.Author's Note. This is it, everyone. The finale of Wherever You Will Go. It's been an amazing journey, writing this fanfic, and as painful and difficult it was at times, I'm really glad I did it. It was a delight to get new followers and reviews that encouraged me to keep going, and it has really been the best experience of my life. I've come so far in my writing, and it's because of this fanfic. I actually owe a lot to writing this, especially how I've grown as a person. I started this when I was 14, and now I'm 20, and I just see things so much differently than I did back then.

I honestly don't know what I'm going to do now that I finished this. This has been one of the primary centers of my thoughts over the past five years, but perhaps this is time for me to try some original writing, because now I'm confident I'll be able to do it. After all, with over half a million words and a total of 768 pages to my name, right now I'm feeling as though I just conquered a mountain. And one hell of a mountain it was.

So I have to thank you all. Thank you for sticking with the story, for leaving me nice reviews and giving me encouragement and following and faving and everything you guys have done for me. I wouldn't have done it without you, and if I could give each and every one of you a great, big hug and each a batch of cookies, I would, because you guys are awesome.

(Except for that one flamer. You're not so awesome. I just wish you could see what this story you hated on so much has become.)

This is how I'm ending 2014, feeling accomplished and like some sort of era has ended. This may not be the end; I may have another story to tell of Mirai and the gang someday. We'll just have to wait and see.

Thus, one final time, I hope you guys enjoy this final installment. Please feel free to leave a review or PM, share how you liked the story, and while you're at it, feel free to tell me something about yourself. What's your favorite color? Have any pets?

Have a wonderful New Year, and I pray 2015 is everything you hope it'll be! Thank you, everyone!

-Kimiko Heroux


Epilogue

It's December seventeenth.

I've long had my cast off, and my arm is as good as new. It's rather chilly out, and I'm bundled up in a winter jacket and my new scarf. After spending the inevitable time with my family, I finally have received some time to myself that I decided to productively use to walk about outside. It's already substantially dark, despite being only midway through the afternoon, as is usual for winter, but I'm still not a fan.

My friends and I plan to hang out this coming weekend, despite it being so close to Christmas. Ever since returning from the Digital World, we've all made the effort to see each other, and while it's difficult to make plans to which all seven of us can attend, we've managed a number of times. I hang out with Zoe the most, if no one else, since she lives in Shinjuku—a quick train ride from my place, though I could probably easily bike there and save some money.

Takuya and Zoe have long since went on their first real date, one of the first things on their agenda since returning from our adventure, and have been declared "Facebook official", which is basically as official as you can get. They're still really in their "honeymoon stage", so they're almost never not together, and when they're actually not, we all can be sure they're thinking about each other. All of this is to JP's utmost dismay.

But I'm sure he'll get over it.

Eventually.

As I near the shops and stores, I deliberate going in to do some last-minute Christmas gift shopping for my friends and family. I have a few things bought (but not wrapped—I just shove the presents in gift bags and call it good enough), and my friends all agreed not to spend money on each other and save the stress. I'd say that's a pretty good call, given that my allowance doesn't get any sort of Christmas bonus this time of year.

I huff and pull my scarf up above my mouth. The chill is penetrating through my jacket, but I don't have any reason to go into a store or café. I'm still plenty full from my late lunch with my family, and the thought of eating again so soon is off-putting. With very little notice of the individual businesses occupying the buildings about me, I walk on, weaving through the holiday shoppers filling the sidewalk. Most of the people around have their hands full of shopping bags and packages; a distinct opposing number have one hand occupied with the hand of someone else. Upon seeing the latter, I only pull my scarf up further to conceal my lips' transformation into a frown, and I dart my eyes away. I'm not jealous, just...

I'm just not healed yet.

The relationship between Koji and I now is weird at best. The others have caught on, but them all knowing doesn't make it any less awkward. I'm not even sure if it's awkward for anyone but me, given that I'm responsible for the situation. Koji hasn't made any indication, that's for sure. All I know is we haven't had a chance to talk it out yet, primarily because I feel too weird about it. Since leaving the Digital World, we haven't ever met up when it wasn't with at least one other person, so I can't even be sure I can handle being alone with him anymore. I want to be able to, but I don't even know how to begin.

"Mirai?"

I guess this is a good way.

