Chapter ten (epilogue): Happily ever after (so there!)

Mizuki deposited a butterfly kiss on Hideki’s neck, smiling as his fingers trailed down her back. It had been two years since Mokono had left, and Mizuki had outwardly recovered. She and Chihiro had returned to being friends, though not as good as they once had been, and she’d begun seeing a steady stream of boys. Anything to get Mokono out of her mind.

Her parents hadn’t let her go to Tokyo, just as she’d known they wouldn’t. She’d begged, she’d cried, she’d even tried to threaten them, but nothing had worked. In the end, she’d had to accept the truth: that she would never see Mokono again.

In a sense, that realization was what had spurred her recovery. At least, her appearance of a recovery. She knew that, inside, she would always yearn for long dark hair and mischievous black eyes, but no one but her had to know that. She was allowed her own secrets, just like everyone else, and she kept her tears private, showing the world a smiling face and bright eyes, as though nothing at all was wrong. It was what was expected. She’d always done it before, and she would continue to do it now.

It all seemed so hollow, though. Before, she hadn’t realized just how much she lacked. Now, after those scant few months with Mokono, during which she’d discovered so much more, she realized how shallow of an existence she’d led. How shallow an existence she continued to lead.

Hideki’s slight moan brought her back to the reality of where she was and who she was with, and she grimaced. Hideki was boring her, and she would soon have to find someone new. They all bored her, in the end. None of them were any different from each other, none gave her what she desperately craved: laughter and understanding. She hadn’t expected them to. They were toys, nothing more.

She wished for a fleeting moment that Kagi and Sayoran weren’t so blissfully happy together. It wasn’t fair that they had found lasting happiness while she hadn’t. The fact that Chihiro and Eriol as an item had lasted all of two weeks into summer was scant consolation. Nakuru and Sakura claimed to love each other, though both currently had older boyfriends. Mizuki certainly wasn’t the only one with problems in the romance department.

There was a slight sound at the door, making both Hideki and Mizuki look up. Kagi was standing at the door, his eyebrows lifted in amusement.

“If you’ll excuse me,” Mizuki murmured. Not waiting for Hideki’s mumbled consent, she slipped off of the bed and walked over to Kagi. “Yes?”

“Just how long do you intend to keep this one?” Kagi asked, nodding towards Hideki.

Mizuki shrugged. “Not much longer,” she said dismissively. “Why?”

“Because there’s someone who won’t be pleased to learn about him.”

Mizuki frowned. What was he talking about? Surely he didn’t mean Riku! Why would she care about what Riku thought?

“If you’re thinking about Riku Agarashia, then you’re sadly mistaken if you believe I care,” Mizuki muttered. “I dumped him ages ago! He keeps trying to win me back, but you can tell him that it’ll never work.”

Kagi smiled. “It’s not Riku-san,” he assured her. “You care about this one, I promise.”

“Who, then?”

“See for yourself. That is, if you can stand to leave Shimoi there for that long.”

Mizuki rolled her eyes. “Hideki-kun? I’m just about done with him anyway. Lead on.”

“Aren’t you even going to say goodbye?”

She turned, smiled, blew Hideki a kiss, then looked back at Kagi. “Well?”

He grimaced. “You know, sometimes I worry about you.”

“Don’t. I’ll be fine.”

“If you say so.”

He led her out of the room and down the stairs, nodding politely to Mizuki’s mother as they passed. Mizuki only shrugged in response to her mother’s silent enquiry. She didn’t know what was going on either.

She followed Kagi out of her house and onto the street, jogging slightly to keep up with his quicker pace.

“Slow down!” she gasped. “I can’t keep up with you!”

He shook his head in disgust, but obligingly slowed. She grinned at him. “Thanks.”

“You know, if you spent more time at the gym and less time with boys you don’t like anyway, you might find it easier,” he pointed out dryly.

“To each his – or her – own,” she replied. “Your sport is basketball. Mine is seduction. Both have their own rewards, you know.”

“Oh?”

She nodded. “It’s quite fun to watch them fall over themselves at me. It makes me feel so… appreciated.”

Kagi snorted. “And they don’t realize they’re getting nothing more than a pretty face?”

She tossed her hair, longer now, behind her shoulder as she shrugged. “You think they want more than that? They’re quite happy with what they get.”

“That’s why you keep getting more?”

She nodded. “Exactly.”

“And if Mokono-chan came back? Would she get nothing more than a shell?”

