Chapter 25: What Tomorrow Brings

The next few months were a difficult time for Fuuka Academy, even though the world was no longer in peril. Mashiro, who had returned alongside Fumi after the final battle, had officially declared the school reopened, but not everyone was returning. Yamanaka Kasumi and her mother had departed, unable to bear the stigma from their relation to Officer Yamanaka. His name would never be cleared of his reputation as a murderer, which eclipsed all of his accomplishments as a police officer, with only his wife, his daughter, a handful of close friends and those aware of the truth believing that he could not have been guilty.

Other teachers and students refused to return because of safety concerns, and there were those who had gone missing in the conflict, slain by Hitomi or used as the sacrifices by the defeated SUEs. The returning students were thus wary, but with the student council's leadership, they began to accept that the crisis had passed. Suzushiro Construction worked on restoring the campus to normal, with the intention of building a stronger, better academy. And yet, a small wall near the entrance, with photos and posters about the missing and deceased, including links to a website and phone numbers that those with information could call, showed that many would not be able to enjoy peace's return.

Takamura Kyouji, Ishida Miho, Yamanaka Soichiro, Amane Taiga and Tatsuya, Yoshida Kyoko, Ishigami Wataru, Sanada Yukariko, and many others would never return. Those closest to them would always remember and miss them, but never find out the true reasons behind their passing. Akane and Kazuya had sworn never to forget Suou Mariko, who had died in Kazuya's place, as well as that, while it was not her choice, her death had allowed Kazuya to live on, enabling him and Akane to be happy together.

Many people in the Fuuka community's stories had ended. But among the survivors, many found their lives headed in a new direction.

"I see…" Akira said as she walked with Mai on the way to the lingerie shop, a few days after having returned to Japan with Takumi after his operation. Having rbeen abroad during the last stages of the Hime Carnival, she had been oblivious to many developments, such as the reason why her Hime birthmark vanished even though Takumi was still alive and why her art teacher was gone.

"I'm sorry, Akira-kun… I mean, -chan." Mai said. "You looked up to Ishigami-sensei, didn't you?"

"Yeah, but it's complicated," Akira said. "I mean, it'd be one thing if he was just another most important person and died just because Sister Yukariko happened to fall in love with him and then lost to someone. But to think he knew about this, and saw me as an obstacle to his selfish, evil plans…" Akira trailed off.

"Speaking of the carnival, how's your clan taking the winner-less outcome?' Mai asked.

"Surprisingly well, considering what the truth was- that only the Obsidian Lord could have won it and controlled the Hime Star, with the only alternative being destroying it and killing him," Akira said. "It seems anyone who wanted to control the Hime Star- Searrs, my clan, Ishigami-sensei- are nothing but fools." Contrary to Akira's stoic façade, Mai noticed a note of disappointment as Akira mentioned the latter two. "Although it would seem that my clan's foolishness, unlike that of the others, did not require death to cure," she continued, looking slightly relieved.

Mai simply replied with a nod, and the two walked in silence until they reached the store.

"Welcome!" Shizuru said, greeting them while dressed in the store employee uniform.

"Hello, President, we're here for a bra for her," Mai said.

"I won't be president much longer, Mai-san," Shizuru said, having relaxed her formality toward Mai somewhat over the past few months. "How about just 'Shizuru'?"

"Very well, Shizuru-san," Mai said. "But I appreciate that one of your last acts in office was to 'clarify the mistake' regarding Akira-chan's gender; she could have been in big trouble if it came out that she lied about her gender."

Shizuru, with Mashiro's help, had claimed that an error resulting from Akira's gender-neutral name had resulted in Akira being mistakenly enrolled as a boy. According to the cover story, Akira had tried to rectify the mistake, while hiding her gender for fear of being punished should the truth come to light. Akira, in response, merely had to obtain a female uniform and move out of Takumi's room.

"My pleasure," Shizuru said. "Right this way, Okuzaki-san."