Stopping abruptly, I turn my head and I see him. He steps out of the shop I had been passing, a package tucked under his arm. His bandana has been replaced with a winter hat to accommodate for the weather, and he's wearing a black winter jacket that may have suited him a little too well. He sidesteps away from the doorway, and I step closer to get out of the path of shoppers.

"Hey, Koji." Pulling my scarf down from my face, I find myself unable to look him directly in the face. It definitely feels bizarre seeing him here in public, especially him alone seemingly buying Christmas presents. My belly is a chamber in which the butterflies began to flutter in the midst of the awkwardness. "Um...last minute Christmas shopping?"

He glances minutely at the package he has, as if I have reminded him that he bought it, and he shrugs. "Yeah. A present for my stepmom."

"Oh?"

"Mmhm."

It's definitely awkward, and it definitely isn't just me. He starts picking at the brick of the wall next to him, and I'm kicking the sidewalk with the toe of my shoe. It seems like we're both at wit's end here, but for me at least, I can't deny how good it feels to be talking to him again. No matter how painful the weirdness of the process is.

"Well, I guess I'll leave you to your shopping, then, Koji," I say after an incredibly long lapse and turn my body but keep my head in his direction.

Maybe my words came out to him as an attempt to escape the awkwardness, because he is quick to respond. "Mirai, wait." He has my full attention now, and I turn my body back towards him. He blinks a few times as his mouth hangs slightly open. "Would you like to get a cup of coffee?"

It's my turn to have my mouth left ajar. "Oh." If there's anything I would have expected Koji to say, it definitely wasn't that. But if there's one thing certain about him, it's that while he's a person of habit, he doesn't lack in surprises. "Sure." I'm not about to tell him I hate coffee.

We go to a cute little café a little further down the street. It's a whimsical, Western-style place that totally doesn't seem like Koji's scene, but I don't object. We sit a small, round table in between the window and the counter, and without a single inclination that either of us are about to go order something, Koji sets his package down, and we pull off our jackets and such and sit down across from each other.

Koji shoves his hat into the pocket of his jacket, and I do a double-take. "You got your hair cut," I remark, causing his eyes to look to me oddly, and I laugh shortly, awkwardly. "It looks good. It's a little weird seeing you with short hair, but I like it."

He smiles briefly and thanks me, and for a moment I feel like I don't know the teenage boy sitting in front of me. His hair is cut a few inches from his shoulders, probably close to the length of Koichi's now that I think of it, but it's very straight and his bangs are parted slightly left of the middle. I realize suddenly the validity of my words: I like it. I really like it. It is definitely something to get used to, but with my realization, I know that the process will be quite simple.

However, getting past the awkwardness would be a more tedious process, I realize, as we begin to lapse into more silence. He starts moving his finger around in a circle on the surface of the table, and I prop my chin up and look around at the other people. Aside from those who are here alone, we're the only two not talking, and I wonder if anyone will eventually notice us sitting here in total silence.

I have a desire to look for a clock, but that would be borderline rude. And finding an excuse to leave when we just got here would be even more so. So I decide to stick it out for at least a little while, despite me not knowing what to say and Koji not being a fan of smalltalk.

After a few moments, Koji stands and I instantly think that he has come up with the ideal excuse to go home, but instead he says, "I'm going to buy a drink. Do you want something? It'll be on me."

Caught off guard, I begin, "Koji, you don't have to—"

"It's no problem. I mean, it's your birthday, right?"

So he does know. Probably why he made a point to talk to me when he saw me...A little startled that he actually remembered, I nod and feel my face begin to light up. I smile. "Yeah, it is. Thanks for remembering, Koji. It...it means a lot, as lame it is for me to say it." I give a little chortle, and a smile steals its way across his face for a second. "So I guess I will take you up on that drink." I bite my bottom lip and grin. "Sooo... Surprise me."

He raises his eyebrows and looks at me oddly, and all at once I realize how much I'm attracted to his ability to be so expressive when he really wants to be, because when he makes that look, I shudder a little. When he turns and heads to the counter to order, I release a long sigh and press my face into the bend of my arm, letting my hair flop wherever it pleases. Please tell me this is just because of the hair cut...

