"Yamato…Yamato look at this one isn't this cool?" Shiori said as she showed a stuffed Dinosaur to the 3 months old Yamato.

"I don't think Yamato knows what your holding Shiori" Ririko said.

"Well regardless I think he likes what he's seeing right Yamato?" Shiori responded back.

Ever since Ririko gave birth to Yamato, Shiori Maki and Sanae frequently comes to her house to play with Yamato, though Shiori is the one who comes most of the time.

This time Only Shiori visted Ririko as both Maki and Sanae are busy. Maki is preparing for a play in school while Sanae's work is piling up.

Shiori plays with Yamato as Ririko watches her. while doing she can't help but feel a bit little jealousy not because of the thoughts that Yamato might grew closer to Shiori, but because of Shiori's cheerful behavior.

Ririko knew that she herself is not the cheerful type, ever since her childhood days she's not the type who expresses herself. On the other hand Shiori is her polar opposite. She's cheerful, always full of energy and is very optimistic.

That thought made Ririko wonder if she would make a great mom. After playing with Yamato, Shiori and Ririko went to the kitchen where Shiori teaches Ririko some easy dishes that she can make for Rei.

Ririko was a fast learner, it's one of her strengths and Shiori was impressed at her and after trying out some various dishes the two sat down and ate what they cook, and today they tried to cook beef stew where for Shiori, it's one of the easiest dishes to learn.

The Food turned out great and the two enjoyed their meal time together while Yamato is sleeping and then.

"Shiori, do you think I would really make a good mother?" Ririko asked.

"Why would you ask of course you will, Riri-chan is kind caring and is a hard worker" Shiori answer.

Ririko looks down with a sad expression.

"It's just, even until today I still find it hard expressing myself, honestly when I see you I kind of feel jealous, you're cheerful, you can smile and you can easily talk to other people, while me, I still had a hard time constructing what to say" Ririko said.

Shiori realized what Ririko is trying to say and smiled as a result.

"Riri-chan you are you, don't compare yourself to other" She said.

"But"

"Riri-chan I know nothing about parenting, I'm not a mother, but one thing I know is that in life, it's not all about who is the best in this or that category. I think in being a mother, what's important is the fact that you're there for him, you wholeheartedly listen to what he'll say and will support him" Shiori said.

Shiori's words made Ririko feel better, she then smiled and thanked her best friend, and Shiori was grateful to her but then.

"Riri-chan, it's my turn to ask. So are you guys really leaving Manoyama?" Shiori asked in a sad tone.

Ririko in response gave her a sad look and nods.

"We decided to move to Tokyo, Rei has an apartment there where he bought thanks to his winnings"

"But what about your future, how will Kiriyama-kun support you?"

"Rei is still an active in the Shogi industry, even after staying here in Manoyama, he still had some few matches, as for me, I plan on starting a little business there."

"Are you planning on doing a confectionary shop like your Grandma has right here?"

"I'm still considering it, A friend of Rei's in Tokyo is also running a confectionary shop, I don't want to compete with them, but I still have some other Ideas"

Shiori gave Ririko a concerned look.

"Riri-chan, are you really prepared for this, you know you guys could just start a life here in Manoyama, you said Rei-san has enough savings maybe you guys can open a store here or a Shogi school!" Shiori suggested.

But Ririko shook her head.

"Shiori, we believe that this is the best for our family, I love Manoyama, but I want Yamato to see what the world looks like. We also would like to live on our own, like a normal family" she said.

"But what about Chitose-san?"

"I asked permission to Grandma and she's okay with it, though I can feel her sadness, it's the first time I said something that is against her wishes. It's weird, usually it's hard for me to feel any emotions, almost everyone in our class back then calls me weird because I can't express or feel emotions, but here I am saying these things to you"

Shiori doesn't know what to say, she's happy that little by little, Ririko is improving. But she's also sad that it's her best friend's wish to live and start a new life and a new family to a different town.

"Riri-chan, make sure you send me a lot of letters and text messages alright?"

"I will, no matter where I go I won't forget Manoyama"

"Send pictures of Yamato-kun alright, I really want to see him grow"

"I will, you can also come to see us, It's not like I won't tell where I live"

And with that Shiori hugged Ririko and Ririko hugged her back. Ririko didn't cry but she felt sadness after Shiori hugged her. Ririko also began to look back in her time in Manoyama, especially the time where she met Yoshino, Sanae and Maki where the 5 of them worked to promote Manoyama.

