Toshiki stirred. With some difficulty, he opened his eyes. He was in a vaguely familiar room, a hospital, to be exact. He tried to shift his head, or to prop himself up on his arms, but his body refused. The small exertion drained last of his strength as he succumbed to the exhaustion and returned to unconsciousness.

"...o-san..ke… up..." came an unknown voice, rousing me from my sleep.

What…? Who… Who's shaking me?

"Taki, what's your bag doing here?!" came yet another voice. This voice was clearly female, although it sounded vaguely angry.

Taki? Who's that? And why is she shouting at him?

"I - I...?"

"You what?! What are you looking…"

Is that a couple arguing? What's going on? Why does my head hurt so much…

"YOU DRANK THAT?!"

"I did...!"

Not so loud, please… Oh I give up…

I opened my eyes. For some reason, I am lying on the floor in a dark cave, surrounded by arguing strangers. They hadn't realised that I was awake. Suddenly, a bright light came to life from nowhere, blinding me momentarily. It must have come from the person who was shaking me. On instinct, I raised my arms to shield my eyes from the light.

"He's awake!" a voice exclaimed. It belonged to a girl, probably in her teens. It sounded strangely familiar, although I couldn't quite tell why.

Immediately, the fighting stopped. As she helped me off my back to a sitting position, another person quickly came to support my weight. As they worked, one of their faces caught the light…!

!
What… What is going on?!

I found myself face to face with my doppelganger. She looked exactly like me, except about 10 years younger.

"Otou-san, are you alright?" my doppelganger asked. Her voice was was familiar, too…!

!
Wait, I'm her Father…?

"Otou-san?" Came the younger voice. "Obaa-chan, I think he may have amnesia!"

"Don't be silly - Toshiki, can you hear me?" came a voice I recognised this time.

"Kaa-san?" I called out. Maybe she knew what was going on.

Mom froze, as if she just saw a ghost. Her expression… she looks much older then I remember, like she aged a couple of decades since I last saw her.

"Toshiki…? You…!" she murmured, her eyes widening.

Why does she keep calling me Toshiki? Wait a moment…!

I looked down at myself. I was supposed to be in a hospital gown. Instead, I was wearing a suit. A man's suit. I reached for my hair. It was mostly gone. Then it hit me.

I looked up, looking for evidence to support my theory. Sitting beside my doppelganger was yet another clone of myself, except she was obviously much younger and had her hair in twintails.

"Mitsuha!" came a new, male voice. He sounded anxious…!

!
Mitsuha? Wait...

"Not now, Taki!" Mitsuha shot back without even looking at him. Taki, looking as if he had an epiphany, hurried outside the cave.

"Onee-chan, do you think he's alright?" The younger of the two inquired to her older sister, as they both looked at me, their eyes filled with concern…!

!
Their eyes… they're my eyes. That means...

I reached for my doppelganger's hair. Alarmed, she backed away, looking towards her grandmother for help, but to her surprise, she was nowhere to be found. In that exact moment, as she shifted her head, I saw it.

I saw the red hairband that we had made together. The Kumihimo she always wore. My supposed doppelganger is none other than my own daughter, Mitsuha.

I have, once again, switched places with my husband. But why?

"Mitsuha? Yotsuha?" I carefully asked. I had to confirm my theory.

"So you remember us…" Mitsuha sighed in relief, as Yotsuha smiled happily.

Sitting before me were my two daughters, who had grown into beautiful young women - a sight I never thought I would live to see.

"What… what am I doing here?" I asked, cautiously. I have to save my other questions aside for later. At least, until I find out what is going on.

"You were supposed to deliver the Kuchikamisake, but you slipped and fell." Yotsuha replied, her speech pattern as direct as I remember.

"Kuchikamisake?" I asked, confused.

"Yup, but it's gone now."

Yotsuha pointed at something by my side. I realised it was the Kuchikamisake I gave to Toshiki. Or rather, the shattered remnants of the bottle, the contents spilt on the floor. The entire room reeked of alcohol, now that I realise.

