+1. Epilogue

"Hah! What is that, Terasaka?"

It's normal for people to immediately bust their guts in laughter when they see the pink bear phone strap on Terasaka's mobile. It's incongruent to his image and appearance, and his superiors really see it as an indication that he's a pushover.

But well, Teraskaa signed up for this career that basically gets you bullied left and right, so he digresses.

He's just an apprentice. He'll tolerate until he's the bully again.

"The gap moe is pretty cute though," a female superior snickered at the sight. It's not as much mocking as it is looking down on him, but it still feels just as snide.

Terasaka sighed.

This is a fight that's not worth picking. He knows that much.

"It's pretty lame, isn't it?" Terasaka chuckled, following at their pace. "But I can't remove it till I fix all these mistakes in the report. Keeps me motivated, yanno?"

(One day, when Terasaka, Karma, Kayano, Nakamura, Okuda, and so many more of them all make it as prominent figures of their fields, the single similar item they treasure, pink and fluffy and so uncharacteristical, becomes a hidden hallmark of people who must not be antagonized.)

(Only then does Terasaka laugh loud and boisterous, exclaiming with confidence against the people who demean it.)

-

"Na~gisa-sensei!"

Nagisa wailed. One of his students just sauntered into the classroom, it's seventh period, and he's clutching Starbucks in one hand, like nothing was wrong.

"Here, I got you a Blue Hawaii Latte," he said, happily presenting it.

"Why does that exist? Why would you latte a Blue Hawaii?" Nagisa snapped out of it, "I mean. Tasaru-kun! Get serious, you can't just walk in this late!"

"Hey, it's surprisingly good, you know! Also, I got lost."

"And yet you found Starbucks."

"It was the only logo I recognized. I felt like being illiterate today."

"You can't just turn your literacy off!"

Nagisa sighed longsufferingly. As if being stuck with a class of problem children was bad enough, he had to deal with eccentrics, too.

"You know I'm going to have to stop accepting bribes like this," Nagisa argued.

He'd been turning up late every day, but he's also been buying him stuff so he'd feel nice enough to change that 'Late' to a 'Present' on his attendance record. His hopes of graduating were looking real bleak at this point. At least his grades were alright.

"Awh, but you love me, Nagisa-sensei!"

Nagisa sighed deeply.

"Enough, enough, I get it. Go back to your seat," he relented. It was nice, though, to be equally pampered and bullied by his own students. It was nostalgic, in a way.

"Yay! Nagisa-sensei still loves me!"

"I didn't say you were forgiven," Nagisa insisted. "Tasaru-kun, you along with everyone whose names I'm going to call now..." there was a loud gasp across the hall, "yes. You failed your pop quiz. You know what that means."

A loud wail of despair roared through the classroom.

Nagisa happily retrieves a bagfull of Mase Haruna merch. It wasn't even the subtle merch, it was the gaudy, hugely-printed, garishly coloured, most otaku-like merch of the whole official merchandise variety. This included a haori printed with her face in eyestrain neon colours, obnoxiously-adorned keychains with too much glitter, and oversized stickers that loudly declared that they would die for Mase Haruna.

"Come on up and pick your piece! Because you guys have to wear this somewhere obvious for the next week!" Nagisa beamed.

"OH MY GOD it's worse than last time!"

"How are you even GETTING THOSE?!"

Nagisa rarely looked this spirited doing anything at all.

"Let's just say I have access to rejected merchandise samples. It was hard to get the school to approve of you guys wearing these on campus, so be grateful."

"You're making us the laughingstock of the school, Nagisa!"

"You think you're not already the laughingstock of the school, Class Chaos?!"

-

Meanwhile, in a certain well-furnished orphanage, a class that involved various elementary school students was in session.

Emphasis on was.

"Hey kids! Guess who's here?!"

Every pre-teen in the building immediately bolted up and away from the blackboard, charging toward the front door. Araki Teppei stepped in with a box full of fast food, and he got a loud hurray as a welcome.

Asano Gakuho sighed, setting down his chalk.

"Teppei-kun. I've mentioned quite a few times to wait until I'm done."

"Isn't it fine, they've got plenty of time before their exams, they can take it a little easy," Sakakibara Ren smiled as he entered with drinks. "Ah, Former Board Chairman, we bought a souvenir for you as well."

It's a tiny little keychain of the Eiffel tower.

Asano accepted it. "Thank you, Ren-kun."

It was probably another cheap tourist souvenir, like the multiple that now decorated his office in this building. It had started off as an attempt by Gakushuu to make fun of his father, since Asano was rich enough to not appreciate an expensive or perishable gift like wine. Unexpectedly, his father genuinely adored the dumb little trinkets that they brought home for him, so they couldn't even bear to tell him it was a joke.