It was already evening when Rei returns, he still works at Angelica's Restaurant but it's only a matter of time before he resigns, Shiori was also gone by that time.

Ririko offered Rei some curry in which he ate.

"Ririko this is delicious!" he said.

Ririko's eyes widen, "You think so? I'm glad!" she said.

"The Truth is, I'm asking help from Shiori because I want to be a good wife, I want to learn how to clean, cook, and do things that a wife does"

Rei was happy at what she said.

"I guess I better work harder as well" he replied.

After eating, Rei went to check Yamato only to find out that he's asleep so while Yamato is sleeping Rei and Ririko took this opportunity to pack up their belongings.

"Time moves fast doesn't it?" Rei said.

"Yeah, just 2 years ago we started dating just to relieve ourselves from curiosity but look at us now, trying to start a life together"

"Do you regret it?"

"No, I do miss Manoyama, I grew up here, I met my friends and learned a lot about myself, but I don't regret going with you"

"How about you Rei, do you regret marrying me?"

"Me? Of course not, true we dated not because of romantic reasons, but the more times we spent together, the more I got to know you and I realized that I want you by my side"

"You're being too romantic" Ririko said as she blushes.

"By the way, Rei, how do you see Manoyama, do you like it here?" Ririko asks what she thinks is an important question.

"Manoyama is not a bad place, everyone is nice, and it's relaxing here" Rei answered.

Though Ririko knew that Rei has trouble constructing what he wants to say she was still sad at his answer, she wants him to elaborate but nonetheless she won't force him.

But then

"I mean honestly, I do think Manoyama is just like any other towns here in Japan, but I do think this town is something that won't be forgotten by visitors when they visit this place, maybe of the kindness of people, or I guess the various things that you do to promote the town, I think that catches the eye of every tourist" Rei followed.

Ririko then smiled at what he said.


A week has passed and it's finally the time where Rei and Ririko will leave Manoyama. They went to the Train station where they were accompanied by Chitose, Shiori, Maki and Sanae.

"Ririko, take care of yourself alright, Rei I leave her to you" Chitose said as she hugs her granddaughter, and for the first time, she shed a tear. It's expected. After all Ririko grew up in her care so it's not that easy letting her go.

"RIRI-CHAN I'LL DEFINETELY COME TO SEE YOU!" Shiori said as she rushes and hugs Ririko and Rshe hugs her back.

"Rei, you're always welcome here in Manoyama" Sanae said.

Rei smiled.

"I'll make sure we visit every year" he said.

The train finally arrives as the Rei Ririko and their baby Yamato depart from Manoyama. as the train starts to move, Ririko went to the window to take a look at her friends and her home town until she can't see them.

"There they go" Shiori said and she Maki and Sanae just their sadness out.

"You three come with me I'll prepare something" Chitose said.

Ririko sheds some tears and Rei comforts her by lending her his shoulder. Ririko keeps on sobbing until she feels better. Suddenly Yamato cried thus bugging some people out. Rei stood up and quickly apologized and everyone didn't mind it because it's normal for babies to cry.

"Rei can I borrow your jacket?" Ririko said to Rei.

"Yamato just woke up and he's huntry, I need to breastfeed him" she followed, while blushing.

Rei understood so he took off his Jacket and let Ririko wore it to cover herself and she starts to breastfeed Yamato. Rei can see in Ririko's expressions that she still feels embarrssed breastfeeding in public but he didn't say a word, Ririko would soon get used to it.

"Yamato really likes you huh Ririko" Rei said.

"Yeah, well I'm his mother" Ririko replied.

"Do you want something to eat, of course I want to learn how to cook some meals to, or at least to prepare some"

Ririko nodded and Rei opened his bag and grabbed the sandwiches that he made.

"I hope you like Cheese because I've put some on it"

Ririko nodded, and still there was a silence.

"Do you want me to feed you?" Rei asked.

And Again Ririko nodded.

Rei feeds Ririko and while he's doing it, he's blushing.

'For some reasons my wife is kind of cute when she's enjoying her food" Rei thought

The Train went for a few hours until they have finally reached Tokyo where Akari is waiting for them in the train station.