"I slipped?"
"Looks like it, yeah. Are you alright? You look confused."
"A little, how long was I out?"
"Maybe 5 minutes?"

Yotsuha looks like she's about 16, so that means Mitsuha should be around 24 now. That means…
!
I'm about 12 years in the future, at least.

"Let's get out of here, you might need medical help." Mitsuha offered.

They helped me to my feet. I had forgotten what standing on my own two feet felt like. As I took a few steps, I remembered the joy of walking. Right as I left the cave into the light, the realisation hit me.

I am supposed to be dying in a hospital.

I let the fresh, if a little humid, air into my lungs as I enjoyed the warmth of the sun that was slowly edging away towards the horizon. Praise its incandescence!

"Are you feeling alright?" Yotsuha inquired.

"Never better." I replied. It was true, I felt great. Like I had a new lease on life.

Yotsuha simply stared at me. I realised too late that I probably had a really goofy smile on Toshiki's face, but I really couldn't help it.

"He's lost it…" Yotsuha murmured to Mitsuha. Just how bad of a father was Toshiki in my absence?!

Just then, my mother and the young man approached me, their expressions clouded. She sent the girls off to recover the fragments of the smashed bottle, as well as Mitsuha's empty bottle. As soon as they disappeared back into the cave, she turned to hug me.

"Welcome back, Futaba."

Taki, Hitoha and Futaba walked towards the rim of the crater. Mitsuha and Yotsuha would meet them there after they were done gathering the pieces. They didn't really need to, but Hitoha was buying time.

"You knew?"
"I guessed. Both you, and Taki-kun here. After all, we all manage to remember somehow."
"A pleasure to meet you, Miyamizu-san. I'm Tachibana Taki."
"Nice to meet you, Taki-kun. I take it you are Mitsuha's, uh, partner?"
"Yes. I swapped with her. She still doesn't remember, though."
"What made you remember? Neither me nor Toshiki ever did, at least until today for me."
"I came to Itomori, well, I came here, to save Mitsuha."
"Wait, save?"
"Futaba, when… nevermind, better you see it yourself."
"See what? What has happened?"
"Many things. Too many. Too much for an old woman like myself to have to go through. Futaba, you were not the only one to have left us. Toshiki left the family as well."

Futaba felt her legs falter. As she regained her footing, a wave of horror and guilt overcame her as she realised just how much her death had impacted the family. Mitsuha and Yotsuha grew up in a broken household because of her.

"Why…" she started as she started tearing up. She couldn't even have the right to be angry at Toshiki about it. She knew that she was the world to him, but she never expected her passing to push him over the edge.

"Don't cry, there's nothing you could have done. Nothing anyone could have done. And, for all his flaws, Toshiki really did all be could for you."

"Are they well?"
"Mitsuha's working in Tokyo now. She's doing alright on her own, although I'm hoping Taki-kun here gives me a chance to hold my great-grandchild before I die."

Taki could only blush as Hitoha turned to him expectantly.

"You've changed," Futaba observed. "You hated the idea of marrying outsiders."

"Many things have changed," Hitoha sighed. "Some for the better, some for the worse. I'm glad to say Taki-kun here was one of the few blessings Mitsuha had in her life since you left."

"What about Yotsuha?"
"She's in high school now, and living with me in Tokyo."
"And Toshi- Tokyo?!"
"You'll see."

They arrived at the crater's rim. At first, she was confused, then it hit her. Itomori was gone, in its place a gourd shaped Lake. Lake Itomori, she realised.

"What... What happened?!"

Mitsuha and Yotsuha finally emerged from the underworld, satisfied that there were no remaining fragments left. Using the purple cloth as a bag as Hitoha instructed, they placed both Mitsuha's empty bottle as well as the pieces of Futaba's bottle in the cloth and secured it tightly. They then made their way towards the rim, the makeshift bag in tow.