Now, it's become a tradition to get him the most underwhelming souvenir possible.

"Hey KIDS, it's your favourite uncle!" Seo Tomoya declared fervently as he charged into the building, and somehow, the kids got louder.

Asano hummed. They've really learned how to test his patience over the years. How he missed the days where he was still morally corrupt enough to brainwash people that don't listen to him. That skill would be so convenient right now.

"Don't you dare," Gakushuu grinded his teeth with his threat, appearing behind the former Board Chairman with his arms crossed.

Asano beamed. "Oh, there you are, my dear son. How was your trip to Paris? I saw a picture of you on Nakamura-san's social media account. How I wish I got a smile like that from my son directly instead."

"Don't act dumb, you were planning something nefarious," Gakushuu muttered. "And why the hell do you know Nakamura Rio's instagram? Why are you stalking her?"

"I am not stalking her, she is an influencer. She made her account to be informative. She knows I follow her."

"Jesus help us all..."

Gakushuu turned away for his own sanity, reaching for one of the younger kids that had come up to him asking to be picked up.

"Are you really sure he's not been mentally manipulating any of you, Bluebell? Don't worry, just tell me," Gakushuu coaxed the child, "I'll get him arrested right away."

"Stop that," Ren warned, "I know you're desperate for anything you can use, but not the child, Shuu. Put her down."

"...well," Koyama Natsuhiko stared at the father-son duo. "I'm glad to see that no matter how much the scenery changes, these two never grow up."

"Well, let's ignore them," Araki said, sitting down to distribute the food. "So, who wants to hear stories about Paris?"

-

Hazama rarely lost herself in a book during work hours, but she couldn't quite help it. She hadn't had the chance to read Kanzaki's novel in a while, and a copy of the long-awaited sequel just got shipped to the library. Of course she was going to take it and find a corner. Why else was she a librarian?

Seven years flitted by in a flash. Hazama's only doing online writing as a side, but the feeling of a thick novel under her hands made her wonder if endeavouring for an official publication was worth it.

"Kirara," her co-worker whispered, "the return pile is looking pretty full. You might want to get that done before you continue."

Hazama sighed. Guess she'll have to.

Surprisingly, the first book she spotted in the pile brought a smile to her face.

Koro-Quest. The library had all of its volumes stocked, and it was quite a popular manga staple for the kids that come by. Hazama felt the urge to pick that up and read it too, but alas, if she had no self-control, she wouldn't be working here.

Work is mundane, but she enjoyed it.

It reminds her of how far she's come, and each day is fulfilling.

"Hello?"

The phone call at the end of the day is surprising.

"Kanzaki, it's been a while, yes, I've been well," Hazama said, "Mimura's new movie... ah, the one that Kayano's also co-starring in? Sure, let's go watch it together."

She held Kanzaki's novel in her hand.

The first page of acknowledgements held a single, meaningful line of dedications:

[For the teachers who were the side characters in their stories, so I could become the hero of my own.]

"So you, me, and Fuwa..." she hummed, "let's ask the group if anyone else is free, too. It'd be a small reunion party."

-

"Tadaomi, the kids are inviting us to a movie," Irina entered the office, "Saturday, ten. Lunch after. Are we going?"

Karasuma Tadaomi didn't look up from his work. "I have a meeting. You have a plane to Jakarta," he said, sharply. "They can bring Naomi along, if she wants to go."

"Free babysitting, good idea," Irina nodded. "I'll relay that, then."

Karasuma lifted his head as Irina left the room. Sometimes, he wondered why she even bothered asking. If she really wanted to go, she would be hobbling in with a loud whine, crying about not being able to go. If she asked so curtly, she already knew the answer was no and she had no problems with it.

Is she upset about something?

Maybe it was the time of the year. Next week was the seventh anniversary of that day again, after all...

"Irina," Karasuma called, before she got out of earshot. "You're leaving Saturday, so how about both of us go out on Friday night?"

Irina's face instantly bloomed so bright, Karasuma wondered if he was hallucinating due to sleep deprivation.

"I'll make the reservations, then!" Irina beamed. "And... I don't think Naomi would want to interrupt us... should I leave her with Ms Sakurai?"

"Yeah, sure. Do whatever you must,," Karasuma dismissed.

"Don't leave me hanging, alright! I don't care if the President of Japan is here!"

"Don't be ridiculous. As much as I used to want to sometimes, it's much too upsetting a sight to see someone alone on a table reserved for two," Karasuma sighed. "You know I'd never let the situation come to that."

