What a wild and arduous journey it has been writing this fic. I am only sorry it has taken me so long to write it up. Hope you enjoy this final chapter.
Disclaimer: Jigoku Shoujo does not belong to me. It belongs instead to Miyuki Eto.
Jigoku Shoujo Season 1: Aftermath
Chapter 26: Moving On?
Hajime and Tsugumi Shibata
This was it. The sorrow, anguish, and search for answers all disintegrated with the flames that steadily consumed the temple. The two mortals watched on in somber contentment. The one responsible had left moments ago with her other three cohorts into the sunset leaving the two mortals to their own devices. Hajime Shibata turned to his only daughter who in turn walked hand in hand down the stone steps with one question in mind: where do we go from here?
Years later….
A slightly older brunette gentlemen with a light goatee carried a box full of breakables over to a mini Sedan. He gently placed the merchandise in the trunk before stabilizing himself upward. He wiped some sweat from his brow and smiled. However, if one were to look closer they would see it was a broken smile. Walking toward the car with another box was a beautiful young woman with long flowing brown hair with a slight fringe, soft brown eyes, and pale skin. She was adorned in a pink sleeveless dress. At a glance, they appeared to be husband and wife were it not for the slight wrinkles and hints of gray in his hair. The two shared a glance before hugging one another tightly. The woman placed a hand on her father's cheek.
"Remember to take care of yourself, Hajime-san" she spoke softly. Hajime nodded and looked on sadly at the young woman who at one time been a little girl. Now here she was; a grown woman of 18 on her way to attend Tokyo University on the other side of town. "I will Tsugumi. I always have" he replied. One last hug before Tsugumi got into her car and waved to him from her window. The car soon disappeared around the corner and Hajime sighed. It was almost reminiscent of when…he shook his head of the depressing memories that threatened to cloud the happiness he felt for his only child. The young girl who resembled his late wife so much, it hurt to have to look at her sometime. She was smart as a whip too. She definitely would not repeat his mistakes.
He walked through the cemetery until he had reached the headstone he was searching for. Bending over slightly, he placed the bouquet of flowers in front and said a silent prayer. His eyes grew somber as he reminisced his life. After the arrangement with Enma Ai, things became more or less strained between him and Tsugumi. Not to be mistaken, they were closer than before though it was tense. After finding out how he subsequently abandoned her after marrying her for a story, neglected her, gave her broken promises, cruelly rebuffed her upon being discovered for a one time affair, then driving her away, and being the imminent cause of her demise; Tsugumi regarded her dad with a weary glance. She had been given a choice by Ai but chose not to follow through with the horrifying request. Besides, isn't that why they began this futile quest? He already promised Ai's grandmother in exchange for putting a stop to Ai's malicious intent to punish his past self, she would allow him to go free given that he quit interfering in affairs regarding the supernatural and write and record the experiences of the people who had come into contact with her over the years (1). The closest he came to breaking the promise was during the Lovely Hills episode but was pulled back due to the reminder of the old woman's request. He was certain next time, he would never be able to go back. It would not be the first harrowing ordeal he experience.
The aftermath of Ayumi's death had wrought some vicious retaliation. Bereft family members and friends of the deceased were quick to point blame and scorn upon the man they claimed responsible for their loved ones demise. They would demand that he relinquish custody of Tsugumi since it made sense that he neglected Ayumi, so why should her daughter be the exception? The man could write a lengthy book of the hell he faced: The courtroom visits, the impromptu visits from social workers, false accusations of neglect and abuse, scathing insults from close acquaintances telling him to 'go die' or 'you're not worthy of life Shibata' or even 'if you had been a better husband and father rather than a reporter, you wouldn't have to deal with people hating you so much'. It was until Ayumi's parents spoke up to quell the relentless persecution, did the family and friends finally back off. While they were sad about Ayumi's passing, they knew no 'revenge' would bring her back. Plus, it was not good for Tsugumi's health to be surrounded by so much negative energy.
Hajime was granted custody of Tsugumi in the end, given that he cut down on work hours and he could find someone to be with her on days he couldn't. Unfortunately, it did little to stop the ire directed at him from individuals who were miffed at the 'injustice'. Hajime eventually situated he and Tsugumi in a loft the next town over where he worked as a newspaper columnist. Hajime chuckled to himself. Come to think of it, he truly was a pretty crummy excuse of a human being. While playing the role of the respectable reporter earning a decent wage to provide a better life for himself and his kid, there he was blackmailing celebrities and politicians for a good story and money. Ironically, he was also neglecting Tsugumi the way he had Ayumi. And all it took was one Jigoku Shoujo to show him that.
