Chapter 35: From This Moment
Graduation. It's kinda odd going through it twice. Same school, same grades, same ceremony through different sets of memories. This time, Io, Daichi and I brought a change of clothes though, and we go to change out of our uniforms as soon as we're given permission to leave.
Today, we're going to meet the others at Oarai Beach — our first reunion since we created this new world after defeating Canopus. It's still a little chilly as we head outside the school gates, a spring breeze rustling the early shoots and blooms in the trees, and I don't think I'll be swimming today — the water is going to be freezing.
"Woohoo!" Daichi cheers, punching air as he turns to face us. "Finally, my driver's license put to its intended purpose. Road trip!"
Beside me, Io laughs. "Oarai is only ninety minutes away."
"Nuh-uh! You guys have no idea how pumped I am to not be driving disaster relief trucks for a change."
Chuckling, I tell him, "No, I'm pretty sure we have every idea. Go get the car, Daichi. We're gonna be late."
"Oh, come on! Where's your youthful enthusiasm, your sense of adventure, Mister My-Boyfriend-Is-The-Prime-Minister?"
"Hey!" I smack his arm. "What did we say about national secrets?" Officially, Yamato is a Special Advisor, but everyone who's anyone at all knows he's Prime Minister in all but name.
"Snrk, hahaha!"
"Urgh, my pain, always getting a laugh out of Io. I don't know how much more of this my wounded soul can take." He sighs, slipping out of melodrama. "Still, it really worked out, huh? We really managed to get our modern world back. I was totally worried for a second there, but it looks like this world isn't that much different from the one before, after all. Just with better people, I guess?"
"Yeah," says Io, contemplative. "I guess, with or without the Administrative Authority, the world is what humans make of it. Given the same seven billion people living in it, even if they've grown, there is only so different this world could be."
"True," I agree, "but there have definitely been some pretty big changes for us."
"Yeah… Well, you guys wait here. I'll get the car." Daichi jogs off, leaving Io and I standing at the gate.
"Yes." Io smiles. "Things have improved for everyone, haven't they? Airi and Hinako are getting really famous, Keita too. Jungo's Sky Tower café was featured in a magazine last week, and Fumi and Otome just got back from presenting their research at a World Health Organisation conference."
"Joe finally properly married Nagisa, too, and he's bringing the reception invitations today," I add with a grin. Daichi and Io are back together. Also, I hear Airi and Jungo are dating, finally, although Airi would never admit it. Rumour has it Hinako and Keita might have fought their way to an understanding, too, but the jury's still out on that one.
"Yeah! I can't wait. It'll be fun! Can you believe that Ronaldo is working as Yamato's Head of Security now though?"
I laugh. "Yeah, I was pretty surprised when I realized it. Those two really used to be at each other's throats. 'Keep your friends close and your enemies closer,' perhaps?" So close, in fact, that Yamato may have recently caught him and Makoto having a moment.
We share a laugh as Daichi pulls up in front of us and gets down to "present" the car he borrowed from his dad.
"Tada! Let's get this show on the road, guys!" he enthuses, punching air again.
As we move to get in, Io cries out, falling — someone's bumped into her.
"Io!" Daichi runs over, concerned, as I crouch to help her up.
"Ah! Sorry! Are you—"
"Miyako-chan!" All three of us gasp as we catch sight of the other girl.
"Sor— Huh?"
Crawling over to shake the girl by the shoulders, like she can't believe her eyes, Io breathes, "I—it's really you!"
Confused, Miyako scuttles back as she picks herself up. "Who are you, and how do you know my name?"
"It's me, Io. We're your friends, Miyako-chan. Don't you remember…?"
"My… friends…?" Violet eyes dart from Io to me and back. "What are you talking about? I don't know y— ah!"
There it is — recognition dawns, her eyes widening, and she breaks into a warm smile, pulling Io to her feet.
"Io-chan… and Sh— Hibiki." She shakes her head, a look of wonder on her face. "I must say… I didn't think I'd really make it here."
