Epilogue

6 years later...

Ayumu

     Everyone was happy. It was now 6 years after our incident, and Sari, Hemu, and Muri were now 19. I however, was still 17. Things had changed a lot. Sari and the other two had their driver's license, and now drove around themselves. I also knew that Sari and Hemu were secretly going out. I heard them talking about a movie they saw around midnight as I passed their bedroom. And midnight was about the time when Muri and I went searching for the two, who always went "missing" together. Eventually, they'd turn up two to three hours later. 

     I groaned as I rode in the backseat of the car. Sari and Hemu were holding hands, Hemu driving with his free one. I prayed silently in my head. Please don't crash, please don't crash, don't crash, please! I braced myself as we swerved around the corner. I still didn't know where we were going. All I had heard was that it was going to be a surprise. I didn't think Muri even knew. I looked at him now, trying to read his face. He stared ahead, frowning. His head swiveled around to face me and he caught my eye, smiling. I grimaced back and turned to face the road. 

     "The airport!?" I screamed, gasping. "We're going to the airport? What for?"

     No one answered. I looked at Muri and gave him my best pleading look. He snickered and leaned out his window, sighing. We got out of the car, and walked into the airport. It was huge. I had never been in an airport in my entire life! Hemu and Sari each had their own personal luggage, and I realized with shock I didn't have one. 

     "I forgot my luggage!" I gasped, racing for the door.

     Muri caught the collar of my coat, pulling me back. He frowned. "We didn't pack your luggage, silly. Only Sari and Hemu are going to California!"

     "California? What for?" I asked, mystified. I was confused.

     "For tomato's sake, Ayumu!" Hemu turned, grinning at me. "College! We're attending college in California!"

     "Ooo-ohhh!" I breathed, nodding. "College." Everyone nodded, relieved that I got it. "Wait!" I said, looking at Hemu and Sari, then Muri, "Why isn't Muri coming?"

     "'Cos I'm gonna watch over you, silly!" Muri grinned, ruffling my hair. 

     I smoothed it out, smiling. "Thanks!" 

     "Well," Sari said. "It's time to say good-bye."

     "Not for forever." I whispered as she squeezed me tight.

     "No," she grinned, "Not for forever."

     I smiled up at her as Hemu swooped down and picked my up in his arms, snickering. I frowned playfully. "I'm not so little anymore, Hemu." I giggled.

     "Nope," he said, pretending to struggle under my weight. "You're as light as a feather!" he grinned, putting back on the ground with a peck on the cheek.

     I hugged them both smiled. "Remember my smiling face, okay?" I said, smiling as big as I could.

     "Of course," Sari responded, Hemu nodding in agreement. 

     "You just remember to keep smiling!" Hemu said, patting my head.

     "I will! Bye!" I said, giving one last hug before taking Muri's hand and heading to the car. Tears flowed down my still smiling face I turned around to see Sari and Hemu walking around the corner, hand in hand.