Summary: In which we finally get some peace after all of that suffering.

ENTR'ACTE. Toward a New Tomorrow - Epilogue

The seasons change, time passes; the world waits for no one.

Before the girls know it, they begin a new year at Luna Nova Magical Academy. New students from far and wide enroll at the school. The previous year already ushered in a new wave of students at a rate foreign to Luna Nova for many decades. But this new year brings in so many new witches that Luna Nova actually has to turn down students because they cannot afford to accept so many with their limited resources. Even hiring more staff does little against this new influx of students.

Despite these many changes, all of this does little to take Akko's mind off of what happened all those months ago.

"I think I can get it now! Thanks for all the help, Akko-senpai!" a freshman says, waving Akko goodbye.

Akko grins. "No problem, Yuzu!"

"I never would have thought Akko would help other witches with magic," Sucy says. "Either these new witches must be an even greater dunce than Akko, or the world is ending again."

"Well, Akko is considered an expert at metamorphosis magic. Even Professor Ursula said so, remember?" Lotte rebukes.

"Doesn't mean it's not weird."

"I can hear you guys, you know?" Akko pouts.

"But you really have come so far since you first started!" Lotte says. "We're both so proud of you. Even if Sucy doesn't sound like it."

"I guess it's amazing for someone like Akko," Sucy admits.

Akko's stomach growls. "Mannn, I'm hungry. I hope they have some good food today."

Lotte hums. "The new selection in the dining hall is nice. Luna Nova has changed a lot of things since all these new students enrolled. It's getting so crowded in the halls too!"

"I'm just happy we don't have three types of potatoes for every meal anymore." Akko shudders. "I don't know if I can go back to that kind of diet. Come to think of it, wasn't that technically child abuse for the school to feed their students a menu of foods with so little variety?"

Lotte and Sucy choose not comment on Akko's priorities.

Today's selection does have a type of potato, but at least its mashed and a side to roasted chicken and a wide variety of vegetables. The red team grab their food in the dining hall and pick a free table that they spend a good five minutes looking for in the crowded hall.

Akko's stomach rumbles. But all Akko does is look at her food and sigh with her utensils by her side. Instead of eating, Akko plays with the dual gold and silver rings held by a silver necklace tied around her neck.

Lotte and Sucy turn to each other.

A hand claps down on Akko's shoulder. "Yo! Heard you were helping out some freshman again, Akko."

"Hi Amanda, Jasminka, Constanze," Lotte says, greeting the green team. "Yuzu seems to like Akko a lot. I think she goes to Akko first before anyone else, even the professors!"

"Maybe it's because Akko is the best choice since Diana isn't here," Sucy says.

"Sucy!" Lotte throws panicked glances between her two teammates. Just as she expects, Akko's expression deflates even more. It almost looks like Akko wants to melt into her seat while fighting the need to cry.

She settles with dropping her forehead straight down. Thankfully, Amanda notices in time and pushes Akko's plate of food out of the way before Akko can get a face-full of potatoes.

"Geez, Akko. I know the food here isn't that great sometimes, but don't waste it before you even taste it," Amanda says as she takes a seat in their table and puts down her own plate of food.

Jasminka and Constanze do the same and take the seats between Amanda and Lotte and Sucy. Jasminka goes right into eating while Constanze has Stanbot peel her chicken meat.

"Akko's spirits are always down during this time of the month," Lotte says. She looks down and pokes her food. Lotte can't find it within herself to eat when Akko is so obviously upset.

Not that it stops Sucy. "It's the same every month though, isn't it?"

"But wouldn't you be lonely without the person you like?"

Sucy stops her fork in her chicken. "I guess you're right."

Akko's stomach rumbles.

Amanda claps Akko on the back. "Come on, Akko. At least eat your food. Starving yourself is just going to make sulking a pain."

"I'm not sulking," Akko grumbles.

Amanda raises an eyebrow. "You almost smashed your face into mashed potatoes. Since they're not good enough to plant your face into, you're definitely sulking."

Akko lifts her head and crosses her arms over her chest with a pout. "I'm not sulking."

"It's okay to be sad, Akko," Lotte tries to soothe.

