//An alternate route.

I sat on the cliff, gazing at the city.

How long has it been...?

Since I was... content....?

I may never experience happiness....

But feeling neutral.... Isn't that bad.

I could get used to it....

"You're smiling for once," a voice beside me mentioned.

Echo was next to me. 

I didn't even have to turn to see her.

"Do you still feel guilt?" I asked.

Echo frowned. "What?"

"What happened with Toadal Dude.... It wasn't your fault."

Silence.

Echo playfully bumped my shoulder. "I know."

I turned to her, confused.

She was smiling.

"Did you forgive yourself?" I asked.

She nodded and got up. "It's easy when he's here....."

A few seconds later, I felt something tap my shoulder.

I turned.

It was Toadal Dude.

Holding a donut.

And smiling.

"Arachnus."

Time froze.

Was....

Was it really him?

The donut fell from Toadal Dude's hand.

It had to.

Because we were hugging each other.

"You're finally back," I whispered happily.

He kissed my lips.

"Nothing could ever separate me from you."

We heard a cheer and a whistle.

Clearly Echo was happy.

Toadal Dude smiled at me. "Shall we go on a walk?"

I nodded. "Sure."

Echo waved goodbye to us as we walked off.

-----

From then on, Toadal Dude and I were never separated.

We went everywhere together.

We were both ghosts, so we could visit everywhere.

My regret is that I didn't thank Echo enough.

She had disappeared from Earth and the afterlife after we parted ways.

Something about returning home.

But a small part of me knew that she was free from guilt.

Perhaps she can pursue her own happiness.

As for Toadal Dude and myself....

We were together forever.

A match made in heaven.

I was finally happy with the man I love.

Happy Ending Finale

//At least they're happy.

Now I shall write from Toadal Dude's point of view of the events up to this point.