"Ouch." Daichi slumps. "Ignored again."
"Not so, M— Daichi," Miyako corrects herself quickly.
She's so used to addressing us all by last name, complete with honorifics, after all. It's actually kinda weird seeing her in such sweet-looking casual clothes. She's still got the butterfly clip though, and she still looks exactly like Yamato, although I know for sure he doesn't have a sister in this world either. I wonder if they're related at all.
"Aww, man… I think that's the first time you've called me by that name, Miyako-chan." Blushing a little, Daichi brightens. "Hm… I wonder if that means Saiduq's here somewhere too."
"Yes, I see no reason why the process would have worked on me and not on Alcor. After we sent you off, he said it might be possible to alter our data in the Akashic Record to make us human and set the Astrolabe to create the new world with us alongside the other seven billion humans inside it. We had our doubts that it would truly work, but…" Closing her eyes, she clasps her hands over her heart. "We wanted nothing more than to join you in this new world, our friends… As I am here with you now, it may be that we will meet him again… no, I am sure of it."
"Speaking of meeting," Io pipes up, "we were just about to go meet the others. You have to come with us, Miyako-chan."
"Wh—what? Hey!" is all Miyako manages to get out before Io practically packs her into the back seat.
"W—wow." Daichi blinks as the car door slams shut behind them. "Sweet Io… who knew she had it in her?"
I shrug, chuckling. "Hey, you've both grown a lot bolder since the first world."
"Yeah, heheh… Nothing like the end of the world to get your game on, eh? Let's go!"
I nod, climbing into the passenger seat.
"Onward!" He starts up the car. "To an awesome road trip!"
I can't help laughing alongside the girls at Daichi's sheer excitement, but it's certainly infectious. Most of all, I can't wait to see the others again. It's been a while since Yamato and I went on a date, too. Running a nation is hard work, even if someone else nominally has the job, so we haven't had much time to spend together as a couple.
Speaking of Yamato, I'm positive I'd have heard all about "the vixen" by now if they were acquainted, "So I take it you're not a part of the Hotsuin family this time, Miyako?" I ask, turning a bit to look at her in the back seat.
"That is correct. My last name in this world is Konoe."
"Konoe? Isn't that Yamato's father's family name?"
"Yes. I believe his father and mine are cousins, although we've never met. As I understand it, the Hotsuin clan requires that anyone marrying into the main house, regardless of gender, take the Hotsuin name."
So they're still related, albeit distantly. As Io asks Miyako about her life in this world, my phone rings.
"Hey," I pick up with a smile — perfect timing.
I can hear the smile in my lover's voice as he asks, "Are you en route?"
"Of course. We even have a surprise guest."
"Do you?" He can guess, I'm sure.
"Mmhm, I've missed you."
With a slight chuckle, he replies, "Yes, I'll see you soon."
He hangs up, and I find myself reflecting on how his life has changed the most of all.
In a world without the threat of demons or the Administrator System, there is no need for JP's, and the powerful and wealthy Hotsuin clan's main house is, instead, a long line of prominent statesmen with strong ties to the Imperial Family and the other noble clans —like the Konoe— since the Heian era. The branch houses control large corporations and organisations — word on the street says there's very little in Japan that a Hotsuin can't make happen, allowing a seventeen-year-old to be the power behind the throne.
And yet, in a world without JP's, Yamato is the sweetest person I know. I got my wish — I met him earlier this time. I was picking my cat up from his checkup at the veterinary hospital my mother works at when Byakko suddenly leaped out of my arms and ran down a different corridor. Chasing her, I found her looking balefully at the door of an operating theatre, sitting by the feet of the most beautiful boy I'd ever seen — silver hair, porcelain skin and violet eyes, in a dark grey kimono of the finest silk with a gold embroidered sash.
"Is this your cat?" he asked, startling me out of my staring, and even his voice sounded like music to my ears.
