~Prologue~

"After you gave birth to me, you suddenly…"

No.

(This can't be the end)

She closed her eyes and blocked out all the light streaming in from the window.

"I need you to help your son."

She needed to stay.

"After all this, do you still think we can be equals?!"

For him.

"My parents abandoned me as a child…"

For Fei.

She had to stay. Dying… isn't an option.

Her eyes snapped open as she heard a knock at the door.

Kinako rubbed at her eyes as she lay on her bed, her brown hair looped over her shoulder.

"History can be changed, right? I'll get past this Interruption Point and create a new time route. I'll push through, to meet you as a baby."

The relief on her son's face was unmistakable – she could see it reflected in his mint green eyes, identical to her's.

He'd gone through so much, been ostracized by society to the point where it sickened her.

(They were all the same)

Seeing him clutching his head, it was like the pain was coursing through her body all the same.

(I won't die)

And so, she opened her eyes to meet those of her husband's, worried but kindly, worn but resilient.

"Are you ready?" he asked.

"Always."

Then she was wheeled away and out of sight.

The sun shined on Kinako's face, tears gleaming in her eyes.

"We will never forget you," said Shindou, with surrounding nods from the Raimon team.

(12 years ago)

"I will return everyone to their timelines now. This is our final goodbye," came the voice of Fei.

(Or… 200 years, to be exact)

Beside her, Torb sucked in his snot, his eyes glistening.

Her eyes caught Aoi's, kind and hopeful, then Tenma's, strong and caring.

(They said this would happen)

(Be strong)

So she smiled, savouring the best moments of her life for one last time.

She landed again in the middle of the courtyard.

"Kinako-chan! It's so great to see you!" cried Asura, her dark blue hair spiking up all around her. "I'll tell you what. I'm hosting a party to welcome you back."

"Huh?" she heard herself say. "I don't know any of your friends, though. I only just transferred."

With a pout, her cousin replied, "Where's Kinako who's not afraid of meeting new people? You remind me of Rune. He's such a mood, honestly. You guys should be best friends."

Emotion filled her again, but her sixteen-year-old self sighed, "Oh, shut up. I'll show you. Who is that Rune guy, anyway?"

(You've met him already)

"This kid in my homeroom. He's also new, and he doesn't know anyone, so I invited him. Oh – and he plays soccer!"

She only heard the fleeting thought – he plays soccer? – before she felt herself floating away again.

She was nineteen again, the rain hammering down all around her, her long hair tangled beneath her coat as she ran for cover.

If it hadn't been for a certain mint-haired defender, she wouldn't have been doing this to herself. Friday nights meant karaoke at home with Asura, chugging their warm boba and huddling together from the cold.

Love makes you crazy.

(Oh, SHUT UP)

"Kinako-san!"

She ran underneath the stop shelter, staring at the source. With a smile, she huffed, "Asurei. Drop the -san. Just call me Kinako like you always do!"

His face glowed – as pathetically excited as always – and he replied, "You came for me."

"Of course I did."

She kept staring in his mint eyes, silence filling the space between them.

"…Asurei?"

"Hm?"

"Did…" she dropped onto the seat, closing her umbrella, "did you want to talk to me?"

She remembered Asura's words. "Just ask why he called you over and prepare for the ultimate declaration of love!"

But all she could hear was the steady drip coming from his hands. Which, by the way, reached into his pocket and ohmygodwhat'sgoingonwhatishedoing –

(Any time now)

"Kinako..."

She looked up, shocked to see tears leaking from the corner of his eyes.

"I remember the day I met you… we were so young. When I was young, I didn't know much. But I knew that feeling I got around you was… real. To me, you're the warmest bed I've ever known. The key to my door. The gold to my nickel. The milk to my mochi." He smiled.

(He's going to say it)

"Kinako…"

(She could feel her younger counterpart tense in preparation. God, she was so SOFT-)

"…I love you."

And from his pocket, he pulled out a small, golden yellow container, the raindrops shining on the surface.

Kinako mochi.

And before she knew it, the box was beside her and there was no gap between them and she could feel every nerve in her face tingling with delight.

"Oh, Kinako!"

"Asura-chan! You're crying!"

Her cousin's lilac eyes flared again as she replied, "I'm going to miss you so much."

(Asura…)

She stared inside them, devoted and strong, as she said, "I might not be Kinako Nanobana in a few minutes, but we'll always be best friends. Asura and Kinako." Then, with a sniff, she added, "You're the best friend I ever had."

Her friend replied, "Karaoke Fridays? Boba after work? It won't end?"

(Never)

"Never," her 22-year-old self echoed, clasping Asura's pale hands tight. "You've been there for me for as long as I can remember. My best friend, favourite cousin, gorgeous girl," – her friend's giggle was well worth it – "and no matter how far apart we are, you will always stay here."

(I can't leave her)

Asura nodded, putting her hand over her heart in return. "Good luck, Mrs. Rune."

Kinako raised an eyebrow as she squealed, "Not yet!"

(No)

(Just let me stay a little longer)

Am I dying?

…black spots clouded her vision.

This can't be the end.

Murmurs crept through the strong barrier against her mind.

I have to pull through.

She could faintly feel a strong hand gripping hers.

Then she finally heard it –

"It's going to be okay."

She wrenched her eyes open, her chest rising up and down as she pulled herself out of her reverie.

What happened exceeded every expectation anyone had.

But she was alive.

Alive, and the faint, light body clutched in her arms, was – thisistoogoodtobetrue – her son, Fei.

"I'll get past this Interruption Point and create a new time route."

Is she dreaming?

She could feel strength, unbelievably resilient strength, the strength of her Keshin aura, the strength of Master Dragon running through her veins.

She looked up at Asurei, her soft cheeks rising as she smiled.

"Kinako…"

The same look in his eyes.

"I knew you'd make it."

And swirling in his deep eyes was the surest look of hope Kinako had ever seen in her life.