Epilogue I + II

I: The Us Who Overcame Destiny

Years have gone by, and this life has started treating us well. We have no troubles besides occasional bickering over small, dumb things; we even married a while ago. I’ve let go of my attachment to my suffering and guilt. On top of everything else, we’ve learned to be more independent. Everything I’ve gone through opened my eyes to how much my emotional well-being depends on Touko, and if anything happened where I’d need to be separated from her for even a second, I’d fall apart all over again. It’s nice being able to be okay by myself.

Tsukimi is doing well, too. Every time I visit the library, her books are proudly displayed. She’s currently trying to find a way to connect this world with our previous in hopes that we can find a way to communicate with the living. She and a group of other scientists are trying to develop something akin to a Ouija board, she told us. Tsukimi has had book signing events that we were able to get into for free, where Touko was able to meet Tsukimi again since high school officially.

Despite our rocky relationship now, Touko and I have been watching Oli’s magic performances from time to time. Surprisingly, he’s been able to pick me out from his audience a few times and invite me on stage. The three of us go out for drinks sometimes; we’re slowly but surely mending our relationship. After our argument, I’ve noticed he’s been a little more careful with what he does with his volunteers, and I couldn’t ask for anything more; a silent apology.

Something clings to my leg, ripping me out of my head.

“Papa! Papa! Mama said it’s time to eat!”

I forgot to say, I have a child now. Her name is Violet, or Vio for short. She’s three years old, and she’s starting preschool soon. It’s a bit of a walk since we live in the middle of nowhere, but we’ve been getting better at magic together so that it won’t be so bad.

“Tell her I’ll be there in a minute, Vio,” I ruffle her dark brown hair, careful not to hit the small white horns on her head.

“Okaayyy!” She yelled, detaching herself from my leg before running into the living room with Touko.

Our love has felt stronger than ever, ever since we had Violet. Luckily for us, she’s a relatively calm child; Touko does a good job teaching her how to communicate her emotions to us, so it’s all thanks to her.

Following Violet’s steps, I walk into the living room. Touko is sitting on the couch, playing with Violet’s hair, who’s sitting on her lap. Violet is happily humming along to a children’s song that’s playing on the TV, swaying to the rhythm of the music.

As I began assembling myself a plate of salad mixed with chicken, someone popped into my mind, someone I hadn’t thought of in a while.

“Touko, do you remember Yoichi?” I asked sincerely.

“Oh, of course. How could I forget him?” She responded with a chuckle, not looking up from Violet.

“I wonder what he’s doing now…”

Touko shrugs, “That’s a good question.”

I sincerely hope he’s doing okay and forgives us for leaving him.

II: His Parting Gift

I stood in the confined kitchen of my apartment, cooking up some white rice for breakfast. I felt a vibration on the counter coming from my phone; I excitedly picked it up, assuming it was a text from my friend. I read the text I got; it was from my landlord, reminding me that someone was coming over to fix my air conditioning soon. Disappointed, I lay the phone back down and continued cooking.

My name is Yoichi Mukai, and my friend Haruki Nakamura and his girlfriend Touko Moriyama have gone missing more than a year ago. Unable to resist the temptation, I scroll through our texts again, wondering if I’d missed any.

Dec 20 at 9:21 PM
-Good luck Haruki!! If you need any help you know where to go!

Dec 25 at 1:02 PM
-Have fun w/ Touko today, man ;) Merry Christmas

Jan 1 at 12:00 AM
-Happy New Year!! Good luck this year too

Jan 17 at 8:45 PM
-Are you getting these??? Don’t ignore me, man ww

Jan 20 at 2:10 PM
-Seriously Haruki I’m starting to get freaked out. Are you okay???

Jan 20 at 9:55 PM
-Please answer me man I’m gonna call the police

Jan 21 at 12:14 AM
-No one @ the cafe has seen you or Touko. Did you get caught up in smth sketchy??

Feb 1 at 10:34 AM
-I’m calling the police

Feb 22 at 12:03 AM
-Happy birthday Haruki

Feb 22 at 11:13 AM
-We’re all worried, man, if you see this please respond

Apr 19 at 4:32 PM
-It’s been a while, just wanted to let you know I saved up for an apartment! I finally shook off the gambling habit and began living my life. You’re welcome to see it anytime! Touko, too

Oct 14 at 2:24 PM
-Tell Touko I say happy birthday

I scrolled to the bottom. On impulse, I type a message and send it into the void.

Dec 25 at 8:31 AM
-I really miss you Haruki

Not a single one was read. I pay it no mind and focus on cooking, turning on the news as some background noise.

Of course, as soon as I turn it on;

“Bodies identified as 22-year-old Nakamura Haruki and Moriyama Touko were found behind an abandoned building in Shibuya after an alleged double suicide.”

As much as I tried to convince myself they were okay, something in my chest always knew that something like this had happened. Seeing them on the TV makes everything seem so real, though. I finally got the closure I needed, but it confirmed my fears that I could’ve prevented this. After cooking the rice, I searched my bookshelf for his illustrated manga.

“My Parting Gift~ Nakamura Haruki”

I flip through the pages, remembering the plot, connecting the dots between his life and his protagonist’s. The manga is about a man who abandons himself; he quits his job, distances himself from his friends and family, and everything about his life disappears, almost like he has died. His friends and family are working together to determine the reasons behind what he did and if there is a way to get him back. Ultimately, it’s revealed that he threw his life away to live in peaceful seclusion with his wife.

Everything he did was for her. Wasn’t it, Haruki?

Rest easy, now, you two.