[Epilogue: The Pages Yet to Turn]
Snow gently dusted the town like powdered sugar over a quiet cake of winter. The holiday lights dimmed one by one as the new year took its first breath. And somewhere, in a small, cozy room lit only by the warm glow of a desk lamp, Takumi sat by the window, quietly watching snowflakes drift through the night.
His phone buzzed.
> Yuri: Are you still awake?
> Takumi: Always. Couldn't sleep.
> Yuri: Same. Mind if we call?
Moments later, her voice came through.
"Hey…"
"…Hey."
They didn't need to say much. Just the sound of each other breathing through the quiet was enough. After everything that had happened—from awkward conversations, shared umbrellas, teasing friends, unexpected kisses, to New Year fireworks—they had slowly woven a bond neither of them had seen coming.
"You know," Yuri said softly, "if someone told me a few months ago that I'd fall for the laziest guy in class…"
Takumi smirked. "I'd say that girl had excellent taste."
Yuri laughed—a soft, beautiful sound that warmed his chest.
They stayed on the line for a while longer, talking about nothing and everything. About the group's crazy dog chase, about the shrine visit, about whether Haturo had finally realized his crush on Aoi, or if Kana would stop teasing Minato long enough for him to confess.
"…Takumi?" Yuri said gently.
"Hmm?"
"I'm really glad… I got to fall in love with you again."
Takumi's gaze drifted to the framed picture now sitting beside his bed—of two children, a boy and a girl, standing under a sakura tree. Somehow, they had found their way back.
"…I'm glad too."
Outside, the snow kept falling. Inside, hearts stayed warm.
The year had just begun.
And so had their story.
[ End of Season 1]
Season 1 ends... but the journey has only just begun.