And so, time flew by. A month passed, bringing them to the first day of the New Year.
Funeral Parlor planned to hold the celebration banquet they had postponed for dozens of days today, which would also serve as a proper dissolution gathering. However, although they were disbanding, that did not mean they were parting ways. "Funeral Parlor" might no longer exist, but this family still did.
With Arisa Kuhouin's help, Gai opened a bar, settling into a private life after leaving his old ways behind. Of course, the bar's employees were still former members of Funeral Parlor.
Inori also attended the celebration banquet. The girl's body had completely recovered several days ago, and the moment everyone heard the news, they could hardly wait to hold the banquet. This time, however, aside from them, the Shogun had also invited Hare to join them, and everyone agreed. After all, this girl had once brought them hope as well, and Kyo wanted to formally thank her.
There was another reason besides that... She was leaving. That's right, she was leaving this world. Before then, she wanted to say goodbye to the two most important people to her in this world, Hare and Inori. Inori was already by her side, so that was not an issue, but she was afraid she might never get another chance with Hare.
"Everyone, here's to getting everything we wish for and staying healthy in the new year. Cheers!"
"Cheers!" ×N
Clink...
Everyone's glasses came together...
"I heard you're leaving, Mio...?"
Ayase asked her midway through the banquet.
"Mm. I haven't been home in a long time... My family will start worrying about me."
She set down her juice and answered.
"Whoa—! Where's your home? Don't tell me it's some kingdom where everyone can use magic?"
Tsugumi leaned over and asked.
"Hey—Tsugumi~!"
Ayase scolded her helplessly.
"The continent of Teyvat."
She answered.
"Eh? Tey... vat? Never heard of it."
Tsugumi scratched her head. Judging by the look of her, she had probably drunk too much.
It'd be strange if you had...
She complained inwardly.
"No matter what happens, Mio, we'll never forget the kindness you've shown us and everything you've done for us. Even if you're leaving, one last time, all members of Funeral Parlor—let's raise our glasses to our great savior!"
Gai raised his glass and proposed the toast.
"Cheers!" ×N
"..."
Throughout this, Hare kept watching her with a somewhat gloomy expression. It was probably because she knew the Shogun was leaving and could not bear to part with her.
After everyone had finished their toast, the Shogun looked at the distracted Hare beside her and understood what she was feeling, so she spoke up.
"Hare?"
"...!"
Hare immediately looked at her.
"Aren't you going to toast me?"
The Shogun gave the girl a gentle smile and deliberately gestured with the orange juice in her hand as she asked.
"Mm... Ch-Cheers!"
Hare immediately picked up the orange juice beside her and clinked her glass against the Shogun's.
"...Me too."
Inori joined them as well, extending her glass.
Clink! ×3
The three of them clinked glasses.
By the latter half of the banquet, the Shogun had stopped staying indoors the entire time and gone out onto the deck for some fresh air. She leaned against the railing, letting the pleasant sea breeze brush across her skin while sensing the occasional glances from the two girls beside her.
"Mio, are you really leaving?"
Hare gently pressed her shoulder against hers and asked softly.
"Mm... I am. I have a mother too, and other family. I'm afraid they'll worry if I stay away too long."
She answered.
"...Will you come back?"
Inori asked.
"That... I haven't decided yet. Maybe?"
She looked at the girl as she answered.
"Mm... I understand why you're worried, Mio. It can't be helped. I'm fine."
Hare lowered her eyes, forcing herself to suppress the pain in her heart as she tried to comfort the Shogun... or perhaps herself.
"Hare, it's okay to cry."
Inori gave her a little push.
"...Uu... sob... Uu—"
Whoosh~
At Inori's words, the girl could no longer hold back her tears and immediately threw herself into the Shogun's arms, bursting into sobs.
"Don't cry, don't cry. It's not as though I'll never come back."
The Shogun embraced the sobbing girl in her arms, gently stroking her hair while resting her lips against the top of her head and comforting her in a warm voice.
"I... sob... I love... Mio... sob—!"
"I know... I love you too..."
She responded in kind.
"That's not the kind of love I mean—! Sob—!"
Hare adorably tapped the Shogun's chest with her palm and protested through her tears.
"Pfft..."
Inori unkindly burst out laughing.
"You're actually laughing~"
The Shogun rolled her eyes at her.
"Sorry... Hare is too funny."
Inori spoke after suppressing her laughter.
"Haa... What about you? Are you staying with Gai and the others?"
The Shogun looked at Inori, who showed absolutely no sign of crying, and asked.
"Mm... I said it before. Funeral Parlor is my home. Even though it no longer exists, this family is still here. Maybe I'll simply live peacefully with them from now on."
Inori looked out at the ocean in the distance, its surface reflecting the golden light of the setting sun. She tucked a lock of hair behind her ear as she planned out her future life.
"That's good. What about you, Hare? What are your plans?"
The Shogun looked at the girl in her arms, who had finally cried enough, and gently wiped the corners of her eyes with her fingertips while asking in a warm, doting tone.
"Now that the lockdown here has been lifted, Mom and Dad are coming back soon. They said they want to take me abroad to live."
Hare took the Shogun's hand and pressed her palm against her cheek, closing her eyes as she savored the warmth of her palm.
"What have you decided?"
"I... still don't want to go with them. There are so many people I know here, and Kanon is here too... If I go abroad, I won't have any friends."
Hare shook her head.
She was still living at Kanon's house. Once her parents returned, she could move back to their old home in Loop 7 and stay there for a while, and she intended to do so. After her parents left again, however, she would return to Kanon's place.
Of course, all of that had been Kanon's suggestion. Hare originally had not wanted to impose on her, but she could not win against Kanon's insistence.
"No matter what, live happily in the future. Take care of yourselves and grow up healthy. That goes for both of you..."
She gave the two girls beside her a particularly earnest reminder.
"Mm..." ×2
The two obediently nodded.
"Mio... Are you leaving tonight?"
Hare asked.
"Do you want me to leave tonight?"
The Shogun asked teasingly.
"No. Um... Can we sleep in your room tonight? Just for the last night?"
Hare asked shyly.
"..."
Inori also looked at her expectantly.
"Haa... There's really nothing I can do with you two. Fine."
She compromised.
After all, the three of them had originally been neighbors... It almost felt as though they had returned to those days. Perhaps this would be the last time they would ever be "neighbors" again.
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