He bade goodbye to Ayumi before departing the cemetery. He had work to get back to. Finally, reaching his home he took a moment to observe his lonesome abode. He inhaled and exhaled before walking over to his desktop laptop. He had begun the book that told the story of the people who had experienced the Jigoku Shoujo myth and how they lived their lives afterward. Of course, he made sure to use alternate alias for the heroines otherwise face litigation. It was a difficult process since not too many people were willing to share their life stories with a sketchy reporter. Takuma Kurebayashi certainly did well to separate himself from the equation after the town of Lovely Hills vacated. It irked Shibata for sure. Finally he came to a solution.
Jigoku Shoujo Blog
SavedFromDamnation22*:
I am a writer looking to get in contact with a handful of individuals for a book I am writing. I understand many of you are thinking I'm some hack looking to achieve his momentary notice of fame. A few years ago, I would have likely thought the same thing and laughed it off as a joke. Rest assured this is not the case. I am someone who knows your pain and understand the frustration of being unable to voice out your thoughts, fears, and uncertainties associated with the topic of Hell Girl. You probably even been called a liar by some or crazy. I am writing to all of you because I wish to help all of you vent out and finally let your stories be told, so the world can finally know. If you are interested, blog me back at the following address below
SavedFromDamnation22*
Phone #: XXX-XXX-XXXX
Email: .com
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Jigoku Shoujo Season 1: Aftermath chapter index
Chapter 1: The Model Student
Mayumi Hashimoto
Chapter 2: Fear of Men
Ryoko Takamura
Chapter 3: Regaining a Reputation
Daisuke Iwashita
Chapter 4: Dog Eat Dog World
Junko Kanno
Chapter 5: Girl To Manipulator
Masato Tamura
Chapter 6: Forgiving the Faultless
Haruka Yasuda
Chapter 7: Raise Your Voice
Kaoruko Kurushima
Chapter 8: Face Plant
Chie Tanuma
Chapter 9: Just Desserts
Yuka and Hiromi Kasuga
Chapter 10: Backstabber
Minami Shibuya
Chapter 11: Desperate
Masaya Kataoka
Chapter 12: Solace
Akane Sawai
Chatper 13: Worth It
Fukumuto
Chapter 14: Satisfied?
Saki Kirino
Chapter 15: Family Portrait
Mina Minato
Chapter 16: No one mourns the wicked
Yumi
Chapter 17: Papa's Angel
Nina
Chapter 18: Safeguard The Innocent
Miki Kawakami
Chapter 19: A free doll
Inori Yujie
Chapter 20: The Price of Stardom
Hiroshi Watanabe
Chapter 21: Karma's A Bitch
Yuko Muroi
Chapter 22: Marital Woes
Goro Ishizu
Chapter 23: Saving A Kindred Soul
Kanako Sakuragi
Chapter 24: Remembering Love
Sentarou
Chapter 25: Ai Enma
Chapter 26: Moving On?
Hajime and Tsugumi Shibata
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"sighs"
And we are finished. I am proud of this one particular piece of art I concocted myself. I would also like to take the time to thank my supportive fans who stayed with me through the journey and helped encourage the writing process. I for one could not have been prouder. Sad to say my innate tendency to procrastinate and get distracted by other things got the best of me. Needless to say, this was worth it.
If I could change something it would be to plan wisely and prioritize. Other things may come along but that is life. What did you think? You believe justice was done to Hajime's character. Even though he redeemed himself near the end, in my opinion he is a P.O.S. who doesn't deserve to be a father or a husband. He is also a self-righteous, judgmental, hypocrite. Glad to know that the children of this anime take side with their mothers if that is how the father's behave. Not to say all Japanese men are like that. Check chapter 6 to see my footnotes. With that I leave you all with a fond farewell. Possibly I could write a sequel. However, it appears authoress named lovecartoonsandanime has taken up that honor herself. She has done amazingly well. Though there is a part II I plan to do. Who knows? Until then, Celestialfae out.
Footnotes:
1) At least that is what I can gather given
2) Season 2. Tsugumi only made a brief appearance where she refused a playdate with Kikuri
3) Season 2, boy unfairly persecuted by the townspeople of Lovely Hills