Besides the confused Masachika, Maria touched Masachika’s right shoulder and gently stroked it... No, what Maria stroked was not the shoulder, but an old scar that’s there. “The marks Saa-kun protected me with.... How could I still think you were someone else with something like that, right?” “Ahh, I see, that’s right.” “Fufufu, I told you, stop talking politely.” “Ah, no, yes...” Even so, to Masachika, the girl in front of him was Masha-san, not Maa-chan. How could he easily change his perspective, and hasn’t it been too long that he couldn’t relax with her like before? “Umm, even so, this is still a big coincidence, isn’t it? It feels too much of a coincidence that we meet here again of all places...” “It’s not a coincidence.” “Ehh────?” Maria said so seriously as her face showed such seriousness in front of Masachika who tried to change the topic because he didn’t know what to say. “I had thought of giving up if I couldn’t see you during this vacation. That’s why...this is fate.” “F-fate... No, in my opinion, this sounds like a drama, but it’s not too excessive...” Although Masachika tried to argue with a wry smile, Maria’s attitude did not change at all. Masachika’s voice naturally faded when he saw her serious eyes. Then, he secretly asked again with a serious face. “What do you mean by...fate?” It would have been a tactless and far-fetched question. But Maria immediately answered without hesitation. “...I said it during the training camp, didn’t I? I’m talking about fate, that’s what I mean, you know?” [1]