Chapter 7

The Airport Scene

'We will all be fine.'

Rushing into the car only to get stuck in the midday traffic jam, and then jumping out onto the gridlocked road to run frantically alongside the congestion, huffing and puffing and crying and regretting, the mind could only think of getting to the airport as soon as possible as if it was just a five-minute sprint away, and then not making it in time anyway.

None of that happened.

Himeko had expected for things to go down the dramatic path like in movies and dramas, but everything seemed pretty much normal at the moment. She stared out of the car window with Switch driving at her side, watching the city pass her by mundanely, her head unconsciously bobbing to a Japanese version of a very catchy American song sung by an Indonesian girl playing on the radio.

The expressway to the airport was as clear as ever, the traffic so smooth Himeko almost laughed at how ridiculously uneventful things were. She had panicked for nothing. She sneaked a glance at Switch who had been more or less quiet throughout the car ride.

'Hey Switch, do you know why Bossun didn't want to tell me he's leaving today?'

Switch shook his head, eyes still on the road.

'No. I asked him the same thing, but he just shrugged and said nothing,' he replied before giving her a sideway glance. 'Did something happen when you guys went out the other day?'

'Besides me running out on him? No, I don't think so,' Himeko said with a mirthless laugh.

She was sure that was the reason why Bossun didn't tell her. Maybe he was really hurt by what she did to him, leaving him out of the blue like that, and that probably had him deciding she didn't deserve to see him off at the airport.

'Guess I hurt his feelings pretty badly,' she said in a quiet voice.

'I doubt that's the reason,' Switch scoffed like he actually knew the real reason why. 'Don't worry about it so much, Himeko. Bossun's just being a weirdo. Anyway, what are you going to say when you see him later?'

Himeko didn't immediately answer. She wasn't sure herself, either. There wasn't anything particular that she wanted to say to Bossun. She should probably talk about her feelings, back then and now, although the idea of doing that made her stomach quail. But the thought of letting him leave without saying a word to him was unacceptable, especially when she hadn't said much to him after what had happened at the Crystalline Chill.

His words might have stung her, but he was still her best friend, he was still Bossun, the person who had saved her more than once all those years ago. He was and would always be her saviour. She couldn't let something like this leave a fissure in their friendship. Besides, it didn't matter anymore whether Bossun liked her or not, whether his words hurt her or not, because she realized now that she really should move on. In fact, she was sure her heart had moved on to someone else. She just wished she hadn't been too emotionally charged that day at the café.

'I just want to say goodbye to him properly, Switch. I have a feeling I won't be seeing him in a very long while after this,' Himeko said with a little resigned sigh.

It took them about an hour to reach Narita airport from the city, and by the time Switch had dropped Himeko at the main entrance, ushering her to go on ahead and look for Bossun while he went to park the car at the parking terminal, it was already 1.45.

Himeko ran into the airport, her heart threatening to drop to her stomach, but her steps gradually became slow and deliberate, her eyes scanning around the place hopefully even though she knew there was no way Bossun would be hanging around near the entrance at the moment. God, she didn't even know his flight details except for the departure time. And at the back of her mind, she knew that he had probably boarded the plane already, just waiting for take-off.

In a little daze, Himeko made her way towards a bench next to a vending machine not far from where she was. She sat there numbly, staring past the people walking to and fro in the airport, her hand reaching for her phone to call Switch and tell him there was no need to park his car. Just turn around and come pick her miserable self up.

A man who had been hovering in front of the vending machine to buy some juice suddenly jumped into Himeko's line of sight, startling her when he almost stumbled at her feet as he frantically tried to catch the coin he had dropped, the circular thing wheeling around drunkenly on the glossy floor.

When he finally caught the coin in his hand, he looked up sheepishly at her to apologize, but instead of saying 'sorry', the word that came out of his mouth was:

'Himeko?!'

'Bossun?!'

Bossun was half crouching in front of Himeko, hand slapped on the floor over his coin, a look of utter surprise on his face, and Himeko was as surprised as he was, her eyes couldn't possibly get any wider.

'What– How– What are you doing here? How did you–'

Bossun's stream of unfinished sentences stopped suddenly as understanding came over him.

'Did Switch tell you–? Did he–' He then shook his head and let out a defeated sigh. 'You know what, nevermind.'

Himeko couldn't believe Bossun was still there standing in front of her.

