A/N: After 16 months we finally come to the conclusion. Thanks to all who made this long journey worth it. Enjoy.

Epilogue:

Well here's our wrap-up. The day in Hawaii was pure bliss. Index was peaceful and spent most of her time with Tomas parents. We managed to get some moments on a secluded beach. Hands down other than Hawaii's beauty I'll treasure was the dolphin that ended up flipping Index backwards in the air when we tried ridding them. Toma almost looked at peace on his fish, a mere natural. Plus of course the tiki's I managed to pick up for Kuroko and the gang made the day worth it. By 3:00 we boarded our flight to LAX and got there at a crisp 8:30. There were a lot of tourists in town for New Year's Eve and even more for the game. A lot of Oregon fans wanted to get a picture with me since I had the Mariota Jersey and to my surprise they were friendly as could be. Index however was steaming at the attention that was coming my way.

"You know Oregon is going to lose, right Mikoto?"

"Index you're not a college football expert."

Toma hugged me shoulder tight in confidence. "Also Index, you're probably just saying that cause you don't want to see anyone other than you make me smile."

Index pouted until we got to a souvenir stand within a block from the hotel and had Tomas dad buy her a Florida St. shirt. As much as I wanted to check out the LA nightlife were pretty much wiped from the long flights and just simply went to sleep. The lone exception being mine coming downstairs to watch a bunch of patrons counting down until midnight. At which point I ended up discovering the pictures from the party at Judgement.

"Uiharu sang?"

That ended up being my response as I celebrated with the strangers. 15 Minutes later upon getting back up to our room I could see Index on the extra bed all spread eagle on it. Toma smiled as I decided to get comfy next to him. Before I knew it however it was 4:00 and I was woken up by Shiina as we got rushed into running our morning routines.

"Hey what's going on?"

"The parade starts at 7 we have to be there by 5 to get our seats reserved."

I could see the others moving fast, trying to change clothes quick as possible. As I almost put on my uniform I got reminded of something.

"Mikoto, you're not in Academy City right now so that rule doesn't really apply."

Toma made a point as I comfortably slipped on the Mariota jersey and did the hair up. Within 35 minutes our town car took us to the least crowded point of view on Colorado. Boy was that parade something else. Tomas dad ended up explaining about the intended grand marshal Louis Zamperini and his story about surviving interment and living to always finish the race. Other than that, the B2 bomber and my favorite of the floats that I sent a video to the others had to be that phoenix.

"Ok shall we get walking?"

Shiina seemed eager for the long walk ahead to the stadium the rest of us not so much. Unexpectedly we ended up passing by where the Oregon and Florida State floats were parked and got a souvenir petal from both.

"You sure it's a good idea for a foreigner to commit vandalism?"

Tomas words did make me question what we did until Index told him off. Then our walk lead us to the stadium itself. It was amazing from the distance. The fan fest nearby all seemed to blur together as we all got a few good pics where they were doing the souvenir photos. As for the game itself let's say I was cheering a lot more then Index, our highlight of the entire night being when Winston fumbled and that defender from Oregon Tony Washington ran for the end zone.

"This is awesome!"

Toma embraced me in sheer shock that I screamed out like a true American football fan. The rest of the night had us celebrating the win and cheering up Index by taking her to a 24 hour candy store. Somehow Tomas dad couldn't believe how much one nun could consume but we were all not that surprised.

Of course our fun was due to end and within 3 days we were back on the flight to Academy City. I managed to hug Toma's Dad and mom without shocking them and as they saw us depart I could somehow tell that I would be seeing a lot more of them then I ever intended too. Midflight Toma did bring up a point while Index was asleep on the window.

"So now what?"

"Toma, what do you mean?"

"Our vacation is over. Does that mean we go back to the status quo where you try to beat me in a fight and I use my hand to impair you?"

I laughed at his suggestion. The sheer thought of going back to the status quo had to make me chuckle.

"You're a lot funnier then I give you credit for."

"Mikoto I'm not kidding…"

I shushed him to get my point across. "Toma, our status is no longer quo this trip, in fact these last 3 weeks have proved that. As much as I want to go back to the way things were I respect and care for you to much now to let that happen."

I placed my lips against his to show how much he meant and he only deepened his resolve, as he pulled back he smiled.

"So we do this together?"

I nodded and lovingly smiled at the first person other than my parents and friends in my entire life. "Together…"

Within another 3 ½ hours our plane finally arrived. We took our time getting off the plane wanting to savor ever last moment we had on the trip that changed everything. Index led the way and as we came off the jetway we could now see a small contingent waiting in the wings to greet us.

"You're kidding." Our words were justified as we could see the group of six, my friends and the teachers from Tomas School greet us at the gate. They swarmed us in no time flat. As we made our way through the airport the 3 of us got more questions then we could bare until we arrived at the cabs.

"Well Mikoto…"

Before he could say another word I gave him one of the petals I picked off the float as a reminder.

"Kuroko has your number I'll make sure to get it and call you when were back in our dorms in a few days."

After pecking his cheek I hugged Index along with the group he calls his supporters and they waved us off.

"So Sissy, how far did you guys go…"

"I wouldn't call it that far Kuroko…"

"That annoying troglodyte…."

I would have zapped her in the cab if it wasn't for the others. We were safely back in the city and back to our reality. A mere 2 days later we finally got the word our dorm was ready for us to go back in. As Uiharu helped pack up my stiff I gave her the framed photo of the petal and us at the Rose Bowl as a keepsake.

"Oh Misaka it's beautiful…"

"Trust me Uiharu when you finally see the floats in person you'll be a different person."

As we hugged we got the call that the others were outside we joined them and began the final run. Our long walk to Tokiwadai managed to bring about some fresh memories of how many times we've done this before and what could still come for all of us. But as we got to our dorm, we hugged our besties close thanking them for taking us in. What seemed like a goodbye after a long journey had reached its conclusion was quickly brought back to ground by Saten.

"Why are we crying, we're just going back to school tomorrow besides we got plans to meet up later in the week."

Saten I would say was a buzzkill at moments. We waved them off and for the first time in nearly a month came into our dorm. For a cleaning they kept things relatively the same.

"Happy New Year you two."

The head resident popped into view greeting us in total surprise. Kuroko almost poked at her figure but I stopped her dead in her tracks.

"Likewise Ma'am just happy to be back."

As we got our cards we began our walk up to our room Kuroko got their first and waited until I was at the door.

"Well Sissy, are you ready…"

I thought long and hard at those words, 3 weeks ago I would have said no. But after everything that happened I could gladly quote a good someone I could remember when he was nervous about riding a dolphin.

"Yeah, let's do this."

One slide of a key and two hands pushed open our door. Which gave off a look of pure stillness. As Kuroko set her stuff in her closet I turned to my desk and looked at the corner that faced the window. It needed something new and I know just what to put there.

"Home sweet home."

The frame I placed bore five pictures. The first was my parents and a few of my sisters. The second was a few of the buddies from school. Third had Index's solo photo from the Rose Bowl. The Fourth made Kuroko smile as it was the very one she sent me from New Year's Eve of our little group. Dead center had Toma and I on the beach in Honolulu. With one rose petal saved in the frame itself, a perfect place for the most perfect people in my life.

I could see Kuroko looking for souvenirs so as I gave her the Tiki I placed my Mariota jersey in the closet next to my spare uniforms. Tomorrow it's back to reality. I threw myself onto the bed and thought one simple thing.

"There really never is a dull moment…."

Across the city Toma placed a wall hanging up with the five most important people in his life. He placed the rose right next to his picture of us.

"Never a dull moment at all…"

"Lovely Academy City…"

THE END.