I feel I'm in a pretty bad way without a single idea of how to remedy it. Here's Koji. Same old Koji, save a number of inches of hair, who is seems to have this casualty going on that he always does, and then here's me, fried in the brain and trying my hardest not to be the awkward turtle that I clearly have been. I'm not over him. I'm not over him at all. Should I be over him? Were these last few months home my time to get over him?

Then it hits me like a bullet train.

Wait, what if he's over me?

That's a horrible, depraving thought that I honestly never considered having. Not only is it jarring to think of the possibility of Koji going about on his merry way thinking of me just as a friend who he saved the world with (a simple relationship at its core), but me still being hung up on him is almost downright terrifying. I've heard of plenty of cases of unrequited love, but having my own, personal rendition isn't particularly appealing. So, I cross my fingers under the table, Here's to hoping I'm not some pathetic loser who never gets over a teenage love...

I had already come to terms with my realization after our fight in the Digital World, but I never did want to come to terms with the fact that I had come to terms with it. With slight ease I can admit it to myself: I love Koji Minamoto.

Now it's the deliberation that follows which is the complicated part. How much do I love him? I don't know the answer to that, but maybe it's a loaded question anyway. Or at least I hope it is, so I don't have to scour for some sort of makeshift answer. I mean, I don't think I'm in love with him. That's ridiculous; we're just kids...

"...Are you okay?"

My head snaps up instantly, knowing my eyes are wide and a distinct redness is beginning to take over my entire face, and Koji's standing there with two steaming drinks in his hands. His eyebrows are high up on his forehead, and he seems to be wondering whether or not he should be concerned for my well-being.

I quickly wave my hand dismissively and answer, "Yeah, yeah. I'm good. Just thinking about some stuff. And a little tired." Great, so now I'm lying to him. "You know how it is this time of year with Christmas and stuff."

If he sees through my bluff, he doesn't make any indication, and he hands my drink to me and sits down. When I look down and see the drink he bought me—a hot chocolate with mini marshmallows—he quickly says, "I saw the face you made when I mentioned coffee earlier and figured you weren't a fan."

Impressive. If there's any word to describe him, that's probably a good one. When it comes to observation skills, there's no doubt Koji's the king.

I grab the mug and take a sip. Holding it in both hands, I peer my eyes up and over at Koji, and I notice he's watching me. I swallow and proceed to ask him, "By the way, is there any particular reason you asked me here?" I ask that as if we didn't just happen to run into each other...It was just a coincidence we even crossed paths...

His eyes widen slightly as if I caught him off-guard. "Oh yeah." He reaches into his coat pocket and pulls out an envelope. With a flick of his fingers, he slides it across the tabletop. "I was just going to slip it into your mailbox before heading home, but..." He coughs a little awkwardly. "Anyway, it's from all six of us."

My first name is handwritten on the back in smooth, neat handwriting, and my first thought is that it was Zoe's. When I flip it over, it's not sealed, and I slide out a birthday card. I read its front— although I don't have to read it to know it's a sentimental one—and when I open it, a separate, folded piece of paper falls out. I unfold it and as I read it, Koji explains, "We all came up with it together. If you want to add something, go right ahead."

I shake my head in disbelief. "I can't believe it. Koji, this is amazing. You guys all wrote this?" Spilled on the page are lyrics, lyrics written in all sorts of handwriting. They really did all pitch in and do it together. I can recognize who wrote what, especially Tommy, whose scrawl started straight but quickly went crooked and almost collided with the writing above his.

"Y-yeah." When I look up from the paper up at him, confused as to why he sputtered, he has a weird look on his face. His ears are bright red, which is definitely weird for him. "When you decide if you want to add anything, I can start writing up the sheet music."

For a second it feels like they only did this to impress me, because they definitely did well in that area. Koji especially, given his latest remark. But it's not as though I don't have any admiration for them. "I'll think about it and get back to you. Thanks." I shake my head, still unable to handle the fact they all wrote a song for me, and set the sheet back down to pick up my drink. "Thanks for the hot chocolate, by the way."

"It's no big deal." The way he smoothly brushes off his good deed is all him. His expression is growing close to that of a smile; I definitely like how much more he smiles now as of late. "Think of it as a Christmas slash birthday gift from me."