'Bossun, what are you still doing here? What about your flight?'

'What about it?'

'Look at the time, dammit! You're gonna miss your flight!'

Bossun merely glanced at his watch and then back at Himeko.

'Don't think so. There's still some time till departure,' he replied mildly.

Himeko fixed him with a look of utter perplexity.

'But… isn't your flight at two?'

'Um, no? My flight's at three fifteen.'

'Huh? But Switch told me–'

Himeko stopped when she realized what was happening. 'Uh… Nevermind.'

Damn, Switch. He freaking lied to me.

'I, uh, wasn't expecting to see you here, Himeko,' Bossun started slowly, sitting himself next to Himeko on the bench.

'Of course,' she replied curtly, watching Bossun scratch the back of his head. 'Why didn't you tell me you're leaving, Bossun?'

'I actually wanted to tell you when we were out the other day, but I realized I hurt your feelings somehow, though I don't really know why,' he chuckled nervously. 'I figured I must've really hurt you for you to brave through a rainstorm to get away from me. And I felt like, maybe you didn't want to have anything to do with me anymore.'

'Oh Bossun…' Himeko sighed, putting a hand to her forehead. 'It's not like that. It's… You did nothing wrong. It was all me. I… I couldn't handle the truth, that's why I left.'

Bossun turned to give her a puzzled look.

'What do you mean?'

'Bossun, I think I should let you know the whole truth.'

Himeko took in a deep breath, willing away the tingles in her intertwined fingers.

'You still remember what I said to you here at this airport three years ago, right?'

Bossun blinked several times, fidgeting in his seat.

'Um… If you mean that thing when you said "I love you" to me, then, yeah.'

'Yeah. That.'

Himeko bit her lip.

'You actually got it wrong. When I said that at the time, I didn't mean it in the friendly way like you thought. I… I actually really liked you, Bossun. Like, I wanted us to be together.'

She steeled herself and glanced at Bossun. He was now really staring at her, mouth slightly hanging open.

'Yeah, I think I was really in love with you.' She covered her reddening face with her hands, suddenly embarrassed. 'Oh man, I can't believe I'm saying this out loud. But don't worry!' she added hastily, hands now up in the air in a gesture of reassurance. 'That was all in the past. I don't really feel that way towards you anymore, Bossun. Promise! It's just that… when you said you couldn't imagine us being together, I just couldn't accept it. It hurt a little, you know, even when I realized I don't feel that way towards you anymore. It's stupid, I know, but I just couldn't help it.'

Bossun was silent. He was still. Only his eyes darted from spot to spot on the floor, his mind processing what Himeko had told him.

'I… I've never seriously thought you'd have feelings for me, Himeko. I mean, I know you care about me, and I care about you too, but…'

Himeko nodded dismissively, forcing out a chuckle. 'Yeah, I know.'

'I had no idea…' Bossun said almost to himself, his voice quiet. 'I'm sorry, Himeko. I really am. I…'

'It's okay, Bossun. Don't worry about it. It's all fine now,' Himeko patted him lightly on the shoulder and leaned back in her seat.

She stared at her hands in her lap, trying to ignore how quiet Bossun had become.

Did she do the right thing? Maybe she shouldn't have said anything. She didn't want things to get awkward for them.

'I hope this doesn't change anything between us,' she said, turning to look at Bossun.

He smiled softly. 'Of course not. We've gone through a lot together, Himeko. We might not always be together like we used to anymore, but no matter what happens, we'll always have each other, right?'

Himeko nodded, smiling back at him. 'Right. We have each other.'

That felt like a burden was lifted off her shoulders.

Bossun's eyes flickered in Himeko's direction for a moment, like he wanted to say something to her but was uncertain whether he should say it or not.

'What is it?' Himeko prodded, not missing the way he was hesitating.

'Uh… Are you and…'

Bossun glanced again at Himeko who was still watching him, patiently waiting. He cleared his throat deliberately.

'It's nothing… It's just, I'm glad you have Katou with you.'

Himeko stared at him. She could feel her face turning scarlet.

'W-what are you talking about?'

Bossun scratched his temple with his forefinger, not really looking at her.

'I kinda saw you crying in his arms that day.'

'What...? What are you talking ab– Wait, you did?'

'Yeah. I went after you when you left because you forgot your cardigan, and I was worried about you, you know, but then I saw you and Katou at the bus stop… so I just left.'