"Do I want to know how her counterpart found out I was a girl?" Akira thought to herself as Shizuru "helped" her undress.

"This is no good, Okuzaki-san," Shizuru said. "You shouldn't bind your breasts like that, not when they could grow so large otherwise."

"Th-that was sort of the point," Akira said, blushing slightly.

Mai and Akira finished their business and then returned to campus. Suddenly, Akira broke off, prompting Mai to briefly wonder.

"Wait, where are you…" Mai began. "Ah, your new room's over there," she said as she remembered that Akira no longer lived in Takumi's dormitory room.

"I'll see you later, Mai," Akira said.

"Likewise, Akira-chan," Mai said.

Akira unlocked her door, where Yumemiya Arika, a new transfer student and her roommate, was waiting. She was an oddity, one of a very small number of students who had transferred into the school instead of out of it.

"Welcome back, Akira-chan!" Arika said pleasantly.

"Thanks, Arika," Akira said.

Perhaps Arika would never believe her stories about being a Hime, masquerading as a boy and everything she experienced. But Akira felt she could trust Arika now, instead of regarding everyone else as an enemy or someone who did not need to know.

For a long time, Akira's identity had worked against her. Her gender, if revealed, would make her a suspect for being a Hime, and potentially cost her the element of surprise. Her love for Takumi made him a potential target, as well as someone whose life depended on her success. But now the battle was over, and there were no longer any risks to being the person she was.

Eventually, the end of the school year approached, and by then, Fuuka Academy had largely returned to normal, or as close to normal as it would get. And yet, for many students, it was an end and a beginning, a time for them to move on to the next stage. Some would only move up a grade- even Natsuki, as a result of make-up work. Others, such as Mikoto, would move up into an entirely new school, but would remain part of the Fuuka Academy community. But still others, including Reito, Shizuru, Haruka and Takeda, would be moving on to university.

"I entertain a motion to adjourn the final Student Council meeting of the year," Shizuru said. "All those In favor, say 'aye.'"

A chorus of "Aye"s followed, and with it, the final meeting of the Student Council concluded. Reito and Shizuru excused themselves from the room, having people to see before their departure from campus. The rest of the attendees followed them, leaving Haruka and Yukino alone.

"It's been quite a year, hasn't it, Yukino?" Haruka said.

"Yes," Yukino said. "But I wish there'd been a little more time for us to spend together peacefully before you headed off to university; even after the Carnival ended, we had to do quite a bit of work getting the campus going again."

"At least we helped clean up this mess before the end," Haruka said. "It may not be up to beating the SUEs, the Usurper and the Obsidian Lord, but I did my part."

"Even so, we couldn't defeat the Avatar, or the one responsible for the creation of the SUEs," Yukino said. While she realized that she was able to go farther than she thought, she realized that there were limits to her abilities, and some things that were impossible for her or anyone else.

"Still, they typically had you at a disadvantage in one way or another and you showed them who was really strong by not giving up or buckling under," Haruka said. "You've come a long way this year, Yukino, and I've got some gifts to give to you." She then removed her armband and gave it to Yukino.

"Haruka-chan, are you sure…?" Yukino said.

"Quite," Haruka said. "The incoming student council and I thought you were the right girl for the job. I don't like their saying you're more tentative… than I am, but even I have to admit that it's true."

"Temperate?"

"Ah, that's it," Haruka said. "You'll be able to enforce the rules without having to crack down or be seen as a hard-ass of some sort."

"It's a tall order, but I'll do my best," Yukino said confidently.

"And…" Haruka said. "This one's for me as much as for you, to get rid of those irritating ribbons once and for all!"

Haruka then pulled out a signboard from under the desk and uncovered it, showing the caption, befitting herself in more ways than one.

"No tying ribbons. Hopelessness comes from one's own effort"

Yukino couldn't help but sigh and chuckle as she saw the sign. Some things about Haruka would never change.

"Is something on your mind, Natsuki?" Shizuru said as she approached Natsuki in the garden.