"Yes, it's a Turkish Angora mix." The mix gave Byakko black stripes on her otherwise snowy white fur, and when I saw the kitten at the rescue shelter the year before, I knew she was mine. "Is your pet inside?" I indicated the operating theatre as I sat down beside him.
He nodded, looking like he'd been trying very, very hard not to cry. "Cerberus pushed me out of the way of an oncoming car and was hit instead." His hands fisted in his kimono over his knees. "I was careless. It won't happen again, so—" His resolute voice cracked as he choked up, and I embraced him without thinking.
"He'll be fine, I'm sure of it. You just have to believe in him," I told him even though neither of us remembered anything about Administrative Authority then.
"Why would that work?" he sobbed into my shoulder, even then allowing me to see the tears he would never show anyone else. "It's my fault he—"
"No. Don't think that. You can't give up on him."
Yamato only shook his head and continued crying, as if having given in, he could no longer stop, but at length, he straightened. "You're right." He wiped his face with his sleeve. "He will come back. Cerberus is my only friend. He must know that he cannot leave me."
My heart ached to hear such lonely words, but I only said, "Yes, that's why you must believe in him."
To my surprise, he leaned into my side once more — like it was the most natural thing in the world. "Is your cat sick?"
"No." I kept an arm around him as Byakko nuzzled his ankle. "I brought her in for a checkup. My mom is a doctor here."
He looked at the theatre doors. "Is she in there?"
"I don't know." My mom rarely told me what she was working on, after all.
"I hope she is. Your mother would save him, wouldn't she?"
"Anyone in there would do anything within their power to save him," is the truth I go for. "Because he's important to you. Because every pet they operate on is an important friend or family member. So have faith. Cerberus is going to be okay."
"Mm…" he mumbles sleepily, exhausted.
That was how his parents found us later — Yamato asleep with his head on my shoulder and my arm around his waist. I used to think it was mysterious how we loved each other at first sight; now I realize it was inevitable — it was written into the fabric of this world when we created it.
We were inseparable after that. Yamato would often send Nagahide to bring me and Byakko to his mansion in Kyoto for sleepovers. Byakko bonded and played with Cerberus, his white Akita, who made a full recovery. He taught me chess and subjects far ahead of our school curriculum while I shared all the fun things other people our age did.
It seemed completely natural when he pressed his lips to mine during one such sleepover only three years later. "Tell me now if you wish I had not done that," he said, but I only smiled and pulled him into a proper kiss, cradling him close where we lay on his futon.
Another three years later, when my parents were away on a business trip, we made love for the first time, rocking our hips into our joined hands in my room. We started earlier than we should have, I admit, but I believed in his judgement, and a part of me just… knew.
I'm sure his parents, at least —they're still alive in this world— have clued in to the no-longer-platonic nature of our relationship —Yamato still doesn't hide it very well— but if they've ever complained, Yamato hasn't let it stop him.
We have been lovers ever since, and in contrast to all the previous iterations of the world, when I woke up in this one, I was lying in Yamato's arms in a simply furnished modern apartment. There was the lingering aroma of niku jaga in the air — my mom insisted I bring some up for him earlier. He even bought an apartment in the same building as mine for his trips to Tokyo, so our visits would be convenient and discreet, and to be honest, I'm not sure even my parents are under the illusion that our sleepovers are innocent anymore.
I immediately got a call from Daichi to check on me and a barrage of messages from everyone else who couldn't get through because Daichi beat them all to it.
I really do have the best friends.
And, as for Yamato, he hasn't been back in Tokyo since then, so when we get back to that apartment tonight, he'd better have chosen the top of the line when he installed the extra soundproofing on the walls if he doesn't want all the neighbours to know everything I plan on doing to him.
Yamato is still Japan's shadow, still a prodigy homeschooled by experts, but not being raised as some kind of super soldier has preserved the gentleness of his nature. "Anyone can grow if put into a position where they can contribute," he said in bed one night. "If it is within my power, I would like to change circumstances, so that everyone will have the opportunity to be valued for their respective talents and contributions." Now, of course, I remember the reason behind this desire, but that doesn't diminish my appreciation of it. Despite his recent ascent to power, he has already poured much of his wealth, influence and time into making Japan a better country for us all.
