The Force of Gravity ✅

Epilogue

February 14th, 2028

Miori always took comfort at being in Tsumugi's bedroom, which was a suite larger than their previous apartment. She gently knocked on the door and cracked it open. "Mother?"

Tsumugi was kneeling at the far side of her room before a low table praying. Miori smelled incense and her heart ached. She's saying a prayer to Ohta.

"Come in, Miori," Tsumugi said, still kneeling in prayer. Ohta's black ihai stood tall on the table in front of her

The home Junichiro had bought for them wasn't as large as his family's mansion, but it was still decent sized with four spacious bedrooms in a quiet neighborhood. Tsumugi had needed some convincing to move in with them, but Miori was able to convince her. It unfortunately caused some problems with Miori's already estranged parents, as they felt they should have been honored as the parents who raised her. "You should have extended the invitation to us and not a mother-in-law," Miori's mother had complained.

"You've never liked me, Sone-san," Junichiro had responded. "And you never gave Miori the support she needed. I'm honoring the parent who did give her support."

Miori hadn't spoken to her parents since she got married, but it wasn't a loss to her when she had Tsumugi by her side. Tsumugi was warm and welcoming towards Junichiro always, and after some time she even started to call Junichiro by Miori's nickname "Juni". Neither Miori nor Junichiro minded.

"I'm sorry Mother," Miori said as she entered the bedroom. "I-I didn't mean to interrupt—"

"You're not interrupting me, Miori. I was just giving Ohta the good news."

Miori gasped softly, and stopped in her tracks. She wrung her hands a little as she looked at her former mother-in-law. "You...Mother, you're really happy?"

"Of course I am." Tsumugi lowered her arms and turned to face Miori. She was wearing her usual gentle smile. "Wouldn't I be, Miori?"

"I-I wanted you to know first," Miori said. She closed the distance between them and sat down beside her. "That's why I told you before I told Juni."

"But you will tell Juni, won't you?"

Miori nodded. "I was going to invite him to lunch. Kusshin is going to drive me to the office to pick him up. I'll tell him then."

"That's a wonderful idea," Tsumugi said. She reached up and stroked Miori's cheek. "I'm so happy for you, Miori. Ever since we moved in here you've had a glow about yourself that I haven't seen before. I'm so happy to see you happy. And Ohta would be happy to see you happy too."

Miori gave her a hug. "I wish that he wasn't dead."

"As do I. But we must let him rest in peace, Miori. Ohta would like us too. I will grieve for Ohta, and for my husband, for as long as I shall live. But my grief doesn't define me as a person. It shouldn't define you as a person either."

Miori nodded and let her go. "I...I'm starting to believe that, Mother."

"I'm glad." Tsumugi pinched her chin playfully. "No, go and see your husband and give him the news. This will be the best Valentine's Day present ever for him."

"I hope so." Miori slowly stood up.

"I do feel bad for Ryoko-chan though," Tsumugi said thoughtfully, slowly rising as well. "I think that girl spends more time here than at her own home! But it must be a shame for her as a girl to be at an all-girl's school on Valentine's Day. No boys to give chocolates to."

Miori smiled and took Tsumugi by the arm. "I think Ryoko-chan will be all right, Mother."

"You think so, Miori?"