"This is where we first met," Natsuki said. "And it's also the place where we had our last meeting with the Advisor… I mean, the Avatar. He suggested there were people like the SUEs out there."

"But likely not in our world, if he is to be believed," Shizuru said. "Still, I have to wonder what sort of person would create such individuals, apart from the Avatar, who made them as part of an experiment."

"Perhaps someone who's rather pathetic and wants power, like the Usurper did, and thus needs to use someone to invade another world to get it," Natsuki said. "For example, Takeda could make himself a badass swordsman who could pick up any girl he wanted if he had similar abilities."

Shizuru giggled at Natsuki's blunt comment, before responding.

"Or, looking at him another way," she said, "their creators might be just as human as the rest of us. They have their flaws, but also the potential to overcome them and do something admirable in its own way that only they can do. Once they realize that, they can achieve real success in their respective worlds rather than molding ours and others like it to meet their desires."

"Still, Shizuru, you know Takeda better than I do," Natsuki said. "I've got a reputation around the school as some kind of cool loner, but only a handful of people really know me- you, Mai, Mikoto, Nao and maybe a few others." Natsuki could not help but smile slightly as she realized Nao was on the list. "All of you know that I'm not exactly the person everyone else thinks of; I'm just a bitter, lonely girl who tries to act tough to cover up the fact that I haven't gotten over my mother's death. Why would he- or anyone else- continue coming after me after even a glimpse of what lies beneath?"

Shizuru paused before responding.

"The Avatar said one thing I agree with, and one thing several of us expressed before the last battle," Shizuru said. "Being perfect or having something that is perfect are things people often strive for, but they are things that are impossible to reach. Not only is it difficult to define, but frankly, perfection is overrated. You never have to improve yourself, struggle against your weaknesses, or learn how to understand yourself or the ones you love. In fact, flaws make us complete; your reputation appealed to me at first, but when I saw your more vulnerable and awkward traits, I felt happy; not only did it feel as though you were letting me in, but you also seemed like a more complete person as I learned more about you."

"I'm not the only one who puts up a façade," Natsuki said. "Hundreds voted for you, yet the vast majority, possibly even those you work with every day on the Student Council, will never see you as anything other than the star student, the student council president and the model girl you seem to be. To me, you're the playful, sarcastic, slightly perverse, sometimes self-doubting person who's always been there for me, who's helped me to trust others again, and whom I love more than anyone."

"Oh, Natsuki…" Shizuru said, stepping closer to Natsuki. "I'll stay in touch at university, but I will miss you."

"I'll work hard." Natsuki said. "Now that my quest for revenge has completed, I'll be able to focus on my schoolwork. Hopefully, I'll be able to get into the same place as you in the future."

"That would be wonderful," Shizuru said. "For both our sakes, I'm wishing you the best of luck."

The two then shared a kiss, savoring the moment. Whatever happened in the future, wherever their paths led them, they had each other in this moment and had come to understand their love for each other. And so they would face whatever came next together.

"Do you really have to go, Ani-ue?" Mikoto said to Reito after his graduation ceremony.

"Unfortunately, yes, Mikoto; university calls," Reito said. "However, I'm tremendously happy that I was able to meet you in my last year here; if things had gone even slightly differently, the chance might have slipped through our fingers."

Reito and Mikoto, while recovering from their injuries in the days after the conclusion of the Carnival, had slowly established a bond as siblings. For Reito, this meant coming to terms with the presence of his younger sister in his life. For Mikoto, this meant accepting her brother as the person before her, not the distant, spoken-of figure she had sought all those years or the Obsidian Lord who had possessed him. He was not entirely the brother she imagined, but after realizing this, she was extremely happy to have him in her life.

"Besides, you're not the only person I'm leaving behind," Reito said, glancing at Mai.

"I'm sorry, Reito-san, I've chosen Yuuichi," Mai said. "Besides, my grades aren't exactly up to your university's standards."

