Epilogue

The rainy season had barely ended when summer’s scorching heat swooped in without warning.

Beyond those heavy rainclouds, the sun had been biding its time, storing up its blazing energy for its grand entrance.

The calendar flipped to July, signaling the approach of the first semester’s final exams. Umeda Sayaka, as usual, was plagued with unease across every subject and looked positively glum as the tests loomed next week.

“Kohana! Eri! Anna! Help me with test prep, pretty pleeease!”

“Sure thing. Which subject?”

“Ugh, for Ume, it’s probably everything except P.E. Zero growth every single semester.”

“Sounds like you need a full-on perestroika-style reform. How about trying some self-reliance for once, without leaning on others?”

I couldn’t help but recall how, just four months ago, the third-term finals for our first year felt exactly like this.

“Come on, help me out here! If I can just cut down on even one remedial class, I want to soak up every second of my precious second-year JK summer break!”

Summer break. That phrase, with its special ring for students, was fast approaching.

The classroom buzz was steadily overtaken by a feverish anticipation that grew with each passing day.

“Oh, by the way, I heard we’re getting two new transfer students in our class.”

“What? More transfers this late in the game? Kinda reminds me of when Anna showed up.”

The bombshell news dropped from Takesato Eri’s lips.

Just then, the classroom door slid open, and our homeroom teacher, Ms. Higuchi, appeared earlier than usual for morning roll call.

“Everyone, listen up. I’d like to introduce two new transfer students who’ll be joining our class starting today.”

At her call, two figures stepped in from the hallway.

“Wha—”

I was speechless as I caught sight of them…

“Yo, what’s good? I’m Madeline Douglas, straight from the States. Nice to meet ya!”

A tall, tanned gal with fiery red hair.

“Likewise, I’m Lindsey Rockwell. A pleasure to make your acquaintance, everyone.”

A pale-faced girl with a short black bob and an eyepatch, speaking in crisp Japanese, introduced herself alongside her.

Needless to say, they were none other than Enyo and Persis from Gaia.

As I stood there dumbfounded, Madeline—aka Enyo—flashed a toothy grin and tossed me a playful wink.

Under a cobalt-blue summer sky dotted with heavy, silver-gleaming cumulonimbus clouds.

I found myself on the rooftop during break, face-to-face with the American transfer students.

“So… this is all Pem Blade’s doing, huh?”

After hearing their explanation, I sighed, gazing up at the dazzling blue sky.

“Indeed. Due to Pem Blade-sama’s prolonged recovery, she’s been forced to step back from active duty, automatically halting Gaia’s operations. In the meantime, we, being of similar age, have been specially tasked with infiltrating the academy to protect Anna-sama up close in case of emergencies.”

“Well, we’re both faking our ages as JKs, lol. Kinda hilarious… but since work’s slowed down, it’s not a bad gig. Plus, we get to hang with Anna-chin and Kohana-chi in our off time!”

Personal bodyguards, huh? It’s like I’ve suddenly become some kind of VIP. In short, Pem Blade still hasn’t given up her ambition to recruit me down the line.

Man, what a hassle—getting tangled up with a woman like her. I could feel another sigh coming on.

Still, part of me felt a little relieved.

I don’t know much about her, not really. But having crossed fists and touched her heart, I understand some things.

She’s someone who’s never allowed herself to pause, not even for a moment.

Knowing that someone like Pem Blade chose to take a long recovery break to heal her wounded body—it made me feel, in some small way, saved.

Because the old her would’ve thrown herself into the next mission without a second’s rest, even if it meant shaving years off her life.

“Kohana-chi, I heard your place is a cat café? Take us there after school, yeah? You’re coming too, right, Persis?”

“Well… if Anna-sama is going, I have no objections.”

Looks like my first summer in Japan is about to get a bit rowdy.

My apartment—Kurisako Akira’s, that is—suddenly felt a lot smaller.

And no wonder—there’s one more person living here now.

“I’ve told you a million times, no wandering around the apartment in your underwear! When are you gonna start wearing actual clothes?”

Sprawled in front of the 40-inch LCD TV, engrossed in the latest Yakuza game on the console we bought recently, was Heifeng—aka Shue. Her lifestyle? Perpetually sloppy.

“Don’t sweat the small stuff. If you’re feeling frisky, I’m ready anytime—oww!”

I landed a no-holds-barred slap on her bare back, still marked with fresh scars. A bright pink handprint bloomed vividly on her skin.

“All you do is laze around playing games every day. You’re practically a NEET! If you’re that bored, why not get a part-time job?”

“What kinda legit job could I even do? Work the drugstore counter with you or something?”

Her words made me picture her in a drugstore apron. Yeah, no way. A carnivorous dinosaur in customer service? Impossible.

“If you’re that bored, come with me to run some errands nearby—but put some clothes on first.”

And so, I dragged Shue out to the park at night.