"Well... I guess you're right," Irina said, her smile weakening a tad.

"Also, I backhanded the Grim Reaper in the face to save some kids. I think that's significantly more nerve-wracking than clocking an uninvited VIP over the head to make it to a date with you."

"Holy shit, that was the most romantic thing you've ever said to me."

A table reserved for two, with only one occupant.

That's a scene that frequents a certain restaurant in this town, every year on the exact same night. A single man enters the restaurant, takes the best seat in the house, and stays, waiting for his companion that never arrives.

He pays for the food and leaves a huge tip, though, so the owners don't chase him out. He's good-looking, too, so no one minds him being there taking up the space.

"Asano's stopped doing that last year, by the way," Irina allowed her smile to brim over her features once again. "Seems like Gakushuu-kun finally took pity on him and invited himself to dinner with his dad."

Karasuma found that a rather uncomfortable scene to imagine.

But perhaps, if those two are willing to put aside their differences for one night each year— then perhaps, they, too, are taking the steps they need to heal.

It's progress.

And the world moves on, even then.

-

"Hi, Miss...?"

"Ah, hi there!" Ms Sakurai turned around quickly, greeting her customer. "How may I help you, sir?"

The man chuckled sheepishly. "Do you happen to have orchids?"

"Of course. Would you like an arrangement or a bouquet?"

"An arrangement, please."

Orchids tend to be put on graves. So Ms Sakurai doesn't ask further, simply getting to work. The man peruses the store, admiring the flowers.

Ms Sakurai glanced up, every once in a while, intrigued.

His hair was an unusual silvery shade— platinum blonde, perhaps. And when he observed the flowers, his touch was tender. His eyes landed on the vase of plastic blue roses on the counter. It's decorated by little teddy bear trinkets, and it intrigues him enough to give him pause.

"Your arrangements are wonderful," he said. "I can feel the love you have for your art in every single piece. It's breathtaking."

Ms Sakurai smiled. "I'm flattered you think so."

"Do you work here alone? Take care of so many flowers all the time, all by yourself?"

"Yes, I do," Ms Sakurai said. "It gets tough with age, but these flowers are doing their best, too. I want to make sure they bloom as long as they can, as beautiful as they can be... and I'll continue to do so forever, if no one else is willing to."

(Flowers are meant to be taken care of. To be a florist is to expect nothing in return but the fleeting sight of their beauty. It is a thankless job.)

But Ms Sakurai loved this job, fruitless as it was.

The man's eyes were gentle as he looked at her, with eyes that almost seemed to understand exactly what she meant.

"If I wouldn't be too bold to ask... could I help?" he asked. "I used to do a little floral work on the side as well... though, I got in a bit of a pickle with the law, and now I have nothing left to my name. Definitely no resume to speak of."

He looked away, clearly awkward and hesitant.

Ms Sakurai could have laughed, but instead, she smiled, touched and enthused.

"Maybe I'm jumping the gun a little," he backtracked immediately, "I'm sorry, I shouldn't impose on your shop. This is important to you and I'm just a stranger—"

"I wouldn't mind another hand around," Ms Sakurai interrupted him. "From the sounds of it, you'll have a tough time finding work elsewhere, won't you? Where would you go if I turned you away now?"

The man's cheeks flushed, and Ms Sakurai smiled warmly, stepping around the counter to take his chapped, scarred hands in her own.

(These are hands that are familiar to her.)

(They are hands that resemble the ones she misses oh so dearly.)

"Honestly, you've got some good timing!" she giggled. "I was troubled about where this shop would go once I retire. Won't you do me a favour and take this shop off my hands? Let an old lady prepare for her retirement."

The man balked. "I barely know you, Ms Sakurai! Don't just give me your shop!"

She turned her nose up in consideration. "You have a point, I don't trust your skills just yet. You'll apprentice under me for at least a year before I decide if you're worthy."

"Ms Sakurai... has no one taught you stranger danger..."

"Details, details."

The man sighed in defeat. There was just no winning against this lady, was there? She'd decided to adopt him then and there, and he'd be lying if he said he wasn't aiming for something like this when he first walked in through the doors.

He took her hand, and bowed.

"If you allow me to live with you, Ms Sakurai, I promise I will protect you, and everything you treasure, until the day I die."

(Because he has nothing left, and now, he's going to try his best to find something to live for. That is why he came here, to find someone with a similar hole in their heart for love, so he may dig himself a place to hide.)

"My. I seem to have earned myself a little prince," Ms Sakurai chuckled. "So? How about an introduction? Step one of a great first impression is a spirited greeting."

