Hiroko and Shigeru had spent the night at Mountain Bear's lodge. The sun rose early in the morning and the two stood on the porch overlooking Mount Taro. Between the lodge and the mountain was nothing but a vast expanse of white snow. It was a breathtaking sight.

"Aki's right ahead of us, you know," said Shigeru, "why don't you speak to him?"

"What do I say?" asked Hiroko.

Shigeru took a few steps forward, cupped his mouth with his hands, and shouted into the winter morning, "Fujii Itsuki, are...you...feeling...cold? Are you still...singing...the...Seiko Matsuda song? I'm...marrying...Hiroko! Okay...okay...okay!"

He turned to Hiroko. "See? Aki has given us his blessings!"

Hiroko smiled. She thought of what she would say to Aki. Facing the mountain, she cried out, "Aki, how are you? I'm...fine.."

For some reason, Aki on the hospital bed seemed to hear Hiroko, and she whispered, "I'm fine."

"Aki! How...are...you? I'm...fine!" Hiroko knelt on the snow and broke down. For the first time, she began to feel free, she was able to let go of Aki.

Mountain Bear appeared at the window, rubbed his eyes and asked, "What's all the noise about?"

"Oh..." answered Shigeru, "it's just Hiroko having a conversation with Aki."

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