Epilogue

Year 2092.

Two years back, on the same night, the fires had raged on, burning the Port of Tokyo completely. The port had been a major source of income for the Japanese Government. Thus the Japanese economy had taken a hit during the 11 days when the port was being restored.

But this was the least of the world’s problems.

The CIA couldn’t hide Akihiro’s existence anymore. That night, the entire truth was revealed to the world. It had been the main topic which all news stations talked about, all around the world.

Akihiro’s existence had been revealed to the whole world.

Tensions between the two superpowers increased. Many clashes occurred between the two superpowers but eventually, the US stepped down in order to avoid mutual destruction, leaving Russia as the sole superpower in the world.

Two years have passed since Akihiro left this cruel world. He fought his unfair fate, until the very end.

Natsume released his first novel, ‘Crimson Soul’ in the second year of college. Since Crimson Soul talked about Akihiro’s life, the truth about his existence and his love for Ayane, it became popular immediately.

It became New York’s Bestselling book and sold billions of copies all around the world.

Natsume and Rumi ended up in the same college while Ayane was admitted into the University of Tokyo.

It had been exactly two years since then. Today was Akihiro’s death anniversary. Rumi had come to the grave to pay her respects. Natsume was already in front of Akihiro’s grave, kneeling as he placed a red flower on his grave. Rumi knelt too and offered her prayers. The two of them got up and decided to walk to a nearby cafe, to talk as they hadn’t met each other in a while.

“Even though we are in the same college, we don’t meet very often...I’m surprised that you still haven’t been sued for sexual harassment by now.” Rumi joked.

“Wha- What do you think I am?” Natsume asked, completely shocked by Rumi’s scandalous statement.

“Pervert…” Rumi laughed.

“Oiii!”

“Have you met Ayane recently? How’s she doing? I haven’t seen her in a very long time. Does she still dance?” Rumi asked.

“Ah Ayane...No, she doesn’t dance anymore. She hates dancing now. She hates moonlit night skies too. Ironically, tonight is going to be a moonlit night sky. The world is full of irony.”

“Oh...but is she doing well?”

“Yea...it took her quite some time, but now looks like she’s finally been able to move on. She still visits this grave every day in the evening. I sometimes bump into her here.”

“That yellow flower is from her?” Rumi asked.

“No, the white one is from her. I don’t know about the yellow one.” Natsume replied.

“I read ‘Crimson Soul’. Was everything in it true? Or did you make up some stuff?”

“Everything is true. I had asked Ayane to tell me what happened after we split up at the bridge. Whatever she told, I wrote it down in the story.” Natsume said.

“Well you must be glad, the book is super famous. You are rich and famous now.”

“Don’t say that. You know how I’ve always been searching for something interesting, right? I feel like all this happened because God answered my prayers of wanting to see something interesting. God was playing with me. I just hate it. Maybe if I never desired to see something interesting, this wouldn’t have happened.”

“Natsume...this all happened because of the CIA. No one else was at fault.”

“Yea I know...I’m just glad that Akihiro’s name will be remembered by everyone. He’ll continue to live on, in our hearts.” Natsume said as he began tearing up.

“Natsume…”

“Don’t worry, this is nothing compared to what Ayane felt. I can’t even imagine how broken she was when it all happened. Even now, she’s struggling to move on. Everything reminds her of him. She still hasn’t taken that red pendant off her neck. She still wears it, every single day. I really respect her. She’s a strong woman.”

“Yeah…”

“Ahaha, sorry the conversation became sad. Let’s change the topic.” Natsume said as he wiped his eyes with the tissue paper. “This is Crimson Soul, one of the most popular books in the world. The hot, good-looking, extremely talented author of this book is sitting right in front of you. Don’t you want his autograph?”

“Geh...Oh but I do have one question!”

“What is it?”

“If Aki-kun was Subject 005, then what happened to the remaining four?”