A/N: Just to wrap things up neatly, here's a conclusion to the last chapter. Enjoy!~ And don't forget to leave me a review!

Disclaimer: I do not own Sasameki Koto.

Epilogue: Three months later

"Just because the cast is off, you should continue to take care of your arm. Try to avoid putting a strain on it and continue with the light exercises to strengthen the muscles there."

"Thank you, doctor." Sumika rotated her arm, testing her cast-free forearm.

"So she shouldn't carry anything heavy or do any vigorous activities?" Ushio asked, hands on her lap as she leaned forward to observe Sumika's arm.

"It's best if she avoids that completely." The doctor replied, "If you feel any pain or discomforts, please visit the hospital. Your bones are still recovering from the fracture so will be weaker than normal."

"Okay. Thanks." Sumika stretched out her arm, "Will that be all?"

The doctor nodded as the couple rose to leave. Once they were in their car, Sumika immediately started rubbing her forearm while Ushio started the car.

"Oh god, that feels so good!" Sumika groaned as she scratched at her arm, a feeling of complete bliss on her face.

Beside her, Ushio laughed, "You've been complaining about that itch since the beginning."

"And now I can finally scratch at it! God that feels too good to be true." Sumika moaned.

"You should stop that Sumi-chan. I don't think it's safe for me to drive while aroused."

Sumika stopped all movements as her cheeks flushed red.

"I'm kidding! I was just joking, Sumi-chan! You can continue. I know how badly an itch can get while your arm is in a cast for so long!"

Mumbling under her breath, Sumika turned to face the passenger window as she continued to scratch her forearm discretely.

Ushio smiled brightly as she navigated her way back to their cosy one-room apartment along the outskirts of Tokyo city. When they arrived, they automatically went straight up to their home and plonked down on the couch, side by side.

Sumika let out a content sigh from Ushio's lap as the other woman stroked her hair softly. Ushio reached down to remove Sumika's glasses, laying them on the coffee table so that she could better access the black tresses of hair around her ears. Grey eyes slid close as she focused on enjoying the comfortable peace.

"I miss this." Ushio spoke first, breaking the long silence that had settled between the two.

Sumika kept her eyes closed, as she mumbled her reply, "Agreed. It's been so hectic lately. Work, lawyers, Hachi's engagement."

Staring fondly down at Sumika's relaxed features, Ushio couldn't help herself as an overwhelming urge to kiss her lover washed over her.

Grey eyes finally opened when their lips parted.

"Are you okay, Ushio?"

"I've never been better." Ushio smiled, leaning forward to kiss Sumika again, "I don't think I could ever thank you enough, Sumi-chan."

"You don't need to thank me. As your lover, your safety is my responsibility." Sumika smiled bashfully.

"Words cannot express how grateful I am to have someone as wonderful as you to love me. I love you so, so, so much, Sumi-chan."

Sumika grinned, "And I don't know what I did in my life to deserve your love. I love you more, Ushio."

"I can think of several things." Ushio giggled, "I love you most, Sumi-chan."

"Not possible." Sumika reached up to guide Ushio's lips to her own once again.

When they parted, Ushio leaned back into the couch and resumed her stroking of Sumika's hair while Sumika closed her eyes once again.

"Hey Sumi-chan?"

"Mhmm?"

"Do you think Tomoe-chan's parents will accept her engagement to Miyako-chan?"

Sumika chuckled, "I don't think they have a choice. Hachi isn't one who can be swayed once her mind is set."

"Yeah, you're right. She's just like you in that sense – hard headed."

"I'll take that as a compliment." Sumika grinned with her eyes still closed.

"I wonder what it's like." Ushio sighed dreamily.

"What what's like?"

"To be engaged."

Sumika's eyes flew open with alarm and it took all her willpower not to leap off the couch in her anxious state. Her eyes searched Ushio's relaxed features for any tell-tale sign that the woman had some ulterior motive for raising the topic of engagement and marriage.

"I guess in Hachi and Miyako's case, it'd be exactly the same. The only difference would be that they have to wear rings everyday. Hachi actually talked to me before she proposed."

"And what did she say?" Ushio's interest piqued.

Sumika smiled fondly at the memory, "She told me she and Miyako weren't planning on getting married since they didn't need a certificate to reassure themselves they were in a relationship. She said that to them, they were already married. The rings, certificate and wedding are only for the public eye. She wants her family to know that she's in a relationship with Miyako, and that it's perfectly fine for two women to be in love. I think it must be in retaliation to her family's constant disapproval." Sumika chuckled, "That's such a Tomoe thing to do."

"It's very honourable, I think." Ushio smiled, her fingers continually teasing out tangles in Sumika's hair, "There are many girls out there who are in the same position as we were back in high school and middle school. Girls and boys who are questioning themselves and forcing themselves to be someone they're not. Girls and boys who are tormented by society and themselves for being 'different'. Tomoe-chan's public display could potentially show them that so long as you love someone, gender, age, race, wealth and social status, it all doesn't matter. What matters most is that you follow what your heart tells you."

Sumika stared up at Ushio in awe, "What's your heart telling you right now?"

Ushio met Sumika's silver gaze with a mix of adoration and anxiety.

Sumika quirked an eyebrow when Ushio shifted and motioned for her to sit up. She watched with curious eyes as Ushio stood from the couch and then got down on one knee in front of her. Her eyes widened when Ushio reached into her pocket and revealed a small black jewellery box.

Sumika's heart thundered and pounded in her chest. Her hand crept into her pant pocket and fingered the velvety object there.

Ushio met Sumika's stunned eyes with a nervous smile as she opened the box. A shimmering gold ring decorated with a sparkling combination of crystal and grey diamonds sat in stark contrast to the black interior of the box.

"Murasame Sumika, will you stay with me forevermore?" Ushio asked nervously.

Unable to help herself, Sumika laughed aloud as she pulled out a matching black box from her pocket. Opening it, she showed Ushio an elegantly designed gold ring dotted with beautiful pale brown and crystal diamonds.

With a slight blush on her cheeks, Sumika replied, "Only if you agree to stay with me forevermore."

Ushio's wide eyes softened as she herself laughed, her arms looping around Sumika's neck as she giggled into her shoulder.

"I'll take that as a maybe?" Sumika teased, returning Ushio's embrace.

"Yes, Sumi-chan, yes!"

Sumika chuckled, tightening her arms around Ushio, "I love you so much, Ushio."

"I love you more, my fiancé."

Sumika's blush got darker as she pulled back to face her fiancé, "Yeah, I guess with that yes, it means we're engaged huh?"

"I guess so." Ushio smiled, leaning forward slightly.

Sumika mimicked Ushio and their noses touched lightly, foreheads touching.

"Fiancé." Sumika whispered, testing the word out, "I can't believe it."

"Me neither." Ushio mumbled, closing her eyes and inching closer. Her heart skipped a beat when Sumika's lips grazed hers in the gentlest of touches, as if it were their first kiss. As if they were back in their old classroom, wearing their graduation ribbons, their hearts full of uncertainty, bliss and joy.

It was no different now as they sealed their promise with a kiss. A promise of a new beginning. A promise of a life together. A promise of love and companionship. Forevermore.

-The End?-