Epilogue 1

During the months of the running lawsuit, Kana’s cafe was always open. Not so long ago, she would’ve withdrawn completely, but there was always someone with her now, and daily affirmations of supportive customers and fans, who never stopped to tell her of her bravery. Even if she couldn’t legally fight the contract she’d signed, its mere existence was enough to serve as evidence. The flames against Haruki couldn’t have been stoked higher.

That afternoon, the cafe was full—well, if four tables could be called full, but it was the whole place. Lively conversations and the smell of coffee drifted through the air as Kana took another cup from the drying rack to put it in the cupboard. She looked over to the couch, where Sakuya was sitting, engrossed in watching something on his phone. His quiet presence made her heart feel full in ways she couldn’t express. But she didn’t need to. When he looked at her, she could see that he knew.

Like in that very moment. Their eyes met. Sakuya smiled, brilliant, all teeth. Across the room, a few women melted, but none more than Kana. He put his phone away when someone waved for Kana and walked over to the table to take their order, bringing the empty cups with him.

“You don’t have to do that,” Kana said.

“I know. But I like it. Feels… domestic.”

“This is a cafe.”

“Yeah, but it’s your cafe.”

He leaned across the counter and gave her a small peck on the lips. One advantage of having your relationship broadcasted to the whole country was that they didn’t need to any longer. Kana was still nervous, but she trusted Sakuya to know what was best for him.

And then, all of a sudden, the door flew open with a bang.

“Justice for Ito Haruki!”

Two people crashed into the cafe and threw something at Kana. A moment later, everything was red.

Kana was too stunned to react. Red paint dripped down her face, all over her body, the counter, even Sakuya and a nearby table of guests. She was frozen in shock, staring through the liquid running through her eyes.

Someone reacted, but it wasn’t Kana or Sakuya. A table of three jumped up, diving at the two women, who were already on their way out of the shop, like they were in an action movie.

“Cowards! Stop!” one of the guests yelled.

He threw himself at them, making them stumble in the alleyway. The others were on the perpetrators seconds later, holding them down to the floor to stop their escape.

Kana stared at the scene. The whole cafe had mobilised. Two more people stood between her and the entrance like a barrier, another was already on the phone to the police.

“Kana… are you alright?”

And then she realised it. Her eyes burned, her skin was sticky, hair and clothes ruined. She started shivering. From somewhere, Sakuya had produced tissues and wiped her face with them.

“Here, try the water,” someone said and handed him a jug.

“Good thinking. Closer your eyes, darling.”

Sakuya let the water flow over Kana’s head, washing away as much of the coloured liquid as he could. She blinked through the pain, watching him and two other people fuss about her, cleaning away at her arms, hair…

“What… where are…” she stammered.

Sakuya tried to get up, but one of the people put a hand on his shoulder.

“You take care of her. We have the two under control,” she said.

“Thank you…” Kana whispered.

“We’re all on your side, Takagi-san,” she said with an encouraging smile.

Kana looked closer. She was one of the women who had been closest to the counter, and her clothes were splattered with red paint like bloodstains. And still, she smiled.

“Thank you…” Kana whispered again, feeling tears fill her eyes.

They heard urgent footsteps outside. Two police officers arrived in front of the shop.

“As soon as they’re done with their questions, I’ll take you upstairs, okay? Let me call Yuto to close up for us.”

“Okay,” Kana replied.

She was still shaking, clinging to Sakuya like her lifeline. He held her close, stroking her back. Yes, she was afraid. Of course she was. But not only Sakuya was here to help. The people she had once been living in fear of were also there, forming a protective shield around her. The incidents would likely never stop… but she knew she wasn’t alone anymore.