"Told you."
"What?"
"You should have sold your Kuchikamisake! Taki-sama even drank the entire thing! We could be rich!"
"I-Yotsuha! That's disgusting!"
"Not to him~ He probably found it delicious… I should ask him if he remembers what it tastes like."
"You…"
"Kidding! well, at least he'll find you deli-."
"AHNANANAA I'M NOT LISTENING TO YOU!"

Recounting the events of the Tiamat incident as well as Taki's involvement took about five minutes. Futaba was silent the entire time.

"What has Toshiki been doing all this time?" She asked when Taki finished.

"He's the mayor of Itomori." Hitoha replied. "For what it's worth he did get some good done, as well as support the kids. I just wish he didn't have to go into politics…"

"But why are you here?" Futaba asked Taki.

"Because of this," Taki replied, taking a drawing out of his bag and handing it over to her. "Mayor Miyamizu is currently working on restoring Itomori. He's picked me as the Lead Architect for it. I- Miyanizu-san?"

Futaba had suddenly started tearing up while gazing longingly at the drawing. It was such a flawless picture of the town that contrasted sharply with the current state of Itomori. Memories of a happier, simpler time together with Toshiki. Long walks beside Lake Itomori, tireless nights maintaining the Miyamizu shrine, memories of days long gone. This picture was proof - despite the years, the pain, Toshiki still remembered. He was honoring her, she realised. He knew how much she loved Itomori.

"This picture… is amazing. I see why he chose you."
"Thank you, but the actual work haven't even begun. It'll be years, even decades before we can finally complete this project."

"Well, we can rest easy knowing it's in good hands," Hitoha injected as Futaba composed herself.

"Alright, but answer this for me, Taki-kun. Why do you want to recover your memories? Neither me nor Toshiki, or any member of the Miyamizu bloodline ever did before, and we managed well then."

Taki considered the question. Futaba had a point, but deep within his heart he already knew why. He took a deep breath.

"Because I know Mitsuha. When I was inside her, I faced the fear and insecurity she braves through everyday. The loneliness, the pain, the misery, everything. I'm sure she never had anyone she ever trusted fully to be there for her. That's why even though we've reunited, there's still that doubt lingering. I can't bear to let her continue doubting all her life, not after what she's been through. We have to be certain. That's why we want to recover our memories."

Futaba considered Taki's response. Hitoha simply smiled as she sized Taki up. Finally, Futaba spoke.

"Well said, Taki-kun. Mitsuha is lucky to have you. She needs that emotional support more than anything else in her life. I truly wish the best for the both of you."

Futaba paused and looked at the picture again. So much has changed, yet… there was still time. After all, one can dream. To hope for a better future, despite everything the world throws at you.

"Taki-kun," Futaba said in Toshiki's stern voice, causing him to jump a little. "You have recovered your memories, right? Can you think of anything that might help Mitsuha recover hers?"

"I'm trying, but just talking isn't going to work. I only remembered because I managed to find this picture and the empty bottle, but it's going to be a lot harder with Mitsuha."

"Hmm… did Mitsuha leave any clues? Or a diary?" Futaba offered.

"No. Even if she did, it's long gone." Taki replied, still racking his brain for something, anything that could help. His was running out of options. The sun was creeping closer and closer towards the horizon, and they knew time was running out.

"Try telling her the truth?" Futaba wondered aloud.

"No." Hitoha spoke. "Nobody would ever believe it. Personally, I would think today was all a dream by tomorrow." She turned to look at Taki. "She needs evidence… no, she needs proof."

"Evidence…? Oh, I get it. Taki-kun, did she ever give you anything at all? Like how I gave Toshiki my Kuchikamisake." Futaba said.

"No, we never even… wait, yes she did! Her kumihimo!"

All at once, everyone turned to look towards the underworld. Two figures were approaching the rim.

"We'll give you some privacy." Futaba assured Taki as Hitoha nodded. Then, without warning, she embraced Taki.

