Epilogue – Episode Phoenix

PORT ISLAND, JAPAN, 10:24 AM, 2024

The groom was sheepish, the bride was radiant, and overall there was a festive atmosphere over Port City. For a mere assistant manager with Kirijo International, the celebration was absolutely out of this world, with security teams cordoning off whole blocks to keep the paparazzi out. Akihiko Sanada of Japan's Olympic boxing team, Professor Fuuka Yamagishi of the nearby Port Island University's groundbreaking AI research institute, even Mitsuru Kirijo herself- the security measures were not at all beyond necessity.

The couple didn't notice. Love shrinks the universe a bit.

"Cheers!" laughed Akihiko as he dropped by Mitsuru's table, two flutes of wine in hand. "I've gotta say, Ken's got good taste in women."

"Hmm, indeed," agreed Mitsuru. "She seems to make him very happy. I don't think she likes me much, though."

"Ah, that's because of two years ago. Bruises don't fade when the Dark Hour went away."

"Ah, I understand. ...what about you?"

Akihiko gave her a blank look. "What about me?"

She raised an eyebrow at him. "Last I heard, you were 'in talks' with an elementary school teacher named... hm... Yuko something?"

Akihiko blanched. "Dammit, you found out? Mitsuru, I haven't even asked her on-"

"She'll say yes, don't worry. She's a fan of yours."

"Really?"

Mitsuru nodded, and finished her wine.

"...what about you?" asked Akihiko seriously. "Is-" Mitsuru's phone rang. "Ah, sorry, go ahead."

She flicked her phone open, and winced as a ranting torrent roared out. "Ah, Mr. President. ...no, unfortunately, I don't believe I will. No. No, I will most certainly not issue an apology." Mitsuru smirked. "I'd wish you a good day, but we both know I'd be lying. The Nanjo Group will be bought out. I'm already in talks with your shareholders." She chuckled freely as the phone was snapped close. "Sorry, Akihiko. Oh, I think I better ask Aigis to replace my service too- this was my private number."

"What was that about?" asked Akihiko, grinning. "Certainly didn't sound like one of your usual business calls."

"It's an old slight, don't worry."

"The Nanjo Group, right? Didn't the Nanjo heir feel you up that one date?"

Mitsuru glared at him and bapped him on the head. "Thank you for reminding me. It was related to that, yes."

"Heh, sorry, sorry. But about my previous question..."

She gave a tired smile. "It's fine. Everything's fine."

"Yuka-tan! I heard you got a book deal!" exclaimed Junpei as he plopped himself into a seat facing her. "Whoa, you, um, might want to cut back on those cocktails a bit."

"Ehehehe..." she giggled. "I'm celebrating! Go Ken-kun! Junpei-kun, have a drink with meeee!"

"Man... I'm gonna get Aigis to watch over you."

"Awww..."

Midnight came and went.

Elsewhere a couple was exploring the wide boundaries of their newfound matrimony. A robot with a soul was helping a budding novelist with the aftermaths of excessive exuberance. A man more complete than most dozed and dreamed of beauty. A famous face was being made to feel like a teenager all over again. A professor's hand reached down to pet a weary warrior as she immersed herself in an engine set to accelerate the world to an unknowable future.

"Hey," said a faint voice.

"Hey yourself. Feeling alright?"

"As well as can be expected. Threw up a bit after dinner- you know how chemo is."

"No, actually. But I can guess."

"Heh."

Silence.

"Hey, you don't need to stay every night. I'm sure it's affecting your business relations."

"That's where having Aigis as a friend and co-worker comes in handy, actually."

He laughed quietly. "I remember."

"Doctor Higawa says you're making good progress," informed Mitsuru. "Should only be another few weeks."

"Ah... good. A few weeks 'til solid food again."

Silence again.

"Tetsuya-"

"Mitsuru-"

Mitsuru gave a sheepish grin as Tetsuya laughed, a little more strongly than before.

"Oh, that was great. Right, ignoring the cliche- what was it you wanted to say?"

"I... it's the anniversary of his... the void your brother left. You know I can't fill it."

Tetsuya grinned. "I was going to say the same about Arisato-san."

"...oh."

He chuckled as he reached for a glass of water. His arm was bone-thin- depletion from months of intensive care. Mitsuru helped him.

"...you never did tell me what your third condition was," she noted as she went to refill the glass. She gave him an odd look as his chuckling grew louder, interspersed with fits of coughing. "What? What's so funny?"

"Mitsuru Kirijo, when I finally get out of this godforsaken bed, will you accept a dinner invitation with me?"

She smiled.

AN: ...I'm done? I'm done. I'M DONE! This is officially the first work of fiction (outside of school-related BS) that I've actually completed- on my own terms- and in something that shockingly resembles a timely manner. Might've even been too quick- I was originally planning daily updates. And, no, if it isn't obvious, there wasn't a single beta reader involved. I might have to reconsider that for whatever I tackle next...

So, yeah. I like Mitsuru. She reminds me of a good friend. If I spent the usual weeks-long angsting over the plot details, I probably wouldn't have gone a Mitsuru/OC route- usually, original characters are a sign of serious and irritating cheese. And while I love the dairy form of it, literary cheese is something I'm virulently allergic to. Do I think I managed to avoid it in this fic?

...HELL no.

I pretty much wrote this with myself as the target audience, as a therapeutic measure against Trinity Soul. Unfortunately, writing for yourself isn't the best means to deal with potentially troubling characterization. I do hope, however, that I spared you, the rest of the audience, the worst of the usual fallacies when fanfiction writers decide that what the story really needs is a few new faces.

Thank you for reading all the way through with this! And for those of you that have read my stuff before- never fear. The rise of the Seitenkan movement has drastically renewed my interested in the universe of Suzumiya Haruhi. It's been, what, eight months? But there will be updates!

Again, thanks for reading!