuki placed his hand on Lia's cheek. "Your cheeks are red."

Lia quickly turned away in embarrassment. "Kazuki, what are you doing?"

"Is everything alright?"

Great now he's teasing me. But did Kazuki really just take a bite out of my ice cream and his face. It was so close to mine.

"Of course, I was just not expecting that. It's just..." Lia looked down and blushed a little bit. "You have very beautiful eyes. I've never met anyone who's had such beautiful eyes."

"Oh." Kazuki replied and smiled in which Lia reacted by eating the ice cream as fast as she could to avoid confrontation after she said that. "Wait slow down! Save some for...me." Before he knew it, Lia finished the ice cream cone.

"You know," Lia began. "I found out I got rejected from the District one warriors." Lia got up and stared at the flowing river. "But that's okay. I'm going to do my best from now on and get stronger until I can become a true warrior. That way I won't be a burden to you of Himeko anymore. So I'm going to train hard with her."

Kazuki got up and went over to her.

"Become a warrior is what you really want and you're not just worried about being a hindrance to us?"

"Yes. I want to become strong so I could protect those who are close to me too. I never want to be a burden again."

Kazuki pulled her close to him and embraced her.

"You were never a burden to me. Not when you were sick and not now. Know that I want to protect you."

Lia tightened her grip on Kazuki.

"Why would you want to protect me?"

"Because I really like you Lia." Lia's eyes widen and her heart's pace sped up with joy. "But if becoming a warrior is what you really want, then I'll support you. There will be a lot of hardships for you but I want you to know I'll be there for you. You won't have to suffer them alone."

Lia lifted her head up to meet his eyes and then buried her head back into his chest.

"Kazuki, thank you."

They returned back to where the group was and drank sake until night fall in which, Lia's body did not take very well. Kazuki carried Lia back to the Komatsuzaki manor. He gave her water to sip on until the effects of the sake calmed down. He carried her to bed and left her room as soon as she fell asleep.