Nanako didn't start packing until it was nearly time to leave. Maybe she could stall for a bit. Yeah, that didn't work. Her grandfather would take her to hell with nothing at all packed if he had to. This whole idea was still so overwhelming, that she still thought that it could be some elaborate prank. But there was no logic in that.

With her bags packed, she made her way down the stairs and into the main entrance, where only Octavia waited. Charles was nowhere in sight. "Is grandfather going to be coming with us...?" Nanako asked, though she knew the answer.

"Charles has gone to play golf. He will not be seeing you off," Octavia said.

"Ah, wait a moment!" A voice called down the hall, followed by running footsteps. Nanako's gaze instantly went to Ryu, the boy that had a crush on her for their entire childhood, but gave up when he finally realized that her father would not allow her to have a romantic relationship at that age, let alone with a servant.

"Ryu!" Nanako exclaimed as he halted next to her, putting his hands on his knees and panting.

"I ran all the way from the left wing," He said, out of breath as he offered her a smile.

Octavia rolled her eyes. Why was she even paying him again? "Crenshaw will now escort you to the car," She said, sighing softly.

Nanako nodded nervously, looking at Ryu, who gave her a cheeky smile whilst blowing a strand of orange hair out of his eyes. "Shall we?"

Nanako nodded again, and accepted the arm that he'd offered to her. "Yeah... let's go."

-

Sitting in the car was nerve-racking. Octavia had only been there to see her off, not to actually come with her. Nobody was supposed to come with her. But, Ryu had begged to be there when she was sent off, risking his job and pay for her, which she appreciated greatly.

It was extremely tense in the car, Nanako glaring intensely out the window and Ryu saying stupid things to attempt to comfort her (which didn't work). "Umm... I'm sure you'll have fun!" He assured.

"Fun? I'm being banished to Hell, Ryu... Hell is where people go to get punished, not taught!" Nanako exclaimed in exasperation, her lip trembling as she felt tears poke the back of her eyeballs.

Ryu slumped down glumly. "Yeah... you're right," He mumbled.

Nanako sniffled, trying to blink her tears away. "Thanks for trying, though," She said, clearing her throat. A lady shouldn't let people see her cry. Yeah, whatever. She deserved to cry right now. She flinched as Ryu grabbed her hand. Glancing back up at him, he wasn't even looking at her, but rather out the window. Her face flushed, but she didn't take her hand away.

After a bit of silence, Ryu finally spoke. "I still like you," He said, not looking at her still.

Nanako's eyes went wide. "Wha--"

"You don't have to say anything," He said. "I told you when we were ten that I was gonna marry you. And you laughed. And I thought, 'Wow, I made her laugh'. But I guess you were laughing because it was stupid and that would never happen, rather than a giggle of excited bliss. But that's fine. This is the last time I'll see you, Nanako," He said, finally looking at her. "So I'd better come out with it." He pressed down a nervous gulp, staring at her intently. "I love you."

Nanako drew her hand away finally, her little trance broken. "You what? I-I..."

"It's fine. You don't have to say it back or anything. I just thought that I should tell you before you go. I'm going to America in three months. Heh, what an adventure, right?"

"You are...? Ryu, why didn't you tell me?" Nanako asked with a slight frown.

"You were just so caught up with your dad, I didn't wanna make you anymore upset," He said. "So, I have a question to ask you," He said.

She nodded, urging him to ask it. "What is it...?"

"Ah... screw it," He murmured, letting out a breath before pressing his lips to hers. She jolted back quickly, gasping sharply.

"W-Woah, I-"

"Ah... sorry," He apologized, looking a bit embarrassed. "Guess I actually should have asked fir-"

"I-It's okay... I liked it," Nanako said timidly. He paused, staring at her for a moment, before going back in for another kiss, which lasted much longer than the last.

-

The vehicle came to a halt, startling Nanako. She looked over at Ryu, whose head was leaning against the window, eyes closed. She nudged him gently. "We're here," She announced quietly. He jolted upright, looking a bit panicked.

"But I only dozed off for a moment..." He whined.

Nanako looked down. She didn't want to go, and the thought of leaving Ryu and never seeing him again haunted her. She felt a tear roll down her cheek, and was quick to wipe it away. She felt helpless. When she looked back up, Ryu had scooted closer, one hand on her cheek. "It'll be fine," He assured with a tired smile, giving her a kiss on her cheek.

She nodded, sniffled, and let out a soft breath. “Alright… thanks.”

“Now, why don’t we get our asses through the gates of hell?” Ryu said with a quirky grin, making Nanako force a nervous laugh. The door opened, and Nanako stepped out into the harsh sunlight, blinking to let her eyes adjust.

She looked around. They were in the desert. When had they gotten to the desert? The city that she lived in wasn’t even close to any desert. She swallowed hard as the driver of the limousine put her suitcase and bags next to her. She murmured a small thank you with a weak bow, and then looked to Ryu, who gave her a reassuring grin and a thumbs up.

She turned, and then took sight of the tall, black door that was left of the limousine. She glanced back at the two, gave a small wave, and then opened the door. “Goodbye, Ryu,” She said solemnly, before taking a step into the door.