"I'm not… sad. I'm…" Akko racks her brain for the right term. "I'm… I'm mad! Yeah! I'm mad! I'm mad at her!"

"Uhhh…"

Absolutely no one looks convinced. But Akko continues anyway.

"Stupid Diana, leaving everyone behind and doing her own thing. I could've helped but nope. She's gotta be all nice and leave me for my own benefit. Or whatever she said." Akko scoffs. "You know, for a prodigy or whatever, she doesn't think a lot of things through. Psh, I bet there were a bunch of better ways that she could've picked but she decided to go without me. Stupid, stupid girlfriend. So stupid. Stupid Diana!"

"And may I ask who you are calling 'stupid?'"

Lotte, Amanda, Jasminka, Constanze, and even Sucy nearly shoot out of their seats. Akko whirls around with a large smile in place of the pessimistic frown from before.

"Diana!" Akko jumps out of her chair and throws her arms over her girlfriend. "You're back early!"

Diana sighs but reciprocates the hug. "Lady Sophia and Sakura finished their examination as quick as possible. I did not want to linger away from Luna Nova any longer than necessary." She releases the hug and places her hands on her hips. "Now, what have I done to warrant your ire this time?"

"Uhhh…"

Diana shakes her head. "I was only gone for two days, Akko."

Akko pouts. "Yeah! But usually you do your physical therapy here. You can't blame me for worrying."

"Lady Sophia had unexpected duties to attend to and could not come to Luna Nova. I agreed to travel to her manor to ease her burden and fit our meeting within her tight schedule. Because of your remedial lessons, I had Hannah and Barbara accompany me in your place." Diana crosses her arms over her chest. "I do not believe my careful planning warrants such a reaction from you. In what way are my decisions 'stupid?'"

"Okay, maybe that was a little much-"

"Akko! Throwing baseless lies around again!" Hannah shouts. She comes up behind Diana with Barbara by her side.

"Diana did think of the best choice." Barbara points a finger at Akko. "You're the one who started to fall behind and couldn't go this time because you had remedial classes. Don't blame Diana for your own inconvenience!"

Akko looks away and scratches her cheek. "Well…"

Hannah huffs. "Geez. And we even told you to leave Diana to us. We're her roommates, you know? Just because we're not her girlfriend doesn't mean we don't know how to take care of her."

Diana pinches the bridge of her nose. "I do not understand why it is necessary for you three to worry so much in the first place."

"Do we have to remind you about everything that happened in the past year?" Barbara asks with her own hands on her hips.

Diana flinches. "I… no, you do not."

Professor Finneran notices Diana by Akko's table. "Ah, Diana. Welcome back. Do you have a minute?" the older woman asks, walking up to her student.

"Good afternoon, Professor Finneran," Diana greets. "What did you need?"

The two step further away to speak without the sounds of the dining hall drowning out their conversation. When Diana is gone and out of earshot, Hannah and Barbara take their chance.

"Let's get food, Hannah. I'm starving," Barbara says.

Hannah nods. "Sounds good. We still have to prepare for our sleepover later."

Barbara increases her volume. "We're going to be spending the night at Avery's room, right?"

Hannah does the same to match Barbara. "Yeah. So Diana is going to be all alone in her room tonight."

"Yep. All alone."

Akko doesn't know why Hannah and Barbara are talking so loud to themselves. She definitely doesn't know why they have to suddenly mention Diana if they're just having a sleepover.

"She doesn't say it, but Diana gets lonely too, right?" Hannah continues in her loud voice.

"If only there was someone who could keep her company."

"Spend the night with Diana."

"Even if she has to break curfew."

"Someone who's already in a relationship with Diana anyway."

"Then she doesn't have to keep sulking anymore."

"And maybe get some tutoring lessons in."

"Probably not."

"You're right. Probably not."

A lightbulb goes off in Akko's head.

Hannah nods. "Alright, let's go get food."

"Then we can go back for our sleepover, right?"

"And leave Diana all alone."

"For the night."

"Alone."

With that, the two girls from the blue team head toward the workers to get their own plate of food without a glance back.

"I guess I'm going somewhere tonight," Akko tells Lotte and Sucy.

Amanda rolls her eyes. "Those two really should just come out and say what they want to instead of beating around the bush."