'Bossun, I didn't know you had chased after me…'

He shook his head. 'It was no big deal, really. I left your cardigan with Switch, by the way.'

'Yeah, I got it already.'

'Good, then.' Bossun merely paused for several seconds before saying, 'Does he treat you nicely?'

Himeko glanced at him.

'You mean, Kiri? Well, yeah, I guess. He cares about me a lot, I think.'

'You like him?'

Bossun's question was only making the heat around her face and neck even more unbearable. She couldn't help recalling the feel of Kiri's touch on her.

'I'm… fond of him,' she finally admitted. And then more firmly, she said, 'Yeah, I like him.'

Bossun nodded, as if that was what he had been expecting for her to say.

'Katou's a good guy. I'm sure he'll make you happy, Himeko.'

'But me and him, we are not really together–'

'Not really together yet, am I right?' Bossun said with a wry grin, his brow raised a little.

The protest in Himeko's mouth dissolved before she could spout them out when there was a four-note chime ringing through the PA system followed by a lady making an announcement regarding a Japan Airlines flight bound for the United States of America.

Bossun stood up, giving Himeko a rueful look.

'I think I have to go now, Himeko.'

Himeko felt a heaviness in her heart and it slowly spread throughout her whole body as she stood up. Bashfully, she held her arms open, inviting Bossun into her embrace.

Bossun looked at her with a warm smile on his face. He took a step forward and held her in his arms.

'Take care, Himeko.'

'You too, Bossun. Take care out there,' she said, her voice falling into a whisper.

She held on to him for a few moments longer, letting her hug linger.

'I love you,' she said and realizing the phrase did not carry the same meaning as it did when she had uttered it to Bossun three years ago. She let out a breath of soft laughter at the realization. 'I love you as your best friend, alright? Don't want you to get the wrong idea now.'

Bossun chuckled.

'Got it. I love you too, Himeko.' He squeezed her a little. 'Be happy, you hear? It might be years until we meet again, but I hope when we do, we'll be the happiest versions of ourselves.'

'Yeah, can't wait for that time to come,' Himeko said, trying to hold back her tears as they parted from each other. 'I know you're gonna be busy with the world out there, Bossun, but try to get in touch whenever you can, alright?'

Bossun had the decency to look chastised. 'I'll try.'

He gave Himeko one final look, a smile and a wave.

'Goodbye, Himeko.'

'Goodbye, Bossun.'

Himeko stood where she was, staring after Bossun's back until he disappeared from her view, lost in the airport crowd. And for once, her heart wasn't breaking. All she felt was a wholesome sense of closure, pushing her to move forward.

.o.o.o.

'Are you sure this is the right apartment?' Switch asked as he stopped the car, shifting the gear into parking and pulling the hand brake with a couple of clicking noises.

Himeko peered out of her window at the somewhat strange purple-grey building. Truthfully, she wasn't sure if it was the right one, but she did remember Kiri pointing out to her his apartment building when they passed through this neighbourhood not too long ago, and it was hard for her to forget the purple-grey building in the midst of washout white ones.

'I think so…'

'You know his unit number?

'Uhh…'

Himeko wasn't sure about that, either. But she vaguely remembered Kiri mentioning amusedly that his apartment number was basically his birthdate, which she knew was on April eighth.

'It's 48,' she blurted out, trying to convince herself and hoping that her guess was right.

Switch hummed. 'Okay. I hope you don't end up knocking on some random person's door, though.'

Himeko hoped so, too. She pushed her hair out of her eyes, her grip on her phone tightening. She wished Kiri would answer his damn phone. Her calls kept getting redirected to voicemail and all her messages were left unread. Was he avoiding her or something?

'I think I'll go check on Kiri now,' she said, opening her door. 'Thanks for the ride, Switch.'

'No prob, Himeko. Go tell him how you really feel, okay?'

Himeko nodded. She paused and looked at Switch fondly.

'Switch, you're a great friend, you know that? I know you're going through a rough patch right now, but you're still willing to help me out with these silly problems.'

'Himeko, nothing about this is silly. And don't worry about me and Momoka. We will work on it. Things seemed to be better now than it was a few weeks ago, after all. Now stop dawdling and go.'

Himeko flashed him a grin and saluted.

'Yes, sir.'

Switch grinned back and returned her salute. He shifted his car into gear and drove away as Himeko made her way towards the apartment building.

