As the English-translated Maison Ikkoku by Viz draws to a
close, I felt the need to write a little something to end
this series properly.
Maison Ikkoku is the property of Takahashi-sama.
---
Time's Promise
A Maison Ikkoku Fanfic
By Kagami
---
Kentaro Ichinose walked up to the front of Ikkoku-kan,
enjoying the late afternoon sun. Fish for dinner, he
realized with a pang of delight. Likely, there would be
just enough time to go down to the public baths before
dinner time. He reached for the door knob, then paused as
it was opened from the inside.
"Oh, Kanrinin-san." He noted her black dress and the paper-
wrapped bundle she carried. "Is it that time, already?" he
asked.
"Kentaro-san, welcome back," Kyoko replied, bowing
slightly. "Yes, I'll be home later. If there should be any
problems--"
"I'm sure we can handle it, Kanrinin-san. Please don't
worry." She smiled in reply and bowed her thanks. He waved
as she turned down the hilly slope towards the station.
Summer already, he thought, looking up at the clear sky. A
gentle breeze stirred several leaves that would undoubtedly
be swept away come the morning. Has it really been that
long? Sighing, he turned to open the front door to his home
for the past forty years.
---
The headstone looked more worn every year, Kyoko thought
as she knelt. She laid the sushi rolls before the grave.
Her hand reached out involuntarily to trace the characters
that marked the headstone:
Yusaku Godai
Beloved husband and father.
1961-2021
"In the end, you couldn't even keep that promise to me."
"Baka."
She smiled fondly, before bowing her head in prayer.
---
(1) Time's promise is death, of course.
(2) The promise of which Kyoko speaks was for Godai to
outlive her.