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.

With thanks to DB Sommer, Bridget Wilde, and Gary Kleppe
for helping to improve this fic.

Maison Ikkoku is the property of Takahashi-sama.

Vincent Seifert has kindly created a webpage to host most
of my fics. An Awakening of Demons, Nabiki's War and all of
my spamfics/shortfics can be found at:

http://www.csus.edu/indiv/s/seifertv/kagami/

Yoshiro_san has kindly created a webpage to host my
Ranma/Slayers spamfic series, Mother. You can find this
series at:

http://members.xoom.com/Yoshiro_san/mother/

---

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 delight. Likely, there would be just enough
time to go down to the public baths before dinner. Tucking
the folded newspaper under his right arm, 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.

---

She was alone this year. A third grandchild was soon to
join the world. Strange how the familiar walk past the
many graves seemed so lonely now. The lone bird trilling
its joy of summer paused respectfully as she reached her
destination.

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 faded
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.

---