Lost in my reminiscing, I don't realise we've arrived until Daichi pulls into a parking space. We remove our shoes and roll up our pants before running down to the water's edge to splash a bit while waiting — we're the first to arrive. To my surprise, there's actually someone surfing — I can just barely make out a lone surfboard. Either they're inhuman or their sense of temperature is dead — the water lapping over my feet is freezing.
"Guys!" Hinako runs over with Airi and Jungo close behind.
"I brought chawan mushi for everyone," Jungo announces happily, showing us the large basket he brought along. "Also, Airi a—"
"Shut up!" Airi smacks him, and we all wince at the impact. "I told you not to say anything, Stupid Jungo!"
"But—"
"No buts!"
"Yo, Hibiki!" Keita calls out, sauntering over from behind with a grin. "Gotten any stronger yet?"
"Maybe," I reply playfully. "I'll beat you next time." He's been teaching me boxing, so we can spar, but he always wins, of course — he's the professional.
"Oh, we'll see about that." He cracks his knuckles, smirking. "Bring it on."
"Hey, Hibiki!" Joe seems to have tagged along, since he's right behind. "Look what I got?"
"A brain would be nice," Fumi interjects as she approaches — it's as if everyone conspired to arrive in quick succession.
"Now, now, Fumi," Otome chides beside her, but they're all smiles.
At any rate, Joe ignores her in favour of holding up his hand to show off his wedding band, then slowly reaches into his pocket. "Invitations!" He dramatically pulls out a stack of cards.
"Hey, you didn't lose them this time," I tease, and he offers a sheepish laugh.
"Actually… he did," a familiar voice cuts in, and I turn to find Ronaldo approaching. "Good thing he got extras just in case."
"Clicky!"
Joe and Ronaldo probably start catching up; I don't know — I've already run into Yamato's arms. We kiss, and he leads me into a waltz.
"You remember all the little things," I murmur fondly as we glide towards the water.
"Naturally. It's my job."
"Attention to detail or pursuit of my happiness?"
He doesn't even bat an eye before saying, "Both," and the way he was when we first met feels like a dream.
We stop where the cold water washes over our feet to find Makoto clasping Miyako's hands, their eyes shining with happiness.
"Brother," she greets as we approach, and Makoto turns to face us as well.
"Chief."
They both glance at her, and I chuckle — she's so flustered.
"I— I mean— Chief Y—Yamato. Should I make arrangements for Ch—Chief Miyako to join us?"
"Hmph, I guessed as much when Hibiki mentioned a surprise guest." Yamato pauses, then crosses his arms and appraises Miyako sternly. "And your will to guide and protect humanity?"
Miyako smiles, sly and teasing. "Oh, you're still only nice to Hibiki. My will is unchanged, of course, and I worry for this country now."
Yamato scowls and opens his mouth to retort, but then Daichi says, "Hey, is that…?"
He's pointing out towards the sea, and… a familiar head of silver has surfaced by the surf board, now closer to shore than it was earlier — inhuman, I should have known.
Miyako gasps, "Alcor?"
"Saiduq!" Daichi shouts, waving animatedly to get the guy's attention. "Heeey! Saaaiduuuq!"
Well, he certainly turns to us, although I don't know if his name is still the same, and I suppose he recognizes us, since he starts swimming over.
"Heh," Yamato murmurs. "I suppose this, too, is fate."
Even without their memories, we have been reunited here in this world, as if by chance. Truly, Administrative Authority is a powerful thing, although we hold only a fragment of it.
"My friends…" Saiduq smiles at us as we crowd around him, grey eyes scanning our faces before finally settling on Miyako. "Hotsuin Miyako. So you made it as well. I am glad."
"As am I," she replies, smiling fondly with her hands clasped over her heart. "As am I."
He turns to me. "Shining One, Kuze Hibiki."
I step forward to throw my arms around him, uncaring of the wetsuit. "Welcome back, Saiduq."
