Hi, there! This is the second-to-last chapter, I plan to have the final chapter up soon (likely later today or tomorrow). Enjoy!

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

Chapter 42: Sunday

I walk to the family room and check to see if my mother is home, and, fortunately, she is not. My father left on a business trip and won't be back until after New Year's, so I'm not worried about seeing him. Relieved, I step out the door and start walking.

As I approach where we were supposed to meet, I hear "Kamina-kun!"

I look and see Mishima in her school coat and with the scarf I gave her last Christmas tied around her neck. Though I can't see the shirt she's wearing, I notice that she's wearing khakis and brown shoes. I also notice that there are pieces of paper sticking out of one of the pockets of her coat.

Mishima hugs me as she says, "Hi, Kamina-kun!"

"Hello, Mishima."

I look again at the papers and she notices me looking, and, strangely, blushes.

"You must be looking at these," she says as she takes them out.

She turns them over before she hands them to me and I realize that they are photographs. One is of our trip to Kyoto and one is from our first date. When I turn them back over, I notice that, on the back of the Kyoto trip one, it says, 'With my beloved Ayato, 2011-8-10.' I don't get to read the back of the other one because Mishima noticed me reading the Kyoto one, and quickly takes them away.

Blushing again, she says, "How embarrassing!"

I smile as I respond, "I liked seeing that."

I'm especially glad because it might mean she'll say yes when I ask if we can call each other by our given names.

"I, I always keep these pictures with me, they're, they're very important to me."

I embrace her and respond, "I'm glad."

When we break apart, she takes a digital camera out of the other pocket of her coat.

"I realized we haven't taken pictures in a while, and I'd like some new ones."
"That's a good idea, I'd like some more, too."

"Why don't we take some pictures before we shop, Kamina-kun?"

"Sure, Mishima, that's fine with me. Did you have any place in mind?"

"Hmm, not really, let's just take them at random places!"

I laugh as I respond, "Ok."

So, we take pictures of each other and ask people to take pictures of both of us in front of building signs, at traffic signals, on benches, and in front of store windows.

As she takes my picture next to a small statute, she stops in mid-action, laughing. "This is just too funny, Kamina-kun."

I smile and shake my head yes in response. She takes the picture and I walk back towards her, and we continue on our way.

Not long after, I say to her, "Mishima, would you like to start your shopping soon?"

"That's a good idea, Kamina-kun, let's go!"

I grin as I respond, "Sure, Mishima."

Since I've never owned any traditional clothing, I don't know where any stores are, so I follow Mishima as she leads the way. We enter inside and she scans the store quickly and smiles broadly as she moves around, admiring the vast array of designs available. She randomly points to ones and comments, while I watch and listen.

"Mishima?"

"Yes, Kamina-kun?"

"Would you like me to ask a salesperson for help, or would you rather search on your own?"

"Hmm, I think it would be good to get help, thanks, Kamina-kun!"

"Sure."

I start my search, and find a saleswoman near the counter.

"Excuse me."

"Yes, may I help you?"

"Well, not me, but a person that I'm with."

"Of course."

The woman and I walk over to where Mishima is waiting, and I stand by while they work together to find what she is looking for. As I watch, she tries on kimonos of all different colors and patterns. She models for me and asks me my opinion on all of them.

At one time, she comes out of the change room more quickly than usual, which catches me by surprise.

"Kamina-kun! Look at this one!" She says as she approaches me and spins in a circle. The fabric is a bright yellow color and in the lower right corner of the skirt section and near the left shoulder, the fabric is pink in the shapes of sakura blossoms in full bloom, and the kimono has a matching pink wrap tie around the waist.

She faces towards me with her arms outstretched as she says, "Isn't it beautiful, Kamina-kun?"

I smile and respond, "It definitely is, it look wonderful on you, Mishima."

She laughs and returns to the mirror, where she inspects herself once more.

She then returns to where I am standing and hugs me as she says softly in my ear, "This is the one."

We break apart and, after she changes, I follow her as she goes to the cashier to make her purchase.

I carry the bag for her, and, as we exit, I say, "What would you like to do now, Mishima?"

She stops and thinks for a moment, and answers, "I know! Let's go to the café we went to on our first date!"

