Hey! Guess who's coming back this chapter?

vesicle

Three Years Later

Today was an early morning for Ayase. In fact, she's been up so early that she was still in her nightgown! There were many things to prepare today such as her kids' lunches, presents, and finally, preparation for the return of a friend. Ayase hadn't changed much over three years. She still had her long brown hair tied in a ponytail and she was still unable to walk. But she was now better at maneuvering around the kitchen and she could cook a lot of dishes now. After Tsugumi moved out, she needed to learn fast on how to move around in her kitchen. But then again, two more people were now living in this apartment so Tsugumi chose to move out to clear up room.

Ayase finished placing the egg omelettes and sausages into two bento boxes. She finally sighed as she finished tying the boxes in handkerchiefs to hold it together. Now...to get the kids out the door.

"Hare-chan!" Ayase called down the hallway. "Hare! It's time to go to school! You don't want to be late to your last year!"

"Coming!"

Hare Yuzuriha, formerly Angel Twelve, ran out of her room, still in the middle of tying her pigtails, and into the kitchen. She wore a high school uniform with a red blazer, a short black skirt, and thigh high stockings. Her light brown hair was now slightly braided before tying off the pigtails and she wore a distinct red clip on the right side of her hair. She swept her bangs to the right and she even had a little makeup on. She looked very ready for her first day of school.

Ayase curiously glanced behind her adopted daughter. "Where's Ryo-chan?"

Hare replied, "He's still in his room."

"Can you go get him? You guys are going to be late and Jessica's already waiting in the front."

"Sure!" Hare ran to the room next to her bedroom and opened the door. "Ryo-chan! It's time to go!"

The teenage boy groaned and turned in his bed. He grew a few inches. His dark hair was slightly messed up from tossing and turning. His eyes remained closed as he pulled the covers over his head.

"Ryo-chan! Get dressed or you're going to be late." Hare yelled as she dug up his school uniform. She quickly pulled out a red blazer, black pants, and a white shirt. "It's your first day of high school and Ayase is going to be mad if you skip."

"Just five more minutes...Ayase won't be mad…"

"Ryo Shinomiya! Get out here now!"

Suddenly, Funella rolled into the room and pulled Ryo out of his bed and onto the wooden floor. For such a small robot, it had a lot of strength as it pulled Ryo clean off.

"Ow!" Ryo rubbed his head. "Go away you little spider." He shooed away Funella, which rolled out of the room and jumped on Ayase's lap.

"Ryo-chan. You're doing this now?" Ayase sighed. She grabbed his uniform from Hare's arms and advanced towards the boy. "Come on. Put on your uniform. Breakfast is already on the counter next to your bento lunches. You guys can eat it in the car."

"I don't want to go to school!" Ryo complained as he tried to head back to bed.

"No one's going to bully you like in middle school. You just have to be more friendly." Ayase started dressing her pouting adopted son. "If someone starts bullying you, remind them that I'm your mom and I can stomp on them with Beine."

Ryo blushed, mostly from embarrassment. "I can do that too you know…"

Ayase frowned and pinched his ear. "No Endlave piloting until you're eighteen."

"Ow! Ow! Ow!" Ryo squirmed away from her painful pinches. "Hey! I've been piloting since I was ten!"

"And you could have been killed. When you're old enough, you'll have the best instructor to teach you any time you want because you live with her. But right now…" Ayase pulled his shirt off and put his uniform on. "Focus on your studies."

"Alright…" Ryo grabbed his pants and made his way to the bathroom to change and get ready.

"That boy…" Ayase sighed and glanced at Hare. "Make sure he doesn't skip, okay? Today's a big day for all of us."

Hare nodded.

Ayase massaged her shoulder and wheeled back to her own room. "I'm going to get ready."

"Okay. Thank you for the lunches!" Hare called back to her adopted mother.