That remark alone seems to make the drink taste that much better upon my next sip. He seems to know exactly how to make my heart go pitter-pat today. I never expected Koji to be in such good of a mood; against my unconscious suspicions, maybe he is a Christmas sort of guy after all. Or if he wasn't before, maybe he is now. Although regardless of what it is, here he is, seemingly cheerful enough to even be approachable by a stranger on the street, and that's a level he never seemed to be capable of reaching.

"I also wanted to talk to you about something." And in a split second, that cheerfulness is gone. He doesn't sound exactly unhappy, but he's definitely more serious. I can see in his deep crystalline eyes what's coming, and I suddenly wish he is more of the type for smalltalk so we could have had some time of casual conversation before getting to this.

"Yeah." I push my mug aside and find myself sitting up straighter. Whatever unconscious preparation I am doing right now probably isn't going to help me in any way, shape, or form, but for whatever reason my inner mind has, I continue. "Alright."

He too pushes his drink aside, and his gaze is direct, piercing. His jawline seemingly is even more distinct all of a sudden, and the motion typically in is irises are entirely nonexistent. They're darker, dilated, and still. I wonder if there's any motion beneath... And he speaks after a moment, "About what you said about..."

"It being a bad time for us." As he says those words, so do I, and our synchrony is a little bit of an oddity. Yet somehow it's also...a relief?

The surprise on his face of our unified statement is undeniable. "...Yeah." He clears his throat as his ears start turning a little red again. He must've been caught incredibly off-guard. "I've been thinking about what you said. Or rather…" His eyes don't falter despite the fact that his voice does; actually they seem to grow all the more intense. "...it feels like I haven't stopped thinking about what you said.

"And the more I thought about it, the more I understood. You had said that with the state that the Digital World was in, you couldn't afford to care too much. And that you did care too much." He has confidence in his words by now and his words are quick and assured, as if he's a performer on stage pouring out the lines he'd memorized so well. I notice his fingers are silently tapping along the edge of the table, keeping a mute beat."Well, I think I cared too much too. I did try to keep you out of the brunt of battle sometimes, and that could have jeopardized far more than just the Digital World's Fractal Code." That remark is all Koji. It's certainly strange to hear so many words coming out of his mouth, but the level of rationale he's retaining is certainly characteristic.

"But that's hardly my point." He has slowed; maybe the reason that he had rushed so much was to get to his real point. "My point is things are different now. The Digital World is restored. We're all here. We're all alive…

"...This is a world that welcomes caring."

His last sentence sets in the air much longer than any of the others. I'm not sure how he managed to do it, but even the the space around us is buzzing from it. He sits still and watches me, finished with his inflection, and I honestly don't know what to do. I had been expecting this conversation to come eventually, but never in this manner. Once again I'm confronted with the unfazeable law that Koji is unceasingly full of surprises of epic proportions.

I'm not sure if there's a particular way he wants me to approach a response, so I smile oddly and say dryly, "Is that all?" I chortle slightly, now making things awkward for myself. It's honestly surprising to me that he hasn't gotten up and left by now with how I've been handling the situation.

And it dawns on me now that my irrational behavior is probably stemmed in my fear of what he's going to say.

He furrows his brows so close together that they're almost a connected line across his forehead. The finger tapping has stopped, and he's just looking at me rather plainly. "Unless you have something to add."

Moment of truth. All at once I feel all of the weight that I'd been neglecting to accept. Based on his last statement, it seems our entire connection hinges on my response, out of proportion or not. But he's letting me decide. He's letting me decide how much I want to care. And now all that it comes down to is how much my heart decides how much it wants me to care.

My finger traces along the handle of my mug. The liquid trembles inside with my light motion. "I do."

I gulp and add, retracting my hands from the table to my lap, "I do have something to add. Well, maybe add isn't quite the right word." I want to run. I want to get away from the difficulty of this conversation and every string that is attached to it. My eyes cling to the envelope with my name on it. "Um… remember how we told DemiVeemon not to forget us?" I don't wait for him to respond, but when I look up I see the recognition in his eyes and it's satisfying enough. "Well, let's not forget, either. Let's not forget any of it, but...I want to start fresh with us. Clean slate."

I'm about to ask him if he's okay with that when his face clears itself of emotion entirely. "I see," is all he responds, my mouth still left ajar, as he stands. And then he wordlessly slips his coat and hat on, grabs his package, and walks out of the café.