"That's a great idea."

She excitedly grabs my hand, but, surprisingly, does not start running. Instead, she starts humming Katun no Sadame quietly as we walk. I start humming the song as well, and, when she notices, she smiles at me. I grasp her hand tighter, and we continue to walk and hum.

I open the door for Mishima at the café and we step inside. She orders a latte and a slice of cheesecake, while I choose a cappuccino. We find a table by the window and sit quietly, enjoying each other's presence.

"I can't believe I leave tomorrow, and I won't see you again until at least the 28th," Mishima says dejectedly.

I take hold of her hands and say, "Don't worry, Mishima, we'll see each other again soon, and we have the phone, right?"

She bows her head as she says, "I have to do things with my family the whole time, so I might not have time to call, I'm sorry."

I put my hand on her chin and lift her head as I say, "It's all right, Mishima, being able to spend New Year's together will more than make up for it."

She tears up but smiles as she answers, "That's true."

In a more serious tone, I answer, "And, and, there's something important I'm going to ask you that day, too."

She looks at me surprised and says, "I'll, I'll be waiting for that then, Kamina-kun."

We finish and, as we get up, Mishima says, "I don't want to, Kamina-kun, I but I have to be going home now to pack."

I hold her hand and say, "Ok, Mishima. I'm glad we were able to spend this time together."

She smiles and says, "Me, too."

I walk her back to her house, and when we reach it, I say, "I'm looking forward to seeing you again on New Year's Mishima, I'm sure you'll look beautiful in your new kimono."

She embraces me as she answers, "Thank you, Kamina-kun, I'm going to miss you so much, but, like you said, spending New Year's together will make it all worth it. And besides, I already decided, I'm going to take my pink bunny with me as a reminder of you."

I smile and, as I lean in to kiss her, I say, "I love you, Mishima."

"I love you, too, Kamina-kun."

After a few seconds we break apart, and we embrace again.

"I'll call you as soon as I get back on the 28th, Kamina-kun."

"I'll be waiting, Mishima."

"All right, then. I'll see you soon, Kamina-kun!"

"Of course, Mishima."

She enters her house and waves at me as I turn around to walk away. I return her wave and start walking home.

As I open the door, I see my mother silently standing in the hallway.

Surprised, I say, "Oh, Mom, hi."

"I've been waiting, Ayato."

"I didn't know you'd be home, I thought you were at work. I'm sorry, did we say we were going to do something today?"

Her eyes narrow as she says, "No, I believe you had plans today with Mishima Haruka, and tomorrow, and likely the day after that."

I freeze in shock and stare at her, dumbfounded.

"You're acting quite surprised, Ayato. Did you really think I didn't know what was going on? I've suspected ever since that day when she came here."

I have to think quickly, do I deny it, do I argue, what should I do? I decide that, without realizing it, I've wronged Mishima by keeping her hidden from my parents and that I owe it to her to make our relationship clear to them.

"It's true, Mishima and I have been seeing each other for a while."

I am even more surprised to see tears start to flow down my mother's face.

She quietly says, "I, I was supposed to be the only one, but that girl…"

Confused and angry, I say, "Even if you say I can't date, that I can't be with Mishima, I'm not going to do what you want."

She looks up at me, surprised, and says, "Ayato."

"Mishima is the most important person in my life, I love her, and I'm not going to let anything get in our way."

Suddenly looking angry, she slaps me on my cheek.

"How could you! This wasn't supposed to happen! You, you weren't supposed to do something like this!"

I step back slightly, startled by her words and actions. However, I know that I'm not going to give in at all to what she wants.

"It did happen, and I'm glad that it has, why are you so angry that I've found happiness?!"

The tears begin to flow again and she covers her face as she shakes it no. I stand still, not sure whether I should try to comfort her.

"My son, my beloved son," she whimpers between tears as I remain still.

Fighting pangs of guilt but determined to stand my ground, I turn and walk to my room. At the door, I turn around and say, "And, by the way, I don't have plans with Mishima tomorrow or the day after tomorrow, she's visiting her uncle until the 28th. But I am going to see her after that and I'll be spending New Year's with her." With that, I open the door, enter my room, and close it behind me.

Final Chapter

The End of Our World