Being hugged by a stranger was odd, but given the circumstances, not the weirdest thing that happened that day, Taki thought as he awkwardly returned the hug.

"Take care of Mitsuha for me." Futaba murmured into his ear. "Look out for Yotsuha too, if it's not too much trouble."

"I will." Taki replied, his heart filled with resolve and determination when he realised he just received her blessings.

Does that mean I don't have to ask her father now? Technically he did give me permission.

The sisters arrived at the rim just before sunset, still squabbling. However, before they could appreciate the view, Hitoha and Toshiki had come up to them and caused a minor scene. Toshiki gave Mitsuha a strange look before dragging Yotsuha back down the crater to retrieve her own Kuchikamisake along with Hitoha for some odd ritual. As a result, Mitsuha was left alone with Taki on the rim overlooking Lake Itomori.

He seems to be waiting for something, Mitsuha thought as she stole a glance at him. He was staring intently at the sunset, as if counting the moments before Kataware-doki. He looked so serious, she didn't really want to interrupt his thoughts. They were probably work related, anyway.

So they just stood, both within arms reach of each other, yet still separated by the hands of fate, enjoying two very different views.

Mitsuha was simply watching the sun setting. To her, it was just a regular phenomenon, albeit a beautiful one at that.

Taki, however, was hoping with all his might that Kataware-doki was enough to jump start Mitsuha's memories. After all, it worked once. Why not again?

Right as the final rays of light shone over the horizon, Taki closed his eyes as Mitsuha opened hers. They both felt the darkness wash over them as the stars began appearing over their heads, their twinkling now visible in the dark sky. Taking a deep breath, Taki opened his eyes, and turned to look at Mitsuha.

Noticing Taki looking at her, Mitsuha turned to face him. He has been acting strange for quite some time now. Then he sighed.

How rude!

"Hey, can I see your hairband?" Taki suddenly said.

Although confused, Mitsuha complied. She let her long hair fall as she undid the knot and held out on her palm for him.

"Here. I made it with my mom ages ago. Why?"

To her surprise, Taki simply took hold of one end of the string and pulled gently. Right before the string fell off, Mitsuha tightened her grip on the end she was holding on to.

"What are you-!"

!
I know this scene. I'm holding on to one end, him on the other… then what?! Why is it a blank!

As if reading her mind, Taki simply smiled as he opened his mouth and gently whispered: "Your name… is Mitsuha."

!
...Taki-kun?

The sun was completely gone now, along with it were any doubts either had about each other. The moment Taki whispered her name, Mitsuha charged him, her arms embracing her beloved as she planted a kiss on his lips.

You came for me. I remember now - even though it should have been impossible, you came, just for me.

They pulled away, still in each other's arms. Neither bothered trying to stop the tears, they simply smiled through them as they both spoke simultaneously.

"I love you, Mitsuha."
"I love you, Taki-kun."
"You know, I wish I wrote my name instead."

Laughing, they pulled each other in for another kiss, but this time, they both knew this was goodbye. Already, they were fading.

At the entrance to the underworld, Futaba took one last look at the sky, then at her family. A gentle breeze blew past her, as she closed her eyes and let a single tear fall. There were only so many miracles one can hope for, and she was more than grateful for the chance to have even a chance at it.

When she opened her eyes again, she was in her hospital room. She noticed a man standing up to leave - Toshiki.

"Toshiki, wait…"
"Futaba…"

He came over and kissed his wife. He was glad he managed to catch her before he missed the train.

"Get some rest. I'm going over to Tokyo - they have the best medical staff there, I'm sure one of them can help."
"Alright… take care, and goodbye."
"You'll be fine, Futaba, I promise. I'll be back soon, we don't have to say goodbye."
"Toshiki, this isn't farewell."

Toshiki looked at his wife curiously as Futaba simply smiled in response. Nodding to her, he closed the door and hurried towards the train.