"You're getting better, though; give yourself a bit more credit," Reito said playfully, before turning more serious. "But I suppose I'll have to come to terms with this, the same way Shiho-chan did for Tate-kun, and Takeda-kun did for Natsuki-san."

"Just give it a rest, Ani-ue," Mikoto said. "Even if Yuuichi weren't around, Mai is MINE!"

Reito chuckled at Mikoto's possessiveness toward Mai, but his mood turned serious as he began to think. He had been attracted to Mai since the first time she was called into the Student Council room, but how much of it was due to the Obsidian Lord within him? And when exactly did the Usurper come into play? But his time as the host for both of them was over, and he, like Mai and the other Himes, was now free to live his life as he saw fit.

Mai wondered about what impact the events of the Carnival would have on the lives of the Minagi siblings. Natsuki had said she had obtained most of the evidence relating to the attack on the First District headquarters in the aftermath of the Carnival, and hoped that no one would seek vengeance against either for what they did while Reito was possessed and Mikoto was brainwashed. In spite of everything that happened, and the fact that no one had walked away from their experiences unchanged, Mai hoped for the survivors of the Carnival to have as close to a normal life as their circumstances would allow.

Nao was walking back on the path to her dormitory room, passing by the rebuilt chapel, when she suddenly heard a familiar voice behind her.

"Excuse me, Yuuki Nao-san?" a woman said from behind Nao.

"Who?" Nao said, then saw a woman in her mid-twenties in a nun habit behind her.

"I'm Sister Ayame," she said. "You may not remember me, but I was at your orphanage."

"Ah yes," Nao said, her curiosity piqued. "I remember your name but I hardly recognize you. I seem to remember you stopped coming by a while ago."

"I was a different person back then," Sister Ayame said. "I thought I could get through to you back then, but I had so little understanding of how harsh the world could be. I could only utter empty platitudes about God's plan and compassion for others while speaking about matters I had no experience with, much less any understanding of how to reach out to bitter and lonely individuals. I must have seemed so naïve and foolish in your eyes back then."

"Yeah, you were," Nao said. "But what changed, Sister?"

"After my trip to the prison, I had a bit of a crisis of faith as I realized how unjust society could be; for example, a man was serving over 20 years for being a largely unwitting accomplice. I felt unable to say anything meaningful to them, much less you, and asked for a reassignment while coming to terms with my doubts. After much thought and prayer, I came to realize that life is not always fair- vice is not always punished and virtue is not always rewarded, in this world, at least- but even if we are treated unjustly by our fortunes or each other, we should not respond in kind, but try to rise above it."

"You know... it's not that long ago that I realized that myself," Nao said. "I suppose that's one thing we have in common."

"And then I heard Sister Yukariko, Father Joseph, and Miyu-san were missing and presumed dead, so I was called upon to help here, and saw it as a chance to try again."

"Yeah, I heard… something like that," Nao said, careful to avoid revealing too much. She had been present for Yukariko's final minutes, but while Natsuki had told her of Joseph's involvement with Searrs, he had perished without either of them knowing about it.

Nao's mind wandered back to Yukariko, whose actions before her death had occasionally come to her mind, but she had never been able to resolve them. She knew now that Yukariko had lied in order to set the other Himes against her, and felt angry about being used in such a way, although she had suspected it for some time. But there was one other thing bothering her…

"Yuuki-san? Is something the matter?" Sister Ayame said.

"I was just thinking…" Nao said. "When Sister… the last time I saw Sister Yukariko, I…was angry at her for something and forgave her… without truly meaning to do so. It's hard to explain, but… I think I somehow knew at the time it was going to be the last time. And I don't think she ever thought I didn't mean it."

"I think that was kind of you, Yuuki-san," Sister Ayame said. "Lying is a sin, but perhaps what you said gave Sister Yukariko peace, especially if she died after her last conversation with you."

Nao felt oddly reassured by those words, but could not help but feel as though Sister Ayame knew, or perhaps suspected, there was more to the story than she was being told.