"It's not possible for those two. They're classic tsunderes," Sucy says.

Constanze holds up a sign that says, "More like classic idiots."

"They're just trying to be nice," Jasminka says with a kind smile.

Lotte chuckles nervously. "At least they're trying though."

After a long day of classes, Ursula cherishes the time she has to chat with Croix for a short while. Talking with her old friend always helps relieve the stress from a long day. Whether it is just to talk about their day or tease each other over past memories, anything works as long as they have each other to rely on. That is true for both Ursula and Croix.

"The bags under your eyes don't look as severe today," Ursula teases.

Croix laughs. "That's because I'm actually getting sleep now."

"How's everything at the Ministry today?"

Croix shrugs. "Same as usual. There's less pressure on the staff now that everything has calmed down, so at least we can all do our own jobs without suspicion breathing down our necks. It's not completely smooth sailing with the new minister. She's doing her best to get used to things. There's still a lot to do even after six months. It makes you realize how much the previous minister must have had on her plate for her to run everything so well and have her secret plan behind the scenes."

"Has it really been that long?"

Croix chuckles. "It really has. Six months since the previous minister tried to end the world."

Six months since the incident in the Arcturus Forest.

Arshad's involvement was near impossible to refute, and so he was sentenced to serve in prison for thirty years for his role as an accomplice. The punishment was changed to a lifetime sentence after testimonies claiming he also endangered the life of Diana Cavendish.

Not that Arshad did much to dispute these claims. He practically pleaded guilty. He knew the odds were against him with so many witnesses. Not to mention Rakshtha made it clear she wanted no association with him.

News of the Minister and General's involvement in the dangerous ritual spread like wildfire. It planted a seed of distrust in the government for months. Every official in the Ministry and army was questioned to no ends to find if there were any other accomplices. It was only recently that the questionings started to die down as everyone realized there was no one else involved in Aileen's plan.

They even went so far as to question the House of Chavla and the House of Pavlova because Egor and Arshad were involved. Though, no one dared to question past Rakshtha and Sophia after the unwelcoming reception the investigators received when they went to interrogate the two women.

It truly has been a long six months to restabilize the two institutions.

"And how are you doing, Professor?" Croix teases.

Ursula sighs. "As well as I can. The new influx of students hasn't really done well for my time management. Did you know most of the new students became interested in magic after the missile incident?"

Croix blinks. "But that happened more than a year ago."

"Exactly! Some of the girls needed another year to study and prepare for the entrance exam into Luna Nova, which is why it took them so long to be admitted." Ursula slumps in her seat. "I didn't expect Akko to get so much attention so soon. Students are even asking her for help! I couldn't believe it the first time I saw! I thought I was seeing things!"

"At this rate, she's going to be even more popular than Shiny Chariot was before."

"That's probably a good thing though."

Croix smiles. "I'm glad Akko is adjusting well. She must like the extra attention."

"There's this particular freshman who has taken a liking to her. Sometimes I wonder if she spends more time with Akko than Diana or Lotte and Sucy do!"

"And how is our Cavendish heiress anyway?"

"She just returned from her monthly physical with Lady Sophia and Sakura. It seems everything is normal and there's nothing to worry about."

Croix sighs with relief. "That's good. It must have been a long six months for both Diana and Akko. I'm glad things are going well for them."

Ursula looks down and nurses her cup of warm tea. "Yes, it certainly was a long time for them both. Akko stayed by Diana's side the entire time. All three months for Diana's soul to reshape and meld with the homunculus container, then another three months for her to adjust to life and the new body." Ursula chuckles. "Akko refused to go home for summer vacation to stay by Diana's side. She was even there when the Ministry tried to question Diana about the methods of her revival."

"Is the Ministry still on about that? They were supposed to have put that aside for other matters. They even chose to leave the Pavlova and Fei heads alone. Though not by much."

"No, they're not bothering Diana anymore." Ursula sighs. "I can't imagine how much questioning Lady Sophia and Sakura had to go through, especially Sakura. The poor girl has to deal with her father's passing, taking over his role as head, and an unprecedented resurrection magic. She isn't even older than ten!"

