It's finally Kei's birthday.
Kei decided to hold a birthday party for the kids at Angel Voices Orphanage.
At the same time, Mariya is looking forward on talking with Kei and she is excited to give him the letter she wrote few days ago. 
And as if in a cue, Kei made his grand entrance and the children all came running towards him and they all greeted and sang happy birthday to him.
Aunt Francia greeted Kei with a warm embrace and greeted him a happy birthday as well.
After a few moments, Kei is now making a speech, while Mariya is doing sign language for the kids.
"Thank you all so much for making my birthday special. You all made me very happy, and I will never forget this day. A lot has happened at the end of this year. Our Uncle, Mr. Onodera is now in heaven, and I am sure that he is watching all of us. But we were all able to recover little by little because of our Auntie Francia, your older sisters Kari, Mia and Mariya. Let me also thank this opportunity to tell you a very important thing. I'm going to be away for months, or maybe years as I want to help other children from all around the world. I am going first to Africa, and I will try to help the kids there."
Mariya was taken by surprised with Kei's sudden announcement, but she tries her best not to let it show because she's standing infront of the children and many other people.
"---I hope you will support me in my decision." Kei finally finishes his speech.
All of the people clapped and cheered for Kei, as they show their support to him.
Meanwhile, Mariya quickly excuses herself and made her exit from the party.
She wants to be alone for awhile, as she wants to deal with the pain, hurt and disappointment that she's feeling right now.
Once she made sure that she's all alone at the Botanical Garden, Mariya gently pulls out the letter she wrote for Kei from her pocket. There's no reason for her to give this letter to Kei because he's going away anytime soon...
Mariya was about to tear the paper into pieces but she wasn't able to do so because she heard Kei's voice behind her.
"What are you doing here alone?" Kei asks, while walking towards Mariya.
Mariya quickly wipes her tears and hid the letter.
"How about you? What are you doing here?" she asked him, instead of answering his questions.
"Oh, I just want to take a break and let the kids enjoy the party." Kei lets out a small smile.
"So... When are you going to Africa?" Mariya swallowed an imaginary lump on her throat, as she's really crying not to cry.
"I'll be leaving the day after tomorrow." Kei replied.
"That fast? And when are you coming back?" Mariya did a follow-up question.
Kei took a deep breath before answering. 
"I honestly don't know. It could be months or years... I don't have a concrete plan yet, but one thing is for sure. I really want to help others and make a difference." Kei stated, in a serious manner.
"I wish you the best of luck, Kei. If you'll excuse me, I have a migraine and I want to go back to my room and take a rest." Mariya did a white lie, so that she can have a privacy to cry in her room.
And before Kei could say anything else, she quickly runs away from him before tears starts to fall from her eyes...
Mariya quickly locks herself in the room. She collapses herself on the bed and she lets herself cry out.
She is finally in love for the very first time, but she didn't think that it would be this painful.
=============================
The day of Kei's departure to Africa has finally arrived. His Manager, Shin, and the other members of the ex-boy group, Ren and Jun decided to send him off to the airport.
"To all the passengers of Brilliance Airlines flight 777 bound to Johannesburg, please proceed to the departure area..." they heard the announcement to the numerous speakers at the airport.
"Well, this is it, guys. See you soon." Kei smilingly told his friends.
"I know you've been wanting to do this, Kei. And we will support you all the way." Shin said, while looking so proud for him.
"Thanks, man." Kei thanks his former Manager.
 
"And don't forget to give us a call once in a while, okay?" Ren relayed.
"Of course, I'll do that." Kei nodded in return.
"And also tell us when you're coming home so we can pick you up at anytime." Jun reassures him.
After a few moments, Kei is now inside the airplane bound to Africa. He is looking at the clouds, while feeling light and happy at the same time.
"Till we meet again, Mariya." he wistfully whispered to himself.
=============================
Two years have passed.
"I can't believe it has been two years since you came here in Japan, Mariya." Aunt Francia said, while looking nostalgic.
"Abd I think it's the best thing that ever happened to me, Auntie. I was able to meet my biological father, I was able to meet you, Mia and Kari, and the children as well." Mariya smilingly responded.
"How about Kei, dear? Aren't you happy to have met him as well?" her stepmother suddenly asks her.
Mariya just kept her silence, as she pretended to be busy watering the plants in their garden.
"Come to think of it, it has been a month since he wrote us his last letter. I wonder what happened to him?" the old woman wondered aloud.