Hare was so thankful to Ayase for adopting her and Ryo. If she hadn't done that, then Twelve would have been locked up in GHQ while Ryo would be put into the foster system. But since Ayase was in good standing with Shibungi, she managed to pull a few strings and bring Ryo and Twelve into her custody. Twelve took on a new name and Ryo took Ayase's last name for legal reasons and protection. The changes were a fresh start for both of them. Hare loved her new name and Ryo didn't mind his new last name. Ayase was a good motherly figure for the both of them so they adjusted well into their new home. And they could tell that Ayase loved them both dearly.

Ryo finally left the bathroom, grabbed his school bag and bento, and popped the toast, egg, bacon breakfast sandwich into his mouth. "You coming Hare?"

The girl snapped out of her spacing out and quickly ran after him. "I'm coming." Hare stuffed her breakfast sandwich, grabbed her things, and bolted out of the door.

The two kids quickly ran out of their apartment building and found a woman waiting for them in her red convertible car. She still wore her black framed glasses, but her wavy brown hair was now cut to reached her shoulders. Jessica glanced at the two kids and smiled once they jumped into her car. "Hey! And here I thought you guys weren't going to attend your first day."

"Sorry Jessica! Ryo-chan didn't wake up in time."

"Hare!"

Jessica chuckled and started up the car. "That's school for you. Hare, this is when you should be studying your hardest because you got to go to college afterwards."

"I know… I'm going to be studying for entrance exams a lot this year." Hare nervously chuckled.

"Do you have any idea of what you want to do?"

"No...not really."

"It's okay. You can figure that out in college. Right now, just concentrate on getting into a good school."

Ryo scoffed. "You're getting advice from a Tokyo University graduate who was already a published author while in school. Jessica, you're on a whole another level when it comes to school."

"Hey. I just know how to do school and I'm doing what I love. Besides, my first book was more of a memoir of all of us so it wasn't hard to publish that. Everyone wants to read our story." Jessica said with a shrug. "So...why did you refuse to get out of bed today?"

Ryo didn't answer that question.

"He didn't want to go to school today." Hare piped in.

"Oh is that it? You're not a school boy?" Jessica questioned him.

"I don't care about math and English and all that stuff. I want to be an Endlave pilot and start training under Ayase." Ryo stubbornly replied and sulked in his seat.

"High school is a wonderful experience and you shouldn't take it for granted." Jessica scolded. "You still have a lot to learn before you go back into the military."

"Whatever…"

Jessica cracked a small smile at the stubborn boy. He was still a young kid so of course, he would act like a brat. How Ayase can deal with him, she will never know. But apparently, Ryo acts like a good little angel around her and Hare so they have it easy. Hare, on the other hand, grew to be a kindhearted, warm, and sweet girl who garnered a lot of admirers at her school. Plus, she took on the last name of her famous sister so that may be a reason she was a popular girl. The famous sister in question?

"Hey guys, we're passing by Shu and Inori. Say hi to them."

On their drive to school, they frequently use the route that requires a roundabout. In the center of this roundabout was a giant statue of Shu holding onto Inori while pointing a giant sword up to the sky. The building next to this roundabout had a big screen and it usually played Egoist music videos. This was Japan's memorial to the two saviors that finally rid the world of the Apocalypse Virus. It was an appropriate memorial. In fact, people can journey through a tunnel and appear inside the roundabout where they can take pictures with the large statue. It's a popular tourist destination. But everyone who knew Shu and Inori felt something more every time they visited the memorial.

"She's really pretty…" Hare murmured as she stared into the eyes of her older sister.

"Ew, you're crushing on your sister." Ryo piped in, earning a playful slap from Hare.

"Stop teasing your sister, Ryo."

Hare glanced up at Shu's face. "Thank you for giving me my name Shu. We all miss you."

They all finally made it to the high school, located in the suburbs of Tokyo. Jessica knew they were running late so she floored it all the way to the school. Hare and Ryo both exited the car and bowed in thanks.

"Thanks for the ride!"

"No problem. Have a good first day of school!" Jessica sped off.

Hare quickly ran after her brother, who reluctantly threw his bag over his shoulder and casually strolled to the new school. It seems he already caught a few girls' attention as they turned a little pink while gazing at him. And he was complaining that people will bully him.

