In the days following the "quake," police seal the scene and launch an investigation. All three men receive medical care. Everyone involved is summoned for questioning.
Shimaki stands before Hiroki and Yuna, head bowed, hands wringing with guilt.
"I… I accidentally reveal your address while giving him a ride. I think he's just some passerby. I'm so sorry."
Hiroki places a hand on his shoulder and says gently, "If it weren't for you, he wouldn't have been stopped. Thank you."
To file a full report, Hiroki has to postpone their wedding. For the time being, he and Yuna send Hikari to stay with Ms. Takano.
It isn't peace yet—but at least the storm has quieted.
"Hey, I saw the local news," Jun says through the receiver. Hiroki stands in a phone booth, deep in thought.
"You, Yuna, and the kid… You guys holding up?"
"We haven't really been home lately," Hiroki replies.
"Right. Well, the police there won't blow this out of proportion. It should settle quickly."
Jun continues, "Funny though, I tell you I see Ryusei back in town days ago and you don't even flinch."
"He's complicated," Hiroki sighs, leaning against the booth. "I'll be cutting back on studio time too."
"Mmm, I get it."
Jun mentions she will pause HiMrs6's activities for a while, minimizing Hiroki's public appearances to avoid turning the incident into a publicity mess.
"So, what about that thing I mention?" Jun teases.
"Hm?"
"The trip! You know, the one I tell you about."
"Let me get through this first."
"Of course. But promise me you'll come. It's been forever since you have a break."
"Got it. Hanging up now," Hiroki replies drowsily.
"Bye~" Jun says, with one last warning echoing faintly: "Don't bail or I'll hunt you down!"
The trip Jun mentions is a rail tour around Japan. But Hiroki has too much on his plate—especially since Ryusei's case remains unresolved.
Fortunately, it takes only two and a half months to complete the investigation and trial. Ryusei's deteriorating mental health is considered a mitigating factor. In court, he is sentenced to seven years and forbidden from contacting Hikari for life.
Everyone breathes easier.
Except Yuna. As others turn to leave the courthouse, she lingers. Dressed in black, a beret on her head, she quietly observes the man being led away in handcuffs. She slips on a pair of gloves, stands up, and walks off without looking back.
She is glad she doesn't.
Later, Yuna and Hiroki stay in their old home before moving into a new one. They still keep in touch with Ms. Takano and occasionally send Hikari over.
Hikari often shares amusing stories about her time with Shin, Ms. Takano's son. At first, they did not get along—frequently "at war" over trivial things. Hikari is a curious child, constantly asking questions that left Shin scrambling for answers.
Once, while watching Shin solved a Grade 3 math problem:
"Why do we learn math?" she asked.
"To calculate."
"Calculate what?"
Shin thought for a moment. "How many candies you eat."
"So, can you eat math?"
"...?!"
Another time, watching an animal documentary together:
"Hey, why do chickens have wings but can't fly?"
"Because...", Shin really had no clue, "they don't want to."
"If I were a chicken, I would fly."
"Then I'd boil you."
"Could I still fly after being boiled?"
"You want me to launch you or what?!"
Watching a superhero movie:
"Hey, if I jump off the couch and yell 'Supergirl!' will I transform?"
Shin scratches his head. "You'll become a patient."
"So patients have powers?"
He sighs. "Do you want me to check you into a hospital or not?"
Yuna lets out a soft chuckle and gently pats her daughter's head. "Then Daddy Hiroki must be really patient, huh?"
"I don't like asking him stuff," Hikari replies blankly.
"Why not?"
"He talks suuuper little. Shin talks more."
Yuna cannot help but smile, though something tugs at her heart. She has not been home much lately. Hiroki does everything he can to care for Hikari in her stead. But their daughter is a lively little one, and Yuna herself wants to be more present, more of a listener.
She gazes at her daughter with affection. "Is there anything else you want to tell Mommy?"
"Of course!" Hikari grins, her eyes lighting up. "There's one thing I'll never forget!"
Excitedly, she launches into a memory: one time at Aunt Takano's house, Shin was told to cut fruit in the kitchen, visibly annoyed at the chore. Hikari, meanwhile, lounged in the living room, legs swinging as she sucks on a lollipop. Bored, she wandered toward the kitchen, peeking in.
"Shin! Let me help!"
"Nope. Go back and play," he muttered, still peeling apples with a clatter.
Shuffling back, Hikari pouted. But then her eyes landed on a large, gleaming Kamen Rider figure displayed on the shelf. It looked as if it could burst into flight any second. Hikari stood on tiptoe to reach it—and then, just one clumsy movement—
Clang.
The figure toppled, smashing onto the floor. Its head rolled to one side. Limbs scattered. At that very moment, Shin emerged from the kitchen, plate of fruit in hand. He froze.