My mind doesn't work for a few moments, and I'm too confused to feel hurt at first. I go over what I could've possibly said wrong to elicit such a reaction. I sit there, looking at the door through which he exited, then to the people occupying the other tables, and wreck my brain for an answer. Maybe I won't ever understand relationships as personal as this… And realize that with me this hurt, Koji must be even more so, given that he even had to walk out on me.

His mostly-full cup is still sitting there, steam wafting from its surface. I watch the steam swirl as it rises. A small droplet of coffee is sliding down the edge of the mug and intently I follow it with my eyes. I've lost all appetite for my own drink and am satiated of all needs with my fill of perplexity and regret.

I see the clock hanging on the wall and figure it's time to start heading home, since it's already dark and the streetlights are all on. I put the card and page of lyrics back into its envelope and grab my scarf, feeling as if this all had been such a waste. I'm sure Koji had invited me with better intentions than this, that's for certain. We even had a chance to work things out, but I totally blew it there. I'm getting ready to stand up and put my coat on. Maybe it really is time to throw in the towel and give up.

"Excuse me. Is this seat taken?"

My head bolts upward. Any previous confusion is instantly overshadowed by this new dosage. I sputter, very, very taken aback, "W-What?"

"I'm sorry." He smiles lightly, blue eyes ablaze, which is all the weirder. "All the other seats here are taken; I should've said that first." As I still stare in wide-eyed befuddlement, he holds out his hand. "I'm Koji Minamoto."

Then it clicks.

I know what he's doing. A grin begins to form, encompassing my entire face, and I reach up and clasp his hand. "Mirai Kimishima. Nice to meet you." I almost laugh because this is definitely not how I foresaw the situation playing out. My cheeks are filling out with a red hue. "Seat's all yours"

And no matter how many times I can repeat it to myself, I know it's true: Koji Minamoto is full of surprises.

He sits down after setting down his package and taking off his jacket again, and this time I'm ready. Things are going to be better this time; wherever the cards may fall, I'll deal. Any messes, complications, or problems, I'll take them all on with no fear. This is my second chance. Or maybe third or fourth chance. I've been given so many chances to redo my wrongdoings, and yet here's another one knocking on my door.

I rest my elbows on the table and trace my fingertip around the rim of my mug. I look to Koji and with smugness running through me, I question, "So, Mr. Minamoto, tell me about yourself."

And we talk. We talk for at least an hour, maybe two; I don't think to look at the clock, but after a while, I look around and see there are no other patrons left besides us. A barista comes to tell us that the café is closing, and we put on our winter gear and depart. I feel uplifted, optimistic, and far beyond happy. Any tiredness has been blocked out by sheer adrenaline, and I feel as though I could stay awake the entire night through.

In the street, I'm struck with a sudden surge of some sort. A burst of energy, somehow reminiscent of what Spirit Evolution had felt like. The crisp, winter air nibbled on my exposed skin, and I felt like a million yen.

Looking over at Koji, I receive a wave of incredible satisfaction. We didn't make any sort of promise amidst our conversation, but maybe someday we'll get back to where we once were. Or perhaps it'll be even better. All that matters is we're working on it. We'll get there if we get there, but for now there'll be no status tying our names together and that's just fine. After all, there's no such thing as coincidences.

And grasping my card with all of the lyrics in one hand, I grab ahold of Koji's hand in mine and tell him with a smile, "Let's go!"

As I begin pulling him along with me, I feel him adjusting the way our hands are connected and his fingers curl around my hand snugly. "Where?" he questions, his voice the epitome of intrigued.

I laugh. I'm not entirely sure why. "I have a melody for the song!"

And together we trek on in the night. Wherever the path is going to take us, I know there's an incredible destiny leading us forward. From a world we love and left behind that forever remains in our hearts, onto the next great Frontier.

We look to the past

As we head for the future

To reclaim the Digital World.

With faith in ourselves,

And trust in each other,

We live by the lessons we've learned.

As we work towards one solution,

Through a Spirit Evolution,

I am the one,

I am the one.

Forever united as one,

Together the battles are won;

Through us let your Spirit Evolve!

If we're all for one world, there's a world for us all,

If we're all for one world, there's a world for us all!