Epilogue — Reason

Epilogue — Reason

The sound of idol song echoes through the KyunKyunKyun cafe as per usual. The customers served had an ecstatic look on their face, when the ‘magic’ are blasted to their dishes. The corner of the cafe, lies a table. The table’s tidier than ever — with the iconic mountains of paper missing. 

The table number stands still missing its number, with the man in a tattered coat — wrapped in bandages that no skin of his exposed to the public. He’s putting the last of his documents onto his old gym bag. On the table, remains two thick envelopes, and the sign of his agency. ‘Kuzumi Agency’, with a bunch of citruses doodles around the name.

“I’ve arranged the burial.” The man sitting in front of him said. The man, who spent half of his life together.

“You’ve always a big help, Todachi. Thank you.”

Bitter reaches to the two thick envelopes —

“No. Please don’t.” Todachi holds the end of the envelope tight.

“But—“

“All my life, I wonder what kind of mind-control power those two imbeciles have.” Todachi lets a deep breath out, “But after these…excruciating years, it seems they have charmed me as well. So please, the least I can do is to give a proper burial.”

Bitter watches the determined eyes. A single chuckle escapes his dry mouth, “You’ve been a good friend, thank you.”

“Now don’t you ever think about going to visit them early, alright?” Todachi slaps Bitter’s shoulder.

“Bastard." Bitter chuckles. His eyes studies the sign the three of them made, caressing it with his tumb, "Don't worry, I won’t…not after his final speech.”

“— and it seems the casualty of the fourth ascension isn’t as worse as the previous one. Though the SCF’s action is questioned by the public — especially since the viral video from the Ordained One’s brother — ” The television in the cafe shut off after Bitter press the ‘power off’ button on the remote.

“ — So it was you! I was looking for the remote all this time, you know?” A deafening scream from Bitter’s side irritates his ear. Before he knows it, Yuzu and two of her colleagues drops the banquet in front of him,

“Be tasty, desserts! KyunKyunKyun!”

Yuzu can feel heat rising to her head and steams coming out from her ears, as she keeps her ‘heart’ pose. Bitter studies the platter they had just brought; strawberry pancake, chocolate-peanut butter pancake, vanilla sorbet, matcha cake, black coffee, and lemon tea. It takes a while for him to compose himself.

“…I didn’t order this much, Yuzu-chan—“

“C’mon, it’s your last day here anyway. And to be fair, it’s not just for you, Bitter-san.” Yuzu let out a bittersweet smile, “It’s for them, as well.”

“I see…thank you,” Bitter replies to her smile.

“Don’t let them drag you down for too long,” Yuzu waves her tray with her right hand, as she walks back to the kitchen.

“— Wait,”

Yuzu glances at Bitter, who shoves her a thick envelope.

“For you. And your siblings tuition ”

“Wha—“ Yuzu took a little glimpse of what’s inside.

“— while you’re at it, get yourself a more comfortable accommodation. Also renovate this rusty place so it can —“

“— Bitter-san, I can’t…” Yuzu shakes her head, “It’s theirs, isn’t it?”

“I mean, they’re dead, so —“

“— doesn’t mean that you can give it to me that easily?!” Yuzu exclaimed.

“Yuzu-chan…” Bitter extends his hand again, “I’m sure they want you to have it as well…”

Yuzu’s eyebrows go a little bit higher. She receives the thick envelop, embracing it close to her chest.

“…You’ve changed, Bitter-san.” A trickle of tear comes out of the edge of her eyes. “I’ll sure miss them and their crazy behaviour.”

“Yeah. Me too…I better not be charged for these, though.” Bitter smirked, pointed to the foods on the table.

“Sure, I’ll let you go this time!” The energetic Yuzu is back. She comes running to the back of the kitchen while screaming ‘thank you’ that caught the attention of every attendees.

“She sure matched Lemon’s temper,”

“Sure is…I even tried to match them up.” Bitter pops a chewing gum packs from his pockets — shoving it to Todachi.

“…I better get going,” Todachi grabbed one of the packet, as he takes off from the table.

“So soon? Who’s going to help me finish this?” Bitter glances at the table full of sweetness.

“The SCF needs some…readjustments. A lot of it, actually,” Todachi glances to the exit door. The bell rings, as two new customers were greeted by the energetic maids.

“And I think you’ll find your help,” Todachi waves his hand to Bitter, and give a short nod to the two who’s approaching the table.

“Look what we found, Cham. A new cafe.” The black-haired lady said. She now has an eyepatch for her right eyes — watching with glee the whole, new experience.

