Kyoto, Japan.
May, 2026.
Mizuki just came back from Tokyo after visiting her parents' graves, her friends, and of course, Aunt
Sydny and Uncle Mark. Her cousin, Angel, unexpectedly changed a whole new level. She was unbelievably nice to Mizuki. She must have realized that her ugly attitude before wasn't worthy of keeping especially now that she has two kids.
Actually, it was not in her plan to come back so soon. But her relatives and friends had been urging her to quickly get married as she was already 28 years old. With her body and face, picking guys shouldn't be a problem. But as much as she wanted to, her standards had already been set high years ago. Even Sean eventually gave up on her and got married. Shiela and Madison were already living their own lives with their own families. It was only her who's alone.
After being away, her place and studio were covered with dust and thrashes she had forgotten to
throw. Hence, Mizuki decided to buy cleaning materials. She was now amongst the crowd facing an
intersected road. They were in the midst of tall buildings, patiently waiting for the stoplights to flash a walking green figure—an indication to cross the road on the pedestrian lanes.
Toot toot.
They all heard a beep and started crossing. When Mizuki finally reached the other end, she bumped
into a tall figure that made it fell.
"Oh no, I'm really sorry. I.. "
The time stopped. Her whole world stopped.
"Mizuki," the tall figure patted his behind as he stood up. Both of their eyes were opened wide.
"How are you, little one?"
He walked closer to Mizuki as his eyes wander her body, thinking of how
Mizuki grew up beautifully. Mizuki's mouth turned agape in disbelief. She roams her eyes and noticed that people avoid both of them to prevent bumping into them. Other people can see the familiar tall figure in front of him. She shrugged the thought of Jiro and sighed. What was she expecting? This man looks exactly like Jiro but the overbearing presence of Jiro was replaced with a weak aura. His face was dazzling as well as his body but he was weak. He even fell earlier with just a slight bump.
"That's me. Do I know you?" Mizuki forced a smile.
"I'm Jiro."
Mizuki stiffened when he heard the name that her heart has been craving for. His voice was somewhat familiar to her but she couldn't find its tails and ears. Perhaps he's someone named Jiro?
"How did you know my name?"
"We were together for a decade, how could I even forget your name? Did you.. forget me?"
Jiro widened his eyes in horror as he felt nervousness all over his body. He had forgotten the fact that humans have short memories.
"A decade.. Jiro? Is it you? Jiro!"
Mizuki's eyes swam with tears and jumped to Jiro. He almost fell so Mizuki hurriedly let him go. Jiro chuckled and tightly embraced Mizuki as he kissed her forehead.
"I'm a human now, we can be together. I'm glad I've found you," Jiro shed tears while uttering these
words that he'd been longing to say. People passing by looked at them strangely.
"Human? What? How? Are you okay? Is that why you're weak? Do you want to go somewhere?"
Jiro shuffled Mizuki's hair and stared at her. He smiled.
"Hm, a human. I've met a goddess and she helped me in exchange for my tails and powers. Don't worry, I'm fine. Just a bit weak since I needed to adjust," he explained.
"A goddess," Mizuki's face darken. Since she's a goddess, was her beauty above all beings?
"You're the most beautiful," Jiro seemed to have deduced her thoughts.
They started walking to escape from people's odd stares. They went to a park and sat on one of the
benches. Mizuki rested her head on his shoulder and inhaled his scent. She suddenly started crying and buried her face on his chest. Jiro hugged her tightly as his eyes turned watery. Finally, they can be together without receiving the world's judgment.
"I.. missed you so much. I missed you. I love you. I love. I love you," Mizuki said redundantly. She'd
been regretting she did not say these words before they got separated. And now that they were given another chance, she'll say it a billion times every day without getting tired.
Jiro smiled and raised her chin. He closed his eyes and kissed her passionately. He broke from the kiss and reciprocated her words before kissing her again.
They went to various places as payment for all the years they had spent alone. They tried all the things they couldn't do together. They rode the roller coaster and screamed at the top of their lungs, Mizuki insisted on going to a haunted house and clung to Jiro, they went to a restaurant and eat to their fill, and attended a festival while wearing yukata and kimono. Jiro was wearing a green kimono, just like what he wore decades ago. But this time, they held hands and laughed happily. Start of new life, they thought.
At this moment, they are eating takoyaki from the food stalls built for the festival.
"Jiro, 4 years ago, my divine protection vanished. It was frustrating. I thought something happened to you or you have also forgotten me just like what happened… to your first love," Mizuki confessed after swallowing the takoyaki. She looked at Jiro waiting for his reply.
"Back then, I became a human," Jiro smiled. "And I will never forget you," he put his thumb on the corner of her lips to wipe the sauce.
"It took you 4 years to find me? How did you know I am here in Kyoto?"
"Hm, on those years, I rested and waited for my wounds to heal. I'm used to teleporting. I never
thought living as a human is such a drag," he said with knitted brows. Mizuki chuckled and nods her head. She totally agrees.
"Moreover, I was too weak. I couldn't even walk properly for a whole year. Seems like every essence in my body was absorbed mercilessly," Jiro smiled bitterly.
Mizuki just finished her takoyaki and threw the stick. She hugged Jiro and gently patted his back.
"Thank you. For everything," she looked up to Jiro.
"Thank you for coming back," her eyes became teary again. Jiro hurriedly wipe the forming tears on
the corners of her eyes.
"Sh, stop crying," both of them smiled because of the familiar words he uttered.
"Where were you staying?" Mizuki broke from the hug and held his hands. They will be like this for the next years to come. Will they have kids? Mizuki blushed from the thought and shook her head.
"Hm, I found a friend. A guy, he's a guy," he explained when Mizuki flattened her lips.
"He helped me find a job so I'm a businessman right now. I may be weak but my brain still stood highest amongst humans. Living for thousand years allowed me to discover the secrets of the world. I used my money to buy a house, to survive, and the rest, I used it for tickets.. to look for you. And it's all worth it," he pulled Mizuki closer to his side as they started walking.
"You're indeed capable of anything. I hope your strength would come back once again. So tonight, would you like to spend it with me?" Mizuki offered.
"I'll spend my forever with you," they both flashed sweet smiles.
Finally, they are once again close to each other.
So close.