Epilogue time! Four years later...

June 18th, 2016; JR Akihabara Station; Chiyoda Ward, Akihabara, Tokyo, 2:37p.m

Stepping across the tiled floor of the train station, fresh off of a commuter train trip from Haneda airport, Makise Kurisu smiled from the familiar voices of friends on the other end of a phone call.

"Glad to hear everyone is there... I assume the birth went well?"

"Certainly did. My dearest nearly crushed my hand, but we made it through just fine."

Producing an unintended giggle, Makise peeked over her shoulder, eying her travel bag rolling in tow.

"That's good. No complications?"

"None whatsoever. Vital signs were good for the duration... The entire experience was admittedly life changing, and will probably continue to be."

"Uh huh. I hope you're ready to raise a daughter, Okabe."

"More than ready. We've had a room ready for her arrival for weeks now. At least now the waiting part is over."

"Now begins the real test."

"Parenthood, yes. I know Rukako here is excited to be a mother."

"And you?"

"Of course. Someone has to continue my legacy of scientific madness."

"Those are some big shoes to fill."

"I'm confident she'll shape up to be a prodigious marvel."

"Better start her off early with school then."

"You gonna fill her head with your loony madness, Okarin?"

"The madness you refer to, Hashida, is my curious intellect, tempered by irresistible deviousness."

"So she's inherited your finest qualities. Awesome."

"Better get used to it, Daru. My little Kamiko has my quirks as well."

"Yeah yeah, I know Ruka. I'm more concerned about his DNA coding than yours."

Hearing a variety of laughter and indiscernible statements in the background, Makise listened with interest, mirth spreading across her face.

"Everybody's in good humor. Its wonderful to hear, honestly."

"Agreed. I'm beyond thankful for everyone's support. And I'm certainly glad you could find time to visit, Assistant."

Tilting her head, she blushed slightly from the dated nickname.

"Of course. I've had idle time at work lately, and its been a while since I've seen you all. Especially my dear Shiina. Is she there?"

"Yes she is. Mayuri's got the little one in her arms right now, hold on..."

Hearing a shuffle of hands on the phone, she slowed her pace upon descent of the station's stairs.

"Tu-tu-ruu...! How are you?"

Grinning instantly from her greeting, Makise sighed happily.

"Heya Mayuri. I'm good, how have you been?"

"Really good. Been busy with working at the theater and cosplay shows. How is your research going? Any crazy new breakthroughs?"

"That's great, and no, nothing too exciting recently. Still been working with Maho on our artificial intelligence project but that's been slow going."

"Well knowing you and your super smarts, I'm sure you'll both make leaps and bounds of progress soon."

Chin rising from the chime of Mayuri's voice, Kurisu grinned.

"Maybe. It'll take time, but I appreciate your encouragement as always."

"Of course!"

"Anyway... Okabe said you've got the little lady in your arms. How is she?"

"Ohh, she's sleeping right now, but she's a real cutie. You just wait, Makise. You'll love her."

"I'm afraid I can't wait. I should be there soon. What was the name of the hospital again?"

"Mitsui Memorial. Okarin says it should be... Fifteen? Okay. He says a fifteen minute walk from the train station."

"Depending on people traffic... I keep forgetting how crowded public transportation gets here in Japan. Might have to find a rowboat to get through this crowd."

Hearing a giggle, she sped up her walking pace through the station concourse, heading towards the main entrance.

"We'll be here waiting for you, big sis."

"I appreciate it, Mayushii."

"See you soon!"

"Seeya."

Hearing further fumbling, she waited as several muffled voices began.

"Still here?"

"Yep."

"Alright. We're in room 7B, fourth floor."

"I'll probably ask again when I get to the lobby."

"Then I'll text you."

"Sounds good. See you soon."

"We await your arrival, double-oh-four."

Ending the call and slipping the phone into her pocket, Makise took in a breath and tugged back the sleeves of her light brown jacket, pushing through the doorway into the warmth of the Japanese summer air.

Forgot how hot the summers are here... Might have to lose the jacket in a moment.

