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Epilogue

 I later woke up in bed. I recognized it as my own from my house and got up as quickly as possible.

Part of me hoped it was all a bad dream, but the other part of me didn't want it to be fake.

I wanted to stay with Junichi, Kiya, and Aiko as long as possible.

I went out of my room and heard a delighted squawk.

A bird?

I looked over and saw Junichi, Aiko, and Kiya standing there with my older sister. Junichi looked red and Aiko seemed to be making fun of him.

The first thing I said was, "Was that a bird?"

Junichi shook his head, still red, as my sister laughed.

"That was him."

Junichi looked up at me, an embarrassed smile on his face. "How are you, Hikari...?"

I laughed a bit. "I'm alright, Junichi."

I then walked over, and I hugged him.

That's about the end of the story. I later moved out of my sister's house and moved in with Junichi, and Kiya kept her promise, staying by Aiko's side for many years to come.

Although Miko spent her last days attempting to kill us, I couldn't help but feel sad that she died. I currently visit her grave once every week to give her flowers.

If you've read this story to this point, then I thank you for staying to hear what happened in those 40 days, and what happened after.

My name is Hikari Aizu.