Ryo suddenly turned around. "Hare. Where's my homeroom?"

"Oh right!" He was new here. "Let's see...classroom 2D. It's on the second hall, left of the staircase, and fourth classroom down."

"Thanks." Ryo scurried off.

"Make sure you eat the bento Ayase prepared! She worked hard on it." Hare called, "And don't forget what we're doing after school."

"I won't forget!" Ryo simply waved a farewell and disappeared into his classroom.

Hare sighed and went to her own homeroom. She took her seat, situated on the second row to the last and next to the window. She loved this seat. It gave her a nice view of the school yard. The homeroom teacher came in and brought out her tablet. She was a short teacher, but she still had a vibrant personality, beautiful dark purple hair, and most curiously, a metal cat eared headband.

"Attention everyone! Settle down!" Tsugumi tapped her tablet. "I'll record attendance and I have a few announcements. Ryoko Ayasegawa...Hana Chikasa…"

Hare usually took this time to stare out the window and daydream. After the potential Apocalypse incident, she started discovering more aspects about herself. She found she had the will to live, the mind to dream, and the heart to hope. She wondered what her deceased sisters had in their hearts.

"Hare Yuzuriha...Hare Yuzuriha…" Irked, Tsugumi sent a tiny shock from her tiny electric wand towards that dazed girl. It was enough to sting like a static shock. "Pay attention, Hare. You'll have time to daydream later."

"Yes Tsugumi-sensei…" Hare gingerly rubbed her elbow.

"Now that I have your attention, your mother called to dismiss you and your brother early today. I'll also be leaving early so no class for the students in my fifth period class. That is all. Class dismissed." Tsugumi turned off her tablet and walked out of the classroom.

She made her way down the stairs and through the hallways where she stopped in her office. It was a small desk with various utensils and books scattered around. Today was a light day. She only had around two classes since her third was cancelled. Tsugumi had about an hour to prepare for her second class so she took out the material and started reviewing. They were going to start a new language called Python. Her elective classes were very hard, but very rewarding as students came out knowing enough material to engineer a simple computer. Tsugumi also heard Ryo was starting school here. She wondered if he'll take her course. He'll have a knack for it knowing his background. But Hare...she didn't know what that girl will do. She was pretty average and took very different electives each year. Tsugumi hoped that girl would figure out what she wanted to do in her life. She was the lucky one after all.

But Tsugumi was most excited after school because Daryl was coming back to Japan! She and Daryl kept in touch through emails, texts, and video calls. Apparently, he stayed in California for about a month to take care of Jessica. Then, he traveled to New York, where his mother was residing, and stayed there for the next three years to catch up with her. After his vacationing, he now decided to come back to Japan where he was going to stay. Tsugumi was so excited that she barely stayed still in her seat. She wanted to go back to the mansion and maybe run into him coming back early. He said he'll meet her back at his mansion.

It was getting very empty in there. After Ayase took in Ryo and Hare, the apartment was getting a bit small so Tsugumi opted to move into his home. Daryl, of course, allowed it and he even gave her the passcode to enter into his workshop. He might run into a bit of a disaster in his man cave… Tsugumi went a little wild with her tinkering… Oh well! A bit of her cooking and some cuddling should fix that up! And maybe some cleaning...

Tsugumi ran off to her class and prepared for her two classes of the day. Even her students noticed how brightly she smiled. Of course, her first class had Ryo in it. He smirked since he knew what was going on and kept quiet at Tsugumi's insistence.

"Hello first years! My name is Tsugumi and I teach Computer Science. I'm here to give you an introduction to my class and I hope you choose it as your elective. Now, we first start with Java…"

Ryo zoned out. He was going to take Tsugumi's elective. Hers seemed like the only one that's interesting and it can be applied to what he wanted to do. Plus, he liked Tsugumi as a teacher. But she seemed a bit preoccupied with the knowledge that Daryl was coming home. He couldn't wait to see her face when the real surprise kicked in.

After school ended, for Hare and Ryo, they ran out to meet together so Tsugumi wouldn't see them.