“Irashaimase! I’ll lead you to your seat.” Yuzu’s already in front of them, directing to an open table.

“Oh no, we’re alright.” The red haired girl raises her palm, “We got appointment.”

“Oh…then excuse me,” Yuzu gives a light bow, as she leads them to the Kuzumi Agency’s Office.

“Bitter-san, I don’t know you’re acquainted with two cute girls…” Yuzu whispered with a wide smile from ear to ear.

“Don’t change your whole persona into a ‘teasing maid’ now you lost Lemon, Yuzu-chan.” Bitter scoffed.

“H-hey! What gives you the—”

The two of the customers arrived in front of them — with their hands in front of their mouth. Yuzu’s ears are now burning red. The maid repeatedly gives them a light bows, before disappearing into the kitchen.

“I never know lil bro was such a charmer with his attitude.” Shem giggled, keeping her right hand on her mouth.

“Now I’m curious if that Greenie has charmed a man or not,” Cham mumbled to Shem, as the both of them takes a seat in front of Bitter.

“…No one invited you here.” Bitter cut straight to the point.

“Now don’t be like that, Bitter-san — after what we have gone through together.” Shem put her usual smile on her face.

“…You saved me, Bitter-san.” Cham fidgeted on his seat, “Thank you.”

Bitter studies the both of them. Seems like Cham has gotten herself quite a few bit new scar. And Shem…not only she lost her right eyes, it seems she lost her left hand as well.

“…Yeah, sure.” Said Bitter shortly. He pulls the cake toward him, munching on the sweet, sweet taste.

Shem eyes lingered on her now-gone hand, “The last incidents have costs us too much.”

“Yeah… I guess.” Bitter’s keeps on munching his sweet.

“…You’re hiding your true feeling well. As expected from the Bitter of Kuzumi Agency,” Shem’s keen eyes notice the bag under Bitter’s eyes, and the swollen eyes.

“What do you want?” He asked.

“Nothing…we just want to keep you up to date,” Shem looked away to the corner of the cafe, “We’re dismantling The Ark. It has strayed from its purpose like Noah said — becoming a place full of rage and vengeance. So we’re going on an exodus —  for a while.”

“Not your usual separatist movement, then?”

“No, not anymore. Kyoto is now under the Japanese Government control again; albeit the…inclusivity. It’s relieving the SCF has abandoned its ‘kill-at-sight’ clause. It seems your friend has worked tirelessly behind your back.”

“I know he did.” Bitter moved on to the next desserts — the vanilla parfait, “So what’s your plan now?”

“That’s the thing.” Cham helped herself with the chocolate-peanut butter pancakes, “…you know, seeing like you’re missing two core members —“

“The Kuzumi Agency has been dissolved as well. Effectively today.”

“That’s unsurprising. Considering it’s only you now.” Cham unthought words makes Shem to nudge her elbow, “… B-but! We can make like, our own thing now — yeah!”

“That’s actually not a bad idea — we can be the muscles, like always” Shem rubs her chin. She takes the black coffee — sipping on it as she keeps her eyes on Bitter, “…But it all depends on the third member. The brain, if I may say”

Bitter sighs, “I’ll think about it, if you eat the rest of the dessert.”

“Win-win for us,” Shem snaps her finger. Birds yokai appears from her handbags, ‘stealing’ the desserts away, before disappearing again to the handbag.

“I’ll give you some time to figure things out. In the meantime, we’ll be sightseeing while we’re in Tokyo” Shem takes off from her seat, dragging Cham who still shoves in the pancake in her mouth. The bell rings, as the two of them are gone from his sight.

Bitter now alone again, watching his unfinished vanilla parfait. Every seconds felt so long without the two whippersnapper. By now, Lemon usually starts to berate Lime, and Lime starts to throw her silverware to the brother — causing mayhem as Yuzu brings her broom as the ultimatum. His eyes start to get blurry from the withhold tears, but he wipes it away before it falls onto their old sign. He holds it tight, declaring a silent promise to them in his heart — so they may pass on without worrying about him.

Deep in his heart, he posed a question to himself — Why does life has to be unfair? Well, the answer is subjective. And it couldn't satisfy everyone. But to Bitter, he got the answer. 

All the memories — the life he built with Lemon and Lime wouldn't be the same if the world is just a peaceful, fair place. With all the unfairness in the world — their struggle, their cry, and their fight is more precious than any lukewarm jackpot in the world. It's ironic, but he knows — life is full of irony itself. And the answer to that question, Bitter scribbles it down at the back of the 'Kuzumi Agency' sign. A new name, for a brand new life.

"Bittersweet Agency"