When she found the door with the number 48 on it, Himeko couldn't help letting out a sigh of relief. She rubbed her palms together nervously, eyes darting around.

She pressed the doorbell and waited patiently for the door to open. After about two minutes and the door still remained closed, she started to fidget, shifting restlessly on her feet. She pressed the bell again, three times, and waited.

Still, there was no sign of Kiri.

Himeko knocked a little loudly on the door and called out.

'Kiri? Are you in? It's me, Onizuka!'

She knocked again a few times, certain that Kiri's neighbours were starting to get annoyed by her constant pounding on his door. She stared at the number 48 on the door as she waited some more, and suddenly she started to panic.

Is this even Kiri's? What if I got the wrong apartment?

Maybe it was 84 instead of 48. Or could it be 408? Or 804? But there couldn't be more than a hundred units in the little cluster of small apartment buildings.

Himeko started to back off slowly from the door, biting her lip in worry. She almost jumped out of her skin when the door of unit 48 cracked opened.

Kiri appeared from behind the door looking dazed if not a little disoriented, his puffy eyes squinting in the afternoon light as if it was too bright, his hair disheveled with strands of it plastered to his face, the stretched-out neckline of his threadbare t-shirt threatening to fall off his shoulder as he weakly leaned against the door frame.

'Onizuka…?' he croaked, voice barely there.

Himeko stared at him, or more accurately, at the condition he was in.

'Did you just wake up or something?'

Kiri blinked a few times like he needed time to understand what Himeko was saying to him.

'Yeah… kinda.'

Himeko eyed him suspiciously.

'You alright?'

'Yeah.'

Kiri shifted awkwardly under her scrutinizing gaze, leaning even heavier onto the door frame.

'Onizuka… I'm sorry about yesterday.'

Himeko arched an eyebrow.

'Yesterday?'

Kiri nodded but slowly stopped when he saw the incredulous look Himeko was giving him.

'Do you know what day is today?' she asked.

'Um… Wednesday?'

'It's freaking Friday, Kiri.'

'What? Friday? But–'

'Why didn't you answer my calls?' Himeko appraised him, trying to figure out what was going on as she took a few steps closer towards Kiri.

'You called? I didn't…'

Kiri's hands sluggishly dipped into the pockets of his sweatpants, expecting to find his phone there. He blinked when he found nothing, the moment confusion dawned on him was apparent as he looked around behind him in a poor attempt to look for his phone.

'Weird… I can't remember where I left my phone…' He barely got the words out when he was suddenly assaulted by a rattling coughing fit.

'You sure you're alright?' Himeko asked concernedly. Now that she was standing closer to him, she noticed how flushed Kiri's face was. Her hand automatically went to feel his forehead.

'God, you're burning, Kiri! Why didn't you tell me you have a fever?'

'What? I don't. I'm fine–'

'Fine my ass,' Himeko hissed before dragging Kiri by the arm into the apartment.

When she reached the surprisingly tidy living room, she ushered him towards the three-seater pushed against the wall. She went to pick up a couple of throw pillows lying across the room and let out a triumphant noise when she discovered something familiar buried underneath them.

'Hey Kiri, I found your phone. It's dead, though,' Himeko said, squinting at the darkened screen. 'No wonder my calls didn't get through.'

She turned around expecting to see Kiri already lying on the sofa but he was just sauntering over from somewhere with a bottle of water in one hand. He flopped onto the sofa tiredly and popped two pills into his mouth before washing them down with water.

'Aspirins?' Himeko asked.

'Yeah. Just realized my head hurts like hell.' He caught her gaze and added, 'I'm fine.'

'No, you're not. Did you really not realize you have a fever?'

'Not until just now,' Kiri sighed, leaning back. 'Is it really Friday, though? My memory's kinda hazy. Feels like I've been in and out of sleep for days.'

'I told you you'd get sick from all that rain,' Himeko muttered, shooting Kiri a glare.

She arranged the pillows on one end of the sofa along with a blanket she had picked up from the floor and gestured for Kiri to lie down. He just glanced at her and remained seated where he was, closing his eyes. Himeko sighed and settled herself next to him.

The living room was quiet, the only sound breaking the silence was Kiri's breathing, the crackles in his breaths were as clear as day. It was a little worrying.

'Hey, you okay? How are you feeling?'

