Epilogue: Remember the Love We Had and the Life to be Lived

One Year and three Months Later

Mitsuha walked up the path that split the rows of stone markers of individual and family sites to honor their memories as she entered her hometown cemetery. While none of them were hers, she maintained a quiet dignity to respect the spirits that were certainly still watching a place like this. She paused at the designated intersection, closed her eyes and sighed; in front of her stood a stone marker: "山野*".

* Yamano

Mitsuha started by brushing the leaves off the base of the stone, tidying the general area around the base. "Hey there, everyone..." she began with a soft voice, "I know, it's been a while... " She sighed. "A lot's happened since... that day. It's... all been kind of difficult to believe, if I'm being honest. Otoosan... you taught me so much about being an independent person. I learned about radios and what it takes to building a house... but more important... what it means to be a strong leader. Okaasan... you taught me how to cook, but more important, what it meant to be a good person with your kind heart. Oniisan... " she paused for a long moment, "you were my world... my rock... I... " She paused as she started to well up, before regaining her composure, "You were my idol... made my life richer... taught me so much about the world around us... I could always count on you to know what to do, and..." as she trailed off.

Mitsuha turned to a basin of water to wash her hands before taking a provided pail and slowly pouring a small amount of water over the stone marker. "You know... when I lost you all... for a time... I wondered... what I was going to do... what my life was going to be like... " She paused again and started to pour another small amount. "I've recently had a chance to see... maybe... what our lives might have been... had things... well... " she trailed off, shook her head. "It could have been... well... would have been... a really good life together... and I can't deny that... there's a small part of me that wonders... well..." She paused, then straightened up... "but like Micchan sometimes likes to say, dreams are for children, and it's time to wake up," and she nodded.

Mitsuha finished the purification ceremony, clapped her hands, bowed her head and offered a silent prayer, and whispered. "I will always try to honor our family... to live on in our name... so please watch over me... and whatever else happens... I hope I will always make you proud." A moment later, she vanished, leaving a quiet whoosh of air.

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 Mitsuha arrived by the river separating Yamano and Bozes county as she did so long ago the first time she did when she was introduced to the lands*. She could have simply jumped directly to her county mansion but there was a part of her that needed this journey to reconnect herself to the land, if only symbolically. She had arrived this way the first time she saw this province; it was fitting she would return the same way after all this time.

* see Manga Chp38 /LN Chp16

Of course, the county was far more prosperous and busy this time than the first time she crossed; a testament to her efforts this past year and some months, bringing industry and innovation to this once-sleepy district. She sighed as she passed by the road, wondering how long it would be before someone recognized their lord walking along the road. She didn't have to wonder for long before one of the militia spotted her.

"Mi 'Lady!"

"Lady Yamano!"

Before long, a throng of her citizens had surrounded her, making any kind of quiet return an impossibility. After giving an impromptu greeting to her people, she headed to the mansion. She first arrived here over a year ago, cleaning out the corrupt servants* and making it her own, and in many ways, turning this place into her home. She didn't tend to think of the house staff like Anton, Kathe, Lorena, Noelle, Ninette, Paulette, Rachel, as mere staff but more like a large household. It was one of the reasons she chose a smaller residence, rather than a massive keep to reside in. Then of course, there was Colette, the girl she met when she first arrived in this land, and in no uncertain terms saved her life**.

* see Manga Chp39 /LN Chp16
** see Manga Chp1 /LN Chp1 / Anime Epi1

Entering the mansion, Anton nearly broke his trademark decorum, announcing her return to the rest of the house staff, who were not nearly as restrained. There was an immediate declaration of a household celebration that even as the head of the house Mitsuha was helpless to stop, as word was spread far and wide among both the domestic staff, people's council, and the population as a whole of her return. Colette made her enthusiasm clear with one of her trademark hugs that nearly broke Mitsuha's spine and ribs yet again. Despite the cracks in her ribs, Mitsuha couldn't help but smile: It's good to be home.