Croix shakes her head. "I know I'm considered a genius, but making a girl her age write a thesis on soul thaumaturgy and its possible applications to cheating death is overdoing it. At least they gave her ten years to write it. In other words, 'we'll leave you alone for now but don't do anything like that again until we fix our own issues.' Could've been worse."

"Only because Lady Sophia advocated for more leniency."

"What exactly are her connections to the Ministry?"

"I have no idea. But thanks to this compromise, everyone believes Diana didn't actually die in the Arcturus Forest. 'Temporarily missing in action and recuperating for six months' is definitely better than 'died and came back to life with a 1% chance of success.' Especially to the public. It's amazing how willing the public is to believe this new story despite the Ministry's apparent involvement in all of this."

"Even if the previous Minister and Arshad were the main culprits, they didn't involve anyone from the Ministry in their plans. Only those four carried out every part of their plan. Even the previous General didn't involve too much of the army. And the soldiers he brought had no idea exactly what they were doing, just that they were supposed to guard an area of the Arcturus Forest as the Minister examines it. An ignorant government body isn't much better, but at least there's some hope left." Croix smirks. "The best part about all of this is that everyone else has a better opinion of me after all I did. Now they aren't watching me as much anymore."

Ursula smiles. "Well good for you."

"They've got a lot on their plate. Reestablishing their strength, keeping the whole resurrection thing in check. I still can't believe it worked."

"There are minor side effects…"

"That are constantly monitored. Then a report is written and sent to the Ministry for them to overview."

Ursula frowns. "I still don't like how Diana is being treated as a test subject for the Ministry to monitor. And Diana doesn't even know this, let alone Akko and the others."

"Think of it this way. The Ministry monopolizes the procedure and keep their eyes on Diana, Sakura, and Lady Sophia. They keep their involvement to a minimum and want to know how safe the procedure was in the first place by monitoring the extent of the side effects. At the same time, they keep up the lie about Diana's death and make sure no one else tries to learn how to bring people back from the dead. It's a decent compromise."

Ursula chuckles. "They should keep their distance. I'm not sure I can hold Akko back the next time she sees another government official come interogerate us. Did you know she actually pushed two out of the infirmary while Diana was recovering? It was one of the few times she got out of her seat besides for her own needs."

"Yes, you've told me." Croix leans back in her seat. "That girl really does love her. Hopefully they're getting the rest they deserve after going through so much."

"Yes. They should be spending the night together. Hannah and Barbara specifically asked me to grant them and Akko permission to be out of their rooms after curfew tonight." Ursula shakes her head fondly. "Those two act like they don't like Akko, but they are surprisingly kind to her."

"It's kind of hard to hate your roommate's girlfriend," Croix points out.

"I think there was a sense of respect toward Akko even before, though. As unwilling as it was."

"But it sounds like everything is going alright over on your side as well."

Ursula smiles. Croix can see the fatigue in her even through the blurry reception of the crystal. Despite the many responsibilities, Ursula is thankful for the rewards that came out of these long and tiresome months.

"Yes. Everything is finally right."

After bidding Hannah and Barbara good night and to have fun at their sleepover, Diana takes a shower and changes into her nightgown and bathrobe for the night. She uses the rest of the night to go over material that will be covered later in the curriculum in case she needs to miss lectures for any reason. As ahead as she already is, it's better to be prepared in case of any unforeseen circumstances.

This past year has taught Diana that anything can happen to disrupt her normal life.

The dim light from her desk lamp is the only company she has that night. As much as she tries to immerse herself in her studies, Diana finds her mind straying away from her academic text.

(Perhaps I should have invited Akko over for the night.)

But Diana counters that thought in an instant. As much as Akko is her girlfriend, Diana knows she is also a friend and roommate. Not to mention Akko needs to focus on her studies enough to afford to spend time on other priorities. Diana cannot deny that they get less than optimal done when together.

Cuddling has its… advantages.

Diana decides to take a break from her studies to read the letter her owl retrieved today. She breaks open the seal of the House of Reinhardt. She takes a sip of her medicinal tea as she reads through the contents of the letter.

Diana,

Everything is surprisingly well with the House of Reinhardt. With Mother by my side, I was able to convince the other members of our family to pass the title of head to me despite lacking the traditional formal succession ceremony. Not that any of them could argue much; the traditional succession ritual is impossible if the previous head - all of them - is deceased.

