Epilogue: When the Air was Filled with Petrichor

Izumi settled back in her chair, her mind delving deep into contemplation.

She had grappled with a persistent struggle for some time now, and pondered whether a change of surroundings could provide a remedy. Evidently, the change had proven effective; she found herself sitting there, fixated on the blank canvas of a Word document, for several minutes before the first sentence emerged from her thoughts.

However, since those initial words had materialized, subsequent progress had eluded her grasp. Frustration welled up within her as doubts about her aptitude for writing crept in. With a sigh of resignation, she raked her fingers through her hair, hoping to dislodge some elusive ideas in the process. Alas, the moment yielded no breakthrough. Defeated, she slumped back in her chair, intensifying her contemplation.

Her reverie was broken by an unexpected knock on the door, jolting her back to reality.

“Yes?”

Before she could move to open it, the door swung open, and Mizuki burst into the room, her long ponytail swirling behind her like a single graceful brushstroke. “Izumi!” she exclaimed, nearly launching herself through the air to envelop her sister in a heartfelt embrace. “It feels like it's been ages! I've missed you so much!”

“Yeah, four years is a long time,” Izumi acknowledged, reciprocating her sister's embrace.”but we have been able to keep in touch. I know I am practically on the other side of the world, but we have video chatted often enough it's not like you haven’t seen me in all that time.”

“True,” Mizuki sighed, rising to her feet and taking a step back. “But I haven’t seen you in person in so long.” Her gaze swept over her sister, catching a detail. “Oh, is this a new chair?”

“Yeah, I mentioned it before. It's motorized,” Izumi replied, activating the control on the armrest. She maneuvered away from her desk and computer screen, demonstrating the features. “It's quite convenient, isn't it?”

Mizuki giggled, watching her sister twirl around in the chair, showcasing its entirety. “It looks pretty cool. Must be easier for you, right?”

“Hmm, it's definitely more comfortable, and I can adjust the speed easily. Though, when I want to make a quick turn, it doesn't always respond smoothly. Well, it serves its purpose, doesn't it?”

“Speaking of serving a purpose,” Mizuki chuckled at Izumi's unique way of phrasing things before her eyes wandered around the room. “Where's your goofball?”

“We should be able to spot him soon,” Izumi responded, gesturing over her shoulder toward the expansive floor-to-ceiling window that was one of the walls.

Mizuki rushed to the window, her eyes widening in awe as Izumi followed behind her. Directly below lay a baseball diamond in the final stages of preparation for a game. Fans bustled about, finding their seats, while vendors hawked their goods. Adjacent to the stadium, a colossal LED screen shaped like a guitar functioned as the game’s scoreboard. Stretching beyond that on the horizon were an array of imposing skyscrapers.

“Wow,” Mizuki sighed, her shoulders slumping. “I thought I'd be able to spot that famous building on the skyline from here, the one that resembles Batman?”

“It's there, just a bit difficult to see,” Izumi chuckled, pointing out the spires barely peeking from behind another building.

“Ah, got it now,” Mizuki nodded, turning away from the window. She refocused on her sister. “So, how have things been? Mom and Dad mentioned that the transition was tough.”

“Yeah,” Izumi replied, her mind drifting back to those days. "Sorting out paperwork was a challenge, but once that was settled, the move itself wasn't too bad. The real struggle was adapting to a new city, not to mention an entirely new country. I was just so glad that they were there to help us move everything in.”

“I can imagine. At least you've landed a writing job now, right?”

“Yes, but I'm grappling with this particular piece. It's turning out to be more 'personal' than I anticipated, and I'm determined to get it just right,” Izumi explained with a chuckle.

Mizuki burst into laughter at her sister's deliberation. “Are the editors hounding you for those early drafts?”

“I wish,” Izumi rolled her eyes and sighed, “It's my number one fan who keeps bothering me for those early reads.”

“Oh really?” Mizuki sighed, shaking her head. “Should have guessed.”

“Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome your Nashville Sounds!” The announcer's voice boomed through the speakers situated around the stadium.

“Speaking of which,” Izumi scooted closer to the glass, observing the players below streaming into their respective positions as the announcer called their names.

“And our opening pitcher tonight,” the announcer's voice brimmed with enthusiasm, “Hailing all the way from the Land of the Rising Sun! Give it up for Ichiro Ishii!!”

Both women cheered from their box seats above the stadium. Ichiro sprinted onto the pitcher's mound, playfully harassed by the team's giant red chicken mascot. His face was lit up with a broad smile as he waved to the roaring crowd, soaking in their excitement.

Izumi reciprocated with smiles and waves as her husband’s gaze swept by their enclosure. Further behind, her computer screen remained lit. Just before it faded to black, the first sentence of her new book was still visible.

“On that rainy day, when the air was filled with petrichor, I met him.”