Umigami-sama returned Ojoshi-sama to the surface, but he kept her heart that could love. Time passed and Umigami-sama melted into the sea along with Ojoshi-sama's loving heart.
Hikari knew his love was fruitless, but even so he wanted to believe the words that he told Miuna. Loving freely and cherishing that emotion and those people, it was important. It meant something. He knew more than anyone that love was painful, it's troublesome, and the closer someone is to you the more it hurts when they leave. He experienced that when his mom died. All the same, cherishing someone is not easy and not everyone experiences it, so that meant that love was precious. Manaka was precious; therefore the people Manaka loved were precious. He would cherish his love by protecting those things that made her happy. Protect Manaka, protect Akari, and quell whatever desire the Umigami had when he drew the Ofunehiki into the whirlpools and the depth of the sea.
Spring came too soon. It was a sad reminder for those involved of the sacrifice paid to continue both life on the surface, and in the sea. The weather returned to normal and sea snow that fell became not more than a memory. Surface dwellers and the sea folk continued their squabbling, but with hardly the furor that was there before. There really wasn't a point to it. Fighting now would only desecrate the resolution of Hikari, someone who could hardly be called forgiving, but was tenacious enough to change things for the sake of others.
Those closest to Hikari moved on as well. They wouldn't squander this opportunity that Hikari gave them. High school started soon, they would either grow closer together or move on in their own direction. Either way, the world continued to move and change. Chisaki came to forgive herself for her abandonment of both Kaname and Hikari, and moved on. She became closer friends with both Manaka and Tsumugu, and Kaname grew closer to Akari and Miuna.
"Obaa-san, I'm heading out now! I'm stopping by Uroko-sama's before school." Manaka called into the house as she slipped on her shoes at the entry way. Tapping her foot into the shoe all the way she hopped up and left the house.
Looking around her she still had trouble believing the changes and good fortune of Shishishio. Previously, the town was borderline desolate, but now looking around she could hardly think she was looking at the same town. Many of the Halflings were returning to visit their estranged families, and the town itself was bustling from activity for the reconstruction.
As she walked down the cobblestone path she saw Chisaki leaving her house as well. "Ne, Chisaaaki-chaan!" Manaka called out as she hopped off the path and floated down toward Chisaki. "I have to stop at Uroko-sama's to deliver the offering. Please don't go to school without me. I'll hurry and be right back!"
"Manaka, it's fine. I'll walk with you to Uroko-sama's too. I don't want you to forget the time and be late for school."
They arrived at the shrine and saw Uroko-sama reclined in the cushions per usual. He seemed to be dozing off though, not in the audacious laid back manner, but rather content and simply enjoying the atmosphere. His voice calling out interrupted the girls' observations, "Hmm, finally come to pay your respects, and here I thought you would finally become proper adults and visit more often."
Manaka glanced back and Chisaki before looking to the floor and pouting, "We are proper adults, we start high school soon!" She set the offering before Uroko-sama and waited as he sampled the offering.
After taking a bite of the stewed daikon Uroko responded with, "Hmm, that may be the case you're cooking has improved. I may've mistaken it for your Grandmother's if I didn't know any better. Are you sure you made this? Or is Manaka being a bad girl?" he finished with a flirtatious wink.
After not receiving a biting retort about sexual harassment Uroko glanced up at Manaka's pondering face and set down the offering. "Prince charming solved all your problems and yet you still manage to find more. He can't protect you anymore. It's about time you walked on your own."
Her eyes were downcast as she spoke, "Uroko-sama seems content with the outcome, despite being wrong. You said that we couldn't change the outcome of what was to come."
"I am but a scale from Umigami-sama. His consciousness speaks to me through the sacred fire. I do not create the future I only discern what I am told." He bit out.
Manaka left frustrated with Chisaki trailing behind her.