'Wherever you are, that's where I belong.' -- Jun Aoi, Episode 3
Epilogue
Dear Mikoto,
Thank you for the letter. I apologise for the lateness of my reply, but I've been very busy over the last few weeks. I also apologise for the state of my writing. I was going to type it but Mother told me that a letter to a friend should be handwritten since that makes it more personal. Personally I think it's very primitive, but I'm doing it this way to humour her. I just hope you'll be able to read it.
In any case, I'm glad to say that things have finally worked out. It's a long story, so I won't go into the details, but I will say that no-one's trying to kill me anymore and that I've finally found a life that I can be happy in . Soon after I woke up in hospital, I was adopted by Captain Misumaru and Mr Tenkawa. We're now living together in a small village on the outskirts of Hiratsuka and have set up a restaurant here with the funds we'd saved while onboard the Nadesico. We've called it Utopian Sunrise, a reference to Father and Mother's former home on Mars. It's been Father's life-long dream to be chef of his very own restaurant, so naturally he's very excited about it. He's the cook, Mother is the waitress and I do a little bit of everything. It's been very hard work so far, seeing as it's just the three of us, but I've been enjoying it immensely, especially helping out Father in the kitchen. At the moment business is pretty slow since we've only just opened, but everyone who's come so far has enjoyed their meal and I'm sure we'll become more popular once word gets around. In my opinion we should be planning to expand soon, if we are to deal with the rising demand and to operate on an efficient scale. Mother and Father, on the other hand, both think we'll cope fine with only the three of us and that we won't need any extra staff. What can I say? They're both idiots. Idiots, but I love them.
At Mother's suggestion, I've started writing a book about my experiences on the Nadesico in my spare time. I've titled it 'Those Unforgettable Days,' and I've covered the first few weeks of my Nadesico career so far. It's coming along okay, but there have been a few points where I can't find anything interesting to write, such as that long, boring journey to Mars. There are also moments where I have trouble expressing what I was feeling at the time. I often wonder whether I should be committing such personal thoughts to paper, but I guess it's important for us to preserve our memories for they're all precious, whether fond, painful or otherwise. Well, in any case, Miss Fressange says she'll edit it for me when it's finished. I'll send you a copy when it's done if you like, but that probably won't be any time soon.
By the way, I have one more favour to ask of you. Could you please thank Miss Nishida on my behalf for taking care of me while I was in the orphanage? And if it will put her mind at rest then please go ahead and tell her that I'm safe now and she needn't worry about me anymore. You can even tell her what I'm doing now if you like, but please keep quiet about Nergal and the assassin. That has to remain a secret for various reasons. But I know that I can trust you with it.
Well, I hope I'll be able to see you soon. If I get the chance I'll come down on the train and visit you sometime. But you're always welcome to come and visit us up here – maybe you could come up for a weekend sometime and you can try Father's cooking!
I hope you are well and are enjoying life.
Sincerely yours,
Ruri
P.S. Congratulations on your victory against Leon. When you play next, use this move – seven-twenty motion, punch, punch, kick. If you master that one, no-one will be able to beat you.
Ruri laid down her pen and tilted her head, studying the letter critically. It seemed to read satisfactorily; perhaps this one would be the final draft. That would be a relief – her wrist was numb from over usage and the wastepaper basket beneath her desk was full to bursting with the scrunched-up remains of those which hadn't made the grade.
"This would have taken no more than five minutes using a computer. I hope she appreciates this."
Well, in any case it was done now. It had taken her the whole morning, but at last she had something to show for her efforts. After blowing on it gently to help the ink dry, she set the letter carefully to one side of her desk and replaced it with an envelope. Taking a moment to dig the details from her memory, she began to address it to Mikoto at the Seven Oaks orphanage.
"Hmm, I never learned her surname. Oh well, I'm sure it will get to her."
Just then, without warning, the door burst open behind her, causing her to jolt and draw a startled line through the otherwise immaculate address she'd written. She gave a small irritated huff and immediately reached for another envelope, without turning to confront her visitor. She could tell it was Akito from the measure of his stride and the sound of his breathing, but she kept writing without looking up as he came up and draped his arms around her from behind.
"Hi Ruri! How's the letter going?" he asked cheerfully, looking down over her shoulder at her handiwork.
Ruri finished off the postcode before replying. "I've just finished."
"Great timing!" her dad chuckled, giving her an affectionate squeeze. "We're opening in a few minutes."
"Is it that time already?" Ruri asked, tilting her head back to smile up at him.
"Yeah," replied Akito, his face up-side down from her perspective. "But there's no rush, it'll take a while for customers to start coming in."
"It's a sunny day," Ruri noted, nodding to the open window, which allowed glorious sunshine and a refreshing spring breeze into the room. "That should be good for business,"
"Yeah, I hope so!" said Akito. "Guess people will want to sit out in the sun. In fact, I'd better go and put the chairs down outside before we open up." He planted a kiss on the top of her head, then turned to walk back over to the door. "Come down wherever you're ready, okay?"
