A New Beginning - Epilogue

Part 5: https://pastebin.com/EswiGZbz

The sun proceeds with its retreat behind the horizon as I ascend the subway stairs and emerge onto the street near home.

The past couple of days have changed my perspective on life a lot.

My attention turns to Kenji as I see our apartment building up ahead.

Part of me wants to beat the living shit out of him for bailing yesterday, but at the same time, what would have happened if he did turn up?

I guess I'm still worried if the school find out we stayed there for the night and get the authorities involved.

But still though, why were the gates open anyway? Why could we roam around the main building freely and why did the gates open the next morning?

It just doesn't make any sense. I have tried to come to some sort of logical conclusion but alas, I can't fathom one.

I enter the cold, dimly lit structure and make my way up to my home.

I will get out of here someday, whether Kenji likes it or not.

My spine shivers as I approach the door; all of this feeling more like a prison than a home all of a sudden.

I perform the usual routine almost instinctively, but nothing happens. No bolts move, no locks snap as they rotate.

"Kenji! It's me, man! Open up!"

...

...

Silence

I reach into my pocket and retrieve my door key which had become redundant unless Kenji isn't home, but the odds of that are pretty spectacular.

As I feel the lock move, the door begins to creak open; none of the aforementioned bolts are in place.

I feel a sense of trepidation as I enter, where the hell is he?

To my surprise, the apartment is completely spotless; all the surfaces were clean, all trash had been removed, and a clean, comforting smell fills my nostrils.

I enter and find Kenji's room completely cleaned; his bed was neatly made up with bland white and cream covers.

Something definitely feels wrong here.

My suspicions were all but confirmed when I notice a letter addressed to me on the table since it wasn't posted.

"Hisao,"

"When I first met you, I thought you would have succumbed to the feminist's ways in a matter of months but you stood strong."

"When everyone thought I was going mad, you stood by me, and together we went against them. Us VS the world."

"But now times have changed. We cannot fight the war based on old thinking, we need to save future generations from the fate they intend for us."

"By this point, you are probably wondering whether this has anything to tie into to recent events, and the answer is yes."

"In the past year I came to realize not all women are feminists, and not all feminists are women."

"As that realization hit me, so did another. You dedicated yourself to the cause so well that we have done all we can do, it's time to train a new generation."

"With that being said, I watched over your friends from Yamaku and determined they aren't feminists either. With the exception of the deaf one, so I had her neutralized so to speak."

"For us to progress and keep up the battle, we need to expand."

"That's why I planned all of this. I want you to take up arms alongside one of them and pass our teachings onto the next generation; with the hope as they grow, our support will."

"I am already doing my bit. I have a partner and a new generation to pass my teachings onto as well."

"With a little help, I have completely cleaned the apartment out and enclosed enough cash to cover your bills until you move out and start your new direction."

"I won't be returning to live with you as that location may be compromised, but let it be said, this is not goodbye."

"Thank you for your support, my friend. I wish you all the best."

"Your brother in arms."

"Kenji."

I feel numb as I sink back into my chair.

How?

How did he get the school on board with his plan?

My mind is abuzz with all manner of different questions that may never get answered.

I peer inside the envelope with the hopes of finding out, I retrieve the envelope containing the money he had left alongside a photo.

A photo of Kenji.

With his partner, someone I haven't seen for a very long time but still as familiar as the day I first met her.