"Kiriyama-kun, welcome back, Ririko-chan welcome to Tokyo" Akari said.

Akari helped Ririko in carrying some of her stuffs so that Ririko would can easily carry Yamato. Rei called a taxi and it took them to Rei's apartment, the apartment that Rei once rented when he decided to live alone.

Inside his apartment Hina and Momo are waiting for him and upon entering Momo quickly rushes and hugs him.

"Momo-chan you've grown taller!" Rei said complimenting Momo's height.

Of course she grew tall. She's already 6 years old and has started elementary.

"Hina-chan you're in your third year in High school right?"

"Yep, things are getting tough now but I'm doing my best"

"Have you decided what you do you want to do in your future?"

"Yeah, I plan on going to college, I want to be a teacher, it's pretty cliché, but after what happened to Chiho-chan I want to be a teacher so I can help students not just in their studies but if they have a problem as well"

"I'm not a teacher but I know that being is not that easy, I guess I'm saying just in experience"

"I know, Hayashida-sensei also said the same thing, but regardless I'll still do it"

Rei said those things based on his experience.

"Back when I decided to live alone and making a living out of Shogi, I didn't give much thought on it, I just decided that I want to do it, maybe because I feel guilty in staying in Kouda-san's house. It was then when I realized that It was not an easy decision.

Even if I have talent in Shogi life is still not that easy. Maybe it's culture shock but I during the early months I struggle on budgeting my money and figuring out what is a need and what is a want. There are also times where I don't have enough money to support myself. I'm just lucky enough that Kouda-san supports me, and the same goes to Akari-san and her siblings.

I just want to make sure that Hina doesn't make a half-baked decision, because you can make a decision because of the heat of the moment and It might cause you to lose motivation as you go on and pusue it" Rei thought.

After welcoming Rei and Ririko back, The Kawamoto's helped Rei and Ririko in unpacking, surprisingly for them, Ririko already has an Idea to where they should put stuffs so it didn't take long to get the job done.

It was already late so they called it a day so the Kawamoto's bid farewell, but then.

"Ah! Kiriyama-kun?" Akari called Rei and the latter asks what is it.

"N-Nothing I forgot what I was going to say. Anyway Take care you guys" she said.

Akari was going to ask Rei if he wants to come to their house for dinner because that's what he do ever since the first time he met them. Rei often comes to their place so much so that they consider him as a part of their family.

However she realizes that Rei is already married and is a dad now, so he might come to their house less often now.

"Rei-chan sure grew up fast huh Onee-chan?" Hina said.

"Rei-chan grew up?" Momo asked.

"Yes, he is a dad now, soon there's some who will call you Momo Onee-chan" Hina said to Momo.

Momo felt excited when she heard those words, she wants someone to call her Big sister (Onee-chan), she wants to play with someone close to her age so she began to think about the things she and Yamato can do when Yamato grew up.

"Let's see Momo-chan and Yamato-kun can play hide and seek, play tag, or cards!" Hina said to Momo which makes the youngest Kawamoto sister to feel even more excited.

Akari who was watching Hina and Momo talk is happy to see them talk, but then suddenly.

"Onee-chan why are you crying?" Hina asked Akari.

"Huh, I'm crying really?" Akari said and as she touches her cheeks she realizes that her cheeks was wet because of her tears.

While watching Hina and Momo talk, she began to remember the times where Rei comes to their house and spends time with them, and like Hina said, Rei grew up so fast, and how they were caught off guard at his growth.

Akari cries for a few seconds but she stopped crying because she doesn't want to worry her 2 younger sisters especially Momo who is on the verge of crying.

"I'm sorry you guys, I just remembered something but I'm okay now" Akari said as she hugs Hina and Momo.

"I still can't believe it that Kiriyama-kun has his own family now. I remember when he first came to our house he was so shy that he can't even ask where is the restroom. But he's a totally different man now.

Honestly I still want Kiriyama-kun to come to our house and have dinner, I still want him to help us in our store, help Hina when she's struggling in a subject, or when she wants to learn shogi. I guess I'm a selfish person" Akari thought.

This is only temporary when Yamato grows up he will definitely come and see them and for sure, Ririko is coming with him. But for now she can't help but miss the times Rei spent with them.