"Yes. I'll be down in a moment Father."
Akito gave her another grin which Ruri returned as her father closed the door behind him. She then swivelled around on her chair to return her focus back to the envelope. The address was complete – all it needed was a stamp. She took one out from her desk drawer and, with a lick and a slap, her letter was ready to be sent.
"Right. Time to get ready."
Putting her letter to one side to be posted later on, she went over to her closet and fastened her tiny waitress' apron around her waist. The garment had been a 'good luck' gift from Minato when they'd first opened the restaurant and was white and lacy with a little black kitten's face embroidered in one corner. While she still didn't understand the whole cat resemblance thing, she wore it anyway – the subtle elegance it gave her was worth the extra 'cute' compliments. Once she'd put it on, she went over to her body-length mirror to make sure she was presentable.
The smile that came back at her was absolutely exquisite. It was like a lovely flower that had broken through icy ground to glory the world with its presence. Ruri was delighted that such a wonderful expression, completely unknown to her former lives as a cold-hearted mutant and a miserable orphan, could belong to her. The child in the mirror was a happy girl revelling in the sparkling bliss of youth, her joyful disposition perfectly complimenting her pale angelic beauty. And it was her.
"Yes, this is me. This is the Ruri I want to be!"
"The Ruri I want to be." she repeated out loud. Yes, this was her finest side she was seeing. Akito and Yurika had brought out the very best in her.
She stood before the mirror a moment longer to brush a few stray hairs back into place. Once she'd satisfied her vain streak, she gave herself one more cheeky little smile and left her tiny bedroom, closing the door behind her. She then proceeded to make her way along the landing and downstairs into the restaurant proper.
The dining room of Utopian Sunrise was small by normal restaurant standards, being more café sized really. Nevertheless, it was the largest room in the house, occupying most of the ground floor and having enough room for six family-sized tables and a few smaller ones around the edges without being too cramped. Every place had already been immaculately set out with clean cutlery and placemats in preparation for the coming day. Now all they needed were customers to fill them. Ruri made a quick inspection of the room, finding everything to her satisfaction, save one empty salt-shaker. Before she went on into the kitchen, she made a point of changing the sign on the door from 'closed' to 'open'. Akito, idiot that he was, had forgotten to do that a few days ago with disastrous consequences and Ruri had vowed never to let the same mistake happen again.
She entered the kitchen to the sight and sound of her mother. Yurika was sitting on a stool and singing merrily to herself as she wiped plates with a warm cloth, her beautiful blue hair swaying in perfect time with her tuneful trill. She looked up at Ruri's entry and sent a radiant smile in her direction.
"Ready to get to work, Ruri?"
"Yes!" Ruri asserted cheerfully. "Is there anything you'd like me to do?"
"Well, you could chop up those vegetables over there for a start," Yurika replied, nodding over to them. "That would be a great help!"
"Yes, right away Cap…Mother!" Ruri said, eagerly darting over to the chopping board. Yurika chuckled lightly and ruffled the girl's hair as she raced past her. Ruri's enthusiasm, when compared to her former subdued manner, was a marvel to behold. The harsh winter of her cold stoic nature had given way to a fabulous spring of youthful exuberance. She was almost a completely new girl, and yet despite this metamorphosis, she still retained all of the wonderful traits which had always defined her as Ruri Hoshino. Her adorable appearance, righteous heart and brilliant mind had all survived the transformation and combined fluently with her new demeanour to create the loveliest little girl.
"It's such a beautiful day, isn't it Ruri?!" Yurika chirped happily. "I'll bet we'll be able to fill the whole restaurant!"
"Yes, it certainly is," Ruri replied, putting an onion to the blade. "I imagine we'll be kept very busy today,"
"That's just the way we like it, Ruri dear!" Yurika laughed, launching her fist eagerly into the air. "Bring 'em on, I can't wait to get started!"
Ruri sighed, but with affection. Her mother's perpetual passion for everything she did was truly astounding. It made her all the more lovable.
"She's just such a fantastic person. I'm so lucky to be her daughter."
She smiled fondly to herself as she started to shell onion number two. Yurika was truly the best mother she could have ever hoped for.
Just then, Akito ducked into the room, a triumphant grin riding high on his face. "Heads up you two, we have a customer!"
"I'm right on it Akito, my darling!" Yurika sang, pecking him on the cheek before heading off to take the order. Ruri regarded them both with a smile before proceeding with her work. As her body set about the repetitive task, her mind was left free to drift off into the mental musings of her own philosophies. She began to reflect on the new life she had now, this wonderful fountain pouring more happy memories into the pool of her mind with every second that passed.
"Once upon a time I was told that we live for those memories of the days gone by. Those were Omoikane's words – Those Unforgettable Days, For Them I Live. But I now realise that we can't live our whole lives for the past. Our yesterday is important, but we cannot hold it above our today and tomorrow.
