Tsutomu had long since lost track of time, sitting on the beach with Yukari and watching the waves roll in one after another. With a deep inhale, he savored the salty but refreshing air around him. The sound caught Yukari's attention, and she turned to him with a hint of a smile. "Enjoying yourself here?"

"Of course," Tsutomu replied while a part of him hoped that this moment could last forever. "I can't remember the last time I felt this relaxed."

Yukari let out a chuckle as she turned back to face the ocean. "Really? Not even with your wife?"

Tsutomu was reminded of Sachiko, which caused his bliss to diminish instantly. He frowned and nudged Yukari on the shoulder. "Hey, take that back. It's not funny."

Yukari responded by grabbing his forearm. "Wow, take it easy. It's just a joke..."

"Well, it's not a good one," Tsutomu scolded while yanking his arm free. "And you should know things are tough for me right now."

"Oh yeah?" Yukari raised her voice with a frown. "I find that hard to believe, Mr. 'I've just met the love of my life and can't wait to get married!' Did you ever think about how distraught I felt, seeing my whole family pass on without me?"

Tsutomu swallowed. This sudden outburst of emotion had him lost for words, and it took him a few moments to find something suitable to say. "I'm sorry that I had no idea. But, if I did, I definitely would have tried to offer you comfort somehow."

Yukari sniffed and leaned her head against Tsutomu's shoulder, much to his surprise. "Thank you. You don't know how nice it is to hear that..."

"Well, I suppose..." Tsutomu smiled in embarrassment, though he allowed Yukari to use him as emotional support until she sat up straight and spoke with renewed resolve.

"Let's go. The sand is starting to annoy me."

She tugged on his arm for emphasis, and Tsutomu complied by standing up with her. Then, after spending some time shaking sand off their clothes, he allowed her to lead the way back to Onjuku Station, where they would take a night train and hopefully return to Tokyo by sunrise.

******

It had been a restless night for Futoshi, having been woken by a phone call after midnight and driving to some quiet suburban street to pick up Kumiko and her new companion. Then, he'd been forced to listen halfheartedly as she recounted everything that had happened since they'd last met.

By the time he was able to leave Kumiko and Akane alone to perform first aid on each other, his head was also aching from sleep deprivation, and he couldn't wait to head back to his apartment for some relief.

However, no sooner had he approached the door at the end of Kumiko's hallway than a loud knock almost startled him out of his slippers.

Bloody hell. Who could it be at this hour?

Futoshi unlocked the front door with a grunt of exasperation, then immediately sighed in relief at the familiar face outside.

"Oh, Ichiro, you're back. I see you've changed your hair-"

"Silence, old man," Ichiro snapped as his eyes became clouded with unmistakable pain. "Where is Kumiko? I must speak with her..."

Futoshi considered letting Ichiro inside for a second or two simply because of the young man's status as Kumiko's husband. But, he soon became aware of another spiritual presence that felt both potent and comforting for reasons he couldn't fathom.

He inched backward while gearing himself to shut the front door if necessary. "I don't know what's going on, but you're not alone, are you?"

A smile spread across Ichiro's face that was unnerving in its lack of sincerity. "That is correct. This morning, I was lost with no idea of where to go, but the most unlikely person came to guide me in the right direction. Meet Mr. Tanimura..."

Ichiro stepped aside to allow another figure to emerge into view. Futoshi gaped upon hearing the surname and noticing the resemblance that the handsome yet gaunt stranger had to someone else he knew.

"Holy crap. You're... you're Yukari's father..."