Hello, here's the final chapter.

Disclaimer: RahXephon and its characters are the property of their respective owners.  This piece is not for profitable purposes.

Chapter 7: The Future

We planned to meet at the café where we have spent so much time.  I am usually the first to arrive, so I am surprised when I see her already there, sitting at our usual table and staring at the people walking by.

I walk towards her and say, "Haruka."

She looks to me, but something about her smile seems different than usual.  We hug, and she seems to hold tighter and longer than usual, also surprising me.

"It's nice to see you again, I've missed seeing you, Itsuki-kun."

"I've missed you so much, Haruka."

While I was home, I tried to speak to her daily, and I kept a framed picture in my room of her smiling as she sits on a stonewall on the campus.  Even so, it was not the same as actually being with her.  Times together like this are the most precious to me and bring me the greatest joy. 

"Shall we get drinks?"

She shakes her head yes, and we proceed to walk together to the counter and purchase our drinks before returning to the table.

As we sit drinking tea, I decide that it's best to tell him when we are alone, and, in the meantime, I decide to enjoy this time together.  We talk about our classes and what we did over break, amongst other things. 

After we finish, I say, "Itsuki-kun, why don't we sit on the hill we do sometimes."

He shakes his head yes and says, "That's a nice idea."

We walk there together, and, when we arrive, he lies down on his back with his arms behind his head, while I sit with my knees drawn up and my hands on the ground.  We remain silent for a while, enjoying the sunlight and the slight breeze. 

Eventually, he turns his face to me and says, "Did I ever tell you, Haruka, that I paint?  Someday, I'd like to do a painting of you."

I flinch, I know that he didn't mean to, but I am reminded again of Kamina-kun.

He looks anxious as he says, "Haruka, are you ill?  You look pale."

I look down and clench the grass and decide that now is the right time.

She looks back at me and says, "Itsuki-kun?"

"Yes?"

"I'm sorry, I – I haven't been honest, this whole time."

Afraid I know what she is talking about, I say nothing, foolishly acting as if my silence can change reality.

"I've always enjoyed being with you Itsuki-kun, our time together has been very special to me."

I move so that I am sitting up beside her. 

She looks at me with a sad smile and continues, "But – even so…"

She lowers her head and begins to cry.  I embrace her, desperately trying to prevent her from slipping away from me.

"I know, I've known, Haruka that – you don't love me - now.  But, Haruka, I still think your feelings may change."
I feel her shake her head no, but I continue, "But, even if you're convinced that you can see me as no more than a friend, please - please don't do this.  The pain I may experience knowing that, while we're together, our feelings aren't the same, is nothing compared to that if we can't stay the way we are."

She moves away and looks at me, her face streaked with tears.

"I know that you believe that now, but, eventually, and, understandably, you'll come to resent the fact that I don't return your feelings – and it will be worse for both of us.  I don't want that, Itsuki-kun."

Even though I do not believe that that would happen, but, instead, that my feelings for her would remain unchanged, I accept that hers will as well, and that it would be wrong of me to make her stay with me for my own selfish wishes.

To my surprise, he places his hands on my shoulders and smiles.

"I – I understand, Haruka, and I – accept your decision."

I smile through my tears, glad that he has understood, and say, "Thank you."

I step away slightly and embrace him one last time as I say, "Good bye, Itsuki-kun."

He returns the embrace and says, "Good bye, Haruka."

I start walking home, and, as I do, I remember Itsuki-kun's question regarding graduation, as well as the answer that I had wanted to give.   

A few weeks later, as I wander through the student center, I see a table set up for an organization called TERRA, which I learn is an anti-Mu research organization.  Interested and hopeful, I read through the literature and speak with the representative, and, seeing promise in this opportunity, I sign up.

At last, graduation arrives.  Itsuki-kun and I have not spoken nearly as much as we used to, but have drifted apart.  By chance, I see him before the ceremony, sitting on the hill at which we parted.

"Itsuki-kun," I say as I approach him.

He looks up and smiles as he says, "Hello, Haruka."

I sit beside him and say, "It's nice to see you again."

He nods his head yes in agreement.

"I'm glad, Haruka, you seem happy and full of hope."

I turn my face to him and say, "Do you remember, Itsuki-kun, when you asked what I plan to do after graduation?"

"Yes."

"I've decided, I joined TERRA."

"TERRA?" he says, sounding surprised.

TERRA?  I know that it is affiliated with the Bähbem foundation – and was organized against the Mu.  Indeed, Haruka has chosen Nii-san.  As painful as this reality is, I believe that there is still hope for us, and that, someday, I will be reunited with my beloved.

I shake my head yes and look at him as I say, "I'm sure we'll both try our best to do what we want most."

"I believe that, too, Haruka."

I smile and vow to myself that, someday, I will be reunited with my beloved.