"There's another thing that's occurred to me lately," Nao said. "Maybe you didn't realize just how harsh the world can be. But one thing I learned lately is that I'm not the only one who had a hard time, but there are those who have faced everything life threw at them, suffered about as much as I did, and yet didn't turn out completely bitter. I've also realized that none of my lashing out against others has done anything to ease my pain. So perhaps I can understand how it feels to realize you were wrong all along."

"It's wonderful to hear that you're coming to realizations about yourself," Sister Ayame said. "What do you intend to do now?"

"I'm still trying to figure it out," Nao said. "But in spite of everything that happened, in spite of how people are often callously indifferent if not monstrous, I still have hope. I believe that my mother will awaken from her coma one day and when that happens, however many months or years it is later, I want to be a woman she can be proud of."

"A noble goal, Yuuki-san. I will pray for your success and your mother's recovery."

"Thank you, Sister." Nao, said with a smile. She then realized at that moment that, for the first time since her mother went into a coma, she no longer felt alone. As Natsuki had told her, she never had to be.

Mai and Yuuichi sat in the woods near Fuuka Academy, overlooking the bridge. Once a test subject for Artemis' Golden Lightning, it was finally being repaired. Most of Fuuka Academy, and the world at large, barely knew anything of the strange events in Fuuka and the signs of the Hime Star's descent, and would one day forget anything out of the ordinary had even happened. But those who fought in or were swept up by the Carnival would never forget it.

"A lot has changed, hasn't it, Mai?" Yuuichi said.

"It certainly has," Mai said. "Takumi's operation was a success, the First District, the Usurper and the Obsidian Lord are no more, and we defeated all the enemies that came at us. And… the two of us seem to be getting along a lot better than we used to."

Yuuichi laughed.

"Yeah, you could say that," Yuuichi said. "At least in my case, though, it's less that you changed and more that I grew to understand who you were, and how far you'd go for those close to you."

"We do have our little flaws that annoy each other from time to time, but we've also discovered things to like, and even love, about each other," Mai said. "Neither of us are perfect, exactly, but I wouldn't have you any other way."

"So what are you going to do now?" Yuuichi said. "Takumi won't need your help as much from now on, and there's no longer any mystical evil threats to face."

"Assuming the Avatar didn't lie about this or leave in some tricky loophole," Mai corrected Yuuichi. "It could be that the SUEs might regroup on another world, like the one that SUE brought the Orphan and Slave army from. The fact that the world is larger, more mysterious and more dangerous than I had initially thought is not a fact that I will forget easily"

"I suppose, but you can't live life for others forever, especially when it involves dealing with things that might happen," Yuuichi said. "Maybe the Avatar thinks your and the others' time playing heroes is done and is giving you this time to use for your own pursuits and desires. But if you ask me, you shouldn't need his permission to do that."

"You're right," Mai said. "For the time being, I'm going to get my grades up. After I do, I'm thinking of starting a karaoke club here."

"I think you need five members for a club here," Yuuichi said before smiling eagerly. "So, with the two of us, you should work on getting the other three you need. Between that and getting your grades up, you won't want for things to do even with the Carnival over and Takumi having gotten his operation."

"No," Mai said with a smile. "It feels as though my life is just beginning."

Mai nodded, and then looked out at the distance. Her parents were still gone, and without their support, some parts of her life would be more difficult and lonely than they would be otherwise. She and Takumi would have to think about how to pay for their university studies without their help. Their parents would never see Mai and Takumi graduate, would never meet their son- and daughter-in-law, and would never become grandparents. But the world went on, and so did her life and the lives of the friends she had fought alongside. And whether they were mundane or supernatural, she was willing to face whatever challenges came her way in the future.

"Mashiro-sama, are you sure about this?" Fumi said to Mashiro. Fumi, now director of the academy, had abandoned her maid outfit in favor of a pink business suit. She and Mashiro stood in the library, near a door that Fumi knew would soon separate her from her mistress forever.

