Epilogue
One month later, Megumi turned five-years-old.
Two months later, SPR opened back up to the public.
Three months later, life was as normal as it could be.
Of course, now that SPR was open, people began entering with more ridiculously fabricated stories of haunting in their homes not mention the Takigawas arguing and John standing on the sidelines helplessly. It was frustrating, but the usual routine was also a nice reminder that everything was as it should be.
Mai, my stubborn wife, wouldn't tolerate lying around despite the fact that she was on maternity leave. But, since she was so stubborn, I allowed her to come to the office with me as long as she didn't do anything more than make tea. And it was soothing knowing that I could keep an eye on her while I was working. Mitsuki might've been gone, but I didn't want to push my luck—though luck was a relative term since my life was based on the decisions I made and the lies I told to others. Of course, Mai and I were just happy to be with each other. And it was truly enjoyable.
A week later, I was getting ready to go back to the hospital with Megumi. Most of our visits were usually on a serious note, but this one was an exception.
"Megumi, are you ready?"
The giddy little toddler ran into my arms. "I'm ready! But what about Jii-Jii?"
"Animals aren't allowed at the hospital, Hime. He'll be fine on his own. Did you leave enough food in his bowl?"
"Hai!"
"Then let's go."
The drive to the hospital was long and jovial and lively mostly due to Megumi's excitement, but I had to admit I was also impatient with joy even though I didn't show it.
Once we were at the hospital, I carried Megumi in until we were on the right floor. I set her down when we were in front of the door. "Remember to be careful and be quiet. Don't be too loud even when you see Okaa-san, okay?"
"Hai!" she said in a hushed tone.
I opened the door slowly so I wouldn't disturb the inhabitants. I saw Mai in bed beaming at the little bundle in her arms. When she noticed me, her smiled brightened. Megumi, the hyperactive toddler she was, squeezed right past me and ran into the room before I could stop her. "Okaa-san!" she cried out quietly.
"Megumi-chan, come meet your little brother."
Quietly, Megumi went over to the bed. Mai moved over a bit so she could get onto the bed. Megumi's wondering eyes gazed upon the infant with interest. "He's so tiny."
"You were this tiny when you were a baby, Megumi."
Thinking back, I remembered Megumi being a little smaller since she was born two months early. Our new son was only born a month earlier than he was supposed to, but Mai and I weren't in alert when he was coming. Since we had experience with this in the past, we had everything prepared in case his arrival was premature. He was born yesterday February 10th at 5:10, a healthy 4 pounds and 15 ounces, almost 5 pounds. It was one of the happiest moments of my life.
"How are you feeling, Mai?" I asked once I finally entered the room. I sat on the other side of the bed.
"Better than I did yesterday, that's for sure." She laughed a little under her breath. "You haven't held him yet, Naru, have you?"
I hesitated. No, I hadn't held my son yet, but he was not even a day old. I didn't know why, but I had this inner terror inside of me; it wasn't like anything I felt when I first held Megumi. Back then, she was about to die. Now, on this special occasion, the realization of having a healthy baby boy flushed me with relief and yet… I was still afraid to bear this new life.
Mai suddenly took my hand. "It's okay, Naru. Come here." She carefully pulled put the little bundle into my arms. The baby boy squirmed as he tried to get comfortable in this new set of arms. His mouth puckered a bit but his eyes remained closed. "See? He knows it's his daddy."
Looking at the little eyes, I smiled, feeling prideful. My son looked exactly like me and we were yet to see his eyes. It felt natural having him in my arms. "We still have to name him," I murmured softly.
"And we still have to call your parents."
I frowned. "We can do that later."
"Well, how about… Gene?"
My frown softened into a sullen grin. "No. That'll only bring back those terrible memories."
"I understand." I heard Mai hum under her breath. "His name should be unique. Megumi, can you think of anything?"
"*Hansuke!"
I looked back at Megumi in shock. She came up with that name quickly. On the other hand, Mai looked beyond shocked, almost fearful. "Where'd you hear that name, Megumi?"
She shrugged. "I just like it."
Mai looked at me with glassy eyes. "I like it, too," she said.
Then I looked back at my son who was still slumbering in my arms. "Hansuke. That's sounds… perfect."
I couldn't think of anything more perfect than this moment. Our family was safe and complete once again. Death wouldn't be enough because I would always be there to protect them.
The End (Not really)
DIE Omake!
"You've been married for five years, Houshou?"
"Yep."
"How long did you think you were going to hide this from the band?"
"I wasn't planning on hiding it long, Akio. Anyway, how's it going with the Sato biz? Are you and your family doing better?"
"Well, we don't have to deal with anymore fires, that's for sure!"
As the gentlemen laughed, another presence suddenly entered the house. "Hey, babe! How'd shopping go?" Houshou greeted. His wife looked back at him as if he were a ghost. What really surprised him was that Madoka was accompanying her. "What's up?" he asked in concern.
"Do you think we could talk alone?"
"Sure. Sorry, Akio."
"It's fine, man. I'll see you later."
Once Akio was gone, Houshou got off of the couch and went to his wife. "What's wrong with Ayako? What happened? Did they run out of her your favorite mascara?"
"Um, Bou-san," Madoka said, "you should really sit down for this. Ayako has something to tell you." The miko said nothing.
"Why?" As he waited for an answer, Ayako continued to stand still and say nothing. Her face was as white as a sheet. "Ayako?"
"I'm pregnant, okay!"
A moment of silence passed before the monk gave an actual response: he fainted.
Madoka smiled. "I think he took it well."
Ayako face-palmed. "Help me drag him onto the couch."
*Hansuke is the name of the guy who gave Mai advice in Chapter 23: Tears of "Our Love Made Mistakes". If no one's read that, then they're really missing out.
Well that's the end of "Death Isn't Enough"! Cheesy ending, I know. I didn't expect it to be this short especially since its prequel is much longer. Oh, and look out for the sequel "Mystic Files: The SPR Generation".
R&R!