Mizuki stopped dead. She glared at Kagi with such ferocity that he actually took a step back. “If Mokono came back, she would get my soul!” she hissed. Then she sagged slightly. “But what’s the use of dreaming? It’s not like it’ll ever happen.”

He shrugged. “You’ll see,” he said noncommittally

“Kagi, what are you saying?” Mizuki whispered.

“Come and see.”

“Just tell me!”

“You wouldn’t believe me,” he said frankly. “Do you want to know or not?”

“Yes! But… why won’t I believe you?”

He grimaced, then grabbed her arm. He pressed a finger against her lips. “No more questions,” he said firmly. “Come with me, and all will be made clear to you. I promise.”

She glowered at him, but he was relentless, and, finally, she nodded.

“Good,” he said, taking his finger away and beginning to walk again. She followed, determined to find out what this was all about.

Finally, he slowed to a stop once again. She looked around the dimly lit square blankly, then froze. Could it be…?

Slowly, the girl sitting on the bench turned to look at them. Her dark eyes widened, and she stood hesitantly. Her waist-length black hair tumbled behind her like a cascade of midnight, and her pale skin seemed to glow slightly in the light of the streetlights that adorned the corners of the square. Her white-gold hoop earrings twinkled in the light, and her crimson lips were very slightly parted in tentative shock.

“Mo… Mokono?” Mizuki whispered. “Is it you?”

“Of course it’s her,” Kagi said. “Go on!”

Mizuki turned accusingly to Kagi. “You knew!” she exclaimed. “You knew that she was back!”

He shook his head. “I saw her just now,” he said. “She came back this morning, and I promised to bring you. Aren’t you going to talk to her?”

“I… I don’t know what to say?”

“Say hello, at least!” She hesitated a moment longer, and he shoved her towards Mokono’s standing figure. “Go!”

She stepped forward, her own lips opening slightly. The two met in the middle, not speaking, not moving, just looking at each other.

Finally, Mokono smiled crookedly. “Did you miss me?” she asked.

“Did I …?” Mizuki stared at the taller girl in shock. “What do you think?”

“I’m sure I don’t know. Kagi-kun here has been telling me all about your harem,” Mokono said. Despite the mischief in her eyes, Mizuki knew that she was being tested.

“None of them were you,” she said. To deny it would be useless. Far better just to own up and then beg forgiveness. “I was waiting.”

“You thought I would never come back.”

Mizuki shrugged. “Doesn’t stop my waiting,” she said. “Optimism is one of my many qualities that didn’t rub off on you.”

Mokono smiled. “Oh, it did,” she assured Mizuki. “I never stopped hoping that I could come back here. I thought of you and begged God to let me come back and see? It worked! I’m here!”

“You’re here,” Mizuki repeated.

Mokono’s face closed slightly, and she looked at Mizuki sternly. “The question, Mizuki, is this. Are you willing to have me back?”

“Am I…” Mizuki couldn’t believe what she was hearing. “Mokono-chan, ask and I will give you whatever you want! Of course I’ll take you back!”

“And your harem?”

Mizuki shrugged. “They were only temporary,” she said airily. Then, realizing what that must have sounded like, added hastily, “I was nice to them, though. I promise you that.”

“That’s nice,” Mokono said dryly. “So they won’t be heartbroken if you leave them?”

“When I leave them, you mean. And no, they expect it. All of them hope to be the one who cracks open my heart, but none of them have a chance.”

“And do I?” Mokono whispered, taking half a step closer.

“Mokono, my heart is open and waiting for you to tear it apart,” Mizuki answered, crossing the distance between them. “Just say the word.”

“Mizuki…”

Mizuki smiled at her love. “That works,” she breathed. “But will you have me?”

“Oh God, Mizuki! Do you even have to ask?”

“You did,” Mizuki pointed out.

“Yes! Yes, I’ll have you. I… I need you!”

“So do I.”

They came together then, a tangle of limbs unaccustomed to each other and lips desperately searching. Mizuki found Mokono first, and clung to her love passionately, demanding ever more and giving as much as she took. Mokono took a moment longer to remember how to do it, but as soon as she did, Mizuki felt herself float away in a tide of bliss.

Finally, they broke apart, looking into each others’ eyes as they had that first time. “Always,” Mizuki promised.

“Forever,” Mokono agreed.

There was a beat in which time stopped and then entire world was brought a standstill. Only they were real, only they existed in that single second. Mizuki looked deep into her love’s eyes, and felt such deep affection for her that she knew she would never want anyone else.

Time started again, and they leaned in for another kiss, one that sealed their promises and began a new life for the two of them. Together.

fin