New Guy, Familiar Face

Epilogue

At the crack of dawn, Ryo opened his eyes slowly on the hospital bed, to see a breakfast tray with pancakes, syrup and a 500ml bottle of orange juice. He made a small smile, before he spread a spot of syrup onto the top pancake, before he ate through, having a sip of orange juice now and then; when he finished the last pancake, Doctor Forest came in and said lightheartedly "Good morning. I trust you had a good breakfast?" Ryo nodded with a smile at Doctor Forrest, before the latter explained "Well, you're cleared to be discharged, but there's something I should've explained to you on your fast recoveries…" Ryo then rubbed the back of his head with his teeth bared in a smile and replied "Yeah, my white blood cells are more alert than normal."

Doctor Forrest was surprised to hear Ryo say that and inquired "How did you know that, Ryo?" Ryo then replied "Well, I was curious on how I was able to recover quickly from my allergic reaction back in High School, so during a semester in college, I read a medical book on Allergies, Viruses and Vaccinations. I then read a topic on white blood cells and concluded that my cells are more reactive than normal. Also, I kept my distance from Frat Parties too…" Doctor Forrest nodded at that remark, but was also impressed that Ryo's already aware of his unique blood cells. He then made an amused chuckle, before he said "Well, regardless, you're now fully aware of your unique recovery speed. Like I said, you've been approved to be discharged." Ryo nodded at Doctor Forrest, before the latter kindly picked up the breakfast tray.

Minutes later, Ryo wrote down his signature on his discharged form in the lobby, before he left the hospital, to see Rosie leaning on the Nissan 370z Roadster, smiling at him in a teasing way. Ryo then made a smirk and inquired as he went down the steps "Why are YOU smiling, if I may ask?" Rosie then replied, shifting her mouth into a smirk "Well… *giggles* you're not the only one who has experience in driving like the devil." Ryo then made a chuckle and noted "You are SO perfect."

Rosie then chuckled cutely, before she lifted Ryo's chin a little and pecked him softly on the lips, before she steered him onto the passenger's seat. She then went over to the driver's door and vaulted over it, before she said "Alright, it's Saturday Morning, clear skies, it's fairly warm and rush hour won't be for another 4 hours." Ryo then replied in an amused smile "Hit it." Rosie then stepped on the pedal, zooming off into the distance.

Meanwhile, at Haida's apartment, Haida is making some Bacon and Eggs over the stove in a pan, when Retsuko leaned on the pillar rather teasingly. Haida just flipped over the eggs, when his eyes closed and mouth curled into a smile; in one fluid motion, he grabbed Retsuko by his arms, before they affectionately pecked each other. Haida then kissed Retsuko's neck, making her moan in pleasure, before she said "Haida… Oh, Haida…" She then made a giggle, as Haida chuckled lightly, before they smelt the bacon going a little smokey; fretting about breakfast, Haida broke off the affection and tended to the stove, lucky that the bacon wasn't overcooked.

When he plated their breakfast, he puts the plates on the counter, surprised that the utensils, glasses and fruit juice is already out. He then saw Retsuko looking at him with a cute expression, before he said softly "You are the perfect woman." Retsuko made a flirty wink at Haida, before he went around the pillar, feeling Retsuko's soft and plushy tail stroke along his wrist. Haida then sat down next to Retsuko and ate their breakfast, before he said "I still can't believe your super kicked you out from your apartment and gave it to a recent tenant." Retsuko rolled her eyes and shook her head in annoyance, before she replied "I still can't believe your super lets me in your apartment without a second thought. Compared to my former super, she's very understanding and rather sympathetic." Haida then added "Not to mention the rent reduction for each tenant in one apartment."

Retsuko nodded her head, before they finished their breakfast; after they've done their dishes, they got dressed in their casual clothes and went out the apartment complex to Haida's Mustang. As Haida checked his Rear-View, Retsuko glanced at the guitar case before saying "You don't have to, Haida…" Haida then replied softly "Stop saying that Retsuko. I kept telling you your Death Metal voice makes you rather dominant and… rather hot." Retsuko blushed at that part, before she smiled at Haida with her tail whapping the seat happily; Haida then turned on the ignition to hear the strong engine roar to life, before he puts on 'Rock This Town' by Stray Cats. Retsuko then looked at Haida in a 'Are-you-serious' look, which he replied with a bare smiled with his teeth showing, before he drove off.

Haida then stopped at an abandoned warehouse, with Ryo's 370z Roadster parked outside too; Haida then noted as he turned off the ignition "It's nice to see Ryo has recovered so quickly." Retsuko nodded, before she grabbed her purse as Haida leant to the back seats and grabbed his bass guitar, before they left the Mustang. When Haida propped the door open, he saw Ryo and Rosie already inside with loud speakers ready; they made a wave at him, which Haida waved back with a smile as Retsuko just came into view. Retsuko then said cheerily to the couple "Morning guys! I hope you two had a good morning, particularly YOU Ryo." Ryo then rubbed the back of his head in embarrassment and replied "Yeah, I've made a speedy recovery; nice to see you guys, by the way." Retsuko made a cheerful smile at Ryo, before she and Haida set up their equipment.

