Epilogue: Ripples

The rising sun gently lit white wisps of cloud from below the horizon, coloring the dim sky in the faintest of blues and violets. Several stars still shone from the farthest corners of the heavens, even as their light was gradually overtaken.

The forest was quiet, and Nitsuki Amano stood alone on the bridge in the early summer morning, letting her eyes meander over the high waters of the river beneath her. The water was clear, its surface broken by eddies and swirls, and it flowed swiftly downstream to some other destination in Nagano.

She closed her eyes, taking a deep breath of the cool, fresh air. The ruffle of her hair and the white flowers in her hands were the only sounds that accompanied her.

It was time.

She'd had her fun over the past year. So much had changed since she'd last been here. So many new experiences, so many new friends, and so much laughter.

The railing creaked slightly as she leaned against it, placing her arms on top. A few of the petals escaped from the bouquet and fluttered through the air, eventually being swept up in the current's ripples and lost to sight.

"Happy Birthday, Maya."

She stared at the bundle of flowers and the small, golden bells that hung from the stems for a little bit longer, before delicately placing it beside her. She'd have to thank Mr. Miyamoto for the extra touch later.

"Sorry it took so long to come back. I've been meaning to, but it's not easy to with how busy the shop has gotten again. I hope you can forgive me." Her fingers drifted across the petals, tracing their curves as she spoke.

"…You're not seriously thinking of jumping again, are you?" a voice said from behind her.

"Hmph, relax D*gimon, I'm not going to do anything stupid."

She turned around and saw Daimon standing a little way behind her, dressed as usual in his long beige coat.

"What, are you stalking me now? Add that onto being a voyeur and meddler, and I think we just might have ourselves a pervert, old man."

He sighed, leaning on his cane. "I was just passing through. I figured I should stop and say hello, since I spotted you here. It's been a little while since we've had a chat."

Nitsuki nodded, not really caring either way. "Any reason why it's out here and not the Crossroads again?"

"Figured we could talk in a less stuffy place."

She smirked. "I see. You're not wrong. It was pretty boring there as beautiful as it was. The feeling of insignificance amongst the cosmos really loses its edge after the twentieth or so time."

Daimon chuckled, walking up beside her and looking down at the flowers. "So, what's all of this? Some sort of celebration? I thought you already visited her at the family grave just a little while ago."

Her brow rose slightly. "Not beating the voyeur allegations very well. And no, it's not exactly a celebration. It's just… I felt like I needed to revisit this place."

They just stood there for several minutes in contemplative silence, allowing the sounds of the river and the mountain wash over them. The sun had finally started peeking over the horizon, bathing them in its golden light.

"Well, I don't want to distract you from your day too much more. I figure you probably have a lot planned since I saw Tachibana waiting over there at the parking lot." He pointed down the road towards the entrance of the hiking trail.

"Jeez, you really are a stalker," Nitsuki muttered. "Is there some sort of cosmic supernatural police I can report you to?"

"Hey, I'm just observant," he said, giving her a wink and a sly grin.

She shook her head in amusement. "So, what're you really here for? I can see a twinkle in your eye that tells me you're about to pull something."

He shrugged, leaning on the rail and looking over at her. "Just one thing before I head back out. It's been a year. Do you feel like things have changed for the better?"

Nitsuki glanced up at the sky, her lips twisting into a small smile. "Yeah. Yeah, I do."

"…Learned to love yourself for who you really are?"

She coughed. "Okay, now you're pushing it. There's only so much cheesiness I allow per day, and Tachibana already near-filled the quota just this morning."

Daimon laughed softly at her reaction and turned away from her, standing up straight and smoothing out his clothes.

"Just checking. Anyway, I'll take my leave now—got some reports to give in a bit. Take care of yourself."

She nodded, watching as he nonchalantly walked away until he just… vanished. Okay, she had to admit, that was pretty cool.

It was probably time for her to head back too.

She gave the bridge and river one last look before turning her gaze to the flowers. "I'll be seeing you then, little sis…"

"…Thanks for watching over me."

***

When Nitsuki got back, Tachibana was still waiting for her patiently, leaning against a tree and staring up into the sky. His hair was tousled by the wind, and his plain but wonderfully Tachibana features seemed to glow in the morning sunlight.

She walked over to him, and he smiled at her as he noticed her approach.

"Ready to go?" he asked, putting his phone away.

"I think so."

He held out his hand for her, and she took it, feeling the warmth of his touch on her skin once again.

"So where does my dear fiancée want to go next? We have the whole day to ourselves, and I can guarantee Gramps won't be trying to call us in."

Nitsuki hummed thoughtfully, letting her mind meander over the word 'fiancée' for a little as her new ring glistened in the ambience.

"Maybe somewhere that serves food. I'm a little hungry."

"Sounds good to me. What kind of food are you in the mood for?"

She paused and looked at him, her eyes narrowing mischievously. "You already know my number one craving right now, don't you?"

Tachibana coughed and looked away, pink blooming across his cheeks.

"Ah, yes. Well, I suppose I do. But, uh, we can't really have that until we get home… would you settle for a number two craving?" he stuttered out, not quite able to meet her gaze.

Her heart squeezed with affection. He could act so innocent when he wanted to. Cute.

She leaned in close, her lips just brushing the edge of his ear.

"Fine. How about we just go and get some breakfast, then?"

He nodded, still blushing as he opened the car door for her. "Alright then. Let's go." She slid into the passenger seat, and he closed the door behind her before getting in the driver's side and turning over the engine.

The crackle of gravel beneath the tires gave way to the roll of pavement as they began their drive back to town. The sun rose higher in the sky and cast a warm glow over everything.

It had been a long and hard journey, but she was still here. Alive, in love, and happy.

Tachibana's hand suddenly brushed against the top of her head, and she instinctually leaned into it as the scenery passed by them.

"Hey, Tachi?"

"Yeah?"

"…Thanks. For everything."

There was a pause before his thumb gently wiped a tear from her eye. She didn't even notice she'd started tearing up.

His voice was soft, barely heard above the sound of the road, but still clear enough to reach her.

"You don't need to thank me, Nia. I'm just glad you're here."

She sniffled, allowing the extra allotment of cheese.

There were still times when the darkness came back. When she remembered the pain and the suffering, the hate and the loneliness. When she remembered the feeling of wanting to die. When her scars itched, and the past threatened to overwhelm her with the weight of its memories.

But she wasn't alone anymore. She had friends now. She had Tachibana. And most importantly, she had a future.

It also sort of helped that she could still see it too.

The ripple effect. That butterfly's wing flap.

The tiny little actions that had brought her here to this very moment in time. All of the seemingly insignificant things that had happened, all the small choices that had made her who she was and the people that she loved…

She wouldn't change a thing.

Tachibana began petting her head slowly, and she curled up in the passenger seat, closing her eyes.

"Hey, Tachi?"

"Yeah, Nia?"

She wiped the last of her tears away, nuzzling herself deeper into the seat.

"Mind if we go to the cafe event tonight? The one at Mrs. Aiko's? I still feel a little bad we never got to really enjoy it last year…"

He laughed, and even though her eyes were closed, she could feel his dumb, goofy grin.

"Of course, Nia. Sounds like a good idea." His hand ruffled her hair once more before returning to the steering wheel.

She briefly opened her eyes to watch him again, admiring the way his face lit up in the early morning light.

He continued after a beat. "Maybe we can even get a free drink out of it? After all, she does have a soft spot for cute things."

Nitsuki rolled her eyes as she quickly pecked him on the cheek.

"I guess I am sort of adorable."