Yoimiya's fireworks took nearly a month to finish before they finally reached Kael's hands.
She looked at him with a bright, confident grin.
"I poured everything I've ever learned into this. There won't be a single firework in the world more spectacular than this one. The White Heron Princess is gonna love it."
Kael accepted the fireworks with solemn care.
"I trust your craftsmanship. By the way… how much do I owe you for these?"
Yoimiya waved her hand dismissively. "Didn't you say it yourself? We're bonded by life and death. I'm giving you these fireworks as a wedding gift—for you and the White Heron Princess."
Her tone was relaxed and natural, as if she really had let go of all her old feelings.
Seeing her like this left Kael a little hollow… but more than anything, relieved for her.
This entire life simulation existed for Kamisato Ayaka. He couldn't split himself between two hearts—he had to be fully by Ayaka's side.
The feelings Yoimiya had for him in the simulation were something he was destined to disappoint.
But if she'd truly moved on… that was for the best.
---
Kael had less than a month left in this simulated life.
He had to schedule the proposal to Kamisato Ayaka soon.
One quiet evening, just like always, Kael prepared a hearty dinner for her.
After they finished eating, the two of them went out to the backyard to watch the stars.
Kael told her everything that had been happening lately in Inazuma and the Yashiro Commission.
Ayaka was perfectly content being the woman supporting him from behind the scenes, handling internal household matters for him.
But Kael couldn't stand the thought of burying her talent.
Her intellect and capability were far too great to be spent on trivial chores.
In both reality and the life simulations, Kamisato Ayaka held immense influence in the Yashiro Commission—and throughout Inazuma.
His original plan was to wait until her health fully recovered, then hand his current position back over to her.
But Ayaka had refused.
"Kael… the only thing I want is to stay by your side. I want to take care of you and my brother. A simple, happy life like this is all I've ever wished for."
"I only handled the clan's affairs before because I wanted to ease my brother's workload… and because it let me gather intel about you when you were with the Resistance."
"Now that you're home, all I want is to stay by your side every night."
Hearing that, Kael could only give up on his original plan.
Instead, he made sure to share everything about his work with her every day.
He wanted her to be ready for anything. If the day ever came when she wanted to step back into politics, she wouldn't be out of touch.
"Inazuma's preparing for a festival next month, right?" Ayaka sighed softly. "When that happens, the Yashiro Commission is going to be so busy. You won't be able to stay with me like this anymore."
Kael's gentle, unwavering care these past weeks had filled Ayaka with a deep sense of safety.
It made her comfortable enough to speak honestly, even selfishly—something the old Ayaka would've never dared.
Kael brushed his hand over her head.
"What's wrong? Missing me already?"
Ayaka's cheeks flushed. She whispered, barely audible, "Whenever you're not beside me… I can't stop thinking about you…"
Kael looked at her with warm affection, a soft smile tugging at his lips.
"Next month, you won't even have time to think about me."
Ayaka blinked at him, puzzled. "Huh? Wh—"
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
A series of thunderous explosions cut her off.
Massive fireworks burst across the sky, lighting up both of their faces.
Before those faded, even more shot up toward the heavens, exploding in every color imaginable—changing, shimmering, dazzling like flowing stardust.
It was even grander than the fireworks of Inazuma's festivals.
People on the streets stopped walking altogether, entranced by the spectacle.
Yoimiya, standing alone somewhere far from the Kamisato estate, watched quietly in that direction.
The moment the enormous blossoms of light began unfolding across the night sky, she smiled…
Just as she expected—this really was the greatest firework she had ever crafted.
Kael was probably proposing to the White Heron Princess right now…
A single tear slid from the corner of Yoimiya's eye, trailing down her cheek even as her smile stayed in place.
---
Kael gazed up at the night sky in quiet awe.
Yoimiya had said she used everything she'd ever learned to create these fireworks—and she hadn't exaggerated in the slightest.
They were breathtaking.
Brilliant fireworks shot skyward, bursting open in the air. Some streaked across the sky like meteors, others weaved around like glowing serpents.
And when the finale came, a waterfall of light poured downward, shifting into the shapes of a white crane and a white heron.
Their necks intertwined tenderly, radiating pure devotion.
Ayaka stood frozen, head tilted up, stunned speechless by the sight.
Kael stepped in front of her, meeting her eyes with absolute seriousness.
"Ayaka… will you marry me?"
The moment the fireworks bloomed, Ayaka already knew her answer.
But hearing him say the words out loud made her tears spill all at once.
She had waited more than five long years for this sentence.
Ever since she was a small child, she had dreamed of becoming Kael's wife.
And when Kael died, that dream had died with him.
She never imagined she'd get the chance to hear those words again…
Happiness hit her so suddenly and so intensely that it terrified her.
She felt like she was living inside a dream.
Was this real…?
Was this really not a dream…?
She threw herself into Kael's arms, clinging to him with everything she had as sobs shook through her.
"I… do…"
And if this really was a dream, then she never wanted to wake up.