Ryo helped Haida set up the audio speakers and the Bass Guitar, as Retsuko and Rosie adjusted the sound inputs; when they finished and took their positions, Retsuko told them "You guys don't have to—" Rosie then interjected confidently "Retsuko, we WANT to do this. Stop worrying so much, you've got a killer voice and a boyfriend who shreds an axe flawlessly." Retsuko then felt her confidence going up past the roof, before she nodded; Ryo then cranked up the volume on instrumental death music as Haida gripped his guitar pick on the ready. He then glanced at Retsuko, who looked back at him in determination, before they nodded in perfect sync; Retsuko then held her mic firmly in front of her and thought "My name is Retsuko: 25 years old, Scorpio and Blood Type A. This is my life and I'll enjoy it to the fullest!" Time seemed to slow down as Retsuko opened her mouth, then, like an uproar, she sang in rage as Haida shredded his guitar:

RRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!

This is how I sing, this is how I have FUUUUUUUNNNNNNN!

Thrashing Death Metal, along with my one and only OOOOOONNNNEEEEE!

He shreds his own axe like a freaking beast,

If he can't hold it, he can hold me at least!

Haida-beaaaarrrrr! Haida-beaaaaarrrrr! I love him so muuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuch!

At 6:30 on the dot in Nakano Broadway, Retsuko and Haida are having a dinner at the same restaurant on their first date; this time, it's now a 4-star restaurant with mood lighting at every table/booth. At the same booth where Haida and Retsuko sat on their first date, the lighting above them went to a pinkish hue as they talked about their personal interests. Retsuko, who was wearing a fabulous red dress she found at Alps (she was lucky it was a bargain), complete with a faint violet eye-shade, cherry red lipstick (that literally tastes like cherry), ruby red high heels with white ankle socks underneath, is listening dreamily to Haida, who was wearing a black tuxedo jacket, black jeans, polished black moccasins, a white t-shirt and white ankle socks, counting how many times in the past 5 years he tried to ask Retsuko out on a date.

He then finished as he drummed his fingers while looking up in thought "…and with those 3 times I tried to ask you out that day, the total times I tried and failed to ask you out is—" Retsuko then replied, counting along "One thousand, six hundred and forty-two times. Don't worry Haida-Bear, I've been keeping track." Haida blushed deep red from ear to chin at Retsuko's reply, before he smiled softly at her, having gotten to know nearly everything about her by now. Retsuko then added as she drew her finger along the rim of her wine glass "You know Haida, most people would be put off from persistence like that for 5 years straight… but in MY case, I'm actually pleased you haven't given up for even a second. If you did, I'd have resigned before we even went out." Haida made a flattered smile with his teeth bared wide, which Retsuko is astounded to see her reflection in Haida's pearly white teeth.

Haida then looked down and pursed his lips, before he said "Well… there's one other thing I've been meaning to tell you… but I understand if you want to wait it out or even refuse at present." Retsuko was instantly curious at that and asked "Well… what is it, Haida? Look if it's another secret, I won't hold it against you…" Haida shook his head at Retsuko, before he reached into his pocket and grabbed a small box that even Retsuko can hold it in the palm of her paw. He then said, with the densest blush that Retsuko has ever seen on Haida's innocent face "It's something important… to the both of us…" Haida then passed the small box onto Retsuko's outstretched palm, who was wearing a blush exactly as deep as Haida's wearing, thinking "Did… did he… is it really…?!" She then slowly undid the bow on the small box, before she opened it and made a gasp as she looked inside with welling, glistening eyes and a broad smile to see a ring with a perfectly cut diamond in the shape of a heart.

Slowly, she looked up at Haida and said, feeling like she's going to cry in limitless amounts of joy "Haida? Are… is this… you're not… really?!" Haida twitched a few times, before he nodded with a sincere smile; he then got off the chair and went down on one knee and said, holding Retsuko's left paw gently "Retsuko… Will you marry me?" Retsuko began to cry happily, as Haida puts on the engagement ring onto Retsuko's ring finger; Retsuko looked at the ring she's wearing, seeing her reflection in the diamond as 'Breakaway' by Kelly Clarkson began to play in the background. She then closed her mouth, trembling in pure happiness, before she replied finally "Yes! Yes, Haida!" Retsuko then threw herself to Haida as they twirled around as if Valentine's Day was here already; they then looked at each other with glistening eyes, before they kiss each other in deep, immeasurable passion.

(2 Years Later)

The scene shifts to Haida and Retsuko kissing at the end of the aisle after the pastor pronounced them husband and wife, with everyone at work, their families and even their school friends applauded at them in their marriage. They then held hands as they departed for their honeymoon, hearing chants like "Woo!", "Congratulations, you two!", "I wish you two a happy marriage!" and "It's about time, you two!" Haida and Retsuko then entered the limousine, before being driven to the hotel for their start as a married couple.

Haida then looked at Retsuko and said "I know I said this SO many times, but you are so beautiful." Retsuko then looked up at Haida with glistening eyes and replied "As such, my sweet hubbie, you are so handsome, no matter how many times I've said it already." Haida then smiled calmly at Retsuko, before they shared a soft, tender kiss; 5 minutes later, the limousine stopped outside the Hotel in Shinjuku, before the couple held their hands and exited the limousine.

Retsuko then narrates "Life may not be perfect, there's going to be a crossroad at times, but we only live once. When I started working, I thought I might end up alone and miserable, but it all changed when Haida came into my life. We may be different, but there's one crucial thing we cannot deny: We were meant to be together, for now and forever."

Fin

(A/N: Thank you guys so much for reading my stories so far; it makes me feel so enlightened to hear appraisal in my stories and I'd like to thank you all for reading them. I'm currently deciding on 3 stories I'd like to do next, so please be patient; if you'd like to PM me on which stories I'm mulling about, by all means. Your feedback is always welcome. Thanks again! :'))