✧ Chapter 74 ✧
[ ʚ Epilogue ɞ ]
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My mind was stuffed to the brim with drums, chords and lyrics. Even as I continued trying to concentrate on my task, Ouma's music just kept playing in the background. I didn't know where he had scampered off to, but I just hoped he'd get back soon to shut it off.

This new case for my uncle, was puzzling.. and speaking of him, he was an elderly man in his fifties by now, slow but sharp tongued and careful as always.

I was the head of the agency, which was slightly stressful at first. But after a few years of getting the hang of detective work once more.. I was finally comfortable with who I was.

"Saihara-channnnn!"

I could hear his voice despite the music playing from the giant speakers over at his desk. I turned in my seat just in time to see Ouma running up to me, carrying a large, white box with a blue ribbon tied around it. His face was flushed with excitement; despite being weighed down by the extra burden.

Ouma and I shared a study room, the two sides were parted by a neatly drawn line on the floor. While my desk was messy with notes, diagrams and files, his was neat and tidy, assortment of 'weapons' labeled clearly and put away in boxes.

With a hand, I slipped the headphones off my ears to let it rest around my neck. "Hey Ouma.." I didn't even have time to greet him properly before he leaned down to kiss my cheek; handing the wrapped box to me.

"Merry Christmas!" he cheered and I rolled my eyes, but quickly glanced at the calendar in our room.

"It's not even Christmas. You're five months early."

"That's the thing." he gave me a knowing smile, hands behind his back, "I'm five months early and now I don't have to give you a present anymore."

"You're so immature." I chided, "This better not be another one of your rainbow glitter pranks. If it is, I won't be cooking for you again."

"But Saihara-chan makes great bentos." he pouted, but there was a smug smile on his face, "If people wanted slightly burned chicken, that is." I couldn't help but smile a little at that. He always finished whatever food I prepared for him, despite all the complains he had about it.

Ever since we moved out of my childhood home and into this small house, he had been going on and on about how his organisation needed him. I, loaded down with all my work, let him be. But he did remind me of his presence by blasting loud music and leaving drawings all over the house.

"Just open it already!" he hit my head, making me wince slightly. Rubbing the spot where he had hit, I did as I was told, pulling the satin blue ribbon away to reveal.. another box, but slightly smaller than the first.

I looked at him without saying anything. Apparently, he had told me he had been perfecting the 'I-understand-Saihara-chan-without-talking' skill. So, I waited for him to read my expression.

"It's a box in a box." he grinned as though he were telling me the most funniest joke, "Okay, now open the next one!" he was bouncing on his feet, his grin wide as I sighed and obediently did as he said.

This time, it was yet another box, but had a small note tied around it with a thin brown string. I barely had time to read what it said before Kokichi giggled.

"I should be kneeling down for this but you're sitting on a chair," he cleared his throat as he reached into the box. Wait- what? Carefully, he flicked the box open, "Anyway! My darling Saihara-chan. The love and light of my life, blah blah blah.." he smiled widely before looking gentler, holding out a ring, "Would you marry me?"

I stared at him, stunned by his words. Would you marry me? Almost as if he knew what I was thinking, he just giggled again, "You're so cute when you're shocked. I know you're gonna say-."

"Yes." I finished his sentence, still stunned before blinking back tears. I let out a choked laugh, pulling him to a tight hug. I didn't know he would propose to me so suddenly.. I was thinking to do it myself, at our favourite area in the park, but he—as always—beat me to it.

Since I was sitting, and he was standing, it felt as though he were the taller one instead of me. We hugged for a long time, me listening to the rapid thudding of his heart and feeling the tremble of his fingers.

"Does this mean we can finally get that turtle?" he whispered as soon as we pulled away.

I rolled my eyes, rubbing my cheeks to feel it damp with joyful tears, "You and your turtle. Fine. We can get one.."

He winked and took my hand, slipping the ring onto my finger with a wide grin before leaning forward to whisper into my ear, "Just kidding dumby. That was a lie. I want a dog!"

"What?" I demanded, shoving him away with a laugh, "You liar.." He gave me the stink eye and ran to the door as an escape. I abandoned my piles of work and ran after him, intent on catching him.

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And so. The world was saved. Or rather, Dangan Island was anyway. I don't know about the rest of the world and what's going on out there, but I was willing to explore.

I have my memories back. The memories of my life during the Disease of Love. A time where people were forbidden to love, all because of a couple with selfish, naive thoughts. A time where technology was so enhanced, it could bring people back to life. A time where the world was ruined.

How I managed to get my memories back, you may ask? That's a different topic, if you think hard enough. I wasn't present when both Saihara and Ouma, fueled with desire to start over, decided to give everyone the Removal Serum.

I was trapped in the ruins of the broken Hospital. And was only found by Dr. Idabashi who gave me my arm, my life and purpose back.

I knew Ouma and Saihara were going to be fine. After all, they are meant to be together in every life, every story, every work of fiction written out there. Their love story won't end, because of the people who continue to make it so.

I closed my eyes, letting the wind rush past me and giving me time to think. There was someone I needed to meet. A girl who saved me in that Hospital a long long time ago. A girl who showed me that I was meant to be worth more than just a robotics scientist.

I remembered the day we met. The day she took my hand, scolded me for accidentally running into her and afterwards, became my friend before Ouma came along.

"Watch where you're going, you nearly made me trip, ya moron." she huffed, sweeping her pink-blonde hair off her shoulder and scowling at me.

"Sorry- I wasn't watching where I was going-."

"You can't see me? Hmph, that's really too bad. It's a shame that you can't see a beautiful genius such as myself, new kid. You know what? I've got an idea! Which is easy for me to do, since I'm the smartest in class.."

"Wait, what?" I wondered how could she be so vain. I've never met a person so self- absorbed before. It was no surprised that she intrigued me.

She held up a hand to stop my rambling and made her way to a table nearby, sitting down and pulling a few wires and plastic out from her purse. It was a wonder how the girl could fit so many things in there. I remembered being confused, watching her work with pliers and screwdrivers.

After half an hour, she stood up with a flourish, her mouth turned upwards to a smug smile of satisfaction. "Here ya go. Don't need to thank me!"

I held up my hands, "Are those.." I squinted at the item in her hands, which slowly focused to present a pair of thin, plastic glasses with slightly tinted green lenses.

When I hesitated to take them from her, she promptly rolled her eyes and put them on for me. I remember blushing furiously at that, her hands near my ears and touching my hair. I've never had a girl so close to me before. She then stepped back, her arms folded across her chest and a triumphant smile on her face.

All at once, I could see her clearly. Her cool, light blue eyes and strawberry-blonde hair which curled to her waist. People warned me that she was rude, narcissistic and vulgar. However, she was the first one to ever show kindness to me the moment I stumbled around without glasses.

Miu Iruma.

If Kokichi and Shuichi could find love..
everyone else should be able to.
Right?

✧ The End of The Disease Called Love ✧
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