“What the heck… I thought you were gonna treat me to some takeout or something.”

Shue sulked on a bench, watching me feed a stray cat.

“Mikeko, you doing okay? —Hey, Shue, do you like cats?”

“Not really. Don’t hate ’em either. Just… don’t care.”

“Oh, really? You know, people like you are the ones who fall hard for cats outta nowhere. Wanna try petting her?”

“…”

I nudged Shue, and she hesitantly reached toward Mikeko, the calico munching on food from a container at our feet.

In a flash, Mikeko sensed her like a master swordsman, letting out a sharp hiss and bristling with menace. She swiped a lightning-fast cat punch, forcing Shue to yank her hand back.

“Heh, looks like it’s gonna be a long road. Strays are super wary, you know.”

“…Tch.”

Shue turned away, pouting. I stole a glance at her.

After that incident, we somehow ended up living together… but neither of us has brought up Marji, the lover we once shared.

So, I still don’t know what Shue’s real intentions are for sticking around with me.

Maybe she hasn’t given up on avenging Marji and is just biding her time, waiting for a chance to catch me off guard.

But even if that’s true, I don’t care. My life’s not so precious that I’d mourn its loss. And if it’s her—someone tied to me by fate—who ends it, well, that’s almost too perfect.

One encounter, one moment. Just like with strays, the day will come when Shue and I part ways.

But that day isn’t today.

And for me, that’s enough.

Saturday afternoon, three o’clock. The intercom buzzed.

I, Anna Gratskaya, let the visitor into the apartment.

“Kohana! Welcome!”

Asahi Hina, who’d been prepping cake and tea, emerged from the kitchen to greet her.

Kohana, visiting for the first time in a while, carried a lemon-yellow pet carrier.

A few months ago, she used it to take the late Mo-san to the vet. Now, through the transparent window, I could see a kitten much smaller than Mo-san ever was.

“Is that the kitty you and Anna rescued?”

“Yup! She’s all better now. I brought her to meet her other mama.”

When Kohana set the carrier on the floor and opened it, a white kitten peeked out after a moment. She seemed wary of the unfamiliar house but soon relaxed at Kohana’s voice and presence, stepping out cautiously.

“Oh my gosh, she’s tiny! A little girl… so cute, Anna!”

“Hmm. Have you named her yet, Kohana?”

Kohana gently lifted the kitten, gazing into her face.

“Since we found her on a rainy day, I went with Ame-chan. I kinda always go for simple names, don’t I?”

She laughed self-deprecatingly, but I thought it was a perfect name, echoing the day we met.

Ame’s eyes were a vivid blue, though one was clouded white, like a rainy sky.

Her eyes had been crusted shut with gunk, and there was talk she might go blind. Thankfully, one eye kept its sight—a small miracle.

Her white fur gleamed, her black-and-brown-tipped tail flicked energetically, and her once-bony frame was now pleasantly plump. It was hard to believe she’d been so frail.

“Ame, huh… I’m glad she’s doing well.”

I reached out, and Ame stretched out a tiny paw, her pad brushing my fingertip.

“Haha! Anna and the kitty are high-fiving!”

“She’s super friendly at home too. Loves checking out customers at the shop.”

Hearing Kohana and Asahi’s laughter, Pirozhki waddled out from the hallway.

All eyes turned to the brown-and-white tabby.

Pirozhki sniffed the floor, cautiously approaching Kohana, who held Ame.

He zeroed in on Ame, the source of the unfamiliar scent, intently sniffing her rear.

Kohana gently set Ame down. Ame, curious about Pirozhki’s scent, circled behind him to sniff his butt in return.

Like a folk dance, the two cats spun in circles, sniffing each other’s rears. The sight was so comical that Asahi and Kohana burst into giggles.

Eventually, Pirozhki lost interest and hopped onto his usual spot on the living room couch.

Left alone, Ame soon followed, sitting neatly under the couch with her paws aligned, staring up at Pirozhki grooming himself. He ignored her completely.

“Heh, like a little sister begging for her big brother’s attention.”

“So Pirozhki gets like this with other cats? Kinda shy, huh?”

I watched the cats, and Kohana and Asahi watching them.

Kohana’s bright smile filled me with a quiet relief.

I’ve never experienced pet loss myself, so I can only imagine the pain of losing Mo-san. But in Kohana’s eyes now, I saw the happiness of this new feline bond.

That much was certain. And that was enough.

Yesterday’s sorrow would surely be healed by tomorrow’s joy. All I could do, as a human living in the now, was believe in that.

“Alright, let’s give the kitties their favorite Churu. As for us, let’s dig into some cake and tea. Anna, can you grab plates for Pirozhki and Ame-chan?”

“Got it.”

The cool breeze from the AC, the deep blue sky and towering clouds beyond the window.

Squinting at the bright sunlight, I could almost hear the footsteps of summer drawing near.