"Maybe he has a busy schedule with all his volunteer work." Mariya casually answers, while shrugging her shoulders. 
She doesn't want to show it, but she's concerned on why Kei hasn't sent them a letter for a month now. She's also wondering if he is okay...
"What is happening to you, Kei?" she whispered to herself.
===============================
The other day.
Mariya is now standing infront of her father and her sister's tombs, as he is offering them a solemn prayer.
After her prayer, she opens her eyes and she curiously frowned when she saw the flowers, which are not completely wilted, and if she's going to guess, the flowers seems to be a day old only...
"Did someone else visit you, Dad and Serena?" she thoughtfully frowned...
After a few hours, Mariya is now back at Angel Voices Home after visiting her father and sister at the cemetery. 
"Oh, good thing you're finally here, Mariya!I need help at the kitchen for lunch preparations. Mia can't help me because she's taking care of a baby." Kari suddenly informs her.
"Okay, I'll be right there, Kari!" Mariya nodded in return.
==============================
After Mar
After Mariya and Kari finished cooking, they finally calls the children so that they can eat lunch.
"Oh my goodness, I forgot to call someone else to join us for lunch!" Kari suddenly exclaimed.
Mariya thoughtfully frowned as she quickly counted the children... 
"What do you mean? But we're already complete." she asked in return.
"I'm talking about the newly-hired staff here at Angel Voices!" Kari said, while rolling her eyes heavenward.
Before Mariya could say something else, she heard a very familiar voice that she's been dying to hear for a very long time...
"I'm so sorry for coming in late. It took me a long time to fix the swings at the playground."
Mariya slowly wheels around, and true enough, Kei is standing infront of her, in the flesh!
His face became more mature, and he lost a little weight, but he is still gorgeous as ever...
"You don't have any idea on how happy I am to see you after a long time." Kei greeted her with a smile.
Mariya is unable to speak because of utter shock. She still can't believe that Kei is back, and he's talking to her face-to-face!
Kei and Mariya decided talk at the Botanical Garden, so that they can have a quiet and private talk...
"How have you been doing for the passed two years, Mariya?" Kei was the first one to break the silence between them.
"So far so good, Kei... But what are you doing here? Since when did you come back?" Mariya bombarded him with questions.
"I've been here in Japan for a month now, and wanted to settle everything first, before I decided to show myself to you, guys... And to answer your second question, I left my heart here at Angel Voices, and I intend to keep it for myself..." Kei gently told Mariya, as he is looking at her straight in the eye, as if he's searching her inner soul.
"Huh? What do you mean by that?" Mariya asked, while looking confused.
"I can finally admit to myself, to you, and to other people that I'm hopelessly and helplessly inlove with you. And I've never been so sure now. I love you with all my heart and soul, and I'm praying that you feel the same way, too..." Kei finally made his love confession towards Mariya.
At that moment, Mariya suddenly started crying because of so much happiness. 
"Oh, Kei .I don't know what to say." Mariya admitted, and she feels like an idiot because she crying and laughing at the same time.
"Well, you don't have to do any speech, sweetheart. You can just answer my question." Kei suddenly announced.
"And what is that question?" Mariya curiously inquired.
"Would you let me love you with all my heart and soul, until we're old and gray, until the end of time?" Kei asks her a question, as he lovingly stares at her face.
"I've been tirelessly loving you for two years now, Kei. And I will never let you go for the second time." Mariya happily laughed, while looking at Kei with so much love in her eyes.
"Oh, sweetheart. I'm sorry for making you wait. I love you. More than you ever know." was Kei's loving response.
"And I love you, too, Kei. Now and forever." Mariya happily replies.
Kei and Mariya was supposed to share their very first kiss as a couple, but they suddenly heard a noise nearby. 
Kei and Mariya saw the children trying to hide behind the bushes, along with Mia and Kari...
The new loving couple shared happy laughter, while looking at them.
"I guess we have to save our first kiss for a later time, sweetheart." Kei suddenly whispers at Mariya.
"Yes, let's behave ourselves for a little while." Mariya smilingly nodded in agreement.
As time goes by, Kei and Mariya are now managing the Angel Voices orphanage, much to Auntie Francia's happiness. Mia and Kari continues working with them, and they are all doing their best to provide a safe and better home, and good future for the children.
Another great news is, Kei and Mariya is scheduled to have a church wedding next month, and it will be held at the spacious garden inside the Angel Voices' Home...