Epilogue - Mutsuki

We never had a chapter like this before.

Other people had POVs of their arcs and legacies. Somewhere along the way I decided I wasn’t worth the space, so I stayed quiet. It was my story but it was told from the point of view of those around me.

Today, on my wedding day, I am speaking up.

It’s been almost a lifetime since Torii Hearts stopped being a punishment and became a home. Half a year since I stopped bracing for the ground to vanish under my feet. Three months since I failed, very respectfully, at taking things slow.

I swear I didn’t plan to rush anything. I intended to be careful and properly restrained. Youchan looked at me one evening told me what she wanted. A life together. A future of happiness. And me. In particular.

I accepted her advances in the most gentlemanly way I knew how. With my shaking hands and even more trembling heart. Her raw beauty left me with absolutely no defenses nor barrier at all.

She’s very happily pregnant now. And here I thought she couldn’t be even more radiant. We’re announcing it today. I am deeply concerned her parents may end me.

The wedding is held where everything else important in my life has happened recently. Torii rising like ribs against the sky. Earth’s magic on the ground humming as witnesses. The air feels gentle, like it’s been told to behave. Or maybe it’s just Kojiro, controlling it with his tengu powers.

The children are exactly as they should be.

Rei shaped all the ice sculptures and kept the temperature low against the sunny day. Meow is the flower girl. She walks carefully down the path, scattering petals and polished coins for luck. People gasp when nothing goes wrong. She smiles like she planned it that way.

Honey is the ring bearer. He holds the box with both hands, a solemn face and measured steps. When he reaches me, he whispers, “I didn’t hug it”, like that’s the highest form of honor.

‘I am proud of you, Honey.’ I kissed his head quickly.

Mon and Gon argue over who gets to cue the music and end up doing it together. Akashi holds and guards the sake very well. Kojiro watches from the roof. Still unimpressed I am marrying Youchan today. Kishin brought his little overseas girlfriend as a plus one. She’s a kelpie from Scotland.

Maria declined being maid of honor. She said she wanted to sit down for once and to clap for me. Maybe she just want to cry without me seeing it, but that’s an accusation I can’t make in front of her.

Ada is not far from her, still serving Torii Hearts as part of her sentence for spearheading the Anti-Mutsuki faction. She’s doing well so far. I started studying on how to become a teacher, formally, and we’ve kinda become friends. Maria says forgiveness can wait until responsibility finishes speaking.

The Anti-Mutsuki faction were all named and were assigned with teaching the next Torii Hearts class, which are made entirely of students no other school would accept. Proper demons this time. My batch were expelled students, at least. 

Half of them had been hospitalised within the first hour of babysitting already. Maria says it’s poetic karma. I say it’s educational justice.

The bells chime. Finally, it’s my turn.

I step forward with my heart lodged somewhere near my throat and do the one thing I know how to do when I couldn’t get my point across with normal words.

I sing.

♪ I thought my story wasn’t worth a voice ♪

♪ That surviving meant making a choice ♪

♪ You listened before I learned how to speak ♪

♪ Loved me when I was quiet and weak ♪

Youchan walks through and don’t mean to be dramatic but I swear the world around us stopped moving. We invited her family, my family, the local community people who’s become our family, yet, when our eyes found each other, it felt like it was just the two of us. She looks like an angel on earth. My angel.

I cry.

I keep singing anyway.

♪ So this is me, finally saying my name ♪

♪ If it’s for you, I’ll set everything aflame ♪

♪ If I sing today, it’s not to be seen ♪

♪ It’s because you heard me when I didn’t scream ♪

♪ So here I am, unguarded and true ♪

♪ No stage beneath me, just walking to you ♪

When she reaches me, she reaches out with her warm hands. Her eyes tell me she knows every fear I’m carrying and chose me regardless.

♪ Because of you I’m standing here ♪

♪ I’m yours in the only way that’s sincere ♪

♪ If home is where I don’t pretend ♪

♪ Then I’m here until the end ♪

We marry beneath the gates I once walked through alone.

Later, when the cheers rise and the children tackle me in celebration-approved ways, Youchan leans close and whispers that we’ll tell them soon. About the baby. About what comes next. I nod.

I’m confident now.