'Cold. And hot,' he mumbled. 'Wished my head would stop throbbing.'

Himeko reached for the blanket and covered Kiri with it. At least he had stopped saying he was fine and admitted he wasn't feeling well.

'Have you eaten?'

He shook his head.

'When was the last time you ate?'

'Can't really remember.'

Himeko sighed again. She didn't think Kiri was this terrible at taking care of himself.

'I'll go make congee for you. I hope you at least have some rice in the kitchen?'

'Onizuka, you don't have to.'

Himeko ignored his weak protests and headed to where she thought the kitchen was. Like the living room, it was clean and tidy, and the fridge was not as empty as she had initially expected. At least there were eggs, some fruits and to her delight, anchovies. She found a small tub of rice on the kitchen counter and immediately started to whip up a simple congee with anchovies.

By the time Himeko had brought a steaming bowl of congee and a small plate of sliced apples to the living room, Kiri was already asleep, half sitting, half lying on the sofa like a kid not wanting to go to sleep but falling asleep anyway. It was endearing to see him like that and Himeko couldn't help smiling at the sight.

She set the bowl and plate on a small side table next to the sofa and headed back to the kitchen before returning with a damp cloth. Gently, she shifted Kiri to lie properly along the length of the sofa, ignoring his unconscious protesting grunts. She pulled the blanket up to Kiri's chest and placed the damp cloth on his forehead.

Kiri's eyes then fluttered opened slowly, glassy and out of focused.

'You still here, Onizuka?' he rasped, his words slurring. 'Why…'

'What? You think I'd leave you to die?'

Kiri's light chuckle morphed into a mean cough.

'Exaggerating much?' he wheezed.

'Well, you will die with how hopeless you are at taking care of your sick self,' Himeko shot back as she reached for the bowl of congee. She looked at him expectantly, her voice softening. 'Think you can eat a little?'

Kiri nodded and with some effort, got himself up into a sitting position. Himeko was about to offer to feed him but Kiri had already taken the bowl from her and quietly spooned the congee into his mouth.

Himeko watched him eat in silence, trying to gauge how lucid he was. He didn't seem delirious, probably just sleepy and tired and sick and hungry. Probably not the best time to ask him serious, heavy questions. But what the hell.

'Kiri, can I ask you something?'

Kiri's hand stopped moving for a second, and then he merely nodded.

'Do you want me to be together with Bossun?'

Himeko tried to ignore the uneasy glare Kiri was fixing her with.

'Why are you asking me that?'

'I just want to know,' she shrugged casually. 'So, do you?'

Kiri put down the bowl and barely whispered. 'Of course not.'

'Because you like me?'

Himeko didn't realize how wildly her heart was hammering in her chest until she saw Kiri nodding to her question.

'Yeah. I like you a lot, Onizuka. Like, a lot a lot. I don't know when I started liking you, but I can't seem to stop thinking about you most of the time. It's… crazy. God, that must've sounded so cheesy.'

Kiri ran his hands through his messy hair, probably blaming the fever for making him so loose with his words and so honest about his feelings.

'At first, I was content with just hanging out with you a few times a week. But then at some point, I felt like those fake dates weren't enough. I like you so much I just can't get enough of you. But that means nothing if you like Bossun. I know you guys were close, probably still are, and you always seemed happiest when you were with him back in high school. I want you to be with me, but I also want you to be happy, Onizuka, and if being with Bossun makes you happy, then I'll never come between you guys.'

Himeko stared at him. She was speechless. She didn't think Kiri liked her that much, willing to sacrifice his own happiness just to see her happy and all that. What was this? A freaking soap opera?

'You'd do that? Even if that makes you miserable?'

Kiri shrugged.

'I guess,' he said quietly. He stole a glance at Himeko's astounded face. 'Didn't think I was such a sappy guy, huh?' He forced out chuckle, leaning back weakly against the sofa.

'Why are you so sure that I like Bossun?'

Kiri snorted. 'You were always with him, Onizuka, always there by his side. Even in my memories of you, Bossun is there. How can I not think that?'

'But that was years ago. You do realize that, right?'

'I do. But still, I can't help thinking that way.'

Kiri shifted on the sofa. He picked up a slice of apple just so that he had something to do with his hand.

'Why didn't you just ask me whether I like Bossun or not?' Himeko blurted out.