Weaving around various clusters of people in motion, she lifted the phone back into her grasp, bringing up a map application and searching for the previously named hospital.

Yep. Twelve minutes from here to there. Ten to fifteen, depending on...

Vision rising upwards, watching dozens of commuters brush past in both directions, she slipped her phone back into her pants pocket.

...This. I feel like I'm standing in a river.

Starting forward again, her head rose into the sky above, smiling from the familiar view of the surrounding skyline of the Tokyo metropolis.

These yearly visits have been wonderful. Sure is nice to have friends across an ocean, so willing to take me in for a week at a time. This place is the mental vacation I've -

"Oof!"

Eyebrows furrowing as she was abruptly bumped by another shoulder, she halted automatically to regain proper footing. Turning towards the person, her mouth opened, only to find herself restraining upcoming words. Before her, a young woman roughly her age stood still, hand rising cautiously towards her.

"I'm sorry, are you alright? Didn't mean to do that."

Expression softening as the stranger's hand settled on her shoulder for a moment, she exhaled from the unexpectedly quick apology.

"Its fine. Just startled me a bit."

"Me too. But no worries. You have a good day, okay?"

Blinking as her hand lifted, she slowly began to discern the eerily familiar voice. Watching with newfound curiosity as the woman's hair tossed with a turn, she slipped into the crowd beyond, disappearing from sight.

"Yeah... You too."

Her mouth drifted open as hints of recognition slowly connected through places in her memory.

Wait a minute...

Picturing the young woman's amber eyes and long brunette hair, shrouding her oddly familiar facial structure, Makise stood still, peering into the distance beyond the station's courtyard.

...Was that Suzuha?

Mitsui Memorial Hospital, F4 Room 7B; Chiyoda Ward, Akihabara, Tokyo, 3:03p.m.

Seated among a crowd of overseas friends, Makise kept a newborn Urushibara Kamiko in her lap, watching with endless fascination as the small life in her arms observed the surrounding new world with curious, orbiting eyes. Bundled up in several blankets, her arms and legs fidgeted, and she briefly looked at the red-haired woman several times, bringing a warm smile out of her, observed by the others amidst low conversation.

"I think she likes you, Kurisu."

Looking up towards Ruka from the mother's gentle voice, she exhaled, bubbling with quietly contained delight.

"Seems like it."

"She's hardly cried so far. But I'm sure that'll change."

"Oh yes it will."

Looking to Okabe sitting beside Ruka's hospital bed, she then turned to Mayuri seated just beside her, with Faris, Daru and Yuki just beyond.

Eyes meeting Shiina's, a bout of emotion welled up inside her, and Mayuri leaned over, nuzzling against Kurisu's shoulder for a moment as the woman sniffled helplessly.

"You doing okay, sis?"

"Yeah. This is just... She's beautiful and adorable and I'm kinda melting inside."

"Just wait till you have one of your own."

Sighing heavily, Kurisu didn't bother to deflect Daru's comment in any manner.

"Oh, I know. Her little eyes are just getting me though. She's taking in everything around her."

"Kinda reminds you of someone, doesn't she?"

Looking towards Okabe again, both scientists grinned with pride from Mayuri's statement.

"Yeah. Sure does."

"She'll be seeing all kinds of things once we get out of the hospital."

"Tons of people too."

"She's meeting all kinds of new friends today."

Watching as Rumiho rose from her seat and stepped over, she sank down in front of Makise.

"Mind if I hold her for a little while?"

Bosom expanding with a great inhale, she nodded in response, waiting as Faris extended her arms, and then carefully transferring Kamiko from the warmth of one friend's embrace to another.

"There we go you curious little kitten... Maid Queen Faris is keeping you company now, nya."

Gently sitting back onto her chair, all eyes settled on the cocooned child as her arm reached outward into the open air, with tiny fingers opening and closing.

"Let me tell you who that reminds me of."

Looking aside, eyes meeting Ruka's with a loving gaze, Okabe gripped Ruka's fingers between his own.

"Someone shaking hands with stardust."

