Author's Note: The end. Thank you for sticking through, I hope you enjoyed it. xo

XIV.

Winter had come and gone, leaving with the promise of spring. He had spent the last three days in a daze, unable or perhaps unwilling to see anyone, or talk to anyone at all. He had declined to meet his friends that day, claiming to be still exhausted. Both Sora and Taichi had called to check in, promising they'd plan another outing soon. Takeru had known better but did not pursue it, and for that, he was thankful.

They were meeting at the Odaiba Seaside Park that evening, Taichi had texted him saying so. Celebrations were still going on all over Japan, and the night would be ripe with festivities, games and food. He didn't confirm his assistance, unsure himself if he would be able to make it or not. When the afternoon found him taking the Yurikamome Line to Tokyo Bay, he was as surprised as anyone else. His feet felt like lead as he walked towards them, but he forced a small smile to his face.

"Yamato-san!" Hikari exclaimed happily. The rest turned to meet him with their own grins and happy waves, clapping his back and hugging him lightly.

"I'm starting to think you just like a dramatic entrance," Taichi said, lips pursed.

Yamato shrugged. "I can't help it if I'm missed, Taichi."

His eyes involuntarily looked for Mimi, but he was unable to find her. Before he asked, Koushiro answered his question. "Mimi-chan said she'd wait by the Ferris wheel," he smiled, "Why don't you go ahead while we wait for Miyako-chan?"

The blonde looked at the redhead for a moment, but he only nodded encouragingly. Takeru had one arm around Hikari's shoulders, the other around their American friend, Wallace. The three were laughing at something Daisuke clearly had missed. No-one was paying them any attention, not when Taichi yelled into Jyou's phone, demanding to know what was taking Miyako so long while Sora and Saegusa Mayumi, Jyou's pretty friend, shook their heads, amused.

Yamato slipped away quietly, his mind set on one thing only. When he arrived at the Ferris wheel, he panicked a little, wondering if she hadn't left. But then his blue eyes found her, standing idly by a booth that offered good-luck charms and other whatnot. Her cinnamon-coloured hair was bound in a loose braid; from where he stood it looked like a mermaid's tail, shining under the fairy lights.

The blonde approached her slowly, his hands deep inside his jeans' pockets. She was wearing a light pink coat, but he would have recognised her even without it. "See anything you like?" he asked.

"Yama-kun," Mimi said softly, her smile small and shy. She shrugged. "I wasn't really seeing them – too many things. I get distracted."

"I'm familiar with the feeling," he replied. His smile faltered a little. "I never got around to thanking you," he licked his lips. "For being there that night."

"I wouldn't have missed it for the world. Neither of us would have."

"And I appreciate that." He looked ahead at the Ferris wheel. "Will you come with me?" he offered a hand.

Mimi stared at him, hesitating.

"Please, Mi-rin."

She nodded, but she did not take his hand. They walked towards the Ferris wheel line, luckily managing the last two-person booth (he would later vehemently deny having planned such a thing). Yamato helped her up, then climbed into the small space after her.

"I wasn't expecting to see you tonight," she admitted after a moment, her eyes fixed on his face now as the wheel started.

"Were you waiting for someone else?" he asked, his voice quiet. He drew closer to her, resting his forehead on her shoulder. His hand sought hers and brought it to his lips.

"You're the only one I've waited for, Yama-kun," Mimi replied softly. "Did it take you long to find me?" She let out a sigh, drawing him closer, her hand gripping his tightly as he pressed a soft kiss to her shoulder.

"I'm here now," he murmured into her hair, "I'm home."