It helped that we found Grandfather's will that detailed specific instructions to pass the position to me after his death. There was no arguing from the elders after that. It makes me wonder if Grandfather held more respect for me than I initially thought.

I am glad that your physical therapy is progressing well. I would hate to lose the best connection between the House of Reinhardt and the House of Cavendish. Well, that Sophia Pavlova seems to know what she's doing so I suppose there is no need to worry. Even if she does scare the crap out of me. Not that I can avoid her much since she is the provider for my prosthetic arm.

Speaking of which, my arm is fine (thank you for asking). It does not require the same level of physical therapy as your entire body does. Though I do break it often enough that I visit the Pavlova head more than I should. Mother always bemoans my recklessness. I suppose that is something that runs in our family.

If you are truly upset that you missed my succession ceremony, the best thing you can do is come visit us once in awhile. Katherine does not shut up about you. I swear, that girl probably wants you as a sister more than me as her brother.

Diana chuckles. Yes, she will try to schedule some time to visit the Reinhardt Estate at some point.

A faint knock at the door pulls Diana from the letter. She pushes back her chair and stands up with a frown.

(Who could it be at such an hour? Did Hannah and Barbara forget something? Though, they would not linger and wait for permission to enter.)

Diana opens the door and is pleasantly surprised to find Akko on the other side with her hand raised to knock again.

"Akko? Why are you out so late?"

Akko huffs, shifting the duffle bag on her shoulder to alleviate its weight. "I can't visit my girlfriend for the night? Besides, I heard Hannah and Barbara aren't here tonight. I'm not wasting this perfect opportunity if it means I get more cuddles!"

Diana raises an eyebrow. "I suppose Hannah and Barbara told you of their plans. Yet they did not inform me that you were coming over."

"Well, it was kind of last minute. And they didn't say it directly. You know, they're more wishy-washy than you are. You guys should just come outright to say what you want instead of beating around the bush all the time."

"I have no idea what you are implying." Diana steps to the side. "In any case, come inside before the sentry catches you out after curfew."

"Thanks for having me!" Akko enters the room and glances at Diana's sleeping garments. "Lemme change into my pjs since you're already changed. Don't want to get your expensive bathrobe all dirty."

Diana frowns. "My bathrobe is not expensive. But thank you for your consideration."

Akko makes her way into the small enclosure of Diana's side of the room. "I already showered, but I didn't want to walk around in my pjs, you know? And it's not like I haven't changed in the same room as you before. Even if the first time you almost passed out."

Diana can practically hear the wiggle of Akko's eyebrows. Akko truly does love to bring up that accursed incident at the expense of Diana's pride.

"I- You caught me by surprise. How was I to know that you would take your clothes off out of the blue?" Diana defends, crossing her arms as she stands by her large window overlooking the dark night sky.

The full moon is rather beautiful tonight.

Akko changes out of her school uniform and throws on a loose-fitting white T-shirt and her red boxer shorts. She puts the Luna Nova uniform back into her duffle and comes out of Diana's enclosure to the couch and put down her stuff.

Akko drops her duffle with a huff. "I forgot, okay? I'm so used to changing in front of Lotte and Sucy that they practically know all of the scars I got as a kid. Wait, I showed them to you too. Why were you so surprised anyway?"

The lack of response pulls Akko from the couch and to Diana staring out the window.

"Diana?"

A low hum resounds in the quiet room. The small sound draws Akko's attention to the necklace around Diana's neck.

Diana blinks out of her stupor and shakes her head. "I apologize. It seems I was lost in my thoughts."

"You're still getting those weird spacing-out moments?"

"Yes, though they are easy to recover from thanks to this."

Diana lifts the necklace around her neck by the chain. Attached to the gold necklace is a small card encased in a clear protective color. Although most of the words are so small that they are illegible, the main phrase is still visible on the card. The words 'A believing heart is your magic' can be clearly seen beneath the artwork of a girl with billowing red hair and the background of various magical creatures.

Akko steps up and examines the necklace. "It's working like it should?"