Looking towards Mayuri as she fondly watched Rumiho offer her finger to Kamiko's hand, the couple released equivalent sighs, watching then as Shiina's attention turned to them with curiosity.

"Oh goodness, look at this."

Heads turning again from Yuki's statement, several laughs arose as the child's tiny hand gripped one of Faris' coiled pink ponytails.

"That's beyond precious."

"I think she likes your style, Maid Queen."

Blushing with mirth, Rumiho watched the child's fingers expand and contract around her soft hair.

"Then she's going to love shopping with me in the future."

"I think we found a future cosplayer, Faris."

Head tilting to Mayuri beside her, she nodded in consideration.

"In the meantime, I think I'll have to spoil this little lady silly."

Winking at Okabe seated across from her, he chuckled contently.

"However you wish, Rumiho. We won't ask much beyond our own means."

"Nonsense. You lovebirds brought a beautiful lady into the world, and I'm going to make sure she gets the best there is."

"Thank you."

Exchanging nods with Ruka, she then looked aside at Daru, who was trying hard to maintain his composure, only for it to be broken as she gently offered Kamiko over to him.

"Ohhh look at you. Uncle Daru's got you and he's going to be the coolest uncle you'll ever know."

Grinning as Okabe quietly laughed nearby, Daru turned aside in his chair, watching as Yuki did the same in hers, gentle reaching over and stroking the newborn's head with a touch of her finger.

"Looks like you're the one melting now, Hashida."

"Hey... I can't help it. Stuff like this... Like adorable little kids... We all love moments like these."

"You don't have to defend yourself, Daru."

"I know. I'm just saying... This is amazing. And I'm sure she'll grow up to be amazing too."

"That's the plan."

Watching as Yuki's fingers slowly curled around his wrist, Daru looked up at his girlfriend, and a mutual moment of understanding bloomed between their fond expressions, causing her to grip his arm tighter.

I want this.

Watching her intently, heartbeat increasing, he produced a single nod.

I'm ready if you are.

Answered by a nod of her own, she daintily lifted Kamiko from his arms, bringing her into her own embrace against her bosom.

"Little Kamiko. You are a cutie, goodness."

Listening to his girlfriend's softly spoken words, Daru tingled with anticipation for the future as he studied her gentle maternal motions.

This must be a preview. Because something tells me I might have a kid of my own on the horizon.

"Would you like her back, Ruka?"

"If you don't mind."

"Of course. We'll probably be seeing her plenty in the future."

"I'd hope so."

Carefully rising to her feet, Yuki stepped over beside Ruka's hospital bed, slowly bending down and releasing the child back into her mother's arms. Watching then as Ruka cradled her newborn daughter, Yuki gripped the side rail of the bed, unable to resist a grin of delight.

"You're a lucky lady."

Tucking her daughter up close, Ruka touched Kamiko's forehead with a gentle kiss of her lips, and then peeked towards Okabe beside her.

"I've realized that a few times, over these past six years."

Releasing discreet, separate sighs, both Makise and Rumiho looked back and forth between the members of the new family.

Six years... Of a goofy mad scientist and a shy wall flower. And they're the happiest couple in the world right now.

"I'm sure you're both proud parents."

"Prouder than you can imagine."

"Well if a proud mom and dad ever need a nanny to care for their little angel, Miss Mayushii is here to help! As long as I'm not busy with work and all."

"Oh don't worry Mayuri. That's already been long in consideration."

Twisting happily with excitement, Shiina peeked over towards Ruka, exhaling from seeing mother and child both resting quietly, with eyes shut.

"Looks like its nap time."

"Urushibara's been working hard these past nine months. I don't blame her."

"Better make sure you both of your angels are comfortable at home, Okarin."

Vision panning across all five of his friends, he nodded confidently.

"Don't you worry. I won't rest easy until they do."

June 19th, 2016; Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo, 11:46p.m.

Leaning against the concrete wall of a street-side shop, just across the way from the hospital, a twenty-two year old Amane Suzuha waited patiently, cell phone in hand and backpack resting on the ground just beside herself.

