HKZ-164

Chapter 164

Tarou believes Ririsu is still in Japan. When they went to her manor to see her, Ebino had asked if she was still in the country. Harisuri the butler said that she was simply not present in the manor at the moment, which was not a hard denial. Ibusuki is supposed to return home with her mother, who still has business in Japan facilitating trade between Japanese and foreign companies, so Tarou surmises that she is probably still in Japan. He says he will go see the butler to confirm.

As he's getting ready, Ebino lays a jacket on his back, and tells him he'll freeze to death if he goes out dressed as he is. She gives him a scarf as well, and asks if he has gloves. Tarou tells her that there is a pair in the pocket of his coat, and asks if he could use them. Ebino sadly looks at them as she says "Well obviously, I gave them to you."

Tarou puts them on, and thanks her for helping him (and Eve) open his mind to realize the truth. Ebino looks sad once again, and earnestly encourages Tarou by telling him that Ririsu will definitely come back with him.  She begins to think to herself: "I have much I want to say to Ririsu. I'm angry at her, she tried to handle everything by herself and deceived me as well. She never told me how she really felt... even if she says she's my friend, that's not the kind of thing a friend would do. However, I don't know what it's like to live like Ririsu had do live. She had to hold these incredible feelings of terror and pain by herself, unable to tell anybody as she continued to keep her secret close. This was a battle she had to fight all by herself."

Ebino begins speaking to Tarou. "Could anybody but you be able to save that girl?" Tarou thinks to himself, "I get it. I will definitely find a way to bring 'her' back." (Her is emphasized) Ebino smiles and says "I'll be waiting for you! Good luck!" As Tarou walks away from her.

But, suddenly Mei busts out of the door. She has a panicked look on her face as she yells at him to stop. Tarou turns around and begins to tell her something. "Ebino.., I-" but before he can start, Ebino interrupts him. "I have something to say. Since you started to change so suddenly, my heart also began to change as if I was being drawn to you. But, it was all thanks to Eve, huh? You were changed some girl I didn't even know, and so my precious feelings are unable to reach you." Ebino is trying her hardest to smile through the pain. Tarou, meanwhile, looks as if he is about to cry, himself. Ebino says to him "I'm glad that I didn't say it then. Now hurry up and go!" as she pushes him forward.

As Tarou walks away, he says under his breath "Some things are better left unsaid..." He thinks to himself that her pure feelings are truly beautiful and precious, and hopes that she will keep them in her heart until it's the right time.

Ebino now stands by herself, looking nostalgically over the city. She thinks to herself, "To think it would be this wonderful. It's so embarrassing, and I always thought I would never have anything to do with it. I'm glad I didn't become an adult having never known what it was like."  Ebino looks up, with tears blowing from her face in the wind. "Farewell, my first love. I'll see ya later."

And thus ends Ebino's role in our story.

When Tarou goes back to RIrisu's manor, the butler tells him that he was ordered not to tell anything. However, despite this, he knows what her true desire is. The Butler tells Tarou that he suddenly feels like going to see the ocean, and asks if Tarou would like to go on a drive with him. Tarou emphatically agrees.

However, Eve tells Tarou that she cannot go with him to see Ririsu. She knows that she has hidden feelings of resentment toward Ririsu and thus cannot be trusted not to interfere with them. Tarou tries to dissuade her from not going, but she assures him that she will not disappear by herself should something happen. She says she wants to meet her again, as well, and see the REAL Eve in her true form. She tells him that she could possibly become an even MORE wicked First Love Zombie. Tarou is shocked, but Eve playfully says she's just kidding.

So, with the blessings of both Mei Ebino and his First Love Zombie, Eve, Tarou is off to see Ririsu and settle things once and for all by himself. As he leaves, Eve says "I believe in you."

End of Chapter