Epilogue

~~~🦊~~~

"Are you sure I’ll be okay?"

"Of course, stop worrying. Remember what I taught you, breathe..."

"Breathe deeply, let the stream wash away everything. I know, I know."

The telephone conversation fell into a brief silence until the voice on the other end continued.

"Alright, thanks, fox."

Takashi chuckled. "No problem. You'll do great. Take care."

The call ended, leaving the "fox" grinning. His friends still called him that, especially since his knack for scoring goals was joined by what seemed like supernatural powers. He had sensed danger on the bus they were on, which accident investigators credited with preventing it from falling off a cliff.

He adjusted his burgundy yukata, and while doing so, a soft voice reached his ears.

"Can you help me?"

Takashi turned, maintaining his smile, to face the true heroine of the story. Her voice now held more determination as she struggled with the garment engraved into his memory—the blue yukata.

"Sure," he smiled.

Takashi neared her and firmly fastened the obi around her waist, with gentle movements.

"Is he okay?" Nao asked.

"Hiroshi will be fine. I've told him to send us a manga copy when he can. He's about to achieve a huge mark."

"That's really good. But it's too bad he couldn't come with us. Same with Jun and his new kimono."

"Yeah, but you know..."

Takashi grasped Nao's waist, drawing her near and feeling her hands against his chest. He couldn't help but notice the different drawings and paintings on the walls and desks, some made by him and others created with her, which he treasured fondly. All those drawing lessons together had been worth it.

"That means the festival is all ours." His teasing grin illuminated Nao's face.

"You're right," she played along.

Takashi completed the obi's tying, then refined Nao's shoulders and neckline, presenting her like a doll crafted by a masterful hand. His attention shifted to the captivating eyes of the girl, who met his gaze as she looked up, her veil lowering.

"What?"

"You're as beautiful as when I first met you," he whispered, earning a smile in return.

"In your memories, right?"

"In all of the times."

Her smile, brimming with joy, persisted, although her deepened blush and averted eyes did not. She looked down at the ground to her right, wrapped in sweet embarrassment, and as she looked up, the shine of her shyness invited Takashi to share her feelings.

"Dummy," she said full of love.

Takashi had gotten used to Nao calling him a dummy, and he was fine with it. He would be the biggest dummy in the world just to feel the heart-fluttering sensation those words gave him. Being the happiest fool, he peppered Nao’s lips with many gentle kisses, enjoying a moment of intimate passion they cherished. Their dreamy eyes closed, allowing their mouths to command all the attention.

"And then they say my powers are useless."

Both of them startled, clutching each other in defense against the playful voice that had suddenly materialized.

"Inari!"

"Hello there! Did I pick an inconvenient moment?"

"Yes, the worst possible moment!" the boy shouted.

Instinctively, Takashi embraced Nao, who nestled her face against his chest. The cheeks of both had transformed into vivid Christmas ornaments, thanks to the deity who now laughed like a fox.

"Come on, no need to worry. I quite enjoy witnessing the affection between the couple I united. And besides..."

Inari did a playful loop in the air, continuing in a suggestive tone.

"I’m well aware you've been busy showering each other with love this past year."

A thousand bonfires wouldn't have equaled the heat radiating from Takashi and Nao's faces, engulfing them in newfound embarrassment.

"W-W-W-what are you talking about, you fool?" Nao covered her face with her hands, clutching Takashi even tighter.

"How far can you see?" the boy asked, irritated and surprised.

"Must I remind you that I'm a deity? You could never understand."

However, Takashi unexpectedly chuckled. Despite her growth, Nao still retained some shy behaviors, which was logical. Thankfully, she had overcome many fears, and this charming behavior was just adorable to witness. But there was another reason for his smile.

"And here you are, after an entire year, right at this moment. I'm not surprised by your timing."

The remark prompted Nao to reveal her face, presenting herself as the red pepper she felt like.

"Sorry, sorry. But I told you, deities have more power during festivals. It was good that you came up with a good story, Nao. The heroine with a 'goddess Inari vision,' warning of the upcoming accident. Quite clever. My praise had become even greater now, too."

Nao couldn't hold back a giggle, turning into an even cuter red pepper. "You could have made us suffer less that way."

"Yes, but it wouldn't have been half as amusing," Inari quipped.

"But... what... happened to you?" Nao's sweet voice lowered in volume again. "I mean, you said Amaterasu..."

"Oh, that," Inari interjected. "Well, it turns out Amaterasu was very angry about what I did, but she was also angry with Izanami. And rightfully so. She thought she could play dirty and that Amaterasu wouldn't do anything because I had done it first. You should have seen her face when she saw me floating back down there again." Inari burst into laughter.

"So, both of you lost your powers?" Takashi grinned, observing Nao cuddling closer against his chest.

"Somewhat. But, as I mentioned, we're deities. It's beyond your grasp."

"Huh? I see..."

Inari, true to their silence, said nothing again, suspended in front of them in the quiet room.

"Will we see you again?" Nao asked, her flush still evident.

"Indeed, through prayer, as you always have. But my work here is done. As is yours. I'm sorry, but that's just how things are. Either way, I'll keep watching over you and all my protected ones."

Those words brought tranquility to their hearts. Not only had Inari not ceased to exist, as they had feared after she disappeared into the bright light during their fall in the Underworld, but she would continue to care for all. Observing from the silence, just as she was observing the two of them now.

"What are you looking at?" Nao asked, her smile warm.

"My beautiful creation," Inari soothed her voice. "You've grown so much during this time, and your love grows deeper every day. I never could have imagined I could create something like this. So, for that and for helping me prove the deities wrong, thank you, Nao and Takashi. I hope you'll be very happy."

The illusion resonated in their eyes, first directed at the deity and then interwoven, evoking tender smiles that could have endured for centuries.

"Thank you so much, Ina..."

First Takashi, then his beloved, their expressions mellowed as they averted their gazes. Their words tangled momentarily in the air, held by surprise. Soon, Nao nestled her head deeper into Takashi's chest, their embrace growing stronger. A few seconds of shared warmth and smiles followed, their eyes fixed on the spot where Inari was no longer present.

"Thank you," Takashi whispered.

Moments later, Nao echoed. "Thank you."

