Epilogue
—Two weeks later.
I sat on the plane, gazing out the window.
This Silicon Valley trip, the project launch had gotten off to a solid start. From here, remote follow-up from Japan should be enough.
My first overseas business trip had turned out more rewarding than I’d imagined.
“We will shortly begin our descent.”
The in-flight announcement rang out. Maybe it was just me, but my heartbeat gradually started picking up speed.
Stepping out into the arrivals lobby, Hanamori was there, sitting neatly in a waiting chair.
We’d been face to face on video calls every single day, and yet seeing the real Hanamori after two weeks felt strangely fresh, almost dazzling to look at.
Still cute, after all. Exceptionally so. Off the charts.
My heart gave a hard, sudden thud, like it had been caught off guard.
The moment our eyes met, Hanamori’s eyes went wide. The corners of her mouth loosened, just slightly. …Or so I thought, before she immediately looked away.
“I’m back.”
“…Welcome back.”
“Did you miss me?”
“Not really. Not at all.”
“Liar. You were crying, though.”
I teased her, and Hanamori’s cheeks turned red right before my eyes. Her gaze wandered, her lips pursed slightly.
Hm, she’s sulking about something. Obviously. And that, too, is somehow cute.
“Are you mad about something else again?”
“…The morning LIME message, two days ago. It never came.”
“Eh!? Was that a thing!? Ah, sorry. I overslept that day.”
“Ugh, seriously.”
Hanamori shook her head, exasperated, but her mouth was loosening slightly too.
“Also, Asami-san, aren’t you seriously bad at taking photos?”
“Huh? That’s not true.”
“No, like, the food photos were all completely blurry. How do you even manage that? How does that happen?”
“Ugh, quiet. I sent something every single day, that should count for something.”
“Take them properly. I couldn’t even tell what you were eating half the time.”
“Excuse me? Did you come to the airport just to criticize me?”
We glanced sideways at each other and both laughed softly.
The usual banter, after two weeks apart. This woman really is as impudent as ever. Infuriating, every single time.
Well, honestly, those two weeks without Hanamori by my side had felt seriously lacking. I’ll admit that. Frustrating, but I have to admit it.
*
“…Well, shall we go?”
“Yes.”
We naturally reached for each other’s hands. Fingertips touching, gently lacing together. The classic lovers’ hand-hold.
The distance between our bodies closed naturally too. A scent, Hanamori’s shampoo mixed with sweet perfume, drifted faintly past my nose.
Embarrassing. I still haven’t gotten used to this closeness; my heart’s been racing the whole time.
Pulling my suitcase along, I muttered, mostly to distract myself.
“Man, I’m hungry.”
“Right? What do you want to eat?”
“I never got proper Japanese food the whole time I was there. Kind of want sushi.”
“Ehh. I want Italian. I found a stylish café on Isosuta.”
“Ehh. I already decided on conveyor-belt sushi the second I got back.”
“I’m in a pizza kind of mood right now.”
“Isn’t the returning traveler usually supposed to get priority on this stuff?”
“No, no. Priority goes to your cute younger girlfriend.”
“Definitely sushi.”
“Definitely Italian.”
“Sushi.”
“Italian.”
Another fight. It’s funny.
And just like that, bickering as usual, we walked toward the airport exit.
—But our joined hands didn’t let go.
—A future, walked together, quietly beginning.
This concludes the main story.
Thank you so much for reading all the way through!
From here, I’ll be posting follow-up short stories, side chapters, and spin-offs on an irregular basis.
If you enjoyed this story, I’d be so grateful for follows, ★s, ♡s, comments, and reviews — they’re a huge source of encouragement!
The print edition is scheduled to release on July 30.
I’d love for you to check that out too, if you’re interested.
Link to the book on the front page.