Kakucho's POV
His blood ran cold with Mikey's confession, everything suddenly making sense. He knew she wasn't like that, everyone did, but he also knew that as much as she loved, she could hurt just as much. She loves with all of her heart in ways that makes hearts filled with pain flock to hers like moths to a flame, although he is sure she doesn't know that herself.
Watching how she interacted with those around her was a sight to see for sure. She opened up her heart, letting it be open to giving love as well as receiving pain. He thought of the Haitani brothers, both known for being vicious in fights, but both softened in their own way when around her.
Ran enjoyed teasing her, somehow finding it both fun and endearing for her to tell a dangerous delinquent to shut up without holding back but also without being hurtful.
Rindou wasn't fooling anyone when his brother brought her up and he looked away at nothing. When asked by Shion what his deal was, he told him 'Thinking of idiots is a waste of time', all while trying to hide the blush on his face.
Seeing her before, she was always open. Bright as the sun. She is very much like Takemitchy, but somehow like Mikey as well. All three shoulder heavy burdens, but only one ever opens up about how he feels more than just a few times.
She wasn't like Mikey per se as far as keeping her feelings hidden away. She keeps quiet about it to keep from being a burden to others, which she joyfully does.
He stopped himself when he realized he had been paying much more attention to her in the past then he had originally believed. He hadn't interacted with her as much as the others, but he couldn't deny the warmth that spread into his very soul at the few memories he had with her.
At what point did I even notice her?
Thinking back, he realized the moments he saw Izana staring at the picture of her when she was the most broken, also had him stop in his tracks. He would've followed his king to the death, but she was the only one who made them wonder if that was worth fighting for.
All of the things we did, all the crimes we committed while trying to build our kingdom…
It wasn't worth seeing her tears.
Izana knew that as he lay dying in her arms. Kakucho saw the change in his friends' features as it moved from regret to a painful fear of what he realized he had actually lost beside his life.
He thought of the note he had scribbled out of sight of the camera before leaving her place, a small thread of hope that he could see her again and take care of her. Not just for his king, but for her as well. Her smiling at his scarred face after all these years made his heart ache in ways he wasn't used to.
I promised, Princess.
Wait for me.