Diana nods. "Miss Croix did a fine job designing and creating this mechanism. And I must thank Constanze for always maintaining it for me. Heaven knows I have no idea how to fix it on my own."

Because Diana's soul is technically not whole, she experiences brief moments of inattention characterized by spacing out and losing awareness of the environment. It first occurred when she started to transfer parts of her soul into her first necklace. This stopped after her soul and Arthur's fully merged and Arthur's soul 'filled in the gaps' in a sense. But Diana's soul now is the portion that she removed prior to the synthesis. The energy from the philosopher's stone does its job to keep her alive and lessen the side effects of having an incomplete soul. However, it does not fix all of its problems.

Croix and Ursula were the first to realize that Aileen Bradley had the same problem as Diana. That was why they could always hear a low vibration accompanied with her brief moment of inattentiveness. Once they figured this out, Croix requested Aileen's necklace so she can create the blueprints for a similar item for Diana. All she needed was a talisman to implement the design on.

But Diana refused to take back her own necklace.

"As I stated in my letter, the necklace is yours," Diana says to Akko.

Akko keeps shaking her head and trying to shove the necklace back. "Wasn't that just so we could bring you back? I'd keep it if you really left me. But now that you're here, there's no reason for me to keep it!"

Diana smiles. She encloses her hands around Akko's and gently pushes her hands back to Akko's chest. "Consider it my gift to you. I would like you to have it. As your girlfriend."

"G-!" Akko's face flushes deep crimson. "But this is the last thing your dad gave you! How else are you supposed to remember him?!"

Diana raises an eyebrow. "My soul quite literally merged with his. I do not think I need anything else to remember him by."

"But what about your family's spell? I thought you needed this to make you glow and kick butt!"

"Magna Aestus? It is true that we require a focal point to enact the spell. However, that can be replaced as long as we have another centerpiece to use. It is also more effective if the user creates their own rather than have another make it. After all, it needs to have a history and bond with the user for a stronger spell."

Akko's resistance lessens. "So… I can really have this? You really mean it?"

"I am sure."

Nevertheless, Akko couldn't take the necklace without giving something back. Therefore, she spoke with Daniel and Alicia about how to choose and make a talisman that a member of the House of Reinhardt can use for Magna Aestus. They could not tell her what to use as the necklace since they have no knowledge about what can be significant to Diana. But the necklace does not have to be handmade. As long as it is something meaningful to the user, that is all that matters.

Akko remembers a cold, winter night. A day where Akko was at her lowest. A day where Diana found Akko in the snow and helped bring back her faith in magic and her idol.

It was also the day Akko learned that she shares an unexpected similarity with someone she once thought she was polar opposites to. There was another who was also so touched by Shiny Chariot's magic that it helped motivate her during her lowest moments.

Diana admires the small pendant. "Professor Ursula and Miss Croix certainly made a fine necklace. Their craftsmanship is beautiful."

"I mean, it's just the Chariot Premium Card you gave me. Except Professor Ursula shrunk it down and put in a case and attached to a necklace. It's Professor Croix who tweaked it so that it vibrates whenever your heart rate goes weird."

"Nevertheless, it is a beautiful gift. Thank you."

Akko scratches her cheek. "It had to be something important if you're giving me something as nice as your old necklace. What better than the card that was originally yours anyway? Besides, I can't always have you giving me things."

"Ah, now that I remember. There is something that I still need to reciprocate."

Akko tilts her head. "Huh? That you need to? But you've already done so much."

Diana shakes her head with a fond smile and steps forward, taking Akko's hands in hers. "It is regarding a certain declaration you made many months ago."

Akko still doesn't get it. "A declaration? What'd I say?"

Diana takes a deep breath. "I apologize for nearly leaving you without giving you my answer. These last few months did not give me the opportunity to tell you as well. Leaving this matter untouched for much longer will be unfair to you."

As Diana continues to speak, a light dust of pink begins to grow on her cheeks. At the same time, Akko starts to piece together what Diana means to say.

"I love you, most ardently. I could go on about the reasons for reaching this conclusion, but that is probably not necessary." Diana closes her eyes and smiles. "I love you, Atsuko Kagari. More than I thought possible."

