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Satomika's notes: without further ado…

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CODA: DAWN TO A NEW DAY

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"Hope is not the closing of your eyes to the difficulty, the risk, or the failure.

It is a trust that – if I fail now- I shall not fail forever; and if I am hurt, I shall be healed.

It is a trust that life is good, love is powerful, and the future is full of promise."

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Four months have passed since Yuki died and was buried inside the Hanazawa estate, specifically just outside Rui's and Yukimaru's conjoined rooms. And during those four months, Soujiro religiously made pilgrimage to Yuki's grave exactly every seven o' clock in the morning and five o' clock in the afternoon. He always brought fresh flowers with him, along with scented candles. In the mornings, he would perform tea ceremonies in front of her grave until he leaves after an hour for work. In the afternoons, he talked to her grave about his day, the F4, Makino, her son, and his feelings for her which she should have at least known and heard before she left – he did all of these repeatedly, every single day in perfect attendance and strict punctuality.

He loves her, but he still has regrets. Despite that, he keeps on struggling not to taint the memories she left with him. This was his act of penance along with many others that seemed to right the things in his life.

While it was true that he seemed to be pitiful, the sight of him every day outside Rui's house brought a smile on his said friend's face. Well, actually, the unseemly situation he had ridiculously put himself to, Rui was rather amused by his Soujiro's actions.

Because it may be true that the last seven months of Yuki's life was spent with Rui whom she had come to love as equal, and one who had come to love her equally as well, the fact still remains that Soujiro was forever in her heart whom she will always love, had finally come to love her all the same…

…except he was just too late to realize it and let her know.

But still!

Her wish to love someone and be loved by that same person were being fulfilled by two men, that even in the after life, love crossed both time and space; and it will endure to keep doing so.

Love truly is beautiful, as Yuki had believed. It was also amazing and wonderful – something Rui had also come to believe.

Life, in every moment, in every chance, bears a miracle.

"Guys… meet Hanazawa Yukiko."

Rui stepped inside the room where he had asked his friends to gather. With him was another bundle of joy wrapped carefully in pink fluffy sheets.

"She's mine and Yuki's biological daughter, born from an artificial uterus. Despite that, she has both of her parents' genes."

Everyone crowded around Rui and the sleeping babe in his arms. Yukimaru, who was currently perched on Akira's arm, took a curious look as well.

It seemed like Yukiko is immediately welcomed in the F4 family.

"She does seem to have Yuki's lips." Tsukushi said as she leaned in with her son, Tsukishiro, the next Dounyouji heir. "But she has your aristocratic nose."

Rui smiled and then the baby in his arms opened her eyes and looked around in wonder. "She has Yuki's eyes, too." He said.

"Can I be her godfather, as well?" Soujiro asked, motioning if he could take the baby in his arms.

"If that's what you wish, Soujiro. But you have Yukimaru and Tsukishiro on your watch already. I hope you can keep up." Rui responded and placed carefully his daughter in Soujiro's waiting arms.

"It's not like I have kids on my own. The only thing I have to concentrate on is the family business. Besides, I like hanging around with the kids." Soujiro replied as he wiggled his eyebrows and made cooing noises to entertain the baby in his arms.

Rui smiled once again. Truly life bears a miracle in every moment and in every chance. Yuki's departure brought tears in everyone; but it made the bond of their family of friends stronger – that despite the tears, there were genuine smiles and melodious laughter. There were also regrets; but there were acts of penance and words of forgiveness.

Everyone moved on, but they didn't move away. They lived life and never missed a chance – which truly shows the majestic power of love as it conquers with the good of life to a promising future.

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