Hey there! Been a while huh? I updated this fic for the last time last year. Well I'm back with the final chapter, the epilogue. I hope you're going to like it!

It was hard to believe that it really happened. It was even harder to believe everything happened in less than a day. It felt like they were trapped in this prison for an eternity, or that everything had only been a horrible nightmare.

But, surrounded by the other survivors, Aki was forced to admit that it really happened. Sitting next to him was Isuko, who seemed pretty tensed. Aki instinctively grabbed his friend's hand, who responded by squeezing it softly.

After they failed to find back Nio and Tori, Haru called a transport for all the kids, a limousine to reward them for their courage. The parents were following them from their own vehicles.

The Hanabusa twins were sitting next to each other, Mitsumi's head resting on Sayo's shoulder. Next to them was Chidori and Tsurugi, holding each other. Ryuka was lying down on Yuki's lap, weakened by her injuries. Asuka was on her own, checking her phone.

"So, huh… that sure was something huh," Aki suddenly said, trying to break the uncomfortable silence.

"If by 'something' you mean being kidnapped by a psychopath and forced to compete in a deadly game, then yes, it was something," Chidori replied.

"Hey, my guardian is a psychopath, don't throw that word so carelessly!" Ryuka reprimanded.

"So we know where you got your psycho tendencies," Sayo said.

"Oh you shut up, you can't talk, just look at your sister..." Ryuka replied.

Sayo looked like she was about to reply, but remained silent, with a look of shame on her face. Mitsumi didn't seem to have heard, seemingly asleep. Chidori looked hesitating for a moment before she put a comforting hand on Sayo's shoulder.

"Too bad we didn't watch that son of a bitch," Isuko said. "I swear if I see that bastard again-"

"You'll get beaten just like I beat your ass?" Ryuka interrupted him with a smirk.

"Excuse me? If I remember correctly, I beat your ass! Everyone did!"

"Well actually, Kenshi sustained injuries primarily on her face," Yuki said.

"That's… that's an expression," Isuko replied in disbelief.

Surprisingly, Yuki's cluelessness made most of them laugh. After everything they had been through, a burst of good collective laughter was what they desperately needed.

"But damn, our mothers sure were pretty badass huh… especially mines," Sayo said.

"Mines were way cooler," Isuko protested.

"Excuse me? My mom is a literal motherfuckin' cyborg!"

"Your mother is a cyborg that sleeps with other mothers?" Yuki asked.

"No! Well, yeah, technically… she does sleep with her wife, who's also my mom, so…"

"Please don't indulge her," Ryuka replied.

A second wave of laughter resonated in the car. Yuki looked confused for a moment before she cracked a weak smile.

"Hey guys, how about… we exchange phone numbers?" Aki suddenly proposed.

"What, just like we went to some summer camp together?" Chidori replied.

"I don't want any of you losers' numbers," Ryuka said.

"We don't want your number too," Sayo replied.

"Guys, I'm serious! After what we went through together, it would be a shame to not stay in touch."

"I agree with Azuma. Not that it affects me, I already got all your phone numbers anyway," Asuka said as she typed on her phone.

"I don't mind it," Yuki said.

"Same here," Chidori added.

Nobody seemed to object to Aki's suggestion and they shared their numbers, except Ryuka. But Aki already had her number, given that they met once before the game.

The car suddenly stopped. Sayo looked through the window and then woke up her sister, gently shaking her shoulder.

"Mitsu-chan, we're home," Sayo said softly.

Mitsumi opened her eyes and looked around, looking worried, but immediately calmed down when she saw her sister.

"Sayo onee-chan…" she whispered with a smile.

Sayo smiled back and opened the door before she looked at the other kids.

"Seeya around, I guess," Sayo said.

She then took a look at Chidori, who remained silent. Sayo helped her sister to get out of the car, but before she could close the door, Chidori suddenly grabbed her arm.

"Wait, Sayo-san…" Chidori began before she hesitated for a moment. "T-Take care of yourself."

Sayo looked surprised for a moment before she smirked.

"You too, Chi-chan."

Sayo closed the door and the car started back.

"Finally, the psycho twins are gone," Ryuka let out.

"You're one to talk," Chidori replied.

"I'm not a psychopath, I'm a high-functioning sociopath. Do your research."

"'High-functioning'?" Chidori said with doubt.

"I mean, yeah my mask may have slipped today, but I swear at school I look totally normal and I'm very liked."

"I don't know what you're talking about, Kenshi is nice with everyone at school and always stand up for others," Yuki replied.

"See? I'm high-functioning," Ryuka said with a smirk.

"I don't feel like being able to deceive Fujimoto-san is a good proof," Chidori replied.

"Don't you dare call Yuki-chan stupid!"

"Eh?" Yuki said.

"I didn't! You're putting words in my mouth."

"Oh, trust me, I can put more than that in your mouth."

Tsurugi instinctively got in front of his sister, protective. Ryuka simply chuckled.

"Relax, I ain't into kids."

"I'm not a kid! I'm 13 nearly 14!" Chidori protested, offended.

"Technically speaking, you are culturally considered a teenager when you reach 13. But biologically speaking, a kid is someone who is prepubescent. Not everyone reaches puberty at the same time, so it's possible that Namatame-san may not have reached her puberty yet. So biologically she would still be a kid, but socially she is a teenager."

