Epilogue

They stood at the station on the first day of spring.

"Are you sure about this?" Sayaka said.

"It's something I have to do," Mami said, laying a hand on her shoulder. "I'm sorry."

"Just hurry up already," Kyouko said. She caught Sayaka's glare. "What? I didn't even want to come in the first place."

"You have no manners at all!"

Mami laughed. "It's alright. I'm sure Kyouko's just saying goodbye, in her own way."

"Yeah, right," Kyouko muttered just loudly enough for them to hear, but as Sayaka opened her mouth to admonish her, the speakers announced the arrival of the train, would all passengers please get ready? Mami and Homura hefted their suitcases, their entire lives – Mami with one suitcase, Homura with none.

"I guess this is it," Mami said.

"One day," Kyouko said. "One day, we'll see each other again. And settle it between us."

"Of course."

"And…" Kyouko turned to Homura, hesitating. "I hope you find whatever it is you're looking for."

Homura nodded.

Sayaka hugged them both in turn. "I'll miss you," she said, waving goodbye. The doors closed. Those few feet were the furthest they had ever been apart.

The wheels rumbled to life. Sayaka waved her arms while Kyouko stood with her hands in her pockets, hair flying in the wind as the train rushed by. Above them the sky was copper-colored and cloudless. The tracks stretched endlessly in both directions, on one side towards the mountains, on the other side towards the sea. Besides the tracks the first batch of chrysanthemums had started to bloom.

For a long time they watched the train until it vanished in the distance. Then, holding hands, they left the station.

A/N: That's the end! I hope you all enjoyed reading. I'd like to thank all my readers, especially the ones who stuck it out with me for over two years, and especially the ones who took the time to comment on every chapter (you know who you are). I know my release schedule is sporadic at best. This was the longest anything I've ever written and it'll likely hold that record for many years. I wouldn't have made it this far without all of you!