:::::Chapter 153:::::

Tarou awakens to see Eve cuddling in bed with him. Eve is very relieved he woke up, as he has been unconscious in the hospital for 3 days. He asks where his Dad is, and as it turns out, he's in the next bed over. Dad explains how Eve was released once he passed out. Tarou is happy Eve was okay. Now that Tarou is awake, Eve remembers that she had promised to tell "ibusuki-Kun" as soon as he awoke. She takes off and leaves Tarou and Dad alone.

Dad asks if Tarou's truly okay. Tarou says that's rich coming from him, considering he's at fault for what happened. Dad remembers Ririsu telling him to leave Eve to her. Perhaps feeling some measure of comfort by this, he tells Tarou that he's going back to America the next day.

Just then, Tarou's family comes in. Tarou tells them he's going to come home today. After a cheerful reunion, Kazuki tells him 'don't die on me' in a foreboding way.

Meanwhile, Eve is outside the hospital. She recalls the last time she spoke to Ibusuki. During the flashback, She says that she has something that she wants to ask Ibusuki alone... however she has decided not to do it because the other 'Eve' inside Dad's tornado of FLZs told her that if she knew, it could spell trouble.  Ririsu is puzzled by this 'other Eve.' Eve explains that it came from inside HER, not Tarou's Dad... and how she was devouring the energy from other zombies. Eve says she believes this is something she is capable of doing easily. However interested she might be in the truth, she is under the impression that if she thought about things too deeply, she could end up being separated from Tarou forever... so she cheerfully proclaims that ignorance is bliss.

Ririsu asks her if being with Tarou is still her one and only desire in life... and if so, would she do anything to achieve it? No matter what form it might be?

The next day at Tarou's house, he sees his dad leaving. He asks if he's going to continue his research to try to see FLZs. However, Dad says now his goal is now to find a way to free people from the ability to see FLZs, for Ririsu's sake. Tarou wishes him godspeed. Dad asks one more thing before he leaves, "I've been thinking about it... Ririsu loves you, doesn't she?" Tarou denies it. Dad, however, tells him the truth: When Tarou was unconscious, Ririsu held his head on his lap and wept for him. He tells him that there is not greater joy in this world than to be so lovingly embraced by a woman.

Days later, Tarou goes back to school. He asks Eve if she's okay wearing such an outfit, but she takes the opportunity to flirt with him back.  Just then, Mai Ebino shows up with a sweetly nostalgic expression. They greet each other a bit timidly, but warmly.  Eve then remembers what she talked about with Ririsu.

Ririsu: "No matter what form it might be?" (continued from the conversation above)

Eve: "Form?"

The shot changes to an overhead perspective looking at Ebino.

Ririsu: "For example, even if it meant nurturing Tarou's love for another, and then slumbering by his side?"

The last panel remains focused squarely on Mai Ebino as she recalls this.

End of Chapter