He nods, returning the hug warmly. "Yes. Yes, I suppose that's correct now. I'm home."
We let go, and he turns towards Yamato next. "Hotsuin Yamato—"
To my surprise, Yamato hugs him. It's brief, but… everyone looks as shocked as I feel.
"Hmph, I see you've finally learned to walk."
"I… yes," and I've never seen Saiduq look so happy — as I thought, Yamato will always have a special place in his heart. "It's strange now to think that I've lived for eighteen years as a human. Time, once unending, now passes in the blink of an eye. Finally, I think, I understand you."
I smile, squeezing Yamato's hand. "You should come play chess with Yamato again sometime. I don't think I'm very good."
"What nonsense, Hibiki," my lover chides mildly. "Modesty does not become you."
"Or," Daichi chimes in, "you could come play dodgeball with us, and maybe we'll stand a chance against this superhuman this time," side-eyeing Yamato.
A few years ago, on one of Yamato's trips to Tokyo, I got Daichi and some other schoolmates together for a game of dodgeball, so that he could join in and try it out. He picked it up quickly, and he could probably play competitively now. Despite not training for war, he maintained his physical fitness, and he's still as fast and strong as always.
"Hahaha… I'd like that." Saiduq looks meaningfully at us. "All of that."
"Io!" Airi protests suddenly. "It's supposed to be a happy occasion!"
"I know, I know." Io wipes her eyes, beaming. "I'm just… so happy. We made it. We really, really made it! All of us, here, together!"
"Yeah, pretty amazing stuff, huh?" Hinako grins. "Sometimes, I can't believe we really did all that. But here we are!"
"Hey, look!" Airi points at the horizon. "The sun's setting."
We all turn to look — warmed by the orange light, the blue sky extends into gradients of lilac, and the ocean is its shimmering mirror.
Yamato laces our fingers. "Once," he whispers, "I never paid such things any attention. Before you, I saw only the world's unsightliness."
Leaning into him, I let go of his hand to wrap my arm around his waist and lead him away from the others along the water's edge. "Love makes the world beautiful. Even this view would be half as lovely without you at my side."
"Heh," but he wraps his arm around my waist in turn and doesn't call it maudlin. "Now that Miyako is here, I expect we can go on that journey around the world soon."
I resist the urge to cheer — we've been planning the trip for a long time now, but again, running a country is hard work, so he hasn't been able to set aside an opportune time to go.
"I wonder… will this world turn out to be worthy of our sacrifice?"
Smiling as the waves wash our footprints away, I tell him, "It already is."
"Oh?" He stops, an eyebrow raised. "Where do you find such certainty?"
I tighten my arm around his waist in a brief squeeze. "The only one that is would never demand it of you, and this time, you chose this path freely." Leading JPs was a responsibility no one else could take, but leading Japan is the choice he made with the advantages he was born with. Still, if he doesn't feel that way… "Yamato, are you happy?"
He blinks. "What do you mean? Of course I—" Suddenly, he looks stricken. "Hibiki…" He faces me fully and takes me by the shoulders, waits for me to meet his gaze before he continues, "I've been happy. All this time. Ever since you first came to get me back on that bridge so long ago now."
His heartfelt expression swims, and I blink the sting out of my eyes. "Yamato…"
"My apologies, Hibiki. I never got to tell you. It was unkind of me to let you think you weren't enough when I never needed anyone or anything else." He lifts his hands to my cheeks to wipe my happy tears away. "After that journey, when we get back, do you still…? Would you like to wake up to that garden that you love so much every morning?" Violet eyes are gentle, hopeful. "This time, surely, we'll have years, dec—"
I pull him into a kiss, searing, like every promise we've ever shared — always, forever.
"I've waited four lifetimes for you to ask."
~fin~
Here we are, it's finally done! Thank you all for your love and support on this wonderful journey. I hope you have enjoyed reading this story as much as I enjoyed writing it, and I'll always love hearing from you! Thank you again!