Epilogue

-4 years later-

Yoshiki and Ayumi were 22 now. Ayumi was attending to her art college like she dreamed of and Yoshiki got promoted at his father's business so he got more money now. His father didn't go easy on him on work, so Yoshiki had to work hard to get a promotion. He sometimes would play guitars as his hobby. Ayumi would secretly record them and upload it on YouTube, and it would get a lot of views. Ayumi enjoyed doing this, and she planned not to stop. Ayumi and Yoshiki didn't really have much time together except for weekends. They were okay though, since they knew their lives were busy, and it wouldn't make it easier.

"Ayumi," Yoshiki said. "Remember the balcony in my house?"

"Yea," she said. "Well, the house isn't technically yours."

"What am I supposed to call it then?" He laughed. "Kishinuma estate?"

Ayumi giggled.

"Heehee, maybe."

Ayumi noticed Yoshiki glaring at her. She gulped nervously, then she saw the glaring face turning into a smile. Yoshiki grabbed her and tickled her, smiling evilly.

"Hahaha! Stop, stop! Okay! You can call it anything you want to! Heehee! Stop!"

Yoshiki stopped tickling her. Yoshiki smiled and pecked her on her lips.

"Anyway, can you come by tomorrow?"

She nodded.

"What are you planning, Yoshiki?"

"N-nothing! Just want to see you there."

Yoshiki's face turned red by embarrassment. Ayumi narrowed her eyes and looked at him suspiciously.

"W-what?"

"Heh, I can see you are lying."

"Just wait for tomorrow and you'll see!"

"Okay," she said, "I'll be there."

The next day, Ayumi rang the bell on a fancy door.

"Oh, Ayumi!" Yoshiki's mother said. "Come in, Yoshiki's waiting for you."

"Thank you, Mrs. Kishinuma!"

Ayumi went to the second floor. Miki said hi to her and told her where Yoshiki was. Miki was 19 now. Ayumi realized how fast the time passed. Miki opened the door to the balcony and Ayumi entered. Yoshiki was standing there, smiling. He was wearing a black suit with a black shirt under with a red tie. There was a small round table with a few candles on it. The sky was red since it was sunset, so it made the scenery beautiful.

"Wow," she said in amazement. "What is all this, Yoshiki? You look really...nice!"

"Heh, thanks. Take a seat."

There was two plates of spaghetti on the table along with wines.

"Uhh, I'm not much of a romantic guy," he said. "But I tried my best. Hope you like it."

"This is amazing!" Ayumi exclaimed. "So this was what you planned!"

"Yea," he said, scratching the back of his neck shyly.

Ayumi started eating the spaghetti.

"Did you make this?"

"Y-yes."

"It's so good!"

It was cute to see Yoshiki being all shy and nervous. Normally he was funny and more of confident towards her, but this was different. It kind of reminded her of the moment when she didn't know his feelings.

Yoshiki watched her eat while eating his slowly. He thought everything she did was beautiful. Every time his heart skipped whenever she stared at him with those big blue eyes, but this moment made him more nervous. He had planned for this day since they were in high school. When, most like he dreamt of it. He couldn't believe this was happening. He finally had a moment to say the things he wanted to say. He gulped and cleared his mind. He had to be confident.

"Ayumi," he started. "Do you remember every bits of moment that happened to us?"

"How could I forget? It can still see it vividly."

"And...do you remember the small box Shinuki gave us before she moved on?"

Ayumi nodded. Yoshiki took out the box he had kept with all along.

"She said to open it when we feel the happiest," he said. "I should've opened it sooner, but I wanted to wait for this moment."

Yoshiki slowly opened the box. There were two simple necklaces and a small note.

'These are special charms to keep your feelings to the very end... You may think your feelings will never die down, but it's nearly impossible. Keep these with you all the time...these will make you be together, until the end... Kishinuma, your loyalty has touched me. I want to give you these so the rest of your life will be in no pain... Shinozaki, everyone has a chance... Humans are humans. They make mistakes and hard choices they regret, but they can be forgiven... Also, don't blame things on you when ultimately the fault is on someone else...not everything is your responsibility to take over. I wish you guys have happiness...for eternity...'

Ayumi and Yoshiki took the necklaces.

"I wonder what she was like when she was alive..," Ayumi said. "She must have been nice..."

"She wishes us to be happy..," he said quietly.

"We will," she smiled at him.

"Ayumi..," he said. "Ever since I met you, I knew you would be the only one for me... even if you didn't like me back... I would never love someone else besides you. Everyday feels like a dream to me. You being here with me."

He took out a small case from his pocket. Ayumi gasped, covering her mouth. She started to tear up. He opened the case. He looked straight into Ayumi's eyes and said:

"Will you marry me?"

Yoshiki took out a ring that was inside the case and waited for Ayumi. Tears of happiness were dropping from her. She lifted her hand and accepted the ring. He slid the ring onto her ring finger.

"Of course I will," she said, crying. "I was so wrong when I was young... But now, I wouldn't love anyone else besides you, too. This necklace isn't needed for us to be together, but I'm going to keep it on forever just to remind me that every moment you were there for me. Everyday feels like a dream for me too. I'm happy it isn't a dream."

"I love you, Ayumi..."

"I love you too, Yoshiki..."

They both stood up from each their seats and walked in closer. Yoshiki grabbed her waist and cupped her cheek while Ayumi wrapped her arms around his neck. They stared at each other for a while lovingly while Yoshiki stroke her cheek. Then slowly, they reached in closer, closing their eyes. Their lips met and they started kissing. They were the only beings existing in each others' mind right now. They broke the kiss for air, but they reconnected again.

As they kissed, they imagined of their marriage, getting a baby and raising their own family, which was soon to come.

This may be the end of this story,

but their love will never end...

-The End of Never Forget-