Been a few days now since Okabe and a very pregnant Ruka went in... If all went well, they should be out by today. Maybe this afternoon.

Eyes rising as several cars passed on the street, she looked towards the entrance of the hospital, realizing a group of seven distinct individuals were walking towards the opposite sidewalk in front of her. Squinting towards them, making out five women and two men, she peeked up and down from the phone in her hand repeatedly.

Boy if I didn't know any better...

Watching the group turn onto the sidewalk and continue to the right, two couples held hands, and a small head peeked out from a bundle of blankets, and Suzuha suddenly realized she was staring at Ruka, with her newborn child in her arms, walking beside Okabe.

Oh man!

Exhaling sharply, her head slowly turned, following the couple's slow walking pace, heart racing.

Oh my god that's them. And that's Kamiko!

Pulling her backpack up onto her shoulders and hurrying into a following pace, just out of sight behind the group, her heart raced as she peeked around street poles and parked vehicles.

Kamiko. That has to be you! You're just a baby, but here you are at last. You've just been brought into this world... And hopefully the actions your parents and I have taken, have brought you into a safer future.

Touching her hand against her head, her eyes shot open in realization.

Hold on. If that's Okabe and Ruka, then who were the other two holding... Hands?

Bursting forward into a run, neck craning around various obstacles along the street, she finally came to a clear view, across the street, seeing a stocky male with an old yellow ball cap, holding hands with a young woman with flowing brunette hair, dressed in vibrantly colored clothing.

"Yeah, uhh, Daru? Where did you end up parking?"

"Just down the block."

"That way?"

"Around the corner up there, yeah."

"There's spaces along this whole street, Hashida. Couldn't you have parked closer?"

"So I like keeping my ride off the busier streets. Is that a problem?"

Hearing her father's name spoken openly, Suzuha's mouth simply dropped open, blinking from the voice and unexpectedly large stature of the man.

No way.

Seeing his head turn for a moment, speaking to the woman beside him with a smile, her throat locked when she passively looked across the street, freezing Suzuha in place when their eyes made contact for a fleeting moment.

Oh my god.

Turning away, her heart began beating wildly.

I think I just saw my mom and dad! They're here! Kamiko is here! Everyone's here and alive and...

Inhaling sharply, she burst into tears, and a cascade of emotion swept the rest of her thoughts away. Slumping down onto the sidewalk, she buried her face into her forearm.

God. They're beautiful. Everyone's so beautiful, and so happy... I can't believe it.

Shaking with surges of emotion, she stared at the blurry sidewalk beneath herself.

I don't even know who the other three girls are. But they're beautiful too. They must be here for Kamiko... What a darling. Her parents must be great people to have five friends show up at once to meet their daughter.

Smiling beneath her tears, Suzuha wiped her eyes one by one.

Of course they're great. Even in my old shitty future, Okabe and Ruka took me in without question. Into their own quarters of a secret underground city. Automatic accommodation. Totally blew my mind after what I've been through... And I guess I have my parents to thank for that... Being their best friends in the past, and helping get Valkyrie rolling and the time machine built. They sure thought highly of me, being their friend's daughter.

Laughing lightly, she sniffled, wiping her eyes again.

Damn. This is amazing. They're all great friends, and they're all badasses for their own reasons. Mom and dad have me, and Okabe and Ruka have Kamiko. And both of us were total badasses back in Valkyrie too. All this stuff is starting to make sense now. I just wish I could explain it to Kamiko. It would blow her mind, as much as its exploded mine.

Exhaling with finality, she glanced down the sidewalk, watching citizenry walk closer and further.

I guess I'll just have to wait until she's older now. Then I can figure out how to meet her, and I can tell her about the things I've seen and learned. That would be wonderful.

October 8th, 2016; Minatogaoka Futo Park, Shinagawa Ward, Tokyo, 1:19p.m.