"We live for the memories of days gone by and the promise of days yet to come. We also live for the present moment, even though it lasts only for a second. Sometimes the setting of that present is oppressive and we struggle to wring a meaningful life from it. But adapting to that setting so that we fit in is not necessarily the answer. We must not change out fundamental principles and inner personality just to suit our environment. We must always remain true to who we are, no matter what situation we're in. Our 'self', the very concept of who we are, is the most vital aspect of us. It defines us and makes us unique. We should not give it up, not for any reason.
"But we should not have to suffer to protect our identity. It is possible to both be yourself and have happiness in life. So if we find ourselves in a setting that rejects us and our values, we need to find a new setting. A place where we belong."
"So what setting should we chose in order to be true to ourselves and attain pleasure in our daily lives?
"The answer is so obvious, I can't believe it evaded me for so long. Geographical location is irrelevant – it is the people around us that really matter to happiness. The place where I belong is the place where people accept me and love me for what I am. A place where I can be myself among the people who care for me. And that place is right here, as a daughter to Akito and Yurika. Here I have a place I can call my home and a life which can give me all the happiness I have ever dreamed of.
"Akito and Yurika, they're both such wonderful people. They embody all that which is best in our tainted race, all the values that are righteous and decent. They're the best people I know and with them I am no longer afraid of being who I really am. Because I know they will love me, no matter who I chose to be. And I love them too. I love them so much. I can never thank them enough for taking me into their hearts, but they will have my absolute love and devotion for as long as I live. They are my true family and beside them I can finally begin a life that's my own for the first time. A life without all the fear, heartache and loneliness that my former self had to suffer. Yes, all that sorrow is in the past now and I can look forward to a bright future together with the people I care for the most. For I have found the place where I belong."
She gave herself a secretive smirk as she quartered a tomato. When else in her short existence had things been so perfect? This was truly the best it had ever been for her. Her golden age had begun.
Her musings were suspended as Akito burst into the room again, grinning and breathless in boyish exhilaration.
"Hey Ruri, we've just been invaded! Three more families have come!"
Ruri craned her neck to face him, golden eyes wide in disbelief. "Already? That's great!"
"Yeah, but it means we'll have to get moving!" he puffed, snatching his long apron off its hook and donning it. "I'll put the rice on now. In the meantime, could you go out and take some orders for me?"
"Sure," Ruri put down the knife, washed her hands and strode out of the kitchen, seamlessly shifting into her waitress role. Her mind subconsciously resumed its former track as she wandered across the dining room towards the main door.
"The place where I belong. To find it is to find happiness. It's as simple as that."
Brilliant sunshine caressed her pale smiling face as she stepped outside into the splendid spring day. She raised her head skyward, beaming sweetly and with gratitude to the pure azure heavens. How appropriate this sunny weather was, for now there was more sunshine in her life than ever before. The infinite blue sky resembled the boundless opportunity her future offered her and the smell of freshly-cut grass was full of promise for a hot summer and many upon many good times still to come. And come they would, Ruri was sure, for she had found true happiness at last.
In a place where she belonged.
-------END-------
$^-^$
Final Notes
YES! It's finished! It took me six months longer than I thought it would, but it's finally done! ^_^
I've tried to leave it at a point whereby the Prince of Darkness movie could potentially follow on, although that is kind of depressing considering they're all so happy at the moment. Think of it whichever way you will, it doesn't matter really.
This fic is my salute, not only to the greatest anime series of all time, but the greatest anime character of all time as well (please don't tell me you haven't worked out who that is!). I think I was destined to write a story about Miss Hoshino ever since she stole my heart in episode 18 and this is what I came up with. I wanted to write something that brought out that emotional side of her that we saw only briefly in the series. I wanted to show Ruri as more than just the computer operator with the bland status reports and the frequent 'idiots' remarks, I wanted to delve deeper into the side of her that was a child who had real emotions and yearnings.
I hope this doesn't sound too vain, but I'm absolutely delighted with the way this fic's turned out, both in writing terms and the response it received. It's by far the best thing I've ever written and I'm actually very proud of it. It's been a real challenge to write, but I don't regret the time I put into it for second.
Before I finish, I'd like to thank Xebec and ADV Films for giving the world the greatest anime series ever. I'd also like to thank Genesis, eels, JJ72, George Michael, Nobuo Uematsu and Project Majestic Mix, for the inspirational music they provided. But most of all I'd like to thank anyone who has read this story right through to the end, and that goes tenfold if you reviewed along the way. Without you guys, I never would have finished this. Your encouragement has really helped to spur me on to get it completed. Cheers everyone, I really appreciated all your comments and it was a real pleasure to write for such a responsive audience. In particular I'd like to thank my three most regular reviewers – obsession, Sora and Chromus. Thanks so much you guys, I'm really grateful. It's people like you who make this site work.
Well, if anyone has any further comments, criticism or questions on any aspect of the story, please feel free to leave them in a review or e-mail me at villa_fan5783@hotmail.com.
Thanks for reading! ^_^