"Good day to you, Ms Sakurai," he quickly fixed himself. "My name is Ran. Just Ran."

"Just 'Ran', huh... that's a little short," she hummed. "How about 'Sakurai'? Do you wanna be Sakurai Ran from today onwards?"

Ran immediately deflates, though the smile on his face is still genuine. "...Ms Sakurai, has anyone ever informed you that you're much too friendly for your own good? I worry you might be taken by the fairies one day."

Ms Sakurai was pleasantly surprised to hear his exasperated jibing. He's a gentle person, far deeper than she can read on the surface. She tried her best to read fuller into him, but perhaps, as is the job of a florist, she was fine just adoring the outside.

She didn't have to know the ugly inside components if he didn't want to show it to her. He could have his secrets, and she could have a son again.

Instead, she simply giggled to herself, perusing the flowers around the shop until she found the perfect one for the occasion.

"To commemorate," she said.

And she held out a single yellow orchid between them.

(To the promise of new beginnings.)

-

-

-

It's fine if just a niche of people know me.

I don't need to be remembered, I don't need to be honoured. But if my words mattered, maybe someone would think of me in passing. It's fine if I'm forgotten-- but just for a little while, I want to be something that isn't just an outsider in the end.

- Kunomasu Naomasa.

-

-

-

+2. Note

Asano didn't know what to do after that, so he called Karasuma up the mountain. Karasuma would sit there, holding Nao's wrist, for a very long moment, before he finally accepted the reality before him. 

Similarly to Korosensei, there is no grave for Nao. He didn't have a plot of land at the local cemetery anyways, since he had no blood family and he didn't wish for one. Instead, everyone has a teddy trinket from him with them, whether at home or wearing it somewhere obvious. Everything Nao used to own in the building is still there, though they've moved it to the drawers and cupboards to minimize wear-and-tear. 

As for the reactions of Kazu, Kazane, and Rei... well, I suppose I'll save it for the ALiVE rewrite.

Karasuma and Irina have a canonical daughter that isn't given a name, so for this story, her name is Naomi. 'Naomi' is a name that could be Hebrew or Japanese, so I thought it appropriate since she's of mixed heritage either way.

I couldn't really decide if Asano settled down somewhere new or if he just took over the orphanage in AC to be his new cram school building. Let's just say the old man was happy he got to retire and Asano refurbished the building to become his new empire. I'm sure Sakura shows up occasionally, as do the former E class, but for the time, the Five Virtuosos have become the main operators.

The cameos by KHR characters in this chapter are just cameos, nothing relevant to the story. I needed OCs to fill in some roles and didn't feel like making up names, so I looked into the KHR character list and found some that seemed like they would be about the right age.

The timeline goes as such for KHR folks: Nao dies, and then KHR begins. At the final arc, Byakuran is redeemed in the present. Ran then comes back here to find Ms Sakurai's shop again. From now on, the Funeral Wreaths are, ironically, going to be Ms Sakurai's new family. Ironic because you know, they're all named after flowers... Hey. It'll be noisy. So, good for her.

I had the final scene with Nao and Asano written out quite a bit before I got there, maybe around the time of the final exam arc. It was just a loose scene I wrote because I felt emotional inspiration at the time, and I'd left it in my drafts ever since. I'm glad I managed to get to it in the story after all.

Another scene I wrote out long before it occurred was the meeting scene with Rei. It's already present in the first chapter of an ALiVE rewrite I've been touching on for a while now, and it's a big part of why I haven't gotten around to publishing that yet.

Nao was not aware of the exact moment he would die, hence, he had a few things left that he wanted to do, including actually saying goodbye to the kids. But it felt appropriate for him to go like a normal unsuspecting man, and a big part about all this was that people never accurately predict death to begin with, that's how life works. Nao had a vague deadline, and so did Korosensei, but in the end, the circumstances of their deaths still came as a surprise. If Korosensei had the most timely death possible, Nao had the most untimely, but both of them were fulfilling for themselves because they both did as much as they could before then.

I mean, it's not as if Nao didn't say goodbye to the kids at all. I tried to fit in one last scene for everyone in class to interact with Nao in the last few chapters starting from Kayano, and I think I only didn't have the opportunity for one or two of them.

OUTSiDER was the second of the reincarnation series, chronologically. I penned it down as a joke while ALiVE was reaching its climax chapters, and it means a lot to me as a milestone to see how far it's come.

This is, by quite far, my most popular fic on both platforms, and I still don't understand why sometimes. It's been an honour bringing so many of you along this journey, and I hope to see you again on my other fics as well.

Thanks for reading Nao's story.