Epilogue 1:
Three Years Later
“YOU BETTER NOT come back here again. Your life is only just beginning.” Toi was well acquainted with the officer by now, who spoke with a gentle look in his eyes. “You did a great job while you were here,” the man said as he saw Toi off.
The prison gate opened in front of him. Toi stepped out, his silhouette seeming to melt against the hot rays of the sun.
He could see Skytree through the train window. It was finally starting to feel real to him that he had come home. At Sobakyuu, his uncle was hanging out the curtain to show they were open for the day. The way he smacked at his lower back with a fist made Toi remember how many days—months—had passed since they last saw each other.
I’m sorry for all the trouble I caused. I hope you’ll let me stay here again.
He knew that he should lower his head and say those words. Instead, he turned his back and walked away.
The world overflows with connections. Blood connections, geographical connections, emotional connections. Everyone is connected in this world.
A new kappa statue had been erected in Kappa Plaza. The Jumbotron hanging outside the Matsuya department store was broadcasting a different local television show now, called Asakusa Ribbit TV. On it, an unfamiliar girl sang a profoundly mysterious song.
Those who disappear are left behind and forgotten.
Chikai’s words suddenly sprang to Toi’s mind. This city certainly had forgotten his brother, it seemed. He was sure it had forgotten him as well.
At some point he arrived at the big red bridge, looking just as he remembered it. He slumped against the rails, basking in the sun’s rays as he gazed down at the Sumida River. Its current continued, even in his absence. Just as the current of time continued to flow, so too did the river’s water.
But my life is completely over now. The things I lost will never come back.
He kicked off the top of the rails and shouted, “And so what!”
Splooosh!
A pillar of mist sprayed through the air as he crashed through the river’s surface. The river water was cold, leeching the heat from his body. He closed his eyes, only to hear a familiar song drift to his ears.
There is something we have to take back:
Our connection.
There is something we can’t let anyone discover:
Our secrets.
Splooosh!
Splooosh!
Two more misty pillars blasted up through the air. Kazuki and Enta, clad in their high school uniforms, appeared before Toi. When they surfaced, Kazuki was the first to open his mouth and cry, “Welcome home, Toi!”
Enta burst up out of the river after him. “We were waiting for you!”
He never imagined they would come all the way here. “What are you guys here for?” He sounded subdued. “I’m sick of you both!” But, underneath that clear blue sky, Kazuki and Enta saw the broad smile stretching out across Toi’s face.
They didn’t need to become kappa anymore. They didn’t need plates that could make their wishes come true. No matter when, no matter where, even if they weren’t physically together, they were always connected.
And so they cried…
“Saraaa!”
“Saraaa!”
“Saraaa!”
And then all together, “Sarazanmai!”
Let’s run forth! To a complately brand new future that awaits us!