"What the heck happened?!"
"I... I am just looking... and... and Kamen Rider jumps down on his own..."
"Jumped?! It's a toy!" Shin was furious, fists clenched like a tiny gorilla.
"But Kamen Rider is a superhero..." Hikari argued, wide-eyed. "He can walk, watch TV, play music, take care of me..."
"Your dad's the one who does all that!" Shin snapped.
"Exactly! My dad's a superhero!"
"My dad's a superhero too! And better!"
Hikari jutted her chin. "Well, I have TWO dads!"
Shin blinked. "Two...? What are you talking about?"
"My... my dad is... my dad," she mumbled, tugging at her shirt.
Shin narrowed his eyes. "Besides Hiroki, what other dad? No one has two dads! Don't tell me you make one up!"
Hikari said nothing. Her eyes reddened, and soon, tears begin to spill. Between trembling breaths, she murmured, "I... I'm sorry I vroke (broke) your Kamen Grider (Rider)..."
Hearing her sobs, Aunt Takano came rushing in to console her. Shin turned away, still fuming.
But later, he quietly knelt down, picking up each piece of the broken figure. One arm was missing.
Just then, a tiny hand extended it toward him.
"Here you go," Hikari said, teary but smiling.
Shin hesitated, then nodded. The two sat together, reassembling the Kamen Rider in silence. He began explaining the steps, his voice gentler now.
The next day, when Hikari visitd again, Shin shyly handed her a tiny Kamen Rider model—a peace offering.
"This one's yours. Don't drop it, okay?"
Yuna's heart melts at the tale. She is glad her daughter makes up with Shin, though she gently reminds Hikari to tone down the mischief.
A few days later, Hikari is sent to Aunt Takano's again. This time, she and Shin seem closer—Hikari even calls him her "best friend."
Maybe things will be alright after all.
For now, she and Hiroki are about to attend Shimaki's wedding.
….
Shimaki's wedding takes place in a grand, light-filled hall. Chandeliers bathe the marble floor in warmth and elegance. The room buzzes with familiar faces—memories, youth, and shared history.
Time changes everyone. Yuna barely recognizes half of them, but many still remember her as the old class president, rushing over to greet her. Standing by her side, Hiroki is also instantly recognized and teased affectionately as "Yuna's husband."
Hiroki has changed too. He smiles more. He holds conversations. He meets people's eyes.
One delightful surprise is the appearance of Ms. Sakamoto, their homeroom teacher from Class 3-1. Though older now, with strands of gray in her hair, she still radiates the same gentle kindness. Seeing Hiroki and Yuna together, she only smiles knowingly, as if this has all been part of her plan.
Some guests who have been out of touch even ask why Yuna doesn't come with Ryusei. Calmly, she replies that Hiroki is her partner now. Each time, Hiroki's ears turn a deep shade of red. But the past is in the past, and everyone here has grown enough to offer grace.
During the ceremony, when the bride reads letters from the memory box, the groom wipes his eyes repeatedly. Each note brims with heartfelt words and nostalgia, filling the hall with emotion. Ms. Sakamoto is later invited to give a speech that moves everyone to tears.
The mood lightens again when Kairo and Kizuha, two of the original four-member group, take the stage with a burst of music and dancing. Laughter and applause break out, as the crowd is swept back to their youthful days.
After the ceremony, Shimaki lifts his bride into his arms and carries her out of the hall. Her white gown billows like a dream. That afternoon, everyone gathers outdoors for a BBQ, drinks, and casual chatter. Yuna and Hiroki only manage a brief conversation with Shimaki.
"Your wife is absolutely stunning today," Yuna says, eyes shining.
"She sure is," Shimaki grins, raising his champagne glass. "I'm a lucky man."
"Hope we hear some good news from you two soon," Hiroki adds calmly.
"You and Yuna too," Shimaki teases, nudging him lightly.
At one corner, the bride turns and tosses her bouquet into a cheering crowd of women.
Yuna doesn't join. She sits beside Hiroki on a bench, shoulder to shoulder, quietly watching.
"Who do you think will catch it?"
"Minami-san, probably. She's the tallest."
"I think Kaori. She's been with her boyfriend for fifteen years."
"With Takeshi, right?"
"Oh, you notice too?" Yuna giggles, nudging his arm. "They keep it a secret for ages—only come out during our final year."
"Everyone knows," Hiroki smirks, tilting his head knowingly.
Yuna bursts into laughter, then lowers her gaze briefly. She looks back up and gently hugs his arm. Her gaze shimmers.
"So if I join and catch it... what will you do?" she asks softly, teasingly.
Hiroki sighs with mock drama. The Hiroki of the past might've blushed furiously. But now, he simply looks at her.
He lifts her hand gently, tracing her pinky as if measuring it. Yuna chuckles softly.
