CHAPTER 16

And so

Three months have passed since Shiro Hana’s last attack to the Kaho Mansion. Take was badly wounded, but she survived. Kotarou confessed about what really happened and apologized profusely to both Take and Takamura Akina. Both forgave him the moment he said “I’m sorry”. Kazuko was told about who she really was and glad for the information. Even though she was a ‘Takamura’, her heart stayed in the Kaho family. Akina as her sister appreciated Kazuko’s decision and let her stay with the Kahos. As for Kazuki, he went to MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) in Boston to continue his studies. They all were still in touch and lived in happiness and peacefulness.

‘Vengeance tastes sweet and bitter at the same time, just like wine. That is why we love it and hate it at the same time. I wanted to terminate all the Kahos in this world and this is my punishment. My son shall carry a burden in his shoulder, too, the same burden that has been with me ever since Karina died. The vengeance against Kuroi Hana. To be or not to be, that is the question.’

What Ryo’s father meant in his last words was that he wanted the vengeance to stop. The very last sentence was a very well-known one, taken from a play by Shakespeare. It was a misunderstanding. Ryo’s father didn’t want the vengeance, he didn’t want the fight between two clans to continue, he wanted it to stop.

“Take!!” Kazuko called as she stepped into the mansion with a bunch of letters in her hands. “There’s a letter for you!”

Take quickly put down the book she was reading and ran downstairs to retrieve her letter. Once she got there, she immediately snatched the letter from Kazuko’s hand.

“That’s not a way to retrieve your letter, Take,” Kazuko warned with a grin spread across her face.

Take ignored her completely. She was staring at the envelope.

“Kazuko... it’s from Ryo!” Take jumped high in the air and squealed. “He wrote to me, he wrote to me, he wrote to me!”

Kazuko frowned. “I can’t see why you’re so chirpy about it. He wounded you,” she ticked off the points with her fingers, “Second, he hurt you. Third, he almost killed you. Still, I don’t see why you’re so excited upon accepting a letter from a guy like he is.”

Take can’t help but smile. “See, Kazuko, that’s the difference between you and I. Let’s read the letter together anyway.” She carefully opened the envelope and began to read:

Dear Kaho-san, (“’Dear’?! How dare he uses ‘dear’?!” Kazuko protested)

It has been a while since our last meeting. I’m very sorry of the wounds I’ve caused you, I truly am. I was blind and angry. I hope you forgive me. How are you doing? I hope you’re doing okay at school. I can’t imagine how angry the teachers are at the discovery of your many, many absence. Again, that is because of me. I’m sorry. (“He’d better be,” Kazuko grumbled.)

I am now currently living in USA. My days are much better now that I chose to forget about my vengeance. My father is right. Vengeance does taste bittersweet like wine, but drinking too much wine will cause you headache in the morning. (Believe me, I’ve tried.) You are right, too. Imagine if you chose to save your own ego back then. Perhaps I wouldn’t be here now, as well as you wouldn’t be happy like you are now. You are perhaps the nicest person I’ve ever encountered with, Kaho-san. Thank you for sharing your kind love to me. Somehow, someday, I’ll figure out a way to repay it back.

Best regards,

Takamura Ryosuke

“That damn guy! Ugh, I never liked him!” Kazuko grumbled over and over again. “As a matter of fact, I like Rei way better. Don’t you think so too, Take?” She glanced at her little mistress and couldn’t help but giggle.

Take was blushing like mad at the mention of Rei’s name.

Almost everyone knew Rei asked Take out the moment she recovered from her injuries. Everyone knew she said yes without any second thoughts. Everyone thought they were such a cute couple.

Much to everyone’s surprise, Take now began to use cell phones and computers. She learned quickly and admitted that she quite like it. Kaze was still very useful, though. If the expenses of her cell phone was too high, she’d use Kaze for mails. Very, very useful.

So, that is how her story ends.

A happy, peaceful life.

.Fin.

glomps

Thank you for reading my story until the end! Sorry for the sickeningly looonngg update.. And thanks for all the support that you give me! Thanks!!