Epilogue: A Few Floors Up

Epilogue: A Few Floors Up

Epilogue:

A Few Floors Up

L AUGHTER ECHOED UP FROM BELOW. KOTO FINISHED reading the group chat for the umpteenth time and wiped yet more tears from her eyes.

“I’m so happy. Oh, I’m so glad.”

Together with Tamaki Shintarou, Tsukinoki Koto listened in on their underclassmen down below. She felt her eyes start to well up again.

Tamaki patted Koto on the head. “I know this was hard for you.”

“She’ll be okay now. I think so. Don’t you?”

“I do. And I also think you better keep your voice down before they hear us.”

“I’m trying, okay? I just…” She sniffled. “All I’ve ever wanted is for her to be okay by herself. To get better at dealing with people. But I…” Tamaki offered a tissue. Koto accepted and loudly blew her nose. “I decided all that for her. I was trying to turn her into someone she wasn’t.”

She’d found her people now. Koto’s precious underclassman had found a place to belong all by herself, and that was more than she could possibly ask for.

“She went and grew up on me,” she choked out.

“Komari-chan’s strong,” Tamaki said. “And she’s got Nukumizu too.”

Koto thought about that. “You’re putting a lot of stock in him, huh?”

“He’s more reliable than he looks. Went to him for advice myself once, and you wouldn’t believe how composed he can be. Guy doesn’t act his age sometimes.”

“He’s different. I’ll give you that.”

They had first met back in April, during recruitment season. Koto had managed to get him to sign up for the club, though entirely unwittingly, and she’d never have expected Komari would be able to drag him back.

“Can’t say I thought much of him when he was only in the club on paper. I was grateful when he decided to stick around.” Koto leaned against the rail. “But sometimes I wonder. We’ve put together such a mismatched bunch. How long would it have lasted without a guy like him to balance things out?”

“That supposed to be a compliment?”

“Of the highest caliber. He is an intriguing one indeed.” She nestled against him. “I will say, I’d like to see him pull it together just a little more before I’m totally comfortable trusting him with Komari-chan.”

“They’ll be fine. Trust me. If anyone can make it work, it’s them.”

“You sound like they’re dating already.”

“Hey, anything could happen. I’m just saying better him than some weirdo we’ve never met before, right?”

“What are you, her ex?” Koto pouted and turned away dramatically. “Like she’s yours to give away or whatever.”

“Maybe she is,” Tamaki teased.

Koto glared up at him. “I knew it! You two were getting frisky together, weren’t you?!”

“Of course not. And quiet down before—”

Koto tugged his tie and stole his lips before he could finish. He wouldn’t get the edge on her this time.

“Koto, we’re at school!” he hissed.

“But I quieted down, didn’t I?”

Tamaki hid his quickly reddening cheeks. “You’re an idiot.”

“But I’m your idiot.” Koto beamed.

People were stirring down below, and their voices were getting closer. The jig was up.

“See? So much for subtlety.”

“Eh, that’s fine. The more the merrier.” She turned toward the stairs to greet them.

Nukumizu must have run his mouth again, because Yanami’s voice suddenly cut above all the rest.

“That right there, Nukumizu-kun!”