Then, unexpectedly, he kisses her knuckles.
"I want to give you a ring that truly suits you," he murmurs, his hand gliding to her cheek. "Something radiant, strong, and beautiful—just like you."
Yuna falls silent. Her eyes well up. She dabs them quickly, smiling. "I only need you."
Hiroki gazes at her, fingers still cupping her face.
"I don't need anything else," she whispers. "Not a wedding, not a title... I just want to love you, and be loved by you. No husband, no wife. Just lovers—for the rest of our lives."
He pulls her close, wrapping her in his arms. The girl he longs to protect and cherish for so long is finally here—trusting him, loving him, leaning into him.
She is Ikeda Yuna—the woman he loves most.
The sky fades to lavender as wisps of clouds drift overhead. A soft jazz tune begins to play, each mellow beat like a caress. In the breeze-swept courtyard, the bride and groom share their first dance—steps in perfect sync, smiles meeting eyes. They look like a scene from a fairytale ending.
Just then, a hand taps Yuna's.
"K-Kiyoko?" she gasps. Her old friend only laughs and pulls her onto the dance floor without a word.
Any awkwardness melts into pure joy. Her dress flutters in the breeze, her smile glows under golden lights. For a fleeting moment, she glances at Hiroki from the corner of her eye. He still sits there, chin in hand. In his eyes, she is always the center.
Moments later, a group of friends ambush him with teasing chants, dragging him from his seat. "Come on, Class Rep! Time to dance!" They give him no choice, pushing him onto the floor just as Yuna's dance partner steps back.
Yuna blushes, her eyes flitting nervously. But then, a familiar hand grazes her waist.
Hiroki says nothing. He just looks at her—utterly lovestruck, as if she is his moonlit reflection.
She lets him pull her closer. His fingers interlace with hers, guiding the rhythm so gently her heart skips a beat. They sway in a slow waltz, feet barely touching the ground. Around them, the world blurs—there is only them. One embrace. One breath.
Yuna leans her head on his chest. She can feel his heartbeat—a little fast, but warm.
Others dance around them, but no one intrudes. Time slows. Golden lights flicker in her hair like stardust.
….
That night, when they return home, Hiroki doesn't say a word as he closes the door behind them. He pulls her gently to him, pressing her back against the wooden frame. One arm wraps firmly around her waist, the other reaches up to brush a lock of hair from her cheek.
And then he kisses her—deep, warm, breathless.
His lips find hers with the kind of intensity that has waited years to be set free. Their hands find each other, fingers intertwining, clinging as if afraid to let go.
The kiss deepens. His breath comes quicker. He lifts her easily into his arms, their mouths still joined.
With each step to the bedroom, the world around them disappears.
That night, they lose themselves in each other. The only world they know is each other's warmth.
….
Later, Hiroki brings Yuna and Hikari to her hometown, Ikeda. The traditional wooden house still nests peacefully in the midst of endless green tea hills.
At the first glimpse of her, Yuna's parents step outside. Her father rushes over and wraps her in a hug, then turns to Hiroki with a warm, emotional handshake. Her mother stands with arms crossed, gaze firm as it sweeps over Hiroki and the small girl behind them.
Hikari, curious, wanders along the porch, staring out at the sea of tea bushes.
"Daddy! I see something huge over there!" she exclaims, running back, black hair glinting under the golden sun.
Mrs. Ikeda pauses. The little girl she has never held is smiling like an angel. That stern gaze softens.
Yuna picks up Hikari with a gentle smile. "That's your grandma."
Hikari blinks, nods eagerly, and suddenly launches herself into her grandmother's arms.
"I'm Hikari," she whispers. "Mommy talks about you all the time."
Emotion wells up. Mrs. Ikeda hugs her tight. Her guard drops. Her heart opens.
That day, Mr. Ikeda leads everyone out to the tea fields—once the family's pride, now supported by Aunt Takano's company. Hikari runs freely, marveling as Grandpa shows her every leaf and chirping cicada.
Yuna picks out a few boxes of green tea as a gift to send back—something from home.
As the sun dips low, the family returns to the gate. Before parting, Mrs. Ikeda kneels to speak softly to Hikari, eyes misty. Then she looks up at Yuna and Hiroki.
"Thank you both for raising such a wonderful girl," she says gently, placing a hand on Yuna's shoulder. "I can see now—you choose the right person."
Her gaze meets Hiroki's—the man who once stood silently behind Yuna, now standing firmly beside her.
Mr. Ikeda smiles, giving Hiroki a father-in-law's proud pat on the shoulder.
They say their goodbyes beneath the chorus of cicadas and the fragrant breeze of tea leaves. Behind them stands the house of childhood. Ahead, the road that leads them back to one another—after all the storms.