Epilogue: A New Home, Together

“It was so nice to finally meet you, Sakamoto-san…” Yohei pauses awkwardly as he remembers they asked him not to use their last name. “I mean, Akemi-san and Hiroshi-san.”

“We’re very glad to have finally met you too, Yohei-san. Perhaps next time you’ll come to our home? My husband would love to show you the store.”

“I would like that.”

Aoi is beaming at them. While she hadn’t been really nervous about the first meeting between her parents and Yohei, it still went even better than expected. It hadn’t taken them long to insist they use first names, and by the time they reached dessert, he was visibly less nervous about doing so.

“And thanks again for your lovely gifts. We’ll take good care of them.” Aoi looks back at the beautiful bonsai that now sits in the windowsill and the old, traditional painting now hanging on the wall over the sofa. Its soft landscape in muted colors somehow both complements and completes the works already there. A couple of her own paintings, a large print of one of Yohei’s photographs, all of them creating a harmonious whole. As if meant to share a wall. A home.

“I know you will. They’ll bring good luck to your future life together.”

“Did I mention the painting is an antique?” Aoi’s father asks, and she smiles. He had, in fact, mentioned it several times. “One of my older pieces from the shop, one I could never bring myself to sell. I thought it would be a good addition to your home, something to remind you of peace and balance. Nature and beauty. Notice how the brushstrokes…”

“Yes, dear, you did,” her mother interrupts, affectionately touching his arm. “But I’m sure our taxi is already waiting, and we don’t want to be late for the train.”

“You can tell us more about it next time,” Yohei says as her parents step into the elevator. “Bye for now.”

They wait until the doors close before returning to their apartment, shooing Snowy back inside.

“Come here, you.” Aoi bends down to scoop him up, as Yohei closes the door behind them. She holds the purring cat for a while before putting him down on one of the beds on the tall cat tree now standing in front of the window. Perfect for watching birds fly by.

“And, no eating the new plant,” she says, gently touching the gnarly, sturdy-looking bonsai. They both do it, talk to Snowy even if they know he can’t hear them. But the cat seems to appreciate the attention nevertheless.

“That went well,” Yohei says as he starts clearing the table, turning it back into Aoi’s workdesk. “I think…?”

“It did. Told you they’d love you.” She joins him in cleaning up. “And Snowy definitely stole both of their hearts.”

“There was never any doubt about that.” He smiles at the cat who, through some feline sixth sense, turns his head toward them, an ear twitching slightly. "He's irresistible."

“True. So what do you want to do now?” she asks once the desk is back in place and the chairs hidden away in their closet.

“Why don’t we just relax for a bit. Play that new game?” He grins smugly, “I think I actually have a chance to beat you in this one.”

“Hah, you wish. Challenge accepted.” Aoi smiles, getting the controllers. “Perhaps some tea?”

“Perfect! And we can try those cookies your mother made… They look delicious.”

“Oh, they are. She makes the best ones.”

As soon as they settle down, Snowy comes padding over, joining them on the sofa, curling up next to Yohei’s leg.

“I really like this game,” Aoi says as it loads, pre-recorded sequences filling the screen as the music plays. “It’s beautiful. Did you notice how detailed they made the backgrounds? The colors are so vivid.”

“I’ve been more focused on not dying,” Yohei laughs, then tilts his head, giving her a thoughtful look. “But you know… perhaps in a few years from now you’ll work with game design, and I can do the music. That could be interesting.”

She thinks about it, then nods enthusiastically, before pressing play. “It would. But first I need to graduate… and we need to survive this dungeon.”

“Right,” he says, then pauses the game again, giving her a peculiar look.

“What?” She raises an eyebrow and smiles at him.

“So… you’re not regretting your choice then?”

“Will you please stop worrying about that. I don’t.” Her smile widens, and she places a hand on top of his. “Do I regret not having to worry about some creep sneaking into my school, trying to catch a picture of me with paint on my face? No!”

He chuckles at that, brushes some stray strands of hair from her cheek, tucks them behind her ear.

“You look adorable with paint on your face.”

“That’s for your eyes only,” she teases, giving his hand a little squeeze. “But, seriously… I’ve never been so happy and excited for the future.” She leans in to kiss him, eyes closing, just revelling in the warmth and pure rightness. “Because I love you, and I know that whatever the future holds, it’s our future, and we'll face it together.”

“Always,” he breathes. “I love you too. More than anything.”