It isn't Diana's declaration that leaves Akko speechless. Well, not entirely. It is the pure, unfiltered smile that Diana allows only Akko to see. A smile of happiness bereft of the pain and suffering that characterized her life for the past year. No, there is no trace of the strains that marked her entire life beginning in her childhood. It is the smile of the genuine, unadulterated joy of a young girl who has come to the most important discovery of her life.

And Akko can't stop staring at how happy Diana looks.

As the silence drags on, Diana opens her eyes and her smile starts to drop into a small frown. "Akko? Was that too much?"

"Uh… I think I need a few minutes. My brain- uh, not really working."

Diana giggles with a small shake of her head. She leans forward and dips her head down, locking her lips with Akko's for a quick kiss. It is a simple supplement to her declaration that she hopes will bring her point across through the haze in Akko's head.

Oh, it definitely cuts through Akko's stupor.

"NA-?!" Akko's face flares so red that the shade rivals Ursula's hair. "Di- Eep?!"

Diana chuckles. "I should think my girlfriend knows my name by now."

Akko squeaks and throws her arms around Diana's neck, nearly throwing them both onto the ground. Thankfully, Diana plants her feet firmly on the floor and catches her ecstatic girlfriend by keeping her own arms around Akko's waist.

"I take it you accept?"

"You're crazy if you think I won't accept! This is definitely worth waiting seven months for!"

"Has it really been that long?"

"Wayyy too long."

A small gleam at the corner of Akko's eyes draws Diana's attention to her girlfriend's face.

"Akko? Why are you crying?"

Akko laughs and wipes the tears away from her eyes. She reaches up and cups the sides of Diana's face so full of pure, childlike happiness.

"I'm just really happy. I'm so happy, you have no idea." Akko sniffs. "Your body isn't steel, you're not dying, you're not part-dad or whatever. You're here. You're happy. You're here with me and I'm so happy I can cry."

"You are crying."

Akko giggles past the tears and drops her hands down to Diana's neck. "Hey, at least I'm not bawling yet."

"I would hope this is a moment for joy, not sadness."

"They're happy tears."

Diana looks down. Blue and red lock together. They are whole and content in each other's arms.

Akko grins so wide her face starts to hurt. "… So… can I kiss you again?"

Diana's laugh chimes wonderfully in Akko's ears.

"And why would I say no?"

Akko squeals and throws her arms around Diana's neck.

They are definitely not getting any studying done that night.

"I really, really love you, Diana."

Diana reciprocrates Akko's smile with her own. "I love you as well, Akko."

The road to happiness is long and arduous. But by supporting each other, they can overcome anything to reach their dreams. No matter how painful, no matter who suffers. They can do anything.

Together.

Author's Notes:

After Akko first says it like… what 55k words ago? Anyway, after so long Diana finally responds back. Jfc Diana. She just had to die first. What a drama queen.

Maybe I should've clarified that there's no permanent canon character death. But then that would've given something away… Sorry =/

And another fic has concluded. I haven't finished a multi-chapter fic over 100k words in seven years. Actually, there was only one before this but I never posted it. So this is one of a kind. Can anyone believe that? I'm actually really proud of myself LOL.

I really want to write the sequel, I really do. But I don't have the free time to write an entire story; at least not as fast as I've been doing. I've started on it but won't be able to dedicate my time to it =/ Maybe once I figure out whether I'm going to graduate school or working and getting my life stabilized I'll come back to the sequel idea.

That doesn't mean updates from me will stop after this chapter. I have about three more things to post for LWA before it's much slower updates. So please look forward to it.

Thank you for reading!

Special thanks to everyone who sent me a review or comment. Short or long, often or not, you guys kept me going whenever I wanted to cry and stop. So kudos to all of you on Fanfiction, AO3, and Tumblr. I send you all a virtual cookie =D Unless you have food allergies. Uhhh but I don't hug…

I just… thank you guys. Seriously.

Anyway, thanks for reading, everyone! Stay tuned for more! (Whatever I'll have, whenever I'll have it LOL)

Fun Fact:

The final scene with Diana and Akko is inspired by Milk Puppy's "Good Night" art, the one where both of them are in their sleepwear and Diana's holding a cup of tea while they're both smiling like idiots. I really do love Milk Puppy's art.