~~~🌟~~~

"Oh no! Hey!"

Already on the streets of Takachiho, Nao released her grip on Takashi's hand, hurrying to aid a crying child at the cobblestone roadside, seemingly alone.

"Shh, it's okay. With her familiar tenderness, Nao stroked the child's head. "Are you okay?"

"I'm... scared..."

The little boy kept his hands over his teary eyes, prompting Nao to continue stroking his hair.

"What's your name?"

"Natsu," he said between sobs.

"Natsu. What a lovely name. You know, my little brother used to get scared at night too. But have you noticed how beautiful the stars are tonight?"

For the first time, the boy revealed his dark eyes to gaze at the enchanting night sky.

"Those stars will take care of you in the darkness, ensuring you’re never alone. They'll guide and protect you until we find your parents, okay?"

Nao exuded tenderness like a warming sunbeam, causing Takashi's heart to melt as he observed her comforting the child. Even a certain thought crossed his mind for a moment, but he let it go—they were still too young to think about that.

"But... that's not it." Natsu tried to maintain eye contact with Nao, his face still damp from tears, as he pointed toward the next street. "It's just that, in the woods, I saw a scary fox."

Takashi and Nao's eyes sparkled with the light of their souls, shining like stars. Slowly, they turned to reconnect their gazes, faces illuminated by love. After receiving the blessing of her beloved's gaze, Takashi approached the child cautiously, kneeling in front of him.

"Don't worry, Natsu, don't cry. Foxes won't hurt you. You know? In reality, they're nearby to protect you."

Takashi infused his tenderness into the child, who already seemed to relax.

"Are you a couple?"

"Yes..." Nao replied confidently, making Takashi want to embrace her. "We are."

"And... did the foxes protect you too?"

Aware of the answer, Nao glanced at Takashi again, conveying a multitude of emotions – one for every shining sun and every promised kiss. True to his promise, he had already made great progress.

"Natsu?" he asked, keeping his eyes locked on her. "Would you like to know how I met the love of my life?"

Nao exclaimed in surprise at the words, taken aback by the sudden and intense declaration of love. Her smile radiated the brilliance of her thousand suns.

"How? Was it something fantastic?"

Takashi looked at the child once more, his eyes now gleaming with excitement instead of distress. Once again, he had brought joy to someone's heart, and once again, he was content to do so.

"No, not at all."

His eyes shimmered too, directed at the mesmerizing night sky adorned with stars. The same sky that had shielded, guided, and inspired his transformation. Full of stars, like the ones he hoped to be for everyone around him. Like Nao had been, his great and beautiful light that defied destiny. And like a certain fox, who a year ago turned the seemingly impossible into reality.

"I just hit her with a ball," he chuckled.