"See? You're a kid," Ryuka taunted with a smirk.

"I bet you didn't even understand her explanation," Chidori replied.

"All I heard is 'she's biologically a kid' and that's all I needed to know."

Chidori signed, exasperated, while her brother put a comforting hand on her shoulder. The car stopped once again. They all looked through the window to see if it was their house.

"Oh Kenshi, it's your house."

"Finally I can get away from here!"

"The feeling is mutual," Chidori replied.

Ryuka ignored her and tried to rose up and reached the door, but she couldn't, too weakened by her wounds. Yuki opened the door and helped her get back on her feet and they both left the car.

"I don't live too far away from here, I'll bring you back home," Yuki proposed.

"I don't need your- ouch...!" Ryuka said. "... Fine, you may help me."

Yuki closed back the door and the car started back.

"Good riddance…" Chidori replied.

"Not really a fan of Kenshi-san huh," Aki said.

"Who would? That bitch is crazy!" Isuke exclaimed.

"I punched her in the face," Tsurugi admitted.

"Wow, for once you did something good. Your hair is still awful tho."

"Don't insult my big brother! You're just jealous of him," Chidori let out.

"Eh!? Jealous of what? His greasy spiky hair?"

"No, that he, unlike you, doesn't need to be a prick to others to feel good about himself. That's a sign of really low self-esteem, and maybe even a way to compensate for your small di-"

"I won't let a brat talk to me like that!" Isuko interrupted her, red of shame.

"Guys, please, no more fighting! After what we went through together, I don't want to see us tear each other down again," Aki pleaded.

Isuko looked hesitating for a moment until Aki gently squeezed his hand, and he let out a sigh.

"Fine, I'll behave," Isuko said.

Chidori remained quiet until her brother gave her a soft pat on her head and she crossed her arms and looked away.

"Okay… I will too," Chidori mumbled between her teeth.

The car once again stopped and Tsurugi undid his security belt.

"We're home Chidori, let's go."

"Yes, oni-chan!"

As he grabbed the handle, Tsurugi turned towards Aki and gave him a friendly smile.

"It was nice to meet you, Azuma-kun. Hopefully we can see each other again?"

"Of course we will," Aki replied with a cheerful smile. "We are friends, aren't we?"

Isuko grunted at those words. Aki and Tsurugi exchanged a friendly handshake and the Namatame siblings left the car, which started back once again.

The rest of the travel remained quiet until Isuko broke the silence.

"Hey, you over there. You've been awfully quiet. And here I thought you were the type of person who likes to hear the sounds of her voice."

Asuka rose her nose from her phone and grinned.

"Did you miss my beautiful voice, Inukai-kun?"

"As much as I miss the sound of nails on a board," Isuko replied.

"Hahaha, you're a funny one, aren't you? I'm just busy online. You see, I'm quite something on the web, I've my blog to keep updated and stuff. Since there wasn't any wifi during the game, I couldn't work on those. I've no time to lose, my followers need me."

"Pff… nerd," Isuko mumbled.

The car stopped once again and Aki recognized his house. After everything he went through, he was finally home. The nightmare was finally over.

Aki opened the door and stepped inside, but as he was about to close it, he met resistance. He turned back to see Isuko got out of the car too, closing the door behind him. Then the limousine continued its way with only Asuka and the driver inside.

"Isuko-senpai?"

Isuko looked down for a moment, seeming embarassed, before he finally gazed at Aki in the eyes.

"What are you doing here?" Aki asked.

"We live in the same neighbourhood, I can go back home on foot. Beside, I… I wanted… I need to tell you something. Something I couldn't during the game, something I've been hiding from you out of petty pride and… fear."

Aki then remembered something Isuko told him, before he got interrupted by Tsurugi.

"You said… that you had feelings for me, right?" Aki asked.

Isuko suddenly blushed and look away for a moment. He then took a deep breath and looked back at his schoolmate.

"Aki… I… I lo… I love you! I always had from the moment we met! And not just as a friend, I… I have romantic feelings for you. I want you to be my boyfriend!"

Aki remained shocked. He was not expecting to hear those words. Never in his life did he thought Isuko would be in love with him.

That his own love was mutual.

Faced with Aki's silence, Isuko looked worried and embarrassed, as if he had committed a mistake.

"I… I'm sorry, Aki… I don't want to impose my feelings on-"

Before he could finish his sentence, Aki jumped towards him and sealed his mouth with a soft and chaste kiss. Isuko froze for a moment, as if he was shocked, before he kissed Aki back. Both boys were holding each other tenderly as they continue to kiss passionately, desperately needing it. After the hell they went through, they needed it, they needed to be comforted and know they were still alive, that they survived.

Aki eventually broke the kiss, gently cupping Isuko's cheek with his hand and looking at him lovingly.

"I love you too, Isuko," Aki said with a sweet smile. "I always had too."

Isuko almost looked like he was about to cry of joy as he kissed back Aki, sealing their new statues as boyfriends.

The world was indeed full of love.

And this is the end of Tenshi no Riddle. I hope you liked it. And don't worry, I'm not over with the AnR kids. I intend to make a compilation fic with various one-shots about them about their daily life and the couples, so stay tuned! Love you all ^^