Sitting in an open expanse of yellowing grass, surrounded by a spread of fallen leaves, Okabe and Ruka leaned against each other, watching with shared reverie as Mayuri played with their baby daughter Kamiko. Just across the blanket from them, Daru and Yuki sat together, conversing softly as she sat within his cuddling embrace. Bundled in light coats and gloves, fending off the cool coastal breeze that lifted leaves aloft in swirls, both couples listened with delight as the tiny child between them offered fleeting moments of laughter from Mayuri's various goofy expressions.

"That's probably the best sound I've ever heard in my entire life."

Peeking at Ruka just beside him, feeling her head move in a subtle nod, they shifted slightly, adjusting their posture together.

"One of them."

"Keeping a playlist of memory?"

"And a slideshow."

"What was your favorite before hearing our firstborn laugh?"

Watching Mayuri's arm rise, smartphone in hand, both parents watched with amusement as she took a self-portrait with Kamiko bundled up in her lap.

"Whenever you say you love me."

Heartbeat rising, their heads turned further, eyes meeting with serene familiarity.

"I'm not surprised."

"That's a song I could hear over and over again... And never tire of."

Tingling with emotion, their hands drew together, fingers mingling as cheeks grew a little rosier among the cool breeze.

"Agreed."

Gently nuzzling together again, their eyes settled shut, preserving a moment of peace together. Just beyond, Mayuri fondly admired her best friends, so undeniably in love.

Okarin... And Rukako. You two are a dream come true. I'm so proud of both of you! Both of my besties ending up in a storybook romance... I don't know how you two did it, but you're a perfect fit together.

Attention lowering to Kamiko as her tiny pink fingers brushed against the edge of her hand, a giggle left her lungs.

"Well little lady, your mommy and daddy are real lovebirds."

Peeking aside at the other couple, realizing they were both eying her with amusement, Shiina smiled cheekily, eyes meeting those of the ever-curious child beneath her.

"...And so is uncle Daru and auntie Yuki."

"But we're not as obvious about our affection."

Sticking out her tongue at Kamiko, watching the child's mouth open with a hint of a smile, Mayuri then looked over at Daru, her tongue still sticking out.

"There's nothing wrong with kisses in public."

"They're better in private though."

Watching Yuki roll her eyes playfully, just beneath Daru's chin resting on her head of hair, a shuffle of clothing and crunches of leaves registered in her ears.

"Don't worry Mayushii, some of us just aren't as embarrassed about being openly affectionate."

Turning aside as Ruka knelt over beside her, crossing her legs, Mayuri gently lifted Kamiko from the blanket below. Transferring her into Ruka's arms, she watched with delight as mother and daughter nuzzled together in a bundled embrace of warmth.

"Oh, my little angel... You're loved more than you'll ever know."

Melting from the soft words of her best friend, Mayuri then grinned as Okabe carefully moved up beside Ruka. Head rising towards her partner, Ruka then exhaled in a murmur as Okabe's finger parted her hair, and he pressed a kiss into her forehead.

"I could say the same for you, my love."

Eyes meeting in a gaze, hearts beat as a variety of fuzzy thoughts meandered between them both.

"I'm sure you already have."

"Possibly... Nothing wrong with a reminder now and then."

Drawing closer, their eyelids sank in tandem, noses brushing each other with a tingle of soft skin.

"Please do."

"Remind you?"

"Yes."

Lips softly pressed together with a flush of emotion, and in the following seconds of drawing apart, their foreheads remained together, smiles blossoming across their features. Turning away after bashfully observing the romantic moment, Mayuri's attention wandered up to the blue sky above. Bubbling with elation, her hands came together, and she twisted back and forth.

"You're fangirling pretty hard over there, Mayushii."

Watching a grinning sigh seep from her lungs, her attention settled on Daru after his statement.

"I can't help it. They're adorable!"

Rolling his eyes with a smile, Daru watched as Yuki's head shifted from beneath his chin, and her hand rose, poking the tip of his nose.

"I've seen you squee over things, Itaru. You're just as mushy as the rest of us."

Face curling into a helpless grin, his broad shoulders rose in a shrug.

"Yeah, it happens. But not as much as you guys."

Watching Yuki turn in place, kneeling in front of him, she wrapped her arms around his sides, hugging him fiercely.