"The Obsidian Lord and the Usurper have been defeated, and the Avatar has also departed," Mashiro said. "It's time to allow these girls to decide their own fates. This world is often an unpleasant place and humans can often make terrible decisions out of weakness or vice. But people can make a difference even if the world should not be ruled by the whims of one person, and we should leave the world's destiny in their hands."

"I understand," Fumi said, and then descended into a deep bow. "Thank you for everything, Mashiro-sama. It was an honor to serve you."

"Thank you for staying by my side, Fumi-san," Mashiro said. "I leave everything in your hands." Mashiro then, taking the wheels of her chair in her hand, propelled herself through the door, which closed behind her.

An era had ended. A group of seemingly unlikely girls had triumphed against those with powers greater than their own, breaking a cycle that had repeated many times and enabling the world to go on as it was. Their lives were their own, and while perfect bliss and a utopia were, as they realized, impossible, happiness and the chance to obtain a better world were, as always, within their grasp.

Author's Note

The ending to this fic may strike you as somewhat darker and more bittersweet than the canon ending. I believe it touches on issues the canon ending glossed over for a more lighthearted conclusion, and that the canon ending would have better spent its time looking at the impact the events had on the Himes.

Ayame is intended to serve as a foil to Yukariko, as someone who loses her innocence, but emerges a stronger person. She also contrasts with Nao in that, when they met at the orphanage, they had respectively idealistic and cynical viewpoints, were forced to question them, and now arrive in the center.

Mai-HiME!Arika makes a cameo appearance as Mai, Mikoto and Natsuki are walking away in the anime, and as a prospective student in the manga.

There was no official explanation for what happened to Mashiro and Fumi after the final battle, so rather than make one up that might raise issues of its own, I decided to have them turn up after the end. I also hesitate to speculate about where Mashiro goes in the last scene.

Shizuru works in a lingerie shop, as detailed in one of the sound dramas after Episode 4.

I find it interesting that Shizuru, as popular as she is, only even begins to show her true self to Natsuki. It makes one wonder how many people are actually her friends or anything close to that, although it could serve as a testament to how well she guards her secrets. And yet, it can be argued that because she's willing to open up to Natsuki, Natsuki is willing to trust and bond with her.

You may notice that many of the characters have unresolved problems in the future, and the relationships between, Akane and Kazuya, Akira and Takumi, Mai and Yuuichi, and Shizuru and Natsuki, are only beginning. This is part of the point; the Himes' lives may have gone back to normal, but their lives are not completely free of problems. Rather than settle for a "perfect" life, they have chosen to face those problems in the future. I may explore those at some point in the future, but I am still trying to formulate a plan for how to go about writing that idea. I have a few other projects that I am considering working on first, as I have more of an idea about going about writing them up.

This story was a first for me in many ways. It was the first story I have been confident in enough to publish online, the longest one I have ever written (I don't think any of the ones before this have exceeded 10,000 words), and on a more minor sense, a foray into a "what-if" scenario, when events deviate from canon in some ways, if not others. I hope the story remained consistent to canon(apart from the changes to canon caused by the SUEs' interference), was believable, and most of all, was enjoyable.

Thank you for reading and reviewing this story. Stay tuned for some bonus chapters to shed light on the characters and events.

Coming up:
*Character Profiles: Profiles of all the SUEs, detailing how their powers work, their personalities and some of what inspired them.

*Deleted Material: A look at some of what didn't make it into the story. There were many ideas that I considered, but didn't use, as well as different directions the story could have gone. This is because this story only existed as an idea in my head for at least two years, before I decided to finalize and write it up last summer, and post it in September.

*Omakes: Stories depicting side events or various "what-if" scenarios. Among them will be a story dedicated to showing the Usurper's perspective on the conflict, a look at what would happen if the SUEs were forced to work together, and a final set of diary entries in the aftermath of the Carnival.