Epilogue
*********
Next morning
She takes a step back to fully admire the giant in front of
her and it never stops amazing her—the size and scope of
what they were trying to accomplish here. And there was
no fear; only a sense of wonder.
"Back so soon, Doctor Akagi?"
She turns to see who has called her and smiles, "Ah,
Professor Fuyutsuki. It's good to see you."
Fuyutsuki, hair still in the process of graying, is a
welcomed sight—an old friend. Even though she's has
only known him personally for a few months, they spoke
as if they've known each other for years; a relative
comfort that comes with shared intellectual capabilities
and common interests.
"How were the islands?"
"Very fine and relaxing," she answers, recalling now how
nice her trip out West was. "One of the few paradises left
in this world." Nice ocean view complete with a radiant
sunset. And she had sat outside on that beach for the past
two weeks just letting it soak in. But that was then, and
this is now. And truth be told, she tells him: "I'm happy
be back. There's too much to do."
"Oh, speaking of work," Fuyutsuki suddenly recalls; he
fishes out a document from one of the binders he's
holding and hands it to her. "Your daughter sent this fax
over this morning. Specs for the tests we're running
today."
Naoko Akagi's eyebrow tilted upward in surprise. It
wasn't very often she's caught off guard, especially
by her daughter, who stuck to routine just as much as she
did. "What? She's not here?"
"No. She just put in a last minute request to take leave
for the next two weeks."
"Really?"
And Naoko considers this…
Tapping her finger on her chin, thoughtful. Ritsuko,
Ritsuko, Ritsuko…
It wasn't like her daughter to take leave without a reason;
even less like her to leave without advance notice. Ritsuko
always acted with purpose. Could it be a man? Must be…
And Naoko's eyes shifted slightly as she considers how
much like her Ritsuko was, even as she—her daughter---
strove to be the absolute opposite of what Naoko was.
They were, in the end, people with terrible passions.
Terrible in its potential depth—how sincerely and how
completely they loved. And all that was hidden under such
a flimsy coat of rationality; because the idea of completely
losing control was too overwhelming; as if it, alone, could
obliterate what was…the 'self.'
Must be…
"Well," she finally answers, "I suppose it's about time
she takes a break—for herself. Working underground
24/7 can drive a person crazy."
Fuyutsuki smiles, knowing exactly that condition, "We
were wondering what we were going to do without her.
But now that you're back…well, that just makes things a
little easier."
"Like I said. I'm glad to be back."
And she walks with him to the end of the bridge towards
the other facilities, an amused smile playing on her face.
She made a mental note to herself to call her daughter
during her lunch break.
The End
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Final Notes:
Well there you have it: short and light fluff. Did you like
how I bought the story full circle with Naoko? :D
It was a stylistic choice to not reveal it was Ritsuko's
mom until halfway through the epilogue. I think it works
better this way.
Now that I got this fic out of my head, I'm going to go
work on Cat's Paw. Till the next time…
Feedback is always welcome.