That night, the group left the inn.
The meal had stretched from noon into evening, and after chatting a little outside the inn, several asked Rinji for his LINE so they could stay in touch.
By now, every working adult had a smartphone.
It was hard not to marvel at how times had changed. Back in 1998, when they were in middle school, not only had smartphones not been invented, even regular cell phones were rare in normal households.
"Alright, I'll head home first. My wife and kids are waiting."
"My daughter's probably waiting for me too."
"Need to supervise my son's winter homework."
Waving goodbye, they left one after another, and Rinji smiled, letting them go.
During the reunion, everyone had slipped back into their middle school selves, but once outside, they all returned to their real lives.
Talking about wives, husbands, sons, and daughters—those things still felt far away from Rinji.
Those classmates who once sat in the same classroom had now reached the age where they needed to shoulder the responsibilities of their generation.
From their words, Rinji finally realized deeply that there was already a twenty–year gap between the two eras.
"…"
"What's wrong, Rinji?"
Naoya turned his head back, smiling as he looked at Rinji.
"Why that gloomy face?"
"I was just sighing at how time flies. When we meet again, it feels like you've all become different people," Rinji smiled. "But seeing you all living well puts me at ease."
"We're not like you. Twenty years have passed and you haven't changed one bit," Naoya teased. "If you're lucky, you might run into Misaki. She doesn't look much different from when she graduated college. I bet you two, with your knack for handling the supernatural, would have plenty to talk about."
"If I get lucky enough to meet her, then so be it."
After saying goodbye, Rinji turned his head and walked down the mountain.
This inn had been specially built on the mountainside. Usually, only shrine visitors or mountain climbers would ever come here.
The reason they chose this inn for the reunion wasn't only because it was where they had stayed during the training camp, but also because it was the place where Class 3-3's curse had come to an end.
Out of commemoration, they held the reunion here every year.
Taking one last look in the direction of the inn, a small smile tugged at Rinji's lips.
"Twenty years already…"
A friendship formed with the students here for a single month had managed to cross a gap of twenty years.
Although Rinji had never truly become a close, heartfelt friend to them, that one month had undeniably brought changes to him.
"Goodbye, Yomiyama."
---
By the time Rinji took the Shinkansen back to Tokyo and then a taxi to his apartment, it was already close to midnight.
When he reached his door and saw a faint light shining through the peephole, he already knew someone was inside.
Having a good idea who it was, Rinji pulled out his key and stepped in.
"I'm home."
"Welcome back."
"…Say, Ai, why are you wearing that outfit again?"
Of course, it was Ai Hayasaka waiting inside. She had stayed up until midnight for him.
What surprised Rinji was that Hayasaka had put on her maid uniform again, the one she used to wear when working for Kaguya.
"Because it's still part of my profession," Hayasaka said. "At first, I thought I'd do some housework while you were away, but I found the room surprisingly clean, even the blanket folded like a tofu block."
"Living alone, it's normal to learn some chores."
"This isn't just 'a little.'"
"But really, why the maid outfit?" Rinji asked. "Sure, it used to be your job, but you already quit, didn't you?"
"Yes, I did quit."
"Then…"
"No one said I couldn't wear it after quitting."
"Well… that's true."
"I don't mean anything else by it," Hayasaka said seriously, looking at him. "Just thought I'd add a little spice."
"Huh?"
"When I was bored in Kyoto, I went online and found out something interesting."
"Hm? What?"
"Maid doujins have an unexpectedly high share at Comiket."
"…"
"And since we're kind of a couple now, boys always have a soft spot for their girlfriend's cosplay, right, Master?"
"Even if I'm not very experienced in relationships, I'm still normal enough in that area."
It had only been two or three days, yet in that time, Rinji felt Hayasaka's thoughts had become a lot more lively.
Probably because her knot with Kaguya had finally been untied.
Rinji set down his bag, hung his coat on the rack, and slumped onto the table. Hayasaka, as if by habit, brewed a cup of coffee and placed it before him.
Watching him sip it with his head down, Hayasaka hesitated a moment before asking, "You seem to be in a pretty good mood today, Rinji."
"Huh? You can tell?"
"You've never been the type to hide your feelings," Hayasaka said. "Did something good happen on your trip?"
Rinji set down his cup, resting his chin on his hand as a smile tugged at his lips.
"Yes, something good did happen."
"Oh?"
"I realized I still have a chance to become the person you hope I'll be."
Rinji smiled as he spoke.
Hayasaka blinked at his radiant expression, then her face softened into a tender smile.
She walked behind him and gently wrapped her arms around him.
"The only one I've ever hoped for is you, Rinji. No matter what choice you make, you're still you."
Rinji laid his hand lightly on her arm.
"Thank you. You really are my girlfriend."
---
"Ahh, finally back in Japan~"
At Narita International Airport's exit, two women rolled their luggage outside.
People around them couldn't help but turn to look.
Not only were they breathtakingly beautiful, but their faces were identical, as if carved from the same mold.
One wore a bright smile, the other a cold expression.
The cold, icy beauty even wore an eyepatch.
"Say, Mei, why did you tell the boss we were just here for a trip?"
"Because we're not here to deal with an incident."
"Sure, but saying we came to handle an incident would've been better," the cheerful woman laughed. "That way we could've gotten funding."
"We don't lack funding," the eyepatch-wearing beauty sighed. "And this time it really has nothing to do with an incident."
"Of course not~ We're here to see Rinji, who we haven't seen in twenty years~"