Epilogue

Summer had come to an end, and now autumn had begun, along with the second term. A few weeks had passed, and quite a lot had happened. After the events of August 13th, we decided to talk as a family. Miyu explained herself and apologized more times than I could count.

​What she did was kinda messed up, but I think it was justified seeing as she was just trying to protect me. Rather than getting upset, I gave her the old karate chop to the forehead, then scolded her. Mom laughed at our little squabble, as always. 

It felt as if everything was back to normal. Since Chiyoko had told Miyu and me the killer's name, we decided to visit her mother.

​Surprisingly, she was still alive, but she was as old as you would expect—seventy years old. Chiyoko's father had died just two years ago, according to Mom. We went to the Watanabe mansion. 

Mom began telling her everything that happened regarding Chiyoko's disappearance. When she heard that her daughter was killed because of her and her husband's mistake, she broke down.

​Having realized that she had blamed the wrong people, she apologized to Mom as they both hugged, their tears streaming down their faces. 

In the meantime, Miyu and I were taking a tour of the mansion, which made me remember the tour we gave Chiyoko. This made me smile melancholically as Shizuka-san chatted with Miyu about what type of person Chiyoko was thirty years ago.

​We strolled near the garden as I noticed the Plum, Cherry, Peach, and Apricot trees in the middle of the garden in chronological order. The cherry tree's leaves had turned a beautiful reddish-orange and were about to fall, while the others were patiently waiting for their time. 

For some reason, the cherry trees reminded me of Chiyoko. Maybe it's because she also bloomed in her own time. And so did I, and so did everyone. We all bloomed like those four trees. How poetic.

​After our tour came to an end, I was finally introduced to Chiyoko's Mom as the boy she chose to be her lover. Her Mom thanked me for freeing her daughter from her thirty years of loneliness, and like a baby, the waterworks took me over again. 

I then asked her for permission—permission to dig Chiyoko from where she was buried and finally bury her in her proper grave. She agreed, and I did just that. It took me a total of two days to do the whole thing. But it was all worth it, because her remains were finally in the right place.

​This is totally random, but as it turns out, Mom and Dad didn't break up. It was just a huge, messed up prank. My birthday is on the first of April. I think we all know what day that is. It's April Fool's Day, and they decided to make a fool out of me by telling me they broke up. 

Heck, Mom wasn't even a part of it. It was that old geezer who fooled me. Mom was the one who told me they were still together; it’s just that their jobs keep them apart. Pretty sad when you think about it.

​Before I left the town, I decided to visit her grave one last time. I stood before it as I placed Hori Corn Chocolate on it. Then, I changed the flowers and cleaned the tombstone. When I raised my head, I saw a very familiar face looking at me with ruby-red eyes. I blinked, and it was gone. My lips curled up as I left the graveyard, feeling a small sense of relief.

​When I got home, I noticed Mom standing in the kitchen looking at the 1992 photo, her expression brimming with quiet joy. I didn’t say a word. In fact, I didn't make a sound. I let her enjoy looking at her old family in peace.

​I left Kiyomizuzawa and went to Tokyo, where I had to go to school again. The second semester had begun, after all. This time, I wasn't afraid of going to school. For the first time, I didn't care about what they thought of me or what they were saying behind my back. It didn't matter. Only what I think mattered. Truly, I had changed, and for the better, too. It was about time.

​I sauntered through my neighborhood as I walked under a myriad of cherry trees while their leaves flew through the air elegantly, rustling harmoniously. The scent of the trees was a mixture of powdery vanilla, almond, and light rose. I stood in the middle of the road as I looked at the watch on my wrist. I was as early as ever.

​I was dressed in my uniform: a white shirt that wasn't buttoned fully, black pants, and brown leather shoes. I held my blazer over my shoulder. My hair was no longer blonde. I had washed the dye away since there was no need for me to try to fit in anymore. My black, messy hair was back. I just wish she could've seen it.

​On my right arm, there was a specific accessory I tied in a neat bow. It was the pink ribbon I had given her. I was also wearing the ring I proposed to her with. Just then, I heard other students following behind me. They were chatting about who knows what—probably their summer break.

​I raised my hand to the sky as I looked at the ring on my finger with quiet longing. For some reason, it felt like my journey wasn't over. It was as if it was only beginning. I then smiled as I tightened the grip on my school bag that was in my left hand. Then, I sauntered forward without looking back.

​Looking back is a sign of regret, and I have no regrets, I murmured to myself as I disappeared into the beautiful horizon of the cherry trees. Wait for me, Chiyoko. I'll see you soon…

『Thank you so much for reading✨️』