"That's cause we usually have to bring it out of you."

"Oh yeah?"

"Yeeppp!"

At first restraining her attempt to push him backwards, Daru then relaxed, dropping into the fallen leaves behind as a squeal of surprise left his girlfriend's lungs.

"Like this?"

Surrounding her in a bear hug and rolling over in the dry grass, laughter burst out of their lungs as they tumbled around, legs squirming and leaves crunching beneath them. After several revolutions back and forth, Daru settled flat on his back, catching his breath as Yuki lay on top of him, face red with mirth, and eyes fondly gazing at her boyfriend beneath.

"Yes. Kind of like that."

Sinking down into a kiss, they lay still as the breeze picked up speed, sending leaves tumbling and floating past them.

...And kinda like this, too.

Looking back towards Okabe and Ruka from the persistent wind, a laugh left Mayuri's lungs as one leaf in particular floated into Okabe's shoulder, held against him until the wind changed direction. Blinking from the momentary visitor, Okabe squinted into the steady breeze.

"I think its time we form a windbreak for our little one."

"Yeah, here."

Moving aside from the now-vacant blanket, she pulled it over, handing one corner to Okabe, and helping him as he pulled it around himself, and then Ruka's shoulders. Reaching over and pulling it into a circle, Mayuri scooted closer to the couple, closing a circular wall around Kamiko as she was gently lowered into the grass between all three pairs of their folded legs.

"...There we are. Nice and warm and safe."

Watching the child's arms move freely, Ruka's index finger brushed along her daughter's cheek, moving further down and waiting as Kamiko's entire hand curled around one of her knuckles. In a similar motion, Okabe's hand floated down, and after a moment of discovery and ever-curious evaluation, she reached over and gripped her father's thumb.

"Awww... You guys are precious and perfect. Stay right there..."

Phone rising in her hands, Mayuri took a snapshot, and then began a brief video of the moment, saving both to the phone's memory. Reviewing the preserved moment seconds later, and then looking beyond, seeing the free hands of both parents draw together, resting across their knees, she sighed happily.

"You three are going to be an amazing family. I just know it."

October 8th, 2016; Minatogaoka Futo Park, Shinagawa Ward, Tokyo, 1:38p.m.

Sitting in the shadow of foliage skirting the open grass and concrete paths, Suzuha sat back against the trunk of one tree in particular, observing a group of young adults and a single child through the telescopic lens of a camera held up to her eye.

I don't think I've ever seen anything so wonderful... Ever.

Smiling, heart beating among held breath, her finger pressed on the camera's trigger, and a single *click* of the shutter met her ears among the whispers of wind, and the regular shuffle of leaves and branches.

Mom and dad... And Okabe, and Ruka. They're all totally in love. And their friend... She's been blushing and smiling like crazy. She must be super happy for all of them. I wonder if she has somebody in her life...

Twisting the focus, zooming in closer, Ruka's gentle features came into view, her longer dark hair slowly drifting along with the flow of the wind.

Man. Knowing what she looked like back in Valkyrie... She's beautiful. And seeing both sides of her, younger and older... She's embracing motherhood so easily. A total nadeshiko. Its been programmed into her from the very beginning.

Panning over to Yuki, she adjusted the focus again, watching as Daru pulled a leaf from her brunette hair, only to brush the backside of his palm through it. Right away, a blush began to warm Suzuha's cheeks, as it did Yuki's, far in the distance.

Mom though... She's a babe. And my big papa Itaru there knows it. He's grinning too. This is awesome.

*click*

Camera lowering from her face, her vision lowered to the braided ponytail resting on her shoulder.

Pretty sure I know who I got my hair from... Among other things.

Lowering the camera down onto her bosom, held in place by the strap around her neck, she tilted her head back against the bark. Looking up through the branches of the tree above as hints of clouds drifted past, high in the sky above, a grunt left her throat.

