The worst part of the rest of the year was just the waiting. Knowing that their time to be together, to really be together, was so close but there was no way to make it come any faster. Each day, in Cater's newfound excitement for the future, he finds it harder to stay away from Idia. Harder and harder to go through the winding downs and the celebrating and the ceremonies with the returning fourth years. At least it's easier to show enthusiasm, be "on" when he needs to be, no longer facing down what feels like the barrel of a magical pistol.

And finally, finally, summer break has begun and all the preparations have been made. All that's left to do is make it to their destination. Only, Cater isn't waiting until they reach their destination to do something he's been wanting desperately to do for some time now: as soon as they're suitably alone, even if it's only for a moment, he goes in to give Idia Shroud a kiss in public.