'You don't how many times I've almost did that,' Kiri scoffed with a shake of his head. And then he winced. 'Actually, I think I did when we were at the beach the other day.'

'And I said I didn't like him, didn't I? But you didn't want to believe me.'

'That's because you were so unconvincing, Onizuka. Like you were lying to yourself,' Kiri shrugged, staring at the apple in his hand. 'I never meant to ask you that, though, because I was afraid to hear you say you like him. I didn't think I could leave you alone if you said you did. And… I didn't want to feel hatred or contempt or things like that towards Bossun. I've always respected him. He's a great guy. He is someone to look up to, you know. Besides, he's Tsubaki's twin. I'm sure you know how Tsubaki is like a brother to me. It'd be like betraying him if I came between you and Bossun.'

Kiri bit into the apple with a soft crunch, a faraway look in his eyes. And then his gaze slowly returned to Himeko.

'Onizuka, I'm sorry about what happened at your place. I shouldn't have taken advantage of you.'

Himeko looked at him with a frown.

'Taken advantage? What are you talking about?'

Kiri hunched forward, twisting his hands in the bunched up blanket around his waist.

'You were hurting. You were crying and sad and vulnerable… I shouldn't have kissed you back. You probably kissed me to get whatever happened with Bossun that day out of your mind.' He looked at Himeko when she let out a small gasp. 'Yeah, I figured you must've been upset over something involving Bossun, because I saw him in the rain staring at you when we were at the bus stop.'

So, Bossun and Kiri saw each other that day?

Himeko wasn't expecting that. She wished they hadn't. At least, she wished Kiri hadn't seen Bossun there. It just made him assume all the wrong things.

'Kiri, you were wrong. Yeah, I was upset that day because of Bossun, but I didn't kiss you because of whatever reason you think it was. I kissed you because I wanted to kiss you, Kiri.'

When Kiri just stared at her blushing face, at a loss for words, Himeko said:

'Let me make this clear. I like you too, Kiri.'

Kiri remained staring at her, not believing his ears.

'Are you for real? You mean that?' he asked in a hushed voice, his glazed eyes slowly becoming clearer.

'Yes, I mean it.'

He stared at her even longer.

'What about Bossun?'

'What about him?'

'I thought you like him.'

Himeko huffed loudly in exasperation. Kiri could be pretty frustrating sometimes. Didn't she just say she liked him? Did Kiri really think he had no chance of being with her ever?

'Kiri, you really should stop doing that, making assumptions and thinking what you think I want is what I really want. It'll just hurt you. And me. Please, Kiri, don't think less of yourself.'

Kiri bowed his head, abashed, hiding from Himeko's intense glare behind his messy hair.

'I just… want the best for you, Onizuka.'

'If you want the best for me then stop doing that. And I've told you before, Kiri, I don't have feelings for Bossun anymore. I already said goodbye to him. He's left for the US earlier.'

Kiri looked up in surprise.

'He left already?'

'Yes.'

'What about you?'

'What about me?'

Kiri sat up straighter, pushing himself forward to the edge of the sofa to look at Himeko closely.

'Are you okay? Did you manage to get everything sorted out with Bossun?' he rubbed the side of his neck uncertainly. 'I don't mean to be a busybody, but you were crying that day, and he had chased after you… I just hope you guys said goodbye with a clear conscience.'

Himeko found herself smiling at Kiri's concerned face.

'Yeah, we did. You don't have to worry about that, Kiri.'

'That's good…' Kiri leaned back, his eyes sliding close. His breathing slowed as sleep was getting ahold on him again. 'I really hope this whole thing isn't just a dream. You don't know how happy I am right now, knowing that you like me too… If it really turns out to be a dream… I'm going to be so damn mad when I wake up.'

Himeko chuckled, making her way to sit next to him. Gently, she pushed his head so that it was resting on her shoulder.

'I assure you, Kiri, this is not a dream.'

'Don't think you should come anywhere near me, Onizuka. You'll get sick too,' Kiri drawled, already half-asleep.

Himeko brushed aside his hand that was trying to push her away from him.

'Nah, don't worry about it. I'll be fine,' she said with a little smile.

She would be fine, and she would continue to be fine.

Things might have turned out differently from what she had expected, but she was content with how things were going. She was glad that she was finally able to move on from Bossun, and she hoped he would find his own happiness out there in the world, wherever he was.

'We will all be fine.'

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Next chapter:

Epilogue