It's so wild to think... This is what they talked about, back in the underground of Valkyrie. Moments like today, spent together as friends... True friendships that made the fight for freedom worth it. They all accomplished so much as friends. Not just with dad's time machine, but with forging revolution. The Urushibara family figured out to succeed and survive in my old future, going so far as controlling the whole damn secret city they occupied after the government was dissolved. I don't even know how they got all that going, but the scale of the facility was insane. Valkyrie must have spread out under a lot of southwestern Tokyo... Right under everyone's noses. And Okabe and Ruka were in charge of it! Its a shame mom and dad weren't able to make it in there too... I still have no idea what happened to mom after I enlisted with the JSDF. Never heard from her again after the invasion of Tokyo... What a rough chapter of my life. And now only I remember it, 'cause the whole experience is hidden on a different world line, a little under twenty years from now.

Eyes lowering to the distant couples again, a breath drew from her nose.

Here I am now, back in a different past. I'm pretty sure on the old world line, world war three would have already started by now. That's a nice change. Vietnam regained independence from China not that long ago... Maybe that botched meeting they had four years ago shook up their diplomacy a little bit.

A hint of a smile curled her lips.

Thanks again for helping with that, Ruka... Like I told you, a little bit of ruckus can go a long ways. Your moment of bravery secured a safe future for you, your beloved, and your daughter Kamiko. Speaking of that cute little lady...

Bringing the camera back to her eye, she focused on the face of the newborn, held upright by two pairs of arms.

Yep. You're cute now, and in nineteen years... You were a badass soldier, still cute in a different way. I wonder what you'd look like at my age...?

Panning over to Ruka again, seeing an ever-familiar smile lift the woman's expression, Suzuha grinned.

Probably just like your mom. You did back in Valkyrie... But you had Okabe's eyes, and probably do now. I can't wait to see you grow up into the person I remember. You won't be toting a rifle around, and won't be battle hardened... But I can definitely live with that. I wonder what you'll do instead? School and college obviously... But a lot of interesting stuff can happen besides education. Especially if you happen to be best friends with my younger self. If our parents get into hi-jinks in Akihabara, I'm sure you and I will too.

Lowering the camera again, a single giggle escaped her lungs.

That's a great thought... Especially going into the future of an ever-evolving nation like Japan. There's going to be all kinds of things to explore and do... And maybe I'll be your mysterious benefactor watching out for the both of us. Pretty sure that's a role I'm just starting to take up. Nothing's gonna mess with our hard earned future.

Popping several knuckles on her hands, Suzuha crossed her arms with a smug smile.

Same goes for our parents too. They're all brave souls, and made it through war and revolution... But that doesn't mean I can't look out for them too. They're the only reason I'm here at all, so I definitely owe all four of them for that one.

Seeing both Daru and Yuki sitting in another embrace together, she tilted her head lazily, feeling her ponytail slip off her shoulder.

Let's see... My birthday is September twenty-seventh, of next year. That'll be pretty crazy, seeing my past self come into existence. Mom and dad don't even know that I'm already here, twenty two years older. That's a brain-bender... They don't even know that we all have a hand in saving the world, and I'm the one that flew back in time to pull it off. They don't know any part of what I've been through, as a soldier, a rebel, and a time traveler... But then again, I've only begun to glimpse what kind of amazing stuff they do. People can do incredible things when they're not fighting for survival... And knowing what our parents are capable of, I'm sure I'm about to witness some mind-blowing stuff in the years to come.

Staring at the park's expanse of grass, the scene was slowly overlapped by imagery from her memories, picturing a carpet of dead leaves, surrounding overgrown trees and bushes in the muggy, hazy night sky.

Funny how they chose to come to this park in particular. Maybe that explains why Okabe chose this place. The same park, in entirely different world lines, and yet...

Looking over her shoulder, peeking through the trunks of several trees, the large tripodal landing gear of a circular steel machine was visible nearby, with dark blue solar panels absorbing the afternoon sunlight just beyond the remaining leaves.

...You and I have been here on both sides.

Peeking back to the newborn child, bundled among blankets and embraces of family and friends, she tingled with anticipation from a variety of memories.

You have too, my old friend. You just don't know it yet.