"Come on!" Hare grabbed Ryo and they ran out to town. "We have to catch the next bus or we'll miss it! Ayase will be upset!"

"I know! Besides, we left earlier than Tsugumi-sensei so it doesn't matter!"

"Ah! I can't wait to see her reaction! It's going to be so cute!" Hare cheered as she entered into the bus.

Ryo quickly hushed her. "Don't be so loud or everyone will hear!"

"Heh. You want this to be perfect, right?"

"Of course I do! She deserves it, even if it's with him."

"Aww Ryo-chan. I know you're jealous."

"Oh shut up!"

The two kids rushed into Daryl's mansion where they found Ayase patiently waiting in the main hall. She wore her best attire with a long brown skirt and a maroon top. She smiled and greeted her kids. "Hey! How was your first day of school!"

"It was great Aya-nee! They behaved themselves." Tsugumi answered for them. "Now...why are you guys here?"

"Um…" Hare blushed, embarrassed that they were found out so quickly.

Ayase smiled. "He wanted to ask for my blessings."

"Your...what?"

A roar of a car engine blasted into the main hall and a distinct red car appeared in the driveway. Jessica was the one driving, but her passenger was the one who interested everybody. He was dressed in his military uniform, clean and pristine. Jessica was the first to get out of the car and she opened the door for the passenger seat.

Daryl stepped out and swept his hair to the side. Just as he planned! He had everything planned out to the T on how he wanted to arrive back. Jessica laughed in his face about how ridiculously grand his plan was. He elected to ignore her. Ayase gave her blessings already, but she requested to be there when it happened. And now it was finally happening!

Except Tsugumi started laughing. "Hahahahaha! Sprout! I didn't know you'll come back a diva!"

"Told ya." Jessica smirked and took her place next to Ayase and the kids.

"Ah-um-well…" Daryl thought of the next best thing to salvage this situation. He dropped on one knee in front of her, much to her surprise. "Tsugumi...I wanted to ask you something…"

Now Tsugumi was the one lost for words. "Daryl…"

"Tsugumi. I'm so glad that I bumped into you that night at the school festival. My life has changed so much because of you. And I wish for my life to continue changing with you in it." Daryl pulled out a blue velvet box and opened it to show a tiny, but cute diamond ring. "Tsugumi, will you-"

"Yes!" Tsugumi shouted and jumped into his arms. "Yes! Yes! Yes!"

"Will you marry me?"

"Yes!" Tsugumi enveloped him into a hug and a kiss. Her heart was so filled with love and happiness that she didn't know what to do! She just wanted to be in his arms. She wanted to give him all her kisses. And she wanted to be with him forever. "I love you, Sprout."

Daryl couldn't help but smile giddily as well. "I love you, Runt."

Jessica couldn't help but smile as well. She may have lost a couple thousand yen...but that can be their wedding present. She clapped along with Ayase, Ryo, and Hare; congratulating the newly engaged couple. Hare even started to tear up from happiness, much to the embarrassment of Ryo. Ayase simply gazed out of the doorway where they can all see the giant statue of Shu and Inori. She wished upon those two lovers in heaven to bring good luck to their friends still here.

For eight years, Tsugumi and Daryl had to wait to come back in each other's lives. For three years, they had to wait again to come back from being apart. Now, there was no longer any waiting...just moving forward together.

Why yes, I know a little compsci to know the words coming out of Tsugumi's mouth. Also, I always planned for Ayase, Ryo, and Twelve/Hare to be a family together. It's an unconventional family, but Ayase finally finds people that won't make her feel lonely when Tsugumi goes off with Daryl. Plus, Ryo and Ayase interactions are so cute! Sorry if there's not enough Yahiro. I always found him to be more of Shu's friend and when Shu died, he sort of stopped his involvement with the crew. Also, sorry for not having much of Daryl this chapter and making the proposal a bit short. But the proposal is set up that way for a reason which you will see next chapter. Anyways, the next chapter